Pixel 4 - Replacing the screen

Switch off pixel 4 before starting the repair.

1. Hold down the standby button on the right side for a few seconds and confirm the shutdown on the screen.

The Google Pixel 4 is opened via the back side made of glass. The so-called back cover is firmly glued to the frame of the display. To remove the back cover you need hot air and different opening tools. We recommend picks and an iFlex or iPlastix.

1. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the edge of the device evenly for several minutes. This makes it easier to remove the adhesive from the back cover. Just heat up until you can touch the device with your fingers without burning yourself. Heat mostly the edge and not the middle of the device, where the battery is located.
2. Then place the suction cup on the bottom of the back cover and pull while pressing the device down.
3. Push a tool into the gap that is now created between the back cover and the frame. If you can't get a plectrum in between, you can use a tool specially designed for this purpose, such as the iFlex. Be careful not to scratch the frame or back cover with the blade of the iFlex.
4. Then heat up every part of the edge of the back cover and move the plectrum or iFlex along the edge of the back cover to gradually loosen the glue.
5. You can use several picks to prevent the glue from rebonding in areas that have already been loosened.

Don't push your tool too far into the device to avoid damaging the components inside.

1. When all the glue is loose, lift the backcover just a little. The flashlight and a microphone are still connected via a flex cable. Fold the backcover over and carefully place it on the device.

• 2 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• Connector

The connector of the flexible cable is secured with a cover plate.

Inside the Google Pixel 4 there are only Torx T3 screws used. Make sure to use a suitable and high-quality screwdriver to avoid damaging the screw heads.

1. Loosen the two screws and remove the cover plate.
2. Separate the connector with a spudger.

Before you disconnect connectors from the motherboard, always take a closer look at the area around the connector. Often there are small components right next to the connectors on the board. If possible, always lever with the spudger at a place where there are no components to minimize the risk of damage.

1. If the contact is loose you can put the backcover aside.

• 4 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 1 × 2,0 mm Torx T3
• Battery connector

1. Remove the screws of the cover plate over the battery connector.

The screws are of different lengths. Be careful not to mix them up or mix them with other screws from the device. The easiest way to do this is with an iDoc magnetic mat. You can place the screws and the cover plate on the mat as they are located in the device. Because of the magnetic adhesion the screws do not shift so easily and will not get lost.

1. Remove the cover plate and separate the battery contact with a spudger.

Make sure to always separate connectors with a plastic tool in order not to cause short circuits or damage small components on the board.

• 4 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 2 × 2,3 mm Torx
• Connector

1. Loosen the four screws of the cover plate above the contacts of the front camera and sensor module and remove the plate.
2. Carefully separate the three connectors from the main board with a spudger.
3. Unscrew the two other screws that secure the entire module.
4. Gently lever in several places until you can remove the module.

• 1 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 1 × 4,4 mm Torx T3

1. Loosen the two Torx T3 screws of the lower cover plate and take it out.
2. Disconnect all connectors and the antenna cable from the main board.

Always take care when loosening the connectors. Lever with the spudger where there are no small components on the board. Be very careful when unplugging the connectors to avoid damaging anything on the main board.

1. Disconnect the antenna contact by moving a pair of tweezers under the cable and levering carefully.
2. Then remove the SIM card holder from the device.
3. Remove the two glued yellow tabs from the main board.
4. Check again that you have really removed all connectors and then carefully lift the board out of the device. Make sure that the board does not get trapped by a flexible cable.
5. Finally, take out the dual camera which still lies in the device.

• 1 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 1 × 4,4 mm Torx T3

1. Löse die beiden Schrauben des Lautsprechers.
2. Die Öffnung des Lautsprechers ist an der Unterseite des Geräts tief in den Rahmen geschoben und an der linken Seite untergehakt.
3. Schiebe den Lautsprecher nach oben und hebele ihn an der Seite lose.
4. Nimm dann den Lautsprecher aus dem Gerät.

The battery in the Google Pixel 4 is held in place with three adhesive strips. The adhesive strips have pull tabs where they can be pulled out.

