Samsung Galaxy S4 Motherboard Replacement

Written By: Sam Goldheart
  • Comments: 55
Samsung Galaxy S4 Motherboard Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

17

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the motherboard in your Samsung Galaxy S4.

  1. rjhlmKL4roqDcNeD
    rjhlmKL4roqDcNeD
    ySIEOikDPMFCTh6j

    • Pry with a plastic opening tool, or your fingernail, in the divot to the left of the rear-facing camera, near the power button.

  2. QoGD1nhUjIK4SYhA
    QoGD1nhUjIK4SYhA
    mYdKICGURgG1VuPm
    EGyVAufYjRnV5oMH

    • Lift the rear case by the corner nearest the divot and remove it from the phone.

    Where is the divot? Please let me know that

    James -

    I purchased a blue plastic opening tool(AKA: Spudge) like the one used in the above Step 1 rear cover pic and found the divot and was able to take off the rear cover as per the “Step 2 “ instructions.

    Terry Crawford, Jr. -

  3. MDC6e1YyIBLkTSJq
    MDC6e1YyIBLkTSJq
    r4qIuNXi4DRJBNYO
    alOZWSSKuQtAOYyx

    • 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.

    • Remove the microSD card.

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

    I was able to remove the MicroSD Card as per the Step 3 MicroSD instructions with no problems.

    Terry Crawford, Jr. -

  4. crygJXPQtUYDKNlg
    crygJXPQtUYDKNlg
    qFUmmdiFJSbJncKZ
    24gAbT1EpiKW1ldS

    • Insert a plastic opening tool, or your finger, into the notch of the battery compartment and lift the battery upward.

    • Remove the battery from your phone.

    it worked for me

    John Donovan -

  5. MQ1HoKUOlTYUB2Fl
    MQ1HoKUOlTYUB2Fl
    sHEGGRwOQFo3IeR5
    FldhpEixJL5ycMhU

    • Use a plastic opening tool, or your fingernail, to press the SIM 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.

    • Remove the SIM card.

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

    Looks easy but doesn't work. No one has a plastic opening tool. Using fingernail, you can press SIM card into slot but it does not pop out so you can remove it.

    Laurie McWherter -

    I agree with the comment above

    I also don't have a plastic tool and my finger nail won't pop the card out.

    Grethe Montano. September 22

    Grethe Montano -

  6. EDtlEYuMDEYXrblv

    • Remove the nine 4.0 mm Phillips #00 screws securing the midframe to the display assembly.

    How much it will cost to replace a midframe

    kannan -

    How much cost will be on replace a midframe

    Hiren pedhadiya -

    I'm seeing midframes available on Ebay for around $10.

    Alex -

    I purchased a 1.5x40mm Phillips screw driver and was able to remove all 9 40mm screws from the midframe as per the Step 6 Midframe instructions.

    Terry Crawford, Jr. -

  7. WSuKHwiYL4wEeKPM
    WSuKHwiYL4wEeKPM
    A3gOcQAfyqxkjAeK

    • The midframe is secured to the display assembly by several plastic clips behind the chrome bezel of the midframe. The next few steps will guide you through separating the clips to free the midframe.

    • Starting on the volume button side of the phone, insert your plastic opening tool between the chrome bezel around the display glass and the larger chrome border piece. Look for the seam between the two.

    • Slide the opening tool along the seam, separating the plastic clips as you go.

    • Be very gentle whilst prying, and pry only enough to separate the plastic clips—there are several thin points in the midframe bezel that may crack if you bend them too much.

    I used same tool as in the photo and i broke the display. I think you should use a very thin plastic tool, such as a credit card but even more thin and flexible.

    nicosoranno4gxo -

    I purchased a blue plastic opening tool(AKA: Spudger) and was able to remove the midframe from the display assembly as per the Step 7. I had to hold the cell phone firmly in my left hand while I gently forced the spudger between the chrome bezel and the midframe with my right hand and heard plastics clips separate and saw the midframe start to separate from the display assembly. Don’t be afraid to get that spudger in and just gently go down the side of the phone and you will hear the plastics clips detach and the midframe to separate more and more until you are able to separate them 100%. I started at the volume button side of the phone in Step 7 and ended at the power button side in Step 9.

    Terry Crawford, Jr. -

    This blue Case Opening tool has a less rigid edge that is kinder to trim than the hard black Spudger shown in later steps. I was glad to have the right tool on hand at this step. Use it as a wedge and slide it along the gap.

    Tom Huber -

  8. mlLqgVTFjlULZmXr
    mlLqgVTFjlULZmXr
    xbBRETlSI6ZKDpZJ

    • Continue prying around the corner of the phone.

    • Slide your opening tool along the seam between the midframe and display along the bottom of the device, releasing more of the plastic clips.

