Google Pixel 3 battery repair guide

Replace the defective battery of your Google Pixel 3.

In this guide, we show you how to replace your Google Pixel 3 defective battery on your own. This repair can help if your Google Pixel 3 crashes under heavy use because the voltage temporarily drops, you can no longer charge it or turn it on, or the battery life is very low.

The repair is a bit difficult as the Pixel 3 has to be opened via the glass backcover. Removing the back cover is a somewhat more diffucult procedure, so plan enough time for it.

Do a backup before the repair, use a clean work surface and reserve enough time. If you are stuck at any point, just contact our live chat or write a comment on the corresponding step.

Required tools

Flat Picks

Flat Picks

You need a very flat tool such as a flat pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
€5.00 at the iDoc store
Heat gun

Heat gun

You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.
from €14.47 on Amazon
For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
€10.00 at the iDoc store
iFlex Opening Tool

iFlex Opening Tool

Opening your smartphone can be a very delicate operation, especially if the glue is very persistent. The blade of the flexible but sturdy iFlex measures just 0.15 mm, so it fits in even the smallest gaps, such as between the screen and the frame. The practical iFlex is made of stainless steel and sits comfortably in the hand. This makes it the perfect assistant for every smartphone repair.
€10.00 at the iDoc store
iPlastix Opening Tool

iPlastix Opening Tool

Do you want to open your smartphone or lever out large parts like the battery? Then the iPlastix with its large blade will help you. The practical assistant is made of flexible, especially sturdy plastic and lies comfortably in the hand. Thanks to its design, you can even get into smaller gaps, for example to lift the screen or to prevent it from sticking together again.
€10.00 at the iDoc store
Tweezers

Tweezers

We recommend using tweezers to remove screws and various small parts from your device.
€11.00 at the iDoc store
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
€12.00 at the iDoc store
Phillips screwdriver with centering pin

Phillips screwdriver with centering pin

Phillips screwdriver with practical centering pin for logic board screws.
€12.00 at the iDoc store

Required replacement part

Google Pixel 3 Battery

Google Pixel 3 Battery

€15.00 at the iDoc store

Show all replacement parts for the Pixel 3

Passendes Werkzeug

Mit unserem Werkzeug gelingt dir die Reparatur.

Samsung Tool Kit, 17 pieces

for €40.00

Steps

12 Steps

Switching off the device

Step 1

Removing the backcover

Step 2

Disconnecting the fingerprint sensor

Step 3

Removing the midframe

Step 4

Disconnecting the battery

Step 5

Removing the battery

Step 6

Inserting the battery

Step 7

Connecting the battery

Step 8

Inserting the midframe

Step 9

Connecting the fingerprint sensor

Step 10

Testing the device

Step 11

Installing the backcover

Step 12

Getting started with the repair of your Pixel 3

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

12 steps

Switching off the device
Switch off the device before the repair.
Press and hold the standby button until "Power off" appears.
Tap again to confirm and wait till the device has shut down.
Removing the backcover
To loosen the glued back cover, use a heat gun or an ordinary hair dryer. Warm glue is easier to loosen, allowing you to remove the back cover. The easiest way to loosen the back cover is to use a flat and flexible tool such as the iPlastix or iFlex. You will also need several picks to unstick the back cover all around.

Heat the spot where you start and place a suction cup on the bottom of the back cover.

Press a flat tool between the back cover and the frame and pull on the suction cup.

The iPlastix is made of plastic, so it won't scratch the device. On the other hand, it's very soft and tricky to insert.
Be extra careful, the back cover can break very easily. If necessary, apply the heat several times and try again. Removing the back cover might take half an hour. Take a little more time and work carefully to make sure you don't break anything.

Once the tool is inserted, stick a pick into the gap to keep it open. Then run the tool around the entire edge to gradually loosen the glue.

Then heat the next part and insert the picks one by one.

