Samsung Galaxy S10+ Rear-Facing Camera Module Replacement

Written By: Arthur Shi

Comments: 7

Samsung Galaxy S10+ Rear-Facing Camera Module Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

50 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Follow this guide to remove and replace the rear-facing camera module for the Galaxy S10+. The module includes all three rear-facing cameras, as well as the frame that holds them.

This procedure requires removing the motherboard. The most difficult part is separating the glass back cover from the phone.

Tools

Parts

Galaxy S10/S10+ Triple Rear Camera

Step 1

Insert a SIM card eject tool, bit, or a straightened paperclip into the hole on the SIM tray, located at the top edge of the phone next to the plastic antenna band.
If you inserted the tool into the other hole, don't worry—the microphone and the ingress gasket are mounted out of harm's way.
Press firmly to eject the tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.
When reinserting the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.

So, I have owned multiple phones in my life and some of them had two doors, one for the Sim, one for the SD card. As it was darkish where I was installing the SD & SIM card, this is what I assumed my S10 plus 1tb had, and I poked a paper clip into the microphone hole and when it didn't open I pushed harder not realizing that it was the microphone. Some research that I've done says that the hole is straight and comes to an end and the microphone is 90° to that, so it cannot be poked by the pin, is this true(I hope it is!) ? I don't want to have to take apart my phone if I don't have to, to replace the microphone or God forbid the motherboard to replace one small component. Come on Samsung, is this planned obsolescence?

Lin Car - 25/04/19

Hi Lin,

Good question! I took apart our S10 and that is indeed true! Inserting the SIM eject tool into the top microphone hole shouldn’t damage your microphone, or compromise water resistance.

Here is a photo reference. The microphone hole is just an L-shaped tunnel drilled into the frame. At the end of the “L”, it is sealed by a thin waterproof gasket (red circle). The microphone is actually built into the motherboard (orange circle), which is pressed against this gasket. Sound is able to transfer across the thin gasket, but this design also allows it to be waterproof.

I will edit the steps to reflect this information. Thanks for the heads up!

Arthur Shi - 25/04/19

Step 2

Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover's right edge 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.
As you wait, take a look at the image of the removed back cover and take note of where the adhesive is located.

Step 3

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible (where the adhesive is narrowest).
Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, your best bet is to apply more heat to the edge and try the previous step again.
You can try applying a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol into the seam to help loosen the adhesive.
Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you will risk cracking the back cover glass.

I can’t get the back cover to seperate, I’ve been trying for several hours now, it just stays with the rest of the phone. I’m fairly certain my phone is hot enough as I touched the back and I can’t place my hand there for more than a few seconds at a time. It’s just not coming off and I’m so frustrated! Any help?

fiona Xie - 06/07/20

Hi Fiona,

The back adhesive can be very difficult! Have you tried the suggestions in step 3? It may take a few heat cycles to weaken the adhesive. You can use a hairdryer to heat it pretty hot along the edge.

Arthur Shi - 09/07/20

My back cover glass is shattered but not coming apart! What do I do?

Otto Plutoonium - 04/05/21

I was able to use my fingernails first (with the assistance of the suction cup) to get in the gap, and then, with my fingernails still in the gap there was enough room to put in the pick. I couldn't get the pick in there by itself even after 10 minutes of warming and suction cup prying... but my fingernails could get in, and then I used them to hold the space open and pull a little more so the pick could be inserted.

Alan Miller -

Step 4

Rest the heated right edge of the phone on something that is about 0.5 inches (13 mm) thick. This angles the phone for the opening tool.
Brace the left edge of the phone with your fingers so that the phone won't slide. Pull on the suction cup with firm pressure.
Press the edge of an opening tool into the seam between the back cover and the frame.
Slide the opening tool back and forth along the seam a few times.

Step 5

Slide the opening pick along the edge of the phone, slicing through the adhesive.
Do not attempt to slice the adhesive holding the corners down before applying heat. If you do, you may crack the back cover.
Leave a pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 6

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the phone for two minutes.

