Google Pixel 3a XL Midframe Replacement

Written By: Taylor Dixon

Comments: 5

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

This guide is a pre-requisite step for other Pixel 3a XL guides. It describes the process of removing the midframe between the screen and the rest of the phone’s internals.

Tools

Step 1

Remove the following 4.3mm screws:
14 silver T3 Torx screws
2 black T3 Torx screws
Due to manufacturing tolerances, a T4 Torx driver may fit better into these T3 screws.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

In my phone the silver screw along the left edge between the black screw and the top-left corner took a T-4 bit.

Roshan Qureshi - 27/12/20

図の右側の一番上赤丸のネジとその下の赤丸のネジとの間にもう一本t3ネジが存在します。このネジは赤丸がありませんが取る必要がある様です。

中野隆司 -

You are correct! Thank you very much!

正解です！ありがとうございました！

Arthur Shi -

Step 2

The midframe is still held in place by plastic clips.
Insert an opening pick into the seam along the bottom of the phone.
Slide the pick along the seam to release the clips holding the midframe to the rest of the phone.

Step 3

Slide the opening pick along the left and right edges of the phone to release the midframe clips there.
Once the clips along the bottom of the phone are separated, the flat edge of the opening pick should be enough to separate the rest of the clips.
Lift up the bottom edge of the midframe but don’t completely remove it yet. The midframe is still connected to the phone by a fragile cable.

Step 4

Use a spudger to pry up and detach the proximity sensor cable from the motherboard.

Step 6

During reassembly, align the top edge of the midframe with the top of the phone, then use a spudger to carefully press the proximity sensor cable connector onto its socket.
This takes a bit of patience and finesse. Once you have the connector aligned, you can also use a finger to gently press the connector onto the socket.

Should you not disconnect the battery first?

Brian Gardner - 15/09/20

Hi Brian,

Good catch! In this situation, it is alright to keep the battery connected, as long as you do not use metal tools. We usually instruct users to disconnect the battery early on for two main reasons: to prevent accidental damage to the internals via electrical shorts, and to prevent damage to the display backlight circuitry for certain phones.

Arthur Shi - 15/09/20