The screen is broken or remains black

In this repair guide, we show you how to replace your Samsung Galaxy S3’s defective display unit on your own. You need this repair if the glass is cracked, the touchscreen no longer responds to touch, or the LCD remains black or flickers.

Required tools

  • 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 €15.99 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.

    from €10.99 on Amazon
  • Menda ESD Spudger

    Menda ESD Spudger

    You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.

    from €26.38 on Amazon
  • Steel Laboratory Spatula

    Steel Laboratory Spatula

    You need a flat and sturdy prying tool to disconnect glued parts.

    on Amazon
  • Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    Phillips PH00 screwdriver

    You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.

    from €10.84 on Amazon
Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S3 

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S3

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

26 steps
  1. Removing the back cover

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the back cover 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the back cover 02
    1. Insert the spudger into the gap next to the headphones. Carefully lift the back cover. There are 16 clips on the outside under the back cover. You have to disconnect them by moving the spudger around the entire smartphone one time. Alternatively, you can detach the back cover using your fingernails.
    2. Then you can take off the back cover.
  2. Removing the battery

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the battery 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the battery 02
    1. If your Samsung Galaxy’s still on, turn it off now by holding down the standby button for about three seconds and following the prompt on the display.
    2. Now use the spudger or your fingertip to lift the battery (see figure 1) and then remove it (see figure 2).
  3. Removing the SIM card

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the SIM card 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the SIM card 02
    1. Use the spudger or your finger to push the SIM card all the way into the slot (see figure 1). After a gentle click, the SIM card will come out (see figure 2).
    2. Now you can pull it out with your fingers.
    3. Repeat this process if you’ve installed a microSD card.
  4. Removing the plastic cover

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 02
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 03
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the plastic cover 04
    1. Remove the 10 Phillips screws that hold the plastic cover in place (see figure 1).
      10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
    2. Use the spudger or your fingernails to lift the cover from the inside. Only insert the spudger about 2 millimeters (see figure 2) and carefully lift the cover until it’s detached (see figure 3).
    3. Test the new display (see figure 4).
      • Temporarily connect the new display assembly.
      • Put in the battery.
      • Start your Samsung Galaxy S3 and check whether the LCD and touchscreen work properly. Make sure the connector is securely plugged in to the connection.
  5. Removing the speaker/headphone output

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the speaker/headphone output 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the speaker/headphone output 02
    1. First, disconnect the connector on the speaker/headphone output cable.
      Speaker/headphone output
      Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
    2. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figure 1).
    3. Now use the spudger to carefully lift the speaker from the side (see figure 2).
  6. Disconnecting the connectors

    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 01
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 02
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 03
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 04
    Galaxy S3 - Disconnecting the connectors 05
    1. Now you can disconnect the following four connectors. Be very careful (see figure 1).
      LCD
      Volume controller/earpiece
      Front camera
      Wi-Fi
      Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.
    2. Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figures 2 to 5).
  7. Removing the logic board

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the logic board 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the logic board 02
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the logic board 03
    1. Unscrew the screw holding the logic board in place (see figure 1).
      1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now you can carefully lift the logic board using the spudger (see figure 2) and remove it by hand (see figure 3). The rear camera sometimes sticks a little bit. Be careful.
  8. Removing the front camera

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the front camera 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the front camera 02
    1. There’s still a screw holding the front camera in place (see figure 1). Remove it.
      1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
    2. Now use the laboratory spatula or spudger to lift the bracket, and then remove the camera and bracket (see figure 2).
  9. Removing the Wi-Fi antenna

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the Wi-Fi antenna 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the Wi-Fi antenna 02
    1. Carefully insert the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula below the Wi-Fi antenna. Lift it a little bit at a time (see figure 1).
    2. As soon as the antenna is fully detached, you can take the little green sticker off of one side (see figure 2).
    3. Now you can remove the entire cable set.
  10. Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable 02
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable 03
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable 04
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the volume controller/earpiece cable 05
    1. Using the pointed tip of the spudger, carefully push the volume button out of the frame and put it in a compartment of your organizer tray (see figure 1).
    2. Insert the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula between the volume up/down buttons on the cable set and the frame to detach the cable (see figure 2).
    3. Now carefully lift the earpiece using the spudger (see figure 3). Then you have to carefully detach the cable set using the spatula or spudger (see figures 4 and 5).
      The cable set is sometimes firmly glued on. Some hot air can help.
    4. Now you can remove the cable set with your fingers.
  11. Removing the vibration motor

