Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

35

Time Required

                          50 minutes - 2 hours

Sections

5

  • Back Cover
  • 11 steps
  • Google Pixel 3 Battery Disconnect
  • 3 steps
  • Front-Facing Cameras
  • 5 steps
  • Loudspeaker
  • 6 steps
  • Rear-Facing Camera
  • 10 steps

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Introduction

Follow this guide to remove and replace the rear-facing camera for the Pixel 3. Since the camera is connected to the motherboard’s underside, you have to partially remove the motherboard in order to replace the camera. You can always choose to completely remove the motherboard, which would make the procedure slightly longer, but easier. The procedure involves removing many small grounding clips, which are easy to lose.

It may be possible, but more difficult, to partially remove the motherboard without removing the loudspeaker module. Note that removing the loudspeaker will compromise its ingress seal.

What you need

Step 1

              Weaken the back cover's adhesive
  • Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom of the phone for one minute.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom of the phone for one minute.

1024

Step 2

              Create a gap in the seam
  • Apply a suction cup to the heated bottom edge of the back cover.
  • Make sure you did not mistake the screen side for the back cover side.
  • If your back cover is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere.
  • Lift on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap.
  • Depending on how aged your phone is, this may take significant force. If you are having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
  • Insert an opening pick into the gap.
  • Don’t use metal tools to pry, or you’ll mar or shatter the glass back cover. If the panel won’t budge, apply more heat, either with a hair dryer or heat gun.

Apply a suction cup to the heated bottom edge of the back cover.

Make sure you did not mistake the screen side for the back cover side.

If your back cover is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere.

Lift on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap.

Depending on how aged your phone is, this may take significant force. If you are having trouble, apply more heat and try again.

Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Don’t use metal tools to pry, or you’ll mar or shatter the glass back cover. If the panel won’t budge, apply more heat, either with a hair dryer or heat gun.

Step 3

  • When inserting an opening pick above the power button, be careful not to insert the pick too deeply, or you will damage the fingerprint sensor cable.

When inserting an opening pick above the power button, be careful not to insert the pick too deeply, or you will damage the fingerprint sensor cable.

Step 4

              Cut through the adhesive
  • Slice the adhesive along the bottom edge of the phone and around the right corner.
  • Leave a pick in the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Slice the adhesive along the bottom edge of the phone and around the right corner.

Leave a pick in the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 5

  • Heat the right edge with an iOpener and continue slicing the adhesive with an opening pick.
  • The adhesive can be very gummy. Push the pick in and out in a sawing motion to help with slicing.

Heat the right edge with an iOpener and continue slicing the adhesive with an opening pick.

The adhesive can be very gummy. Push the pick in and out in a sawing motion to help with slicing.

Step 6

  • Continue heating and slicing through the rest of the phone perimeter. Leave a pick in each edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
  • When slicing above the power button, do not insert the pick more than halfway in to avoid damaging the fingerprint sensor cable.

Continue heating and slicing through the rest of the phone perimeter. Leave a pick in each edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

When slicing above the power button, do not insert the pick more than halfway in to avoid damaging the fingerprint sensor cable.

Step 7

              Lift the left edge of the back cover
  • Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the left edge of the back cover.
  • Do not attempt to remove the back cover. It is still attached to the phone by the fingerprint sensor cable.
  • Flip the back cover along its long axis and rest it so that the fingerprint sensor cable is not strained.

Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the left edge of the back cover.

Do not attempt to remove the back cover. It is still attached to the phone by the fingerprint sensor cable.

Flip the back cover along its long axis and rest it so that the fingerprint sensor cable is not strained.

Step 8

              Remove the screws
  • Remove the two 4.1 mm-long Phillips screws securing the fingerprint connector bracket.
  • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
  • During reassembly, be careful not to over-tighten these screws, or you may damage your display.

Remove the two 4.1 mm-long Phillips screws securing the fingerprint connector bracket.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

During reassembly, be careful not to over-tighten these screws, or you may damage your display.

Step 9

              Remove the fingerprint connector bracket
  • Use the point of a spudger to slide the fingerprint connector bracket out from under the NFC coil.
  • Remove the fingerprint connector bracket.

Use the point of a spudger to slide the fingerprint connector bracket out from under the NFC coil.

