Google Pixel 6a Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 59

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

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 motherboard in your Google Pixel 6a.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Note: this guide was made using the Verizon GB62Z model, which features a 5G mmWave antenna. Ignore the steps that include the 5G mmWave antenna if you have a different model, as the procedure is identical.

You'll need replacement adhesive in order to complete this repair.

Tools

Step 1

Allow your battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged.
Fully power off your phone and unplug any cables.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Before starting your repair, take note of the following:
Screen seam: This seam separates the screen from the rest of the phone. Do not pry at this seam.
Bezel seam: This is where the plastic bezel designed to protect the screen meets the frame. It's held in place by plastic clips. This is where you should pry.

Step 4

The next three steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
If your screen is cracked, cover it with a layer of clear packing tape to help the suction cup adhere.
Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Slide the arms over the right edge of your phone.
Position the suction cups near the middle of the right edge of the phone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Squeeze the cups together to apply suction.
If you find that the surface of your phone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 5

Pull the blue handle forward to lock the arms.
Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Step 6

Heat an iOpener and thread it through the arms of the Anti-Clamp so it lays on the right edge of the phone.
You can also use a hair dryer or heat gun—but extreme heat can damage the display and/or internal battery, so proceed with care.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
Insert an opening pick under the screen frame when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.
Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next two steps.

Step 7

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
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.

What's a good temperature to set to hotplate to for a repair like this?

David -

I used a hair dryer to heat up the adhesive. Unfortunatly the IOpener did not work for me. Even with the hair dryer, it was quiet difficult to soften the adhesive. It might have been due to the phone beeing only a few months old.

It was quiet difficult to seperate the screen, but it eventuelly worked. I feel like it took the heat a while to move through the cover and heat up all of the adhesive. After almost giving up, I tried again after a few minutes without heating it again and it suddenly worked. So keep that in mind.

LetsTryThisNext -

Agree with LetsTryThisNext's comment -- it takes a while for the adhesive to loosen. Expect to be at it for 20, 30 minutes -- with the iOpener not working (for me either), re-microwaving the iOpener, then hair dryer, then suction cup not sticking, etc. Good idea to give it a few minutes between each heating attempt.

Steve -

The iOpener worked for me - once I got the expectation right that it was going to take a while.
Went through about 5-6 cycles of:
* Heating for 40 seconds (1100W microwave); applying to phone for 2 minutes; heating for 30 seconds; applying to phone for 2 minutes; allow to cool for 10 minutes

Could probably have done with one more cycle to get glue even more sticky TBH but when it lifted it was obvious.

Karl Laird -

Took me 3 heat cycles with the iOpener. Basically I did 30 seconds in 1000W microwave and left to heat adhesive for 5 mins, then after stuggling to get the pick in for a few minutes, I did 10 seconds microwave then a couple of mins warming adhesive and a couple of mins failing to get the pick in. Then on 3rd attempt after anothe 10mseconds in the microwave, i got in easily. Seems like the adhesive really takes a while to melt. I also improved my technique with the suction cup which seemed to help lift the screen. Once you are in it is easy to release the remaining clips.

Mark -

Hair dryer on high for about 10 seconds did the trick. Had to blowdry it about 3 times. iOpener did not get hot enough

Leon - 16/07/23

iOpener did not work for me as well. The hairdryer approach, as Leon mentioned, worked for me, too. I used the Jimmy tool to get access for the picks.

Alex -

I started with a single edge razor blade and made 1-2 inch cuts to the bezel seam, then applied the opener with a hair dryer on low about 6 inches away. After no more than 2-3 minutes I applied the suction cup, and used a combination of the straight edge razor and picks to open the screen. It was very easy.

SteveDK -

Step 8

Apply a suction cup to the screen, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the bezel and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you're having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
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.

Would be helpful to have alternative solutions offered here for those with shattered screens, since suction cups don't work.

Paul York -

Hi Paul.

