Google Pixel 4A Fingerprint Sensor Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

SIM Card Tray
1 step
Screen
15 steps
Battery Disconnection
9 steps
Back Cover
2 steps
Fingerprint Sensor
2 steps

Flags

BackGoogle Pixel 4a
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Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the fingerprint sensor on a Google Pixel 4a.

The unreinforced display panel on the Pixel 4a is fragile. Pay special attention to the warnings in the opening procedure if you are reusing the screen.

If you replace the fingerprint sensor, recalibrate the reader to maintain its functionality.

What you need

Step 1

              Eject the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM tray hole.
Press directly into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM tray hole.

Press directly into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.

Remove the SIM card tray.

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Step 2

              Precautionary notes

You will need to pry the screen up to remove it from the phone. Read the following notes carefully before proceeding.
Take note of the two seams on the edge of the phone:
Screen seam: This seam separates the screen from the rest of the phone. This is where you should pry.
Frame seam: This is where the plastic frame meets the back cover. It is held in place by screws. Do not pry at this seam.
Before you begin, note the following areas on the screen:
Screen flex cable: Do not insert the opening pick deeper than instructed or you risk damaging this cable.
Note the orange ribbon cable under the lower-right corner of the screen, which is susceptible to damage if your opening pick is pressed into it. Only insert your opening pick as little as is necessary to separate the screen adhesive.
Adhesive perimeter: Prying beyond this narrow perimeter without angling the pick will damage the OLED panel.

You will need to pry the screen up to remove it from the phone. Read the following notes carefully before proceeding.

Take note of the two seams on the edge of the phone:

Screen seam: This seam separates the screen from the rest of the phone. This is where you should pry.

Frame seam: This is where the plastic frame meets the back cover. It is held in place by screws. Do not pry at this seam.

Before you begin, note the following areas on the screen:

Screen flex cable: Do not insert the opening pick deeper than instructed or you risk damaging this cable.

Note the orange ribbon cable under the lower-right corner of the screen, which is susceptible to damage if your opening pick is pressed into it. Only insert your opening pick as little as is necessary to separate the screen adhesive.

Adhesive perimeter: Prying beyond this narrow perimeter without angling the pick will damage the OLED panel.

Step 3

              Heat the right edge of the screen

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute to soften the adhesive.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute to soften the adhesive.

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 4

              Insert an opening pick

If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
Place a suction cup as close to the right edge of the screen as possible.
Lift the suction cup with a strong steady force.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the screen seam no more than 1 mm.

If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

Place a suction cup as close to the right edge of the screen as possible.

Lift the suction cup with a strong steady force.

Insert the tip of an opening pick into the screen seam no more than 1 mm.

Step 5

              Guide the opening pick under the OLED panel

This step shows how to insert the pick without damaging the OLED panel. Do this before beginning to slice the adhesive.
With the pick 1 mm into the gap, pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle.
At a steep angle, carefully push the pick into the gap about 1/4 inch (6 mm). The pick should slide in below the OLED panel.
Stop if you feel the point of the pick hitting a ridge. The pick may be pressing against the edge of the OLED panel. Angle the pick and try again.

This step shows how to insert the pick without damaging the OLED panel. Do this before beginning to slice the adhesive.

With the pick 1 mm into the gap, pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle.

At a steep angle, carefully push the pick into the gap about 1/4 inch (6 mm). The pick should slide in below the OLED panel.

Stop if you feel the point of the pick hitting a ridge. The pick may be pressing against the edge of the OLED panel. Angle the pick and try again.

Step 6

              Cut the adhesive

Slide the pick along the right edge of the screen to cut the adhesive.
Do not insert the pick more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you may damage the screen’s flex cable.
Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Slide the pick along the right edge of the screen to cut the adhesive.

Do not insert the pick more than 1/4 inch (6 mm) or you may damage the screen’s flex cable.

Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 7

The screen adhesive is very weak and you should not need to re-apply heat. If the screen does feel hard to slice, apply heat to the difficult area for one minute and try again.
Insert another opening pick into the right edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.
Slide the opening pick around the bottom of the phone to cut the adhesive.
There is a delicate cable under the bottom-right corner of the screen. If you feel your opening pick snag on anything, pull it out and try again. Make sure your pick is angled downward and only inserted as little as is necessary to separate the adhesive (no more than 3 mm deep).
Leave the pick inserted along the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

The screen adhesive is very weak and you should not need to re-apply heat. If the screen does feel hard to slice, apply heat to the difficult area for one minute and try again.

Insert another opening pick into the right edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.

Slide the opening pick around the bottom of the phone to cut the adhesive.

There is a delicate cable under the bottom-right corner of the screen. If you feel your opening pick snag on anything, pull it out and try again. Make sure your pick is angled downward and only inserted as little as is necessary to separate the adhesive (no more than 3 mm deep).

Leave the pick inserted along the bottom edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 8

Insert another opening pick into the bottom edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.
Use the pick to slice through the left edge of the phone.
If the screen feels hard to slice, heat the left edge for one minute and try again.
Leave the pick inserted along the left edge of the phone to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Insert another opening pick into the bottom edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.

Use the pick to slice through the left edge of the phone.

If the screen feels hard to slice, heat the left edge for one minute and try again.

Leave the pick inserted along the left edge of the phone to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 9

There’s a mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen. If you don’t have a replacement mesh, take care not to damage or lose this component.
Insert another opening pick into the left edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.
Slide the pick around the top edge of the phone to cut the adhesive.
If the screen feels hard to slice, heat the top edge for one minute and try again.