    I purchased a blue plastic opening tool(AKA: Spudger) and was able to remove the midframe from the display assembly as per the Step 7. I had to hold the cell phone firmly in my left hand while I gently forced the spudger between the chrome bezel and the midframe with my right hand and heard plastics clips separate and saw the midframe start to separate from the display assembly. Don’t be afraid to get that spudger in and just gently go down the side of the phone and you will hear the plastics clips detach and the midframe to separate more and more until you are able to separate them 100%. I started at the volume button side of the phone in Step 7 and ended at the power button side in Step 9.

    Terry Crawford, Jr. -

  9. NjGCILVpYvQZSYBN
    NjGCILVpYvQZSYBN
    KTbBqoxDr3GYJkMc

    • Again, pry around the corner, to the power button side.

    • Slide the opening tool along the seam.

  10. YxMui1KI6EfoKuUH
    YxMui1KI6EfoKuUH
    KjQOOeflFdfxLybe

    • Continue sliding the opening tool around the top of the phone, releasing the last of the clips and freeing the midframe from the display assembly.

    • At this point, you may want to run your plastic opening tool along the entire perimeter of the device again, to make sure you've released all of the plastic clips.

    On my phone, there was another clip holding the white midframe to the battery compartment, in the middle of the top edge of the battery compartment, near the battery contacts. If you don't release that before removing the midframe, it is easy to break.

    josephoswald -

    I purchased a blue plastic opening tool(AKA: Spudger) and was able to remove the midframe from the display assembly as per the Step 7. I had to hold the cell phone firmly in my left hand while I gently forced the spudger between the chrome bezel and the midframe with my right hand and heard plastics clips separate and saw the midframe start to separate from the display assembly. Don’t be afraid to get that spudger in and just gently go down the side of the phone and you will hear the plastics clips detach and the midframe to separate more and more until you are able to separate them 100%. I started at the volume button side of the phone in Step 7 and ended at the power button side in Step 9. In Step 10 just make sure all the plastic clips are separated from the midframe and the display assembly so you can pull them apart 100% without breaking them.

    Terry Crawford, Jr. -

  11. MDb1XKUptBuYX6Bu
    MDb1XKUptBuYX6Bu
    R6HtRH5JnJXupZRr
    rDyAIYBh3bl6IN2Z

    • Remove the midframe from the display assembly.

    here i leave them a video i made doing the work

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85pOvI6O...

    enjoy

    Gabriel Barrandeguy -

    My Sprint S4 was slightly different then the one pictured above but I just completed this repair in under 10 minutes.. It would have been slightly quicker but fooling around with those little screws can be irritating if you have big hands.

    Michael Willis -

    Just did this on my S4. Instructions were extremely helpful, but I had to remove a screw (step 10.5?) to remove the upper display assembly bracket. Other than that, flawless! Thanks!

    JackieME -

    The 3rd image of the 11th step shows that when the midframe is removed, some parts come along with it (at the bottom part of it). What are these parts? should they be removed too and placed in the new midframe? Are they easy to remove?

    Chris -

  12. QOBJ3LFbWBFVVGcA
    QOBJ3LFbWBFVVGcA
    yVD1EFNFEaXchvOf
    63C2pIomgcyGqkCc

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the USB board connector.

    • Disconnect the front-facing camera cable connector.

    • Disconnect the earpiece speaker assembly cable connector.

  13. rNPnmChVeydDDOkQ
    rNPnmChVeydDDOkQ
    XLIVIYF1GdMvaGRN
    epVsggkyQGhUiBBG

    • Disconnect the headphone jack assembly cable connector.

    • Disconnect the display/digitizer cable connector.

    • Disconnect the antenna cable connector.

    My model had an antenna connection next to the usb board connector in addition to the antenna connection near the display cable connector.

    Drew -

    That's point a, on the daughter board (where the USB is located is point b. You must connect it from a to b

    djweijers1997 -

    I could not get the screen connector to fit on with the motherboard assembly in place. I had to remove the motherboard assembly, attach the screen connector, and then carefully replace the motherboard assembly, with the screen connector still attached..

    Tom4G -

    Same as Tom4G above. When trying to connect the screen connector, it would not give me that nice clear snap indicating a positive connection. The phone powered up with no screen. So, I disconnected the other connectors again, lifted the motherboard out and connected the screen connector by pinching it with finger and thumb from both sides of the motherboard, this time getting a nice snap when it engaged.

    speedrzr -

  14. rj6NCBPKbIQYnvFu

    • Remove the single 2.4 mm Phillips #00 screw from the motherboard assembly.

    As Sam Lionheart states at the end of this guide, some of these phones have an additional antenna on the opposite side of the phone. Be sure to detach it before removing the motherboard.

    mcr4u2 -

  15. aePe63fVSmTOtsPY
    aePe63fVSmTOtsPY
    etpnFuSt2fSS2A1Y

    • Gently remove the motherboard.

