Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement

Written By: Sam Goldheart

Comments: 36

Samsung Galaxy S4 Rear Facing Camera Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the rear-facing camera in your Samsung Galaxy S4.

If you are getting a "Camera failed" error message, first open Camera app from the Application manager and select "Clear data," then restart the phone. If this doesn't solve the issue, try a factory reset of the phone (be sure to back up your data beforehand). If these options still don't help, try reinstalling Android OS, otherwise you will need to replace the hardware itself.

You can also test the camera from the Hidden/Test menu, dial *#0*# to access the service menu.

Tools

Parts

Galaxy S4 Rear Camera

Step 1

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

Step 2

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 - 23/04/17

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. - 10/12/17

Step 3

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. - 10/12/17

Step 4

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 - 25/10/17

Step 5

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 - 11/08/17

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 - 22/09/17

Step 6

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 - 14/10/14

How much cost will be on replace a midframe

Hiren pedhadiya - 21/02/15

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

Alex - 01/11/14

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. - 10/12/17

Step 7

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 - 08/12/16

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. - 10/12/17

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 - 30/06/18

Step 8

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.

Terry Crawford, Jr. - 10/12/17

Step 9

Again, pry around the corner, to the power button side.
Slide the opening tool along the seam.

Step 10

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 - 11/04/15

Terry Crawford, Jr. - 10/12/17

Step 11

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 - 21/05/14

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 - 23/08/14

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 - 27/08/14

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 - 29/10/14

Step 12

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.

Step 13

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 - 03/01/15

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 - 06/03/16

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 - 11/03/17

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 - 09/12/17

Step 14

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 - 23/11/16

Step 15

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.

Step 16

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

Step 17

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

11 comments

Where do you recommend getting the new rear facing camera from?

Justin - 13/05/14

where do you recommend to buy a new rear camera?

sujatha - 14/09/14

Useful step by step guide, I was able to replace the cracked lens on the camera following the instructions here. Without them I wouldn't have had a clue where to start and what to unclip. The kit I used was purchased from ebay and was straight forward enough to complete that part without the need for further instruction. For a few pounds I have increased the value of my phone for trade in at next upgrade. Very pleased with this result. Thank you for the comprehensive instructions.

Jenny Miller - 20/05/15

what a great guide! took me less than an hour to replace the camera...this success gives me the inspiration to do the bigger job of replacing the sealed battery in my sisters macbook pro 13' late 2013 model...for those asking about where to get a replacement camera, I got mine from ebay for $19 AUD including postage!

gautamgoraya - 07/07/15

Hi, Can the same technique and part be used on the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini?

vdthaoanh - 25/09/15

It would be great if I could put a better camerain it. Something with lower f stop. Is it possible to put a different camera in it?

bscruggs99 - 09/10/15

I have to replace the rear camera of a galaxy S4 Black Edition

Does anybody know if this replacement guide is fully compatible with S4 Black Edition?

Thanks for advance

Jordi Morral Cid - 27/11/15

Beautiful tutorial! Took me ten minutes from start to finish!

hfheard - 17/12/15

I bought the camera at:

http://www.etradesupply.com

100% satisfied. Top notch camera.

DHL ---> Excellent Service.

Congratulations to the Author of this guide. I made it thanks to you whoever you are.

Deeply grateful.

Xana

Xaninha - 17/12/15

By the way... and your hands are beautiful.

Xaninha - 17/12/15

Terrible guide, steps 7 - 11 only a very vague explanation of what you are separating. Pictures do not do a great job either at showing what is actually going on. I saw no seem what and ended up utterly destroying my glass / digitizer, thanks. This could have been very clear and simple if the guide had recommend starting under the home button instead since the seem is visible there. The second phone I repaired went much smoother starting on the bottom and moving around & up the edge to the side with the power button. This is more natural place to separate the frame. The problem with doing it the way the guide suggested is that by the time you work your way to the corner you will have already broken off retaining clips if you are in the wrong place with your tool + the second you get down to the corner glass will break. No mention what so ever of spring loaded retaining clip that will come flying out once you life out the main-board. For the very first here I would have to tell you find another guide.

Not important - 22/09/16