Introduction
This repair guide was authored by the iFixit staff and hasn’t been endorsed by Google. Learn more about our repair guides here.
Follow this guide to replace the vibrator motor on a Google Pixel 4a 5G.
The unreinforced display panel on the Pixel 4a 5G is fragile. Pay special attention to the warnings in the opening procedure if you are reusing the screen.
Tools
Parts
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Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paper clip into the SIM tray hole.
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Press directly into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.
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Remove the SIM card tray.
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Take note of the two seams on the edge of your phone:
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Screen seam: This seam separates the screen from the rest of the phone. This is where you have to pry.
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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.
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Before you begin, note the following areas on the screen:
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Screen flex cable: Do not insert the opening pick deeper than instructed or you risk damaging this cable.
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Adhesive perimeter: Prying beyond this narrow perimeter without angling the pick will damage the OLED panel.
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Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for one minute to soften the adhesive.
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Place a suction cup as close to the right edge of the screen as possible.
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Lift the suction cup with a strong steady force.
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Insert the tip of an opening pick into the screen seam no more than 1 mm.
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With the pick 1 mm into the gap, pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle.
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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.
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Slide the pick along the right edge of the screen to cut the adhesive.
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Leave the pick in the bottom-right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
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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.
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Slide the opening pick around the top of the phone to cut the adhesive.
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Leave the pick inserted along the top edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert another opening pick into the top edge of your phone at an angle where a gap has already formed to prevent damage to the OLED panel.
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Use the pick to slice around the top-left corner where the camera window is.
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Leave the pick inserted along the left edge of your phone to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
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Slide the opening pick around the bottom-left corner and across the bottom of the display to cut the rest of the adhesive.
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Once you have cut around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the screen, partially opening the phone like a book.
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Use an opening pick to carefully cut through any remaining adhesive.
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Lift from the top edge and swing the screen over the bottom edge until you can rest it glass-side down.
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Use your fingernail or a pair of tweezers to carefully peel off the tape covering the screen connector.
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Insert the tip of a spudger into the opening of the plastic cover securing the screen flex cable.
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Pry the plastic cover straight up until it pops out of place.
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Remove the plastic cover.
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Remove the screen.
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Check if your replacement screen has speaker mesh and top edge adhesive pre-installed.
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If it does, you won't need the top edge adhesive.
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If it doesn't, remove the larger clear liner from the top edge adhesive and apply it to the screen (not the frame). Make sure the larger cutout lines up with the speaker mesh.
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Follow this guide to apply the custom-cut adhesive.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the nine 4.4 mm-long screws securing the back cover to the midframe.
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Insert an opening pick into the seam between the midframe and the back cover, right above the SIM card slot.
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Slide the opening pick along the right edge of your phone to release the plastic clips securing the back cover to the midframe.
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Continue sliding the opening pick along the top, left, and bottom edges of your phone until all of the plastic tabs securing the back cover to the midframe are released.
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Flip your phone over so the back cover is facing up.
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Carefully swing the back cover up to an upright position.
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Rest the back cover against an object such as a cardboard box or soda can.
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the seven screws securing the motherboard bracket:
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Four 4.0 mm-long screws
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Three 2.1 mm-long screws
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Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing camera from the motherboard.
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Remove the front-facing camera.
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Insert the tip of a spudger underneath the loudspeaker assembly.
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Flip the loudspeaker assembly over so it lightly rests on top of the battery.
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Carefully peel the loudspeaker assembly up off the tape underneath it.
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Remove the loudspeaker assembly.
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Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to pull the antenna cable out from underneath the tape covering it.
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the tape on the earpiece speaker covering the antenna flex cable.
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Insert the tip of a spudger into the gap between the motherboard and the midframe near the front-facing cameras to pop it free from the first clip.
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Grab the motherboard with your fingers and open it like a book.
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Lift the motherboard straight out to remove it.
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Use the tip of a pair of tweezers to pry the vibration motor straight off of the midframe.
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Remove the vibration motor.
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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.