Introduction
This repair guide was authored by the iFixit staff and hasn’t been endorsed by Google. Learn more about our repair guides here.
Use this guide to replace the left grip sensor and flex cable in your Google Pixel 4.
This procedure requires the removal of the battery and motherboard.
For your safety, discharge your battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair.
This procedure will almost always destructively remove the Pixel 4’s grip sensors. The sensors are strongly adhered to the phone’s midframe and will usually come out in pieces. Before you begin this procedure, be sure to have replacement parts.
Caution: Google warns that disassembly of the front laser assembly could result in hazardous exposure to invisible infrared laser emissions. Read their safety warnings here.
Warning: Do not reuse the battery if it has been deformed or damaged, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Tools
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Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the SIM card tray on the left edge of the phone.
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Press firmly to eject the tray.
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Remove the SIM card tray.
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Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back panel by pressing down on it to create suction, as close to the edge as possible.
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Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back panel and the frame.
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Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
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Slide the opening pick across the bottom towards the left corner to slice the adhesive.
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With the pick still inserted, slide it from the bottom left corner over to the bottom right corner to completely slice the bottom side adhesive.
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Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
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Insert a second opening pick underneath the back panel directly over the charge port.
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Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner of the phone.
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Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and across the left side of the phone to slice the adhesive.
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Stop when you reach the top left corner, near the camera, and leave the pick inserted.
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With the first two opening picks still in place, insert a third pick on the lower part of the righthand side.
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Slide the opening pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the right side's adhesive.
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Stop when you reach the top right corner, and leave the pick inserted.
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Slide the third opening pick around the top right corner and across the top side of the phone, slicing the final strip of adhesive.
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Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the back cover, opening it like a book.
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Do not try to pull the panel all the way off yet, as it is still connected to the phone.
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Continue swinging open the back panel until you can rest it on the left edge the phone, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.
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Remove the five T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:
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Four 4.0 mm screws
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One 2.1 mm screw
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Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect the battery.
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Using the flat end of a spudger, gently fold the battery cable over so it doesn't accidentally make contact during the rest of your repairs.
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Pull on the yellow pull tab of the adhesive strip with steady force.
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Continue firmly pulling up on the adhesive strip with constant force. If you're using a spudger, spin it every so often to keep the exposed section of the pull tab as short as possible.
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Continue this process for each of the three pull tabs, until all are either out or have snapped in half.
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If the battery tabs snapped during removal, insert an opening pick on the upper right edge of the battery, slicing the adhesive underneath.
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Lift the battery up and away from the phone to remove it. You may need to peel the battery away from any leftover adhesive tabs.
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If you're using stretch release adhesive, apply them onto the battery. Otherwise, apply some double-sided tape, or pre-cut adhesive strips in the phone's battery well, being careful not to cover the charge port flex cable. Peel away any tape liners to expose the adhesive.
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Temporarily re-connect the battery's connector to the motherboard socket. This ensures that the battery is properly positioned.
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Lay the battery in place and press firmly.
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Disconnect the battery connector from its motherboard socket and resume re-assembly.
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Use a pair of tweezers to tilt the grey plastic grip sensor guard away from the edge of the frame.
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Pull the guard straight up off of the phone's frame. It is secured with some light adhesive.
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Use a pair of tweezers to peel the grip sensor flex cable off of the phone's frame. It is secured with some light adhesive.
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Continue peeling the flex cable until it is no longer adhered to the back side of the phone.
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Use a pair of tweezers to peel away the grip sensor from the inside edge of the phone's frame.
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Continue to peel away the grip sensor until it is no longer adhered to the inside frame.
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With the grip sensor peeled away from the inside edge, completely remove it from behind the side button assembly.
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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.