Step 7

Insert an opening pick into the right edge near the bottom right corner.
Carefully slide the pick around the corner. Continue cutting along the bottom edge and around the bottom left corner.
If the cutting feels difficult, re-apply heat to the edge before continuing.
Leave an opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 8

Continue heating and slicing around the remaining edges of the phone.
When cutting around corners, be sure that the corner is thoroughly heated.

Step 9

Once you have sliced around the phone, twist an opening pick in one of the edges to help separate the back cover from the frame.
Lift the back cover slowly. Use opening picks to slice any remaining adhesive.
Remove the back cover.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before you seal the back cover in place. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
Follow this guide to reinstall the back cover, transfer and install the camera bezel, and replace the adhesive.

Step 10

Remove the nine 4 mm Phillips screws securing the top midframe to the phone.

Step 11

The midframe is still held in place by a few plastic clips around the edge.
Insert the point of a spudger into the notch on the right edge of the midframe, near the Bixby button.
Pry up to loosen the midframe from the phone.

Step 12

Insert the point of a spudger into the notch on the left edge of the phone, located near the power button.
Pry up to loosen the midframe from the phone.

Step 13

Lift the midframe from the top corners and remove it from the phone.
To reinstall the top midframe:
Align the midframe's top edge to the phone and lay the frame down on the phone.
Use fingers to apply pressure along the midframe perimeter to snap the midframe clips back into place. The edges should sit flush against the phone edge.

Step 14

Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the battery connector, which is attached to the motherboard below the rear-facing camera.
Pry upwards to disconnect the connector from its socket.
When you disconnect connectors like these, be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.
Gently push the battery's flex cable away from the motherboard socket to prevent accidental contact.

Step 15

Remove the seven 4 mm Phillips screws securing the lower midframe to the phone.

Step 16

The midframe is still held in place by a few plastic clips around the edge.
Insert the point of a spudger in the notch near the bottom right corner of the lower midframe. It is marked by a small triangle.
Pry up to release the midframe from the phone.

Step 17

Grasp the loosened end of the midframe with your fingers and lift upwards slowly.
Wiggle the midframe slightly to help release the remaining edge clips.
Remove the lower midframe. The loudspeaker is built into the lower midframe.
To reinstall the lower midframe, align the midframe's bottom edge to to the phone edge, and press it into place.

Step 18

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display connector from its motherboard socket, located near the bottom right corner of the phone.

Step 19

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the headphone jack's connector from its motherboard socket.

Step 20

Remove the three Phillips screws securing the motherboard to the phone:
One 3.8 mm screw
Two 3.7 mm screws

My motherboard was missing these two screws. they were just not there at all.

Reed Deemer - 21/05/19

Step 21

Insert the point of a spudger underneath the right edge of the motherboard, near the volume up button.
Pry up gently to loosen the motherboard from its recess.

Step 22

Using your fingers, grasp the motherboard by the top corners.
Lift the motherboard edge slightly out of its recess. Be careful not to snag any cables along the way.
Pull the motherboard towards the top edge of the phone while wiggling the board slightly. This will loosen the charging port from its socket.
Once the charging port is freed from its socket, remove the motherboard.
To reinstall the motherboard, align the motherboard's charging port with the bottom edge of the phone.
Gently push the motherboard against the bottom edge of the phone until the charging port is completely seated.
Lower the motherboard and press into place. Be careful not to trap any cables underneath the motherboard. The board should sit flush against the frame.

Step 23

Flip the motherboard over.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the two camera connectors from their sockets on the motherboard.

Step 24

Heat an iOpener and lay it over the rear-facing camera module for one minute. This helps loosen the adhesive holding the camera module to the motherboard.

Step 25

Insert the point of a spudger under the top-left corner of the camera module, where there is a small notch.
Pry up to loosen the camera module from the motherboard.

Step 26

Insert the edge of an opening tool under the loosened corner of the camera module.
Pry up to release the camera module from the motherboard.
Continue prying around the camera module with the opening tool until the module is freed from the motherboard.