Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement

Written By: Tarun Thiruma

Comments: 6

Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

10 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Follow this guide to remove the glass back cover for replacement or to access the Samsung Galaxy S20’s internals.

Before you begin, refer to the Samsung Self-Repair document for safety information.

Note: Retaining water resistance after the repair will depend on how well you reapply the adhesive, but your device will lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover's bottom 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.

Found that using the iOpener did not provide enough heat to weaken the adhesive, went with a hairdryer instead. Make sure to never keep the hairdryer still, and apply heat on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute per side did the job for me. iOpener just did not get hot enough

Phil R -

Step 2

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
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.
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 of reheating with the iOpener and separating with the suction cup before you get it right.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.

I have found it easier to use an iFlex on the camera side to get in enough to get an opening pick in. Then work the pick towards either end slowly and down the ends, making sure it’s warm to the point of being almost to hot to hold. Slow, gentle pressure t open it like a clam ;)

Stow - 13/01/21

While pulling on the back glass with the suction cup, I found it helpful to use something like the opener tool to press down on the frame. Made it easy to pull open even with the iOpener.

Ryan Sammons -

Step 3

Slide the pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
Do not attempt to cut the adhesive near the corners of the phone where the glass is curved or you risk cracking the glass panel.
Leave your opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 4

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the back cover for two minutes.

Step 5

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.
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.
As the glass on this edge is curved, you won't be able to insert this pick very far. As long as the very tip of the pick is underneath the glass's edge, you will be able to proceed.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
You can try also 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 risk cracking the back cover glass.

Step 6

Once the pick is underneath the glass's edge, tilt it downward and insert it further to fully separate the back cover's adhesive.

Step 7

Slide the pick all along the left edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.
Take care when sliding across the ridge in the frame surrounding the volume and power buttons—the cutout in the glass may make it more prone to cracking.
Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass near the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 8

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover 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.

Step 9

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
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.
Like with the previous edge, you will need to tilt the opening pick downward to fully insert it underneath the back cover.

Step 10

Slide the pick all along the right edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.
Leave your pick under the right edge of the glass near the top of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
As you do this, the back cover may release one or both of the other picks and allow them to fall free. If this occurs, set the pick(s) aside as the bottom edge shouldn't reseal from this point onward.

Step 11

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back cover for two minutes.

Step 12

The glass near the corners of the back cover is curved and very susceptible to cracking. Be gentle during this step to prevent damaging your back cover.
Gradually slide the pick from the right edge of the device around the top right corner.
Continue slicing along the top edge all the way to the top left corner to fully separate the back cover adhesive.
If the slicing becomes difficult at any point, stop and reapply heat before continuing.

Step 13

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 sealing it up. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers. Apply heat if you're having trouble separating the adhesive.
If you're using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
If you're using double-sided tape, follow this guide.

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—be sure to transfer remaining components and remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the instructions in reverse order and perform the opposite actions, e.g., "reattach" instead of "removing." Skip steps that use heating and prying, and pay close attention to the 📌 bullets as you work through the steps.

After you've completed the repair, download the Samsung Members App from the Galaxy Store or the Play Store, and Samsung Self-Repair document (beginning page 10) to make sure your device is fully functional.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Author

Tarun Thiruma

Member since: 20/11/19

35226 Reputation

3 comments

Cool, great advice

LIGE SIZEMORE -

Did not work at all for me. Tried the iOpener many times and a hair dryer plus the suction cup but no luck. In the end I used an Exacto knife to just begin to gently break the glass cover in one spot, inserting no further than the glue edge and then twisting, and cracked the whole thing which thereafter I just peeled off in one minute and cut the adhesive as I went, since it was going to be thrown away when replaced with the new one. Perfect and quick.

liburt -

Was easy for me because the backside was coming off anyways. (used desinfectant too often on my hands + phone).

I think the hyperlinks at the end are not right: they both lead to the same guide using pre cut tape.

Rolloblonsko -