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the vibration motor 01
    Galaxy S3 - Removing the vibration motor 02
    1. Now remove the vibration motor. Insert the pointed tip of the spatula or spudger below the vibration motor (see figure 1). It’s sometimes glued firmly in place. If you still can’t detach the vibration motor, you can use a heat gun to warm it slightly and soften the glue.
    2. Once the motor is detached, you also have to detach the cable. Carefully insert the pointed tip of the spatula below the cable and detach it (see figure 2).
  12. Preparing the new display

    Galaxy S3 - Preparing the new display 01
    1. Not all available displays have the same features. If necessary, you’ll have to take all or some of the following parts from your old display before installing the new screen. If necessary, you’ll have to take all or some of the following parts from your old display before installing the new screen.
    2. 3 x rubber covers
      3 x foam stickers
      2 x soft rubber stickers
      2 x water damage indicator stickers
      1 x transparent sticker
  13. Removing the power button

    Galaxy S3 - Removing the power button 01
    1. Using the pointed tip of the spudger, push the power button out of the frame and put it in a compartment of your organizer tray. You only have to do that if your replacement display doesn’t have preinstalled volume and power buttons.
  14. The right tools for your repair

    With the right tools, you will succeed in any repair. In our store you will find a large selection of professional quality tools.
    VIEW NOW
  15. Inserting the power button

    Galaxy S3 - Inserting the power button 01
    1. Now put the power button into the appropriate opening. You can push it in with your fingers from the outside until it clicks firmly into place. You only have to do that if your replacement display doesn’t have preinstalled volume and power buttons.
  16. Installing the vibration motor

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the vibration motor 01
    1. Now put the vibration motor in the appropriate position.
    2. The old glue is usually enough to hold it. If the vibration motor is too loose, use new glue. If it’s not attached securely enough, your phone’s vibration will be weaker.
  17. Installing the volume controller/earpiece cable

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the volume controller/earpiece cable 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the volume controller/earpiece cable 02
    1. If the volume buttons are in the opening in the frame, remove them first. Use the pointed tip of the spudger to push the volume button out of the frame (see figure 1).
    2. Now install the cable set’s volume bar exactly in the appropriate position. You have to fit it properly so the volume buttons won’t get stuck later (see figure 2).
    3. Now stick on the rest of the cable set so the earpiece is fitted properly in the appropriate position (see figure 2).
  18. Installing the Wi-Fi antenna

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the Wi-Fi antenna 01
    1. Now install the Wi-Fi antenna and route the cable into the appropriate duct.
    2. Then stick the transparent green sticker on the cable.
  19. Installing the front camera

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the front camera 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the front camera 02
    1. Now put the front camera back where it was originally. Make sure it’s fitted securely (see figure 1).
    2. Then fasten it with the Phillips screw (see figure 2).
      1 x 2.0 mm Phillips screw
  20. Installing the logic board

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the logic board 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the logic board 02
    1. Now put the logic board back in the frame. Start with the rear camera connected to the logic board. Once it’s fitted correctly, you can install the rest of the logic board (see figure 1).
    2. Make sure the LCD cable and front camera cable don’t get under the logic board.
    3. Use the picture to check whether your logic board is aligned correctly (see figure 2).
    4. Now fasten the screw for the logic board (see figure 2).
      1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
  21. Connecting the connections

    Galaxy S3 - Connecting the connections 01
    1. Now plug the following four connectors into the corresponding connections. Use your finger to carefully press them into place. Only use as much pressure as you need for the contacts to gently click into place.
      LCD
      Volume controller/earpiece
      Front camera
      Wi-Fi
  22. Installing the speaker/headphone output

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the speaker/headphone output 01
    Galaxy S3 - Installing the speaker/headphone output 02
    1. Now put the speaker back in (see figure 1).
    2. If it’s fitted properly, you can connect the connector (see figure 2).
  23. Attaching the plastic cover

    Galaxy S3 - Attaching the plastic cover 01
    Galaxy S3 - Attaching the plastic cover 02
    1. Now put on the plastic cover and make sure that it clicks into place properly (see figure 1).
    2. Then screw it on (see figure 2).
      10 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
  24. Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

    Galaxy S3 - Inserting the SIM and microSD cards 01
    1. Now slide the SIM card and the microSD card, if you have one, back into the corresponding slots.
  25. Installing the battery

    Galaxy S3 - Installing the battery 01
    1. Put the battery back in. The +/- symbols have to be touching the contact point.
  26. Attaching the back cover

    Galaxy S3 - Attaching the back cover 01
    1. It’s very easy to put the back cover back on. Put it on in the correct position and press it on all the way around the phone until all the clips have clicked into place.
  27. Final test

    1. Start your Samsung Galaxy S4 and enter the following key combination:
      *#0*#
    2. Then press the call button.
    3. Now you can check all the functions.
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