There’s a mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen. If you don’t have a replacement mesh, take care not to damage or lose this component.

Insert another opening pick into the left edge of the phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.

Slide the pick around the top edge of the phone to cut the adhesive.

If the screen feels hard to slice, heat the top edge for one minute and try again.

Step 10

Once you have cut around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the screen, opening the phone like a book.
Do not remove the screen yet.
Use an opening pick to carefully cut through any remaining adhesive.

Once you have cut around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the screen, opening the phone like a book.

Do not remove the screen yet.

Use an opening pick to carefully cut through any remaining adhesive.

Step 11

              Flip the screen over

Lift from the top edge and swing the screen over the bottom edge until you can rest it glass-side down.
Be careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.

Lift from the top edge and swing the screen over the bottom edge until you can rest it glass-side down.

Be careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.

Step 12

              Disconnect the display

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel up the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.
If it is in good condition, you can re-use this tape during reassembly. Otherwise, replace it with a piece of electrical tape.

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel up the black tape covering the screen connector bracket.

If it is in good condition, you can re-use this tape during reassembly. Otherwise, replace it with a piece of electrical tape.

Step 13

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm screws securing the screen connector bracket.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm screws securing the screen connector bracket.

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

Step 14

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the screen connector bracket.
Make sure to keep this component to reinstall it during reassembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the screen connector bracket.

Make sure to keep this component to reinstall it during reassembly.

Step 15

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.
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 tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the screen flex cable.

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 16

              Remove the screen

Remove the screen.
Compare your replacement screen with the original. You may need to transfer additional components (such as speaker mesh) to the new part.
To install the new screen:
Scrape off remaining adhesive from the perimeter of the frame.
Follow this guide if you are using custom-cut adhesives.
If you are using double-sided tape such as Tesa tape, follow this guide.
If you use isopropyl alcohol to clean the adhesive off the display, be sure to not let it splash onto any unintended components, as this can weaken their adhesive bond.
During the boot-up process after reassembly, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Do not touch the screen during this process, as it could result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

Remove the screen.

Compare your replacement screen with the original. You may need to transfer additional components (such as speaker mesh) to the new part.

To install the new screen:

Scrape off remaining adhesive from the perimeter of the frame.

Follow this guide if you are using custom-cut adhesives.

If you are using double-sided tape such as Tesa tape, follow this guide.

If you use isopropyl alcohol to clean the adhesive off the display, be sure to not let it splash onto any unintended components, as this can weaken their adhesive bond.

During the boot-up process after reassembly, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Do not touch the screen during this process, as it could result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

Step 17

              Remove the midframe screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the eight 4.3 mm screws securing the back cover to the midframe.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the eight 4.3 mm screws securing the back cover to the midframe.

Step 18

              Separate the back cover from the midframe

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover.
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover.

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Step 19

Slide the opening pick around the left edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Slide the opening pick around the left edge of the phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.

Step 20

Slide the opening pick around the top and right edges of the phone to release the rest of the clips.

Slide the opening pick around the top and right edges of the phone to release the rest of the clips.

Step 21

Carefully swing the back cover from the bottom of the phone over the top and around the back.
Lay the back cover on the work surface and lightly rest the midframe on the back cover, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cables.

Carefully swing the back cover from the bottom of the phone over the top and around the back.

Lay the back cover on the work surface and lightly rest the midframe on the back cover, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cables.

Step 22

              Remove the motherboard bracket

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the seven screws securing the motherboard bracket:
Three 2.9 mm-long black screws
Three 2 mm-long screws
One 4.1 mm-long screw

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the seven screws securing the motherboard bracket:

Three 2.9 mm-long black screws

Three 2 mm-long screws

One 4.1 mm-long screw

Step 23

Use the tip of a spudger to unclip the motherboard bracket from the upper-right and lower-right corners of the motherboard.

Use the tip of a spudger to unclip the motherboard bracket from the upper-right and lower-right corners of the motherboard.

Step 24

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the motherboard bracket.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the motherboard bracket.

Step 25

              Disconnect the battery

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery cable.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery cable.

Step 26

              Remove the back cover

Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the two flex cables connecting the fingerprint sensor and buttons to the motherboard.

Use the tip of a spudger to disconnect the two flex cables connecting the fingerprint sensor and buttons to the motherboard.

Step 27

Remove the back cover.

Remove the back cover.

Step 28

              Remove the fingerprint sensor

Use the tip of your finger to push the fingerprint sensor through the back cover, releasing the adhesive.
If the adhesive is too strong, use an iOpener to apply heat to the fingerprint sensor through the back cover for one minute and try again.

Use the tip of your finger to push the fingerprint sensor through the back cover, releasing the adhesive.

If the adhesive is too strong, use an iOpener to apply heat to the fingerprint sensor through the back cover for one minute and try again.

Step 29

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the fingerprint sensor cables adhered to the inside of the back cover.
If the adhesive is too strong, use an iOpener to apply heat to the back cover for one minute and try again.
Remove the fingerprint sensor.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the fingerprint sensor cables adhered to the inside of the back cover.

If the adhesive is too strong, use an iOpener to apply heat to the back cover for one minute and try again.

Remove the fingerprint sensor.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

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                    Sam Omiotek

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What you need#

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Introduction

What you need

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