Replacing the screen

Galaxy S4 Repair guide

Galaxy S4 - Replacing the screen

45 min.
Medium
25 Steps

Go to the guide

The screen is broken or remains black

In this repair guide, we show you how to replace your Samsung Galaxy S4’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

Required replacement part

Samsung Galaxy S4 Display

Samsung Galaxy S4 Display

from €12.99 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S4

Steps

25 Steps

Removing the back cover

Removing the back cover

Step 1

Removing the battery

Removing the battery

Step 2

Removing the SIM card

Removing the SIM card

Step 3

Removing the plastic cover

Removing the plastic cover

Step 4

Disconnecting the connectors

Disconnecting the connectors

Step 5

Removing the logic board

Removing the logic board

Step 6

Removing the USB connector

Removing the USB connector

Step 7

Removing the antenna cable

Removing the antenna cable

Step 8

Removing the front camera

Removing the front camera

Step 9

Removing the earpiece

Removing the earpiece

Step 10

Removing the vibration motor

Removing the vibration motor

Step 11

Removing the headphone output

Removing the headphone output

Step 12

Preparing the new display

Preparing the new display

Step 13

Installing the headphone output

Installing the headphone output

Step 14

Installing the vibration motor

Installing the vibration motor

Step 15

Installing the earpiece

Installing the earpiece

Step 16

Installing the front camera

Installing the front camera

Step 17

Installing the USB connector

Installing the USB connector

Step 18

Installing the logic board

Installing the logic board

Step 19

Connecting the connections

Connecting the connections

Step 20

Attaching the plastic cover

Attaching the plastic cover

Step 21

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 22

Installing the battery

Installing the battery

Step 23

Attaching the back cover

Attaching the back cover

Step 24

Final test

Step 25

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S4

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

25 steps

Removing the back cover
Insert the spudger into the gap next to the headphones. 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.

Then you can take off the back cover.
Removing the battery
If your Samsung Galaxy’s still on, turn it off by holding down the standby button for about three seconds and following the prompt on the display.

Now use the spudger or your fingertip to lift the battery (see figure 1) and then remove it (see figure 2).
Removing the SIM card
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).

Now you can pull it out with your fingers.

Repeat this process if you’ve installed a microSD card.
Removing the plastic cover
Remove the 9 Phillips screws that hold the plastic cover in place (see figure 1).
9 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws

Lift the cover and the chrome frame to remove them. The cover is attached to the display at 14 points. Insert the spudger between the chrome frame and the display. Start at the level of the Home button (see figure 2) and move the spudger once around the entire phone to detach all connections (see figures 3 and 4). Then you can remove the midframe.

Test the new display.

Temporarily connect the new display assembly (see figure 5).

Put in the battery.

Start your Samsung Galaxy S4 (see figure 6) and check whether the LCD and touchscreen work properly. Make sure the connector is securely plugged in to the connection.
Disconnecting the connectors
Now you can disconnect the following six connectors. Be very careful (see figure 1).
LCD/touchscreen
USB connector
Front camera
Earpiece
Antenna cable
Headphone output
Make sure you don’t break off the resistors that are soldered onto the logic board.

Place the pointed tip of the spudger very slightly below the contact and carefully lift it up. The pictures show where you should put the spudger to avoid breaking off the little resistors even if it slips (see figures 2 to 5).
Removing the logic board
Remove the screw holding the logic board in place (see figure 1).
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw

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.
Removing the USB connector
First disconnect the following cables. Place the flat end of the spudger very slightly below the contact and lift it up (see figures 1 to 3).
Touch button cable
Antenna cable

Now remove the bracket over the USB port by inserting the pointed tip of the spudger between the USB port and the bracket and lifting the bracket with some force (see figure 4). Put the bracket in a compartment of your organizer tray.

Insert the spudger below the USB connector cable and carefully detach it from the base (see figure 5). It’s lightly glued in place.

Now carefully remove it by hand.

In some cases, you may have to remove the adhesive film below it.
Removing the antenna cable
Now remove the blue antenna cable with your fingers.
Removing the front camera
In order to remove the front camera, you have to take off the black cover on the camera by placing the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula below the cover and carefully lifting it off (see figure 1).

