Pixel 2 XL - Replacing the screen

Switch off the device before the repair.

1. Press and hold the standby button until "Power off" appears.
2. Tap again to confirm and wait till the device has shut down.

Now you can start and take off the display.

The screen is very easy to damage. So you should only replace internal parts like the battery, if the display is already broken.It's better to heat the screen several times if you feel resistance, instead of bending it.The cable underneath is very sensitive. Never insert the tool more than 5 mm. Also don't use the tool as a lever, but run it flatly along the edges to release the glue.

1. First heat the glue around the edges with a hot air tool to about 60°C. Repeat and heat the display to the point where you can barely touch it.
2. Then attach a suction cup at the bottom of the display over the USB connector and pull on it.
3. Then slide a very thin, flat tool between the display and the frame and slide it around the edge to release one corner of the display.
4. Then slide a pick between frame and display. You can use other picks to get off the display all around. Don't insert any tool more than 5 mm!
5. When the glue is detached everywhere, you can lift the display off. Carefully fold the display to the top (as seen in the image), as there are still 2 flex cables attached.

The display is very thin. If the display badly broken, you have to scrape it out of the frame bit by bit. Scrape any glass residue out of the frame using a flat metal tool.

• Connector

1. Under the screen there are two very delicate flex cables. Fold up the display carefully, so you don't strain them.
2. Remove the plastic cover marked with "1" by sliding a flat tool into the gap and prying it out.
3. Then remove cover no. 2. It has a small tape strip that you also need to detach.
4. Unplug both connectors using a spudger.

Be very careful with the lower contact. Next to the connector, there are components on the circuit board that can easily be damaged.

1. Now put the display aside.

As you can see, the display unit is very fragile and the glass screen has no extra protection, so be very careful.

• Display connector

Test the display before installing it to make sure you didn't buy a broken spare part. If you find any error, don't continue, but contact your vendor and return the part if necessary.

1. Check the minimum and maximum brightness of the display and check for pixel errors.
2. Drag any app across the screen in a zig-zag pattern. If it doesn't jump, the touch function is OK.
3. If everything works fine, switch the device off again and unplug both connectors.
4. Now you can remove all backing films.

1. Carefully remove all bits of broken glass.

Be careful not to hurt yourself or use gloves.

1. Remove all adhesive residue with a plastic tool.
2. Thoroughly clean the edges of the chassiswith rubbing alcohol / isopropanol.
3. Run a pointed plastic tool through all the ridges with the moist cloth to clean out all residue.

If you're opening the display, you need to attach a new adhesive frame to close the device, so you should order one before starting the repair.

Attach the frame sticker to fasten the display.

1. First put the frame sticker on the display with the backing film attached to check the alignment.
2. The hole for the front camera shows you which way the adhesive frame should face.
3. Then peel off the outer backing film and stick on the frame sticker. The blue film should be facing up.

The adhesive frame is very thin and tears easily, so you have to work slowly and step by step.

1. First press on the top edge of the sticker and make sure it sticks. Then attach it on the opposite side, especially at the corners.
2. Press the edges to the chassis frame. The blue backing film should already be peeling off a little. This shows you that the sticker is sitting on the frame properly.
3. Once the sticker is properly attached, pull of the second backing film. Correct its position, if the black sticker film isn't sitting right. Make sure the adhesive doesn't come out at the edges when you close the device.
4. Then pull out the the whole inner part of the sticker by pulling on the U-shaped tab.

• Display connector

Place the display on one edge of the device. Place the display on a spacer of some sort to keep the frame from sticking by accident.

1. Reconnect the display connectors. Press the contact carefully onto the connection on the motherboard until you hear it click into place.
2. Put the two plastic covers back in place and press them in. Don't forget to attach the tape of the second plastic cover.

Switch on your assembled device and test the display again.

Do watch out that the display doesn't slip, but don't press it on yet.

1. Drag any app across the screen in a zig-zag pattern. If it doesn't bounce back, everything's ok.
2. Also test the minimum and maximum brightness of the screen and look out for any pixel errors.

1. Place the display on the frame and make sure it's sitting right.
2. Then press on the display all around. Press it a bit longer to make the glue stick.

The adhesive needs some time to bond. You can heat the screen a little and place it between two books, so the glue will hold better. Do take care not to damage the screen though!