Thank you for your comment! I have updated the step to provide an alternative solution for shattered screens.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl - 22/11/22

Would just like to note that in my particular case even tape or super glue did not work, due to the screen being shattered right along the spot where you need to place the suction cup. I ended up resorting to inserting a razor blade into the seam to open it just enough to insert the pick.

mkirwin -

I'm in the same boat as mkirwin no amount of pulling with the suction cup worked, I had to use a razor blade to get the seam separated enough to insert a pick. Maybe I didn't heat up the adhesive enough but that stuff is super strong

Tanner Davis -

If your suction cup is not working properly: Heat it up a little bit and it will have a lot more suction.

LetsTryThisNext -

Ditto, needed to use a razor blade to get it started. Thank you mkirwin & Tanner D for posting that tip here.

Steve -

I'm having trouble pulling on the suction cup, keeping the phone down and inserting the pick all at the same time. The suction doesn't hold unless I use my other hand to keep the phone down, but then I can't use the pick. Is there a way Im supposed to keep the phone locked down?

Jemay A Fassom - 20/06/23

Would something like this suffice in lieu of a razor blade?

I, too, cannot a gap with the suction cups.

https://www.amazon.com/JerryRigEverythin...

badlydrawnface - 19/09/23

After hours of not getting any movement at all, I ended up putting a hot pack (like for a sore back) under the phone and the iOpener on top, on the right side, and that was enough to get through this step...

Jessie -

This is really misleading, the iOpener doesn't work very well to heat it up, I've spent hours on this, and the tabs are definitely not enough to get it started on their own.

Stuck -

Same as the above comments, got nowhere with the opener + pick, had to jam a razor blade in first, and then used picks.

Lee -

Step 9

While still applying suction, pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle.
Carefully push the pick in while prying to reposition the opening pick into the bezel seam.
Only insert the pick up to 3.5 mm to avoid damaging the internals.

Unfortunatly my plectrums I got with the pro tool kit bent way too easy to open up this first crack between screen and housing. But the reason might have been, that the adhesive was not soft enough yet

LetsTryThisNext -

I gave up with the suction cup. My screen was too cracked. Instead, after applying heat to loosen the glue, I used a very tiny flat head precision screwdriver to prise the screen open. Not recommended as it leaves a tiny scratch, but saves a lot of hassle. See also https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxdaaTd7....

Robert Baker -

Step 10

Slide the pick along the right edge to release the plastic clips securing the bezel to the frame.
Position the pick at the top-right edge before moving to the next step.

Step 11

Rotate the opening pick around the top-right corner of the phone to release the clips.
Leave the opening pick in the top-right corner to prevent the clips from re-locking.
Only insert the pick up to 4 mm to avoid damaging the internals.

Step 12

Insert a new opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the pick along the top edge to release the clips.
When slicing around the front camera, only insert the pick up to 3 mm to avoid damaging the lens.

Step 13

Rotate the opening pick around the top-left corner of the phone to release the clips.
Leave the opening pick in the top-left corner to prevent the clips from re-locking.

I found that using the side of the pick instead of the point made it easier to keep from over-inserting the pick and it provided more area to keep the glass separated from the frame. It was also easier to slide it around the edges this way. Still had to use the point to get under the frame initially.

mark schneider -

Step 14

Insert a new opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the pick along the left edge to release the clips.
Only insert the pick up to 3 mm to avoid damaging the internals.
Repeat the rotating and sliding procedure for the remaining edge.
At this point, the screen should be separated from the frame. If there's still resistance around the edges of the screen, use an opening pick to release any remaining clips.

Step 15

Don't try to remove the screen all the way yet. It's still connected to the frame by a flex cable.
Lift the right edge of the screen up and towards the left side of the device, like opening a book.
Rest the screen upside down and parallel to the frame before continuing.
Don't twist the screen or move it too far away from the frame to avoid damaging the flex cable.

Step 16

The display cable bracket is secured with metal clips.
Use tweezers to bend the bottom side of the bracket upwards, releasing the metal clip.
Remove the display cable bracket.
During reassembly, insert the top side of the bracket first before pressing down the other side. Failure to do so could result in sparks and logic board damage.

