Introduction

Use this guide to replace the motherboard.

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    • Insert a plastic opening tool, or your fingernail, into the opening near the left side of the headphone jack.

    • Pry the opening tool downward to pop the rear case from its clips securing it to the the midframe.

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    • Lift and remove the rear case.

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    • Use the flat end of a spudger, or your fingernail, to press the microSD card slightly deeper into its slot until you hear a click.

    • After the click, release the card and it will pop out of its slot.

    • During reassembly, push the microSD card into the slot until it clicks in place.

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    • Pull the microSD card away from its slot.

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    • Wedge a plastic opening tool into the crevice between the battery and midframe located near the bottom left corner.

    • Push the plastic opening tool downward to pry the battery up from its housing.

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    • Lift and remove the battery from the midframe.

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    • Remove the six 4.0 mm Phillips #00 screws securing the midframe to the front panel assembly.

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    • Unless you pry at the right insertion points, you might have a difficult time removing the midframe. This shot of the display assembly, with display glass facing down, is meant to help you locate them.

    • The first insertion point is a divot to the left of the micro-USB port.

    • The second insertion point is a divot to the right of the micro-USB port near the corner of the phone.

    • The final insertion point is located about two inches to the right of the volume control toggle, toward the corner of the phone. An additional insertion point is located slightly to the right of the volume button if you need it.

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    • Insert a plastic opening tool slightly to the left of the micro-USB port, and pry between the midframe and the display to open a gap.

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    • Wedge a plastic opening tool slightly to the right of the micro-USB port, and pry between the midframe and the display to widen the gap.

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    • Pry again about two inches to the right of the volume control toggles between the midframe and the front panel assembly.

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    • Pull the micro-USB end of the front panel assembly out and away from the midframe and lift up to free it entirely.

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    • Headphone jack/vibrator assembly cable connector

    • Front-facing camera cable connector

    • Digitizer cable connector

    • Display cable connector

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    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the headphone jack/vibrator assembly cable.

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    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the front-facing camera cable connector.

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    • Carefully disconnect the digitizer display cable.

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    • Use a spudger to disconnect the display cable connector.

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    • Remove the two 3 mm Phillips #00 screws.

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    • Lift the micro-USB end of the motherboard away from the display assembly and pull it down.

    • Be mindful that you don't snag the motherboard on any cables as you remove it.

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    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to flip the tab on the rear-facing camera ZIF connector.

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    • Slide a spudger under the rear-facing camera cable to free it from the adhesive.

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    • Remove the rear-facing camera from the motherboard.

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    • The microphone cover fits in a notch and over a small peg in the display assembly, ensure it is well seated before sealing your device.

    • Make sure the microphone cover stays in its slot on the display assembly.

    • When you removed the motherboard, the microphone cover may have remained stuck on the microphone. Put it back in its notch in the display assembly to avoid losing it.

Conclusion

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

Sam Goldheart

Member since: 19/10/12

465329 Reputation

One comment

Sadly, this guide is for the Sprint version of the S II.

The international version has a completely different layout and mainboard. :/

Someone -