Remove the fingerprint connector bracket.

Step 10

              Disconnect the fingerprint connector
  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the fingerprint connector from its socket.
  • When you disconnect connectors like these, be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.
  • To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the fingerprint connector from its socket.

When you disconnect connectors like these, be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.

To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 11

              Remove the back cover
  • Remove the back cover.
  • Before you install a replacement back cover, be sure to remove all adhesive residue from the phone frame. Use an opening tool to scrape and high concentration isopropyl alcohol to clean the surface.
  • If you are re-using the back cover, be sure to clean off any adhesive, and apply new back cover adhesive.
  • If you are installing a replacement back cover, be sure to compare it with the original part. Transfer any remaining parts (such as the flash diffuser) over to your replacement part.
  • Follow this guide to correctly apply new back cover adhesive.

Remove the back cover.

Before you install a replacement back cover, be sure to remove all adhesive residue from the phone frame. Use an opening tool to scrape and high concentration isopropyl alcohol to clean the surface.

If you are re-using the back cover, be sure to clean off any adhesive, and apply new back cover adhesive.

If you are installing a replacement back cover, be sure to compare it with the original part. Transfer any remaining parts (such as the flash diffuser) over to your replacement part.

Follow this guide to correctly apply new back cover adhesive.

Step 12

              Remove the screws
  • Remove the five Phillips screws securing the wireless charging coil:
  • Two 1.9 mm screws
  • Two 4.2 mm screws
  • One 4.3 mm screw

Remove the five Phillips screws securing the wireless charging coil:

Two 1.9 mm screws

Two 4.2 mm screws

One 4.3 mm screw

Step 13

              Remove the charging coil
  • Lift up and remove the wireless charging coil.

Lift up and remove the wireless charging coil.

Step 14

              Disconnect the battery cable
  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector from its socket near the right edge of the phone.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector from its socket near the right edge of the phone.

Step 15

              Remove the screws
  • Remove the two screws securing the camera bracket:
  • One 4.1 mm Phillips screw
  • One 4 mm standoff screw
  • Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff bit. In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.
  • Remove the camera bracket.

Remove the two screws securing the camera bracket:

One 4.1 mm Phillips screw

One 4 mm standoff screw

Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff bit. In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.

Remove the camera bracket.

Step 16

              Identify the cameras
  • If you are replacing front-facing cameras, determine which one you need to replace:
  • Normal view camera
  • Wide-angle camera
  • If you are doing the motherboard removal procedure, you will need to remove both cameras.

If you are replacing front-facing cameras, determine which one you need to replace:

Normal view camera

Wide-angle camera

If you are doing the motherboard removal procedure, you will need to remove both cameras.

Step 17

              Disconnect the camera(s)
  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the connector for the camera(s) you are replacing.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the connector for the camera(s) you are replacing.

Step 18

              Loosen the camera(s)
  • The cameras are held in place with adhesive.
  • Insert the point of a spudger behind the edge of the camera module and pry up to loosen it from the frame.

The cameras are held in place with adhesive.

Insert the point of a spudger behind the edge of the camera module and pry up to loosen it from the frame.

Step 19

              Remove the camera(s)
  • Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to remove the camera(s).
  • If the adhesive holding the camera module is in good condition, you can re-use the adhesive. Otherwise, replace the adhesive with double-sided Tesa tape.
  • When installing a replacement camera module, make sure that the phone frame lens are free of adhesive residue or debris.

Use a pair of blunt nose tweezers to remove the camera(s).

If the adhesive holding the camera module is in good condition, you can re-use the adhesive. Otherwise, replace the adhesive with double-sided Tesa tape.

When installing a replacement camera module, make sure that the phone frame lens are free of adhesive residue or debris.

Step 20

              Disconnect the loudspeaker
  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the loudspeaker connector from its motherboard socket near the right edge of the phone.
  • Be careful not to puncture the battery with the spudger.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the loudspeaker connector from its motherboard socket near the right edge of the phone.

Be careful not to puncture the battery with the spudger.

