Google Pixel 8 Pro Front Camera Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 2

Google Pixel 8 Pro Front Camera Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

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 front camera (a.k.a selfie camera) in your Google Pixel 8 Pro.

You may need to replace the front camera if it's taking distorted or blurry photos, or not taking photos at all.

You'll need replacement screen adhesive to complete this repair.

Note: This guide was made with the 5G mmWave antenna model of the Pixel 8 Pro. If you have the non-mmWave version, you can still use this guide—just skip the steps that mention the 5G mmWave antenna.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Let your Pixel's battery drain below 25% before starting this repair. A charged lithium‑ion battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables from your phone.
Completely power off your phone.
Press the power and volume up buttons at the same time to bring up the shutdown menu.

Step 2

You'll be using opening picks to separate the screen from the frame. If inserted too far, a pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 3

Adhesive and clips secure the screen to the frame. Heating the screen softens the adhesive, making it easier to separate.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.

From my limited experience, iOpener is a really cool thing if nothing else is available, but if possible, hair dryer will do the job much, much better. Though, with iOpener is much harder to do something wrong...

Josip Rosandic -

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.
Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Place your phone screen side up on an object so it will rest level between the Anti-Clamp's arms—the bottom edge should be hanging off.
Slide the arms over the left edge of your phone, so you have access to the bottom edge.
Position the suction cups as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
Squeeze the cups together to create suction.

Step 5

Pull the handle forward to lock the arms.
Turn the handle clockwise one full turn (360 degrees), or until the suction cups begin to stretch.
As the cups stretch, make sure they stay aligned with each other. If they keep slipping, remove the Anti-Clamp and apply tape for the cups to stick to.

Step 6

Wait one minute for a gap to form between the screen and frame.
If the adhesive doesn't separate, twist the handle clockwise one quarter turn and wait another minute. Apply more heat if the screen cools down.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
Don't insert your opening pick more than 3 mm to avoid damaging the spring contacts.
Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the arms and remove the Anti-Clamp using the pull tabs on the suction cups.
Skip the next two steps.

Step 7

Apply a suction handle to the center of the screen's bottom edge.

Step 8

Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force until a gap forms between the screen and frame.
If you're having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat and try again.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Step 9

To avoid damaging your phone, don't insert your pick more than 3 mm as you separate the screen adhesive. Note the following areas:
The screen cable is a little less than halfway up the left edge of the phone. Be very careful here to avoid tearing the cable.
There are many spring contacts around the perimeter of the phone. Be very careful in these areas to avoid bending the contacts.

I'd like to point out that the glass might seperate from the frame. If this is your first time opening up this phone be aware that there is a plastic frame below the glass (unlike Samsung Fold Front Display glass only type) but it might not look like it. Be careful and go deeper then you might expect you need to. Deeper as in down, not horizontally.

Sigmund -

Step 10

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive securing it.
Leave the pick in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 11

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.

Step 12

Insert a second opening pick under the bottom right corner of the screen.
Slide the new pick to the top right corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's right edge.
Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 13

Insert a third opening pick under the bottom edge of the screen.
Slide the new pick to the bottom left corner.
Leave the pick in the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 14

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the screen for two minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.

Step 15

Insert a fourth opening pick under the bottom left corner of the screen.
Slide the new pick to the top left corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's left edge.
Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 16

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the screen for two minutes.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.

Step 17

Insert a fifth opening pick under the top edge of the screen, near the left corner.
Slide the opening pick to the top right corner to separate the adhesive securing the screen's top edge.

Step 18

Place a small box or stack of books to the left of your phone so you can prop up the screen while disconnecting its cable.
Swing up the right edge of the screen like the front cover of a book.
If the screen feels stuck, go back around the perimeter with an opening pick to separate any remaining adhesive.
Prop up the screen so you can access the screen cable without straining it.

Step 19

Use an opening tool to pry up the upper edge of the screen cable cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 20

Insert the point of a spudger under the top right corner of the screen's press connector.
Gently pry up and disconnect the cable.
To reconnect a press connector, align it over its socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 21

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.
Remember to reinstall the screen cable cover.
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.
Follow this guide to replace your screen adhesive and install your screen.
If you're installing a new screen, follow this guide to calibrate the fingerprint sensor.

Step 22

The next few steps show how to disconnect and detach the 5G mmWave antenna cable. If your phone doesn't have a 5G mmWave antenna, skip the next four steps.
Be very careful not to scrape off or damage any surface mounted components during this step.
Insert the tip of a spudger under the top edge of the 5G mmWave antenna's press connector.
Gently pry up and disconnect the cable.

Step 23

Three pieces of strong adhesive secure the 5G mmWave antenna cable to the midframe.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the 5G mmWave antenna cable for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate—but be careful as, extreme heat can damage the battery.

Step 24

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the bottom of the 5G mmWave antenna cable and the midframe, just above the press connector.
Twist the spudger to separate the bottom of the cable from the midframe.

Step 25

Grip the bottom of the 5G mmWave antenna cable and gently peel it from the midframe.
During reassembly, press the cable back into place on the midframe to secure it with the old adhesive. If it doesn't stick, use thin, double-sided tape to secure it.

Step 26

A large graphite sheet must be removed and replaced to complete this repair. It connects the upper part of the battery, midframe, and the rear cameras.
Insert the point of a spudger under different parts of the graphite sheet and lift until you can grip the sheet with your fingers.
The sections of graphite sheet between the rear cameras and the battery will most likely tear. If they do, grip the broken part of the sheet and remove that section.
Peel up and remove the entire graphite sheet.
During reassembly, do not reuse the old graphite sheet. Follow this guide to replace the sheet.

Step 27

Use the tip of a spudger to gently lift the plastic shim that runs along the top of the USB-C port cover.
Remove the shim and set it aside or move it out of the way so you can access the USB-C port cover screws.

Step 28

During reassembly, follow this step to replace the plastic shim that runs across the bottom of the midframe and loudspeaker. If you don't have a replacement, press the old one back into place.
Remove the larger rectangular liner from the shim.
Place the shim so the smaller piece of foam lines up with the bottom of the USB-C port cover.
Use the flat end of a spudger to firmly press down along the whole shim to secure it.
Remove the remaining liner.

Step 29

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Pixel 8 Pro uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits will also work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 5 mm‑long 3IP Torx Plus screws securing the USB‑C port cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 30

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the seven 5 mm‑long 3IP Torx Plus screws securing the midframe.

Step 31

Remove the midframe.
During reassembly check the condition of the thermal pad. If it's damaged, remove the pad, clean the area with high-concentration (greater than 90%) isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber or lint-free cloth, and apply a new thermal pad.