Then grasp the front camera’s connector and pull out the camera (see figure 2).
Removing the earpiece
Now grasp the earpiece and sensor cable’s connector and pull it out.
Removing the vibration motor
Now remove the vibration motor. Carefully insert the pointed tip of the laboratory spatula or spudger below the cable set (see figure 1) and work your way toward the motor. 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.

Now remove the vibration motor (see figure 2).
Removing the headphone output
There’s still a screw holding the headphone output in place (see figure 1). Remove it.
1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw

Now grip the connector and remove the headphone output (see figure 2). Be careful because it’s also glued in.

Preparing the new display
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. We recommend using a heat gun to slightly warm up and soften the glue:
1 x heat shield
1 x model sticker
2 x soft rubber stickers
1 x water damage indicator sticker
3 x soft stickers
You should also transfer the double-sided adhesive pad under the USB connector if there isn’t one on the new display.
Installing the headphone output
Now put the headphone output in the appropriate position in the new display (see figure 1).

Then fasten the screw again (see figure 2).
1 x 2.4 mm Phillips screw
Installing the vibration motor
Now put the vibration motor back in the appropriate position (see figures 1 and 2).

The old glue is usually enough to hold it. Press it on firmly. If the vibration motor is too loose, use new glue. If the motor isn’t attached securely enough, your phone’s vibration will be weaker.
Installing the earpiece
Now put the earpiece/sensor cable back in the appropriate position.
Installing the front camera
Now put the new front camera in the original location (see figure 1).

Put the black cover over the front camera and the earpiece cable. Make sure the cover is fitted properly (see figure 2).
Installing the USB connector
Now put the USB connector cable set back in the appropriate position (see figure 1).

If the cable set is fitted correctly, you can clamp the bracket over the USB port again (see figure 2).

Connect the blue antenna cable and then put it back in the cable guide. Be very careful because the contacts could bend if they’re not connected right (see figure 3).

Install the touch button cable again (see figure 3).
Installing the logic board
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).

Make sure the cables don’t get under the logic board.

Use the picture to check whether your logic board is positioned correctly (see figure 2).

Now fasten the screw for the logic board (see figure 3).
1 x 3.0 mm Phillips screw
Connecting the connections
Now put the following five connectors back in the corresponding slots. 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/touchscreen
USB connector
Front camera
Earpiece
Headphone output
Antenna cable
Attaching the plastic cover
Now put on the plastic cover and make sure that it clicks into place properly on all sides.

Then screw it on.
9 x 4.0 mm Phillips screws
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
Now slide the SIM card and the microSD card, if you have one, back into the corresponding slots.
Installing the battery
Put the battery back in. The +/- symbols have to be touching the contact point.
Attaching the back cover
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 it’s completely clicked into place.
Final test
Start your Samsung Galaxy S4 and enter the following key combination:
*#0*#

Then press the call button.

Now you can check all the functions.

Ø 4.9 (210 Ratings)

Bewerte unsere Anleitung

Hat dir unsere Anleitung weitergeholfen? Wir sind auf deine Beurteilung gespannt.

Submit rating

How did you like this repair guide?

Exceptional

Similar guides

You might also be interested in these guides.

Replacing the battery

Replacing the battery

Galaxy S4

Replacing the front camera

Replacing the front camera

Galaxy S4

Replacing the earpiece

Replacing the earpiece

Galaxy S4

You might be interested in

Go to iDoc store

Get in touch with iDoc

Please contact our customer service for any questions about iDoc's products and services.

Send a message

If you have a question about a guide or want to give us general feedback, just use our contact form
Write a message
Free shipping

From a minimum order value of 79.00 € your order will be shipped free of charge within Germany.
Call iDoc

If you have any questions about our guides or services, call us from Monday to Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
+49 30 200 514 455
5 star service

We offer top quality and service. Our customers confirm this as well.
Show reviews

Profi-Insights & Tipps für deine erfolgreiche Handy-Reparatur

iDoc schenkt dir den ultimativen Reparatur-Guide GUIDE GRATIS ANFORDERN

Profi-Insights & Tipps für deine erfolgreiche Handy-Reparatur

iDoc schenkt dir den ultimativen Reparatur-Guide GUIDE GRATIS ANFORDERN