Once the back cover is loosened, lift it very slightly. The fingerprint sensor underneath the camera is still connected with a cable.
Disconnecting the fingerprint sensor
2 × 4,1 mm Phillips

Fingerprint Connector

The fingerprint sensor connector is secured with a black plastic cover.
Loosen the two Phillips screws on the cover. Use a proper PH00 screwdriver (cross recess).
Remove the cover which is hooked under.
Separate the contact carefully with a plastic spudger.
Always lever from a side where there are no components on the motherboard. This will prevent damage. Be careful not to damage the socket on the board or the plug.
Finally you can put the backcover aside.
Removing the midframe
2 × 1,9 mm Phillips

2 × 4,0 mm Phillips

1 × 4,2 mm Phillips

The battery contact and many other contacts are located under a plastic frame. The charging coil for wireless charging is also attached to this frame.

Loosen the screws with different lengths of the middle frame.

Note the position of the screws so that you do not mix them up when reinserting them. The iDoc magnet mat is particularly suitable for storing screws and other small metal parts safely during repairs.
When all screws are loosened, you can remove the frame together with the coil.
Disconnecting the battery
Battery Connector

Now the battery connector is free.
To avoid short circuits during the repair, disconnect the battery.
Removing the battery
External Buttons Connector

First disconnect the connector of the control buttons from the main board. The flex cable of the keys runs over the battery and could otherwise be damaged when levering.

The battery in the Pixel 3 is not as strong glued as in other smartphones. There are tabs on the left side to remove the adhesive strips (image 3) under the battery.
We didn't solve the battery by pulling out the adhesive strips, because we changed the display of our Pixel 3 and wanted to continue using the original battery with its adhesive.

First remove the dark grey foil that is glued to the battery and the motherboard. The foil tears very easily, but that's not too important.

Then loosen the tabs on the left side of the battery and pull out the adhesive strips.

If an adhesive tape breaks, use a wide plastic tool on the bottom and left side of the battery to lever it up.

Be careful not to bend the battery or damage the wrapper. You can heat the glue to make it easier to remove. However, never heat the battery directly, but heat the adhesive from below, i.e. from the side of the display.

If the battery can be lifted, use a tool to slide it under the battery to remove any adhesive.

Then remove the battery from the device and put it aside.

Inserting the battery
External Buttons Connector

If your replacement battery has no glue or adhesive tape attached, you can use thin double-sided tape to hold the battery in place. Do not apply adhesive to the flex cable.

Insert the battery into the enclosure.

Press the battery firmly into the housing so that the adhesive can bond better.
Connecting the battery
Battery Connector

Connect the battery to the main board. Press the contact onto the connector of the motherboard until it clicks into place.
Inserting the midframe
2 × 1,9 mm Phillips

2 × 4,0 mm Phillips

1 × 4,2 mm Phillips

Position the middle frame and fasten it with the Phillips screws of different lengths.
Connecting the fingerprint sensor
Fingerprint Connector

2 × 4,1 mm Phillips

Before you attach the back cover, take a closer look at the glue on the edges. If it wrinkles in some places and is thicker, the backcover may not lie flat. Remove the glue at such places. You can also remove all adhesive and use a new adhesive frame. Usually there will be enough glue left on the backcover so that you can attach it to the frame.

Put the back cover in place and reconnect the fingerprint sensor.

Then put the plastic cover back on. It must be placed under the flex cable of the mid-frame.

Then reattach the two Phillips screws.
Testing the device
Before you finally close the device, you should test it.
Here in the picture you can see pixel 2, but this step works the same for pixel 3.
Turn on the device and test the screen.
Set the brightness to minimum and maximum.
Drag an app icon across the entire screen to make sure the touch works in all places.
Installing the backcover
Put the back cover back in its original position.
Press the back cover on all over so the glue will stick.
You can also heat your device with hot air and then clamp it or weight it down with a couple books so the glue will stick better.