    • Hold the motherboard by its edges to prevent ESD damage. Be careful not to snag it on any cables as you extract it from the display assembly.

  16. NnpOWIOdo2FZTfjP

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

  17. WtRpdafxUxrGObeH
    WtRpdafxUxrGObeH
    PQTtFfxEBOt6hTtD

    • Using tweezers, or your fingers, slide the rear-facing camera out of its notch in the motherboard.

Conclusion

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

Author

Sam Goldheart

Member since: 19/10/12

465329 Reputation

30 comments

where can one buy a replacement motherboard?

Joe -

I have a M919 with dead motherboard. Can i swap with an i9505motherboard insted? will all the components work on this new motherboard?

Augusto Nascimento -

Hi I have a question. I have Galaxy S4 but The screen just broke and my sister give her galaxy s4 can i just change the motherboard to my phone or need to change the other parts too? Please help my i dont want to change all the parts if i dont need to!?

Ray Flores -

Mboard only.

djweijers1997 -

i need S4 mother board too broher pls give me if you have extra i will pay

sukesh padinjarakkara -

I wanted to know if I could swap my broken verizon gs4 motherboard with a us cellular gs4 motherboard

devynrice93 -

You should be able to, however it will only be comparable with US cellular

Keagan Weis -

I wanted to know if I could swap my broken verizon gs4 motherboard with a us cellular gs4 motherboard??

devynrice93 -

I believe in Step 17, it should read as "rear facing camera", not "front facing camera".

SE Pepper -

Does anyone know, Is a s4 motherboard a universal FIT? In other words

Can you put a T-Mobile Regular S4 Motherboard into an AT&T S4 Active case?

I know the action buttons are different. But Im thinking the GSM board connections should be the same.

Joe -

I have a galaxy s4 and it won't power up could this be the motherboard

Julian Bond -

I have a galaxy s4 . It just shut off and wouldn't come back on . Doesn't show charging . It's with at&t . Could this be the motherboard?

danielle -

my screen shows the samsung logo and then it black outs what could be the problem

??

pankaj chauhan -

Could either be the battery or a software problem. If it's not the battery then downlad your stock rom and flash it with odin.

Myron -

Hi I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 that wont turn on or charge, I've been told its the mother board by a Samsung engineer whos checked the phone over. If the motherboard can be changed will I still keep all of me texts, contacts, pictures etc that are stored on this phone or will they be lost? I've not uploaded them to the cloud and worried Im going to loose everything. Please help Thanks!

paulablack -

Paula, if you did not store the information on SD card, that information resides on the motherboard'smemory chip. You may want to try KIES to be able to recognize your phone and download the information to your computer.

Prashant Patel -

I have Samsung Galaxy s4 gt.i9500 I want mother board

mohammed sharfuddin asif -

You want motherboard?

Myron -

Thank you so much! This tutorial was incredibly helpful and was very well put together,extremely informative, and easy to read and follow.

Hunter Leadford -

Hi boss I want to change my phone ram

My phone 2gb but I want change into 4gb on motherboard it can possibility

My phone samsung j5 prime

I want increase my ram

Can u help me

manikanta chellaboina -

my sim card are geting resisterd on network but it wont make a call and say not resisted on network and yet the phone is working well only sim prob but on an repair shop the shopkiper ask that motherbor may not working properly isbits posible

Garvit batra -

Hi...do u have motherboard replacement for i9500 galaxy s4 16gb? Please reply me a.s.a.p...thanks..

Ema Love -

Sam, Thank you very much for this tutorial with pictures. I had bricked my Samsung S4 recently and could not revive it. I was successfully and economically able to replace the motherboard and revive the phone. I also appreciate comments about dual antenna - my phone had them - and cautions by other readers.

Prashant

Prashant Patel -

Hi a question for paulablack and Prashant, I have the exact same problem as paula. But if my phone can't be powered up, then it will not show up in kies would it? Paula, did you solve your issue?

hlw -

1 want Samsung gt-i9505 mother board factory unlocked to all networks

kelvin jumbo -

my samsung s4 didn’t work. i don’t know why but the problem is if i switch on it will vibrate only but can’t open. how to work for this? please help me guys. thank you and godbless..

Arnel Alos -

i wnat samsung wave 3 gt-s8600 motherboard.

john585823 -

I want samsung wave 3 gt-s8600 motherboard,

john585823 -

Hi! I have Samsung galaxy 4. It has black screen. Vibrates when powered on and blue light at top. I tried doing reset by taking battery out and all, didn't work. What can I do to fix my phone?

AmyJ -

mine wont just respond even when powered i tried getting a new battery but its still blank help me guys.

luckymotswetla -