1. Loosen the lower tab from the upper side of the battery and pull it out to the side. Always try to pull out the adhesive strips as flat as possible. This way you avoid that they can break off too easily.
2. If one of the strips tears, first try to remove the other two strips as much as possible. You can also try to grab the torn strip with a pair of tweezers and pull it out even further. If this does not succeed, you have to lever the battery out of the device.
3. To do this, heat the glue, but never heat the battery directly, but heat the device from the side of the display.
4. Then use a wide tool such as a battery spudger or an iSesamo and carefully lift the battery on all sides until it can be removed from the device. Be careful not to damage any flex cables that run under the battery.

• Connector

1. The vibration motor is connected to the USB board and is glued into the device.
2. Loosen the connector with a spudger.
3. Heat the glue and slide a thin tool like tweezers or a steel spatula under the vibration motor to loosen it.

• 2 × 2,0 mm Torx T3

1. Loosen the two screws that are screwed into the side of the frame.
2. Then heat the glued wide flex cable and release it from the back of the display. Loosen also the cable running to the left side.
3. Lever the USB connector out of the frame and then take the entire component out of the device.

• 2 × 2,3 mm Torx T3

Above the rectangular golden microphone at the bottom edge of the unit is a small rubber cover. It is possible that it has already come loose during a previous step. Be careful not to lose the rubber cover and not to forget it later when assembling Pixel 4.

1. First loosen the two screws that fix the lower microphone in the frame.
2. Then lever carefully between the component and the frame to release the microphone. With hot air you can loosen the glue again more easily.

• Connector

1. Another microphone and a sensor are located on a cable set which is glued to the earpiece at the top of the device.
2. First disconnect the connector on the side.
3. Again, remove the black rubber cover on the microphone.
4. Then lever between the microphone and the frame and release also the sensor on the other side of the earpiece.

Heat the whole area to make it easier to remove the glue.

1. Then use tweezers or the steel spatula to move under the metal plate where the cable is glued and remove it from the earpiece.
2. When everything is loosened, you can remove the entire cable set from the device.

1. To the left of the earpiece is another sensor glued on.
2. Heat the sensor and then lever it carefully at the side with tweezers.
3. Take the sensor out.

Check to see if your spare display already has an earpiece installed. If so, you can skip this step.

1. Heat the flexible cable of the earpiece and loosen it with a steel spatula or tweezers.
2. Then lever on one side of the earpiece until you can lift it up.
3. Pass the flex cable through the opening and remove the earpiece.

Compare your defective display with the new spare part.

1. If necessary, take over all components missing in the spare part like the flex cables of the "Active Edge" function or seals and spacers.
2. The grey rectangle under the board is used for heat distribution in the device and should also be transferred to the new display.
3. Finally, also remove all films that protect the openings of the sensors and other surfaces.

If your spare display doesn't have an earpiece, put it in now.

1. Guide the flex cable through the opening and put the earpiece in place.
2. Put the flex cable in place, the small round opening in the cable helps you to position the contacts exactly.

1. Place the sensor back in its place to the left of the earpiece. Make sure that it is correctly aligned.
2. Press the sensor slightly until it is correctly seated.

• Connector

1. Place the microphone and sensor module on the earpiece.
2. Make sure it fits correctly and position the golden microphone on the side of the frame.
3. On the other side, fold the flex cable downwards and press it firmly.
4. Connect the connector.
5. Finally, attach the black rubber cover to the microphone.

• 2 × 2,3 mm Torx T3

1. Slide the lower microphone unit into the opening in the frame.
2. When it is properly seated you can attach the two Torx T3 screws.
3. Again, don't forget the black rubber cover over the microphone.

• 2 × 2,0 mm Torx T3

1. Place the USB board with the wide flex cable into the device. Do not glue the flex cable down at first.
2. Slide the USB connector into the opening at the bottom of the frame until it fits properly.
3. Position also the thin cable running to the side of the frame.
4. Put both screws back in place.
5. Finally align the wide flex cable in the device and press it into place.

• Vibration connector

1. Place the vibration motor in its place in the unit.
2. The two openings on one side fit exactly over two noses in the device.
3. Press the vibration motor until the adhesive bonds properly.
4. Finally connect the vibraiton motor.

• 1 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 1 × 4,4 mm Torx T3

1. The speaker has a black plastic nose on the wider side, which is hooked under the frame.
2. Place the speaker at a slight angle and then slide it as flat as possible into its opening at the bottom of the frame.
3. When the speaker is properly seated and does not stick out, you can secure it with the two Torx T3 screws of different lengths.