Step 21

              Remove the screws
  • Remove the following four Phillips screws:
  • One 1.9 mm screw
  • One 4.3 mm screw
  • Two 4.3 mm screws with thinner shanks
  • Remove the tiny grounding clip from the left screw hole. Be careful not to lose it.
  • The grounding clip installs such that the contoured edge faces the left side of the phone.
  • Remove the small plastic insert from the right side of the USB-C port.
  • Be sure to reinstall this insert before you screw down the daughterboard.

Remove the following four Phillips screws:

One 1.9 mm screw

Two 4.3 mm screws with thinner shanks

Remove the tiny grounding clip from the left screw hole. Be careful not to lose it.

The grounding clip installs such that the contoured edge faces the left side of the phone.

Remove the small plastic insert from the right side of the USB-C port.

Be sure to reinstall this insert before you screw down the daughterboard.

Step 22

              Loosen the loudspeaker
  • The loudspeaker is still held in place by a strong adhesive gasket. Before attempting to remove it, pry it up in a few different places to break the adhesive seal.
  • Insert the point of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the loudspeaker.
  • Pry up to loosen the loudspeaker from the phone.

The loudspeaker is still held in place by a strong adhesive gasket. Before attempting to remove it, pry it up in a few different places to break the adhesive seal.

Insert the point of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the loudspeaker.

Pry up to loosen the loudspeaker from the phone.

Step 23

  • Insert the point of a spudger under the top left corner of the loudspeaker.
  • Be careful not to puncture the battery with the spudger.
  • Pry up to loosen the loudspeaker.

Insert the point of a spudger under the top left corner of the loudspeaker.

Pry up to loosen the loudspeaker.

Step 24

  • Insert the flat end of the spudger under the top edge of the loudspeaker, towards the left edge.
  • Pry up to loosen the loudspeaker.

Insert the flat end of the spudger under the top edge of the loudspeaker, towards the left edge.

Step 25

              Remove the loudspeaker
  • Remove the loudspeaker.
  • Before you install a replacement loudspeaker, check the adhesive gasket.
  • If it is in good condition, you can re-use the gasket. Make sure that the gasket does not cover the exit hole.
  • If the gasket is pulled out of place, remove it and replace the adhesive with a pre-cut strip or Tesa tape.

Remove the loudspeaker.

Before you install a replacement loudspeaker, check the adhesive gasket.

If it is in good condition, you can re-use the gasket. Make sure that the gasket does not cover the exit hole.

If the gasket is pulled out of place, remove it and replace the adhesive with a pre-cut strip or Tesa tape.

Step 26

              Disconnect the charging assembly
  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the charging assembly’s connector from its motherboard socket, near the right edge of the phone.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the charging assembly’s connector from its motherboard socket, near the right edge of the phone.

Step 27

              Peel away the black tape
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry up the black tape holding the display flex cable in place, near the right edge of the phone.
  • Do not use metal tools to pry, or you may damage the flex cable.

Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry up the black tape holding the display flex cable in place, near the right edge of the phone.

Do not use metal tools to pry, or you may damage the flex cable.

Step 28

              Disconnect the press connectors
  • Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the following seven press-fit connectors from their motherboard sockets:
  • External buttons connector
  • Top microphone connector
  • Earpiece connector
  • Left squeeze sensor connector
  • Screen connector
  • Right squeeze sensor connector
  • SIM tray connector

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the following seven press-fit connectors from their motherboard sockets:

External buttons connector

Top microphone connector

Earpiece connector

Left squeeze sensor connector

Screen connector

Right squeeze sensor connector

SIM tray connector

Step 29

              Move the earpiece speaker cable away from the motherboard
  • Use the flat of a spudger to carefully bend the earpiece speaker’s flex cable upwards, out of the way of the motherboard.

Use the flat of a spudger to carefully bend the earpiece speaker’s flex cable upwards, out of the way of the motherboard.

Step 30

              Remove the screws
  • Some of these screws hold very small grounding clips in place. Be careful not to lose these clips as you remove the screws.
  • Remove the six screws securing the motherboard in place:
  • One 4.2 mm Phillips screw
  • Three 1.9 mm Phillips screws
  • One 4.3 mm Phillips screw
  • One 3.83 mm standoff screw
  • Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff bit. In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn’t slip and damage surrounding components.
  • Remove and retain the three small metal grounding clips.