Does anyone know what happens if I lost the metal clip to secure the display cable?

Emmanuel Medina Morales -

Hi Emmanuel.

Oh no! Unfortunately, this clip is pretty important for securing your screen's press connector, and we don't sell it separately. You should be fine as long as you don't drop your phone...but you may be able to tape it down with some masking tape as a rough fix. Another alternative would be to find a destroyed Pixel 6a and scavenge the clip.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

I'm confused about the instructions and the pictures. The pictures imply that the clip should be bent, but the text may describe the method that I applied:

I inserted tweezers at the left side of the clip (there where the springy part snaps under a metal tab). By carefully placing each 'tweeze' of the tweezer on both sides of the tab, it is possible to gently pushing the springy part to the right, and then it releases without having to deform that entire bracket.

After re-reading the instructions, that may be what is implied, but if one were to look at only the pictures it could suggest something different.

Hugo van Galen -

Yes I did Hugo's method and it worked well. Using tweezers I directly pried the springy part from under the metal tab.

Joe Rayner -

Similar to above, struggled to pry this off based on the description+photos, needed to consult a separate video and a bit of trial and error to eventually release it.

Lee -

If you look right at the bottom end of the bracket there's a couple sets of holes right next to the screw. If you insert each end of the tweezers into those holes and tilt the tweezers the bracket pops right out.

Danielle Cerisier -

Step 17

Be very careful performing this step, as you risk damaging tiny components around the press connector.
Insert the tip of an opening pick under the bottom right edge of the display cable press connector, right above the nearby screw hole.
Pry up and disconnect the display cable press connector.
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.

be incredibly careful when removing and installing the cable, the many tiny components along the edge and under the tab are incredibly fragile. This is one of, if not, the most important step.

Jeffrey Leon -

At this step I had some trouble to reattach the connector. When I pushed down one side the other would pop up again. I solved the issue by carefully pressing down both sides with the tweezers.

LetsTryThisNext -

silly me totally forgot to reattach "The display cable bracket is secured with metal clips." soooooo maybe tell silly people like me to do that at the end lol. phone will work, but i feel if i drop it the cable may disconnect.... oh well

Aleksander Szadurski (Max209) -

Don't put the ribbon back in until you have cleaned the old adhesive off and installed the new adhesive!

Wesley Shippey -

I'm struggling with the reattachment. I think I've got it and then when I try to test the screen I'm getting nothing. Even tried to attach my old cracked one and nothings happening.

Does this mean I've damaged something?

Jamie B -

Obviously the most critical step.
When reassembling 2 things helped me:
1/ You can actually let the new screen rest on the phone at a 90+ degrees angle (thanks to the small plastic edges on the screen) , which leaves you both hand free

2/ You can gently unfold the display cable to make it more flexible

Paul Jacques -

During reattachment, make sure you fully plug in the cable. I tested as indicated by turning on the screen and all seemed good. Closed down the screen and then realised it was not reacting to touch... Was very worried but reopening it, turns out I hadn't fully plugged in the screen connector. All good now

Adrien C_v__l_es -

Step 18

Remove the screen.
During reassembly:
If you replaced your screen, check the front-facing camera hole and the sensor cutout on your replacement screen, and remove any remaining liners.
This is a good point to test your phone before sealing it up. Temporarily connect your screen, power on your phone, and make sure it works as expected. Before continuing with reassembly, power off your phone and disconnect the screen.
Remember to reinstall the display cable bracket.
Follow this guide to replace the screen adhesive.
If you're installing a new screen, follow this guide to calibrate the fingerprint sensor.

Don't forget the display cable bracket folks! This was my first at home repair and Im kicking myself forgetting the bracket.

Tanner Davis -

me too RIP so sad

Drdynamite “Dr dynamite” - -

I just did the same thing. I feel like I pressed the connector down well enough but I wonder how long this will last until it comes loose.