• Connectors
• 1 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 1 × 4,4 mm Torx T3

1. First place the dual camera on the white surface inside the device.
2. Then bend all the flex cables to the side so that you don't pinch any cables underneath the main board when inserting the main board.
3. Then slowly insert the main board into the unit past all cables.
4. First place it at the bottom and then push it into the frame at the side.

Make sure that the PCB is correctly positioned before connecting all connectors.

1. Insert the SIM card holder. It should not encounter any major resistance, otherwise the board is probably not yet seated correctly.
2. Then connect all connectors one by one. Take your time and proceed carefully.
3. Connect the antenna contact by holding and positioning the white antenna with the tweezers. Then use a spudger to press the contact onto the socket on the board.
4. Finally put on the cover plate and screw it on.

• Connector
• 4 × 4,0 mm Torx T3

Make sure that there is no dust on the front camera/sensor unit or inside the device.

1. Insert the front camera/sensor module into the device.
2. Press it down until it is properly seated.
3. Then reconnect all three connectors.
4. Put the cover plate on and screw it down.

The cover plate must be hooked into the top right of the frame.

To install and to be able to remove the battery later again you need new adhesive strips.

The adhesive strips should be cut and placed so that they correspond to the position of the original strips. The adhesive strips should not be placed over the flexible cables in the housing of the smartphone.

1. First check that there is no adhesive residue on the back of the battery or inside the device.
2. Pull off the transparent protective foil of the adhesive strips and attach the adhesive strips to the battery. Make sure that the black tabs protrude.
3. Fold the black tabs and stick them to the top of the battery.
4. Then remove the blue protective film and place the battery in the device.
5. Make sure that there is enough room on all sides and that it does not get jammed. The battery contact should be directly above its connector on the main board.

• 4 × 4,0 mm Torx T3
• 1 × 2,0 mm Torx T3

1. Connect the battery contact. Make sure that it is properly seated before you press it firmly. Do not slide the connector over the socket on the circuit board.
2. Put the cover plate on and screw it in place.

One of the screws is shorter. Be careful not to mix them up!

Test your Google Pixel 4 extensively before you finally close it.

1. Place the back cover on the device and connect the connector of the flexible cable.
2. Close the back cover and switch on the device.
3. You can test the touchscreen by sliding an app along the entire edge and zigzagging across the screen. If it always follows your finger, the touchscreen should not have any glitches.
4. Check the brightness, contrast and sharpness of the screen.

Also test the following functions:

• Main camera and front camera.
• Microphones (telephone, video recording)
• Wireless charging
• Unlocking via face recognition
• Speaker

1. If everything works, switch off the device and disconnect the flex cable again.

In order to close the Google Pixel 4 correctly, we recommend to use a new adhesive frame.

We have used the adhesive frame of the Pixel 3 on the pictures here, because at the time of production of this guide there was no adhesive frame available for the Pixel 4. But the procedure is the same.

1. First remove all old glue residues on the back cover and the frame.
2. Find out the correct position of the adhesive frame by placing it provisionally in the unit. You can see the correct alignment by the openings for the cameras and at the upper and lower edges.
3. Remove the white protective film from the edges and place the adhesive frame on one side of the frame.
4. Slowly let the adhesive frame glide onto the entire frame and always make sure that it lies correctly and does not protrude.
5. Then press the adhesive firmly onto the edge of the frame. You can use a spudger to help you do this and go along the entire edge once.
6. Peel off the rest of the protective film and the entire carrier layer in the middle.
7. Finally, check that the glue is correctly positioned. It should not protrude or wrinkle at any point. If necessary, correct the adhesive in such places.

• 2 × 4,0 mm Torx T3

1. Place the back cover on the device and connect the connector of the flexible cable.
2. Put the cover on and screw it on.

1. Slowly fold the back cover over and position it on the frame of the device.
2. Do not let it touch the frame and the glue until it is exactly centered.
3. Then press the backcover along the entire edge of the frame so that the adhesive bonds everywhere.
4. Finally, you can heat the device a little and then weigh it down with a few books or fix it with clamps for half an hour. That way the glue bonds best.