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 remove or replace the wireless charging coil on your Google Pixel 4.

Caution: The wireless charging coil is adhered to the back panel as a large sticker. It is covered by an insulating / heat-dissipating graphite adhesive layer which will need to be destructively removed and will need to be replaced.

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.

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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.

    • Press firmly to eject the tray.

    • Remove the SIM card tray.

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    • Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the back panel for one minute.

    • 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.

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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.

    • If your back glass 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 panel.

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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.

    • Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you are having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

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    • Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the left edge of the phone for one minute.

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    • Insert a second opening pick underneath the back panel directly over the charge port.

    • 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.

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

    • Stop when you reach the top left corner, near the camera, and leave the pick inserted.

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    • Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the right edge of the phone for one minute.

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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.

    • Slide the opening pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the right side's adhesive.

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before re-sealing the back panel. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.

    At this point I suggest taking a photo of what you're seeing in there. This way you can make sure you put it all back the way it was when you're done.

    Brian Wood -

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    • Remove the five T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:

    • Four 4.0 mm screws

    • One 2.1 mm screw

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

    Does anyone know where I can get a replacement T3 - 2.1mm screw (the one circled in orange)? I lost this screw during the battery replacement. Had it, dogs fought, had to get up to break it up, and couldn’t find it. I swore I put it on the mat, but I couldn’t find it when I got back to the table. :(

    Nikki Chan -

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    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector shield.

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    • Whenever you use the spudger near the battery, be very careful not to puncture the battery.

    • Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect the battery.

    • 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.

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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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    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 4 mm screws securing the back panel connector cover.

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    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the back panel connector cover.

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    • Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry up and disconnect the back panel connector.

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    • Remove the back panel.

    • During reassembly, follow this guide to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.

    • Follow this guide if you are using a pre-cut adhesive card.

    Why does the kit not come with the back panel adhesive?

    It's not cheap to get the full kit, and it seems like it's such a small thing to include.

    I ended up re-using the existing back panel adhesive and now a bit worried that it's not as strong and I will have issues with water or moisture getting into the device more easily.

    Mike Y -

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    • The wireless charging coil is adhered to the back panel and is covered by a graphite adhesive layer which will need to be removed.

    • Use tweezers on one of the bottom corners to pull up the adhesive enough to grab it with your fingers.

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    • Peel back the graphite adhesive layer to expose the wireless charging coil, NFC pads, and LED flash module.

    • Completely remove the graphite adhesive layer.

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    • Use tweezers on one of the bottom corners of the wireless charging coil pad to pull up the adhesive backing enough so you can grab it with your fingers.

    • Peel off and remove the wireless charging coil.

    • When installing a new wireless charging coil pad, align the contacts with the residue outline left by the old adhesive.

    • If the contacts don't line up with the corresponding spring contacts on the motherboard, the wireless charging coil will not work properly.

Conclusion

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.

Carsten Frauenheim

Member since: 10/03/20

110978 Reputation

One comment

I don’t see a charging antenna coil for sale for the pixel 4, just for the pixel 4 XL. Is the 4XL part compatible with the 4?

Jonathan Polgar -