This step should have been made more obvious in the guide.

Boristhespider1995 -

The fingerprint sensor calibration is impossible to complete in some cases. No matter what, I get an error "Your phone's current software version: TQ2A.230305.008.E1 is newer than this repair tool has." from the google software updater. This indicates it is a known issue "https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/2... not fixed for a year. The Google USB driver does not help if you're not on Windows and get this error. I tried on both mac and linux, no dice.

I'm SOL without a fingerprint sensor. Screen works again though, and everything else went ok with the repair.

Scott Carey -

A couple of sweaty freaky steps in there - but was able to complete successfully as a first time repairer

Karl Laird -

For anyone with issues with the Fingerprint Calibration: just spent a few hours so I figured I should post my solution.

I kept going to https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/udfps and being met with error messages.

Here's what to do:

1. Go to https://developer.android.com/studio/run... and choose "Download the Google USB Driver ZIP file (ZIP)." From there, ensure you know where the USB Driver is saved.

2. Put your phone into Fastboot Mode by shutting the phone down and then starting it with both the bottom volume button and the power button.

Do not have your phone all the way in Rescue Mode or it won't work

3. Connect the phone to your PC via. USB

4. Go to Device Manager and look under "Other devices" until you find your phone

5. Right click and choose "Update Driver" and choose "Browse my computer for drivers"

6. Click "Browse" and navigate to your downloaded driver from step 1, choosing "ok" and then "next." The driver update should go through.

7. Go to https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/ and follow it!

Miles Wyckoff - 02/07/23

I followed this and worked perfectly, no more incompatibility issues of the software not working due to new os update.

thanks

kecher joshua -

Thank you very much for posting this -- I was helping a friend replace his screen and we would have been stumped without these directions!

zlsmith -

This worked perfectly for me as well. First I was a little worried I didn't reattach the display properly because the error message said (German): "Fingerprintsensor kann nicht gefunden werden.". However, the calibration process fixed the problem! Yay!

Laura Rahm -

I have followed all the above steps but get the error:

Couldn't find the unique calibration software for this device

Can anyone help?

Matthew Holtom -

1. Go to https://developer.android.com/studio/run... and choose "Download the Google USB Driver ZIP file (ZIP)." From there, ensure you know where the USB Driver is saved.

2. Put your phone into Fastboot Mode by shutting the phone down and then starting it with both the bottom volume button and the power button.

Do not have your phone all the way in Rescue Mode or it won't work

3. Connect the phone to your PC via. USB

4. Go to Device Manager and look under "Other devices" until you find your phone

5. Right click and choose "Update Driver" and choose "Browse my computer for drivers"

6. Click "Browse" and navigate to your downloaded driver from step 1, choosing "ok" and then "next." The driver update should go through.

7. Go to https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/ and follow it!

kecher joshua -

When doing the fingerprint calibration and putting the phone into Fastboot Mode: Keep it on the screen with the red triangle (i.e. don't press the "Start" button) when plugging it in to your computer.

Matt Nesbitt -

This was failing for me until I got it all the way into rescue mode. I had the fastboot screen up and rescue mode selected, but it would not connect at the website. Once I hit the button on 'rescue' and it went into rescue mode, then it connected. Then it told me my software was up to date and I didn't need a new install.

Adrian Spidle -

Is there a way to recalibrate the fingerprint without the equivalent of a factory reset?

Adrian Spidle -

I replaced the screen through a professional and purchased it from here. I calibrated the fingerprint sensor correctly, but the proximity sensor is not working! Anyone with the same problem? Any help?

Fabry D -

IMPORTANT NOTE - if you buy the screen "part only" it does not come with adhesive!

If you already have the tools (and I have all the iFixIt stuff), ordering the "part only" means you'll have to get the adhesive separately, with another postage charge. Quite frustrating! Yes I suppose it's written down somewhere...