Some of these screws hold very small grounding clips in place. Be careful not to lose these clips as you remove the screws.

Remove the six screws securing the motherboard in place:

One 4.2 mm Phillips screw

Three 1.9 mm Phillips screws

One 4.3 mm Phillips screw

One 3.83 mm standoff screw

Remove and retain the three small metal grounding clips.

Step 31

              Remove the antenna bracket
  • Carefully remove the antenna bracket from the top left edge of the phone.
  • To reinstall the small metal grounding clips:
  • Orient the clips such that the silver side is facing upwards.
  • The teardrop shaped clips should have their points facing towards the phone edge.
  • The double-holed clip dips downwards towards the frame’s top-right screw hole.

Carefully remove the antenna bracket from the top left edge of the phone.

To reinstall the small metal grounding clips:

Orient the clips such that the silver side is facing upwards.

The teardrop shaped clips should have their points facing towards the phone edge.

The double-holed clip dips downwards towards the frame’s top-right screw hole.

Step 32

              Check the motherboard
  • Insert the point of a spudger near the top left corner of the motherboard, right below the rear-facing camera.
  • Pry up gently to loosen the motherboard, bending all flex cables away to accommodate for the movement.
  • If the motherboard feels firmly seated, check for any still-connected flex cables or screws.

Insert the point of a spudger near the top left corner of the motherboard, right below the rear-facing camera.

Pry up gently to loosen the motherboard, bending all flex cables away to accommodate for the movement.

If the motherboard feels firmly seated, check for any still-connected flex cables or screws.

Step 33

              Loosen the motherboard
  • Insert the spudger underneath the top edge of the motherboard and carefully pry up to loosen the motherboard.
  • The earpiece speaker’s flex cable will press tightly against the motherboard. Take your time and carefully guide the motherboard around the flex cable.

Insert the spudger underneath the top edge of the motherboard and carefully pry up to loosen the motherboard.

The earpiece speaker’s flex cable will press tightly against the motherboard. Take your time and carefully guide the motherboard around the flex cable.

Step 34

              Remove the motherboard
  • Lift the left edge of the motherboard and carefully swing upwards towards the right. Carefully push any press connectors snagging the motherboard out of the way.
  • Do not attempt to fully remove the motherboard. It is still attached to the frame with some antenna cables.
  • When you reinstall the motherboard, be careful not to trap any flex cable connectors underneath it.

Lift the left edge of the motherboard and carefully swing upwards towards the right. Carefully push any press connectors snagging the motherboard out of the way.

Do not attempt to fully remove the motherboard. It is still attached to the frame with some antenna cables.

When you reinstall the motherboard, be careful not to trap any flex cable connectors underneath it.

Step 35

              Remove the rear-facing camera
  • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear-facing camera connector from its motherboard socket.
  • Lift the camera module away from the motherboard, peeling the adhesive in the process.
  • Remove the rear-facing camera.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear-facing camera connector from its motherboard socket.

Lift the camera module away from the motherboard, peeling the adhesive in the process.

Remove the rear-facing camera.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Google Pixel 3 Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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                    Arthur Shi

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Suren - Dec 13, 2020

Reply

Pixel 3 and pixel 3xl rear cameras are same. If I buy pixel 3 camera and can I use this on pixel 3xl?

Ruslan Dorokhin - Oct 22, 2021

Reply

Time is not correct for this job. Only the disassembly itself takes 90 - 120 minutes. But assembly is a separate type of torture. Only to separate the old adhesive tape is very hard. For the instructions thank you, with bolts during assembly helped, but I do not recommend to disassemble it on your own. In my case, a professional replaced the camera for about 5 hours until I took my phone back.

Frank Zoellner - Dec 2, 2021

Reply

It is possible to remove the rear camera without dismantling upper or lower speaker. The main PCB is sufficiently flexible. However, take care of the speaker connections while moving the PCB.

Most difficult step is the initial opening of the the back cover of the phone. I broke it (as it is made of glas), though being really carefully using dental floss to “cut” the glue. All other steps are not particular challenging.

Thanks for the ifxit guideline!

lanre emmanuel - Jul 28, 2022

Reply

I noticed pixel 3 cameras have different model numbers. Must the model number for the old camera be the same with the replacement?