Ben Scott -

Hi, the repair guide tells to Check the "camera area" and the "Sensor area". My replacement Display only has the black plastic part in the camera area shown in the picture. The black plastic part in the Sensor area is not there. I also checked the packaging but it is not inside. Did anybody else have this issue?

Thanks!

Markus - 14/03/24

Hi Markus!

Thanks for pointing this out. It looks like the replacement screen didn't come with the black sensor bracket. We'll adjust the instructions shortly to cover this. Sorry for the inconvenience.

If you still have your original screen, please transfer the bracket over. The bracket is adhered to the screen with light adhesive. Use an opening pick to pry it up. If it feels difficult, heat the bracket with an iOpener and try again.

Arthur Shi -

If you can't find the bracket on your original screen, it may actually still be attached to your phone. Check the motherboard as the bracket surrounds the sensor on it.

Arthur Shi -

Hi Arthur,

You are right. The replacement does not come with the bracket. It was also not in my original display but your second hint to check the phone hit it. The bracket ist still attached to the sensor.

Thanks for your Support!

Markus

Markus -

Step 19

Use tweezers to peel back the silver tape connecting the midframe and the top speaker.
Don't completely remove the tape. You only need to remove the bridge between the midframe and the top speaker.

Step 20

Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the two screws on both sides of the USB-C port.

Step 21

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 16 screws securing the midframe to the frame:
Eight 4.3 mm screws
Five 2.9 mm screws
Two 4.9 mm screws
One 4.6 mm screw

I have eight 4.3mm screws and five 2.9mm screws.

M Ma -

Step 22

Insert a spudger between the top of the midframe and the frame, near the front camera.
Pry up with the spudger to release the top of the midframe from its clips.

Step 23

Insert a spudger between the bottom left of the midframe and the frame.
Pry up with the spudger to release the bottom of the midframe from its clips.

Step 24

Remove the midframe.
You may feel a bit of resistance. This is normal since the midframe is slightly bonded to the heat sink with thermal paste.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 25

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape off the thermal paste.
Clean any remaining thermal paste with isopropyl alcohol and either a coffee filter or a lint-free cloth.
Repeat the cleaning process for the thermal paste on the midframe.
During reassembly, follow this guide for reapplying thermal paste to your device.

Step 26

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery's press connector.

Step 27

If your device doesn't have a 5G mmWave antenna, skip the next four steps.
Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 2.9 mm screw securing the 5G mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 28

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull the bracket towards the right edge of the phone and disconnect its clip.
Remove the 5G mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 29

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna's press connector.

Step 30

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the 5G mmWave antenna.

Step 31

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the ultrawide rear camera's press connector.
Remove the ultrawide rear camera.

Step 32

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wide rear camera's press connector.
Remove the wide rear camera.

Step 33

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the volume and power button press connector near the top left corner of the motherboard.

Step 34

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 2.9 mm screw securing the motherboard.

The tiny ribbon cable is here for the power and sound buttons. You forgot to mention that we need to undo the connection. This caused me a lot of trouble in figuring out why it wasn't turning on, and I ended up breaking the connection on the first phone because I wasn't privy to it being there.

eric gibson -

Hi Eric!

You are 100% correct, and I want to apologize for missing this. I have updated the guide accordingly to have this disconnection.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Step 35

Insert a spudger between the top of the motherboard and the frame, near the front camera.
Pry up to lift the motherboard until you can grip it with your fingers.

Step 36

Tilt the top of the motherboard upwards to release its plastic clips.
Remove the motherboard.

Step 37

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the front camera's press connector located on the bottom of the logic board.
Remove the front camera.

Step 38

You're now left with only the motherboard.

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 you install it.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

To run a diagnostics test with the built-in Pixel Diagnostic tool, click here.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Google Pixel 6a Answers community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

117875 Reputation

One comment

As of right now, is it possible to get a replacement motherboard for the Pixel 6a? I spoke with a repair shop and they said the phone would need to be under warranty (which in the case of my wife's phone, it is not due to getting smashed in a car door) to get a replacement motherboard.

Tanner Davis -