Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Display Replacement

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Comments: 32

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Display Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

50 minutes - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a cracked or broken display on your Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

Before disassembling your phone, discharge the battery below 25%. The battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured, but the chances of that happening are much lower if discharged.

Note: This guide instructs you to replace only the display while leaving the original frame, motherboard, and battery in place. However, some replacement screens for this phone come pre-installed in a new frame (a.k.a. chassis), which requires a very different procedure—transplanting your phone's internals and installing a new battery. Make sure you have the correct part before starting this guide.

This guide involves removing the rear glass cover; you will need replacement adhesive to reattach the back cover to the phone. If your replacement display does not come with adhesive, use a strong double-sided tape such as Tesa 61395 to secure it.

Opening the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus will damage the waterproof seals on the device. If you do not replace the adhesive seals, your phone will function normally, but will lose its water protection.

If the frame is damaged or bent, it's important to replace it, or else the new screen may not mount correctly and can suffer damage from uneven pressure.

The process of separating the display from the frame usually destroys the display, so don't follow this guide unless you intend to replace the display.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Switch off your phone.
Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the rear glass. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes. You might want to repeat this step several times during the back cover removal.
The adhesive of the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus is very strong. A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used if you aren't able to open the device with the iOpener. Be careful not to overheat the phone—the AMOLED display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

I don't know how much longer should I use for the min heat gun.

Hui Chen - 23/02/20

Only heat it up so you can still handle the phone. That depends on your heat gun. Wearing (ESD-)gloves might give you some extra degrees.

Tobias Isakeit - 27/02/20

It is very very hard to remove the back glass due to the adesive… I don't know if it is possibile (at least for everyone) to remove it wothout broking the glass

Luigi - 09/12/20

This is nearly impossible without breaking the glass or risking overheating. I would say apply heat repetitively for 6-8 minutes. The very most adhesive is across the bottom so push the pry stick way in. I generally start on the rear side.

Thomas Hayes - 04/02/21

Whoah NO. It will damage the camera and other sensitive electronics.

D Harlo -

Heating the back is essential, challenging, frustrating and, for first-timers such as myself, seemingly impossble, but I will say don't give up...I'll have another comment later.

cbclistener -

I tried with the iopener but I gave in after three attempts. I then used a hairdryer and a pizza oven infrared thermometer, heating in increments. 60C did the trick and I was able to get the first pick in. Further heating was necessary to ease the rest of the back off, all to 60C.

Chris Harrison -

Step 2

In the following steps, you'll be cutting through the adhesive securing the back cover.
The adhesive in the inside of the back cover is laid out as seen in the image.
You'll be slicing through the adhesive in the areas shown:
Thick portions of adhesive
Thin areas of adhesive
Avoid prying or slicing in this area, to protect the fingerprint sensor flex cable.

The yellow portion labeled "Avoid prying in this area" is also pretty heavily glued. I had luck using heat to soften it, but I messed up my fingerprint sensor because the image above is mirrored - I sliced through the right side because the image says it's on the left. The fingerprint sensor cable is actually on the right (when viewing the back side of the phone) on the same side as the phone's volume control.

Nick Tipton -

Step 3

If the phone's rear glass is cracked, the suction cup may not stick. Try lifting it with strong tape, or superglue the suction cup in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.
Press a suction cup onto the back cover.
Lift the back cover's bottom edge with your suction cup, opening a slight gap between the back cover and the frame.
This may require a significant amount of force, but you only need to open a very slight gap with the suction cup to insert your tool. If you have trouble, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive, and try again. The adhesive cools very fast, so you may need to heat it repeatedly.
Insert an opening pick in the gap and slide it to the bottom right corner.

This is the most challenging part. The suction cup can barely hold for the amount of force required...but here's a tip, especially for the first-timers like me. It's not obvious in this image, but the back, curved as it is as it attaches to the frame, is curved because the surface under the back is also curved. Therefore, using an angle for the pick that's a bit tilted up will help to get under the back, and get the cutting of the adhesive started.

Don't let that give you too much confidence, though. Sufficient heating of the back, to make the adhesive soft enough to yield to the several picks, is essential. Go slow, if you go too fast, or don't have enough heat, you WILL break the glass...as I did. Replacements, fortunately, are easy to find and not too expensive.

cbclistener - 27/02/23

Step 4

Insert a second opening pick and slide it to the bottom left corner.
Insert a third opening pick at the bottom end of the phone. This opening pick stays there during the rear glass removal procedure to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

Start to slide the tip of the opening pick from the bottom left corner along the side of the S9 Plus.
Leave the opening pick in its place after you cut the adhesive half way up the left side of the phone.
Slide the opening pick from the bottom right corner half way up the frame and leave it there.

Step 6

Insert a fourth opening pick at the right side of the frame and slide it to the top right corner.
Slide a fifth opening pick along the left side of the phone to the top left corner.
Use the opening pick to cut the remaining adhesive under the upper part of the rear glass.
Don't open the phone all the way yet. The flex cable for the fingerprint reader is still connected to the motherboard.

Step 7

Carefully lift the side of the rear glass where the volume button is located.
Use the edge of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the fingerprint sensor flex cable.

On my G965U, the fingerprint reader remained in the phone, and instead of disconnecting the flex cable from the motherboard, it was only necessary to disconnect the flex cable from the back glass where it was glued lightly

lyellread - 31/03/21

I also have a G965U model S9+, and its fingerprint read also remained in the back glass.

Nick Tipton -

It's easier to pop the button up than it is to reattach it when reassembling the phone. Well, I sure hope it goes better for you than it did me. (:

Daylen Westwood -

Step 8

Remove the rear glass.
When reassembling follow this guide to replace the adhesive and reinstall the rear glass.
In case you want to replace your rear glass follow this guide to transfer the rear camera bezel including the fingerprint.

Is it necessary to replace the rear glass adhesive? I have given up on water resistance, just want it to hold in one piece.

Zachary Shaw -

Hi Zachary,

in order to assure that the rear glass sticks to the rest of the phone assembly you have to replace the rear glass adhesive once you removed the rear glass. However you can use a narrow and strong double sided tape, tesa tape or our precut adhesive card. All of these will do their job however as you just mentioned you will lose the water protection of your phone. Before installing all of these it is very important to remove the old adhesive backings (for example with high isopropyl alcohol 90% or higher).

Sadly it's not possible to replace the rear glass without new adhesive.

Dominik Schnabelrauch -

Is the L shaped stocker with the three holes(first pic in step 2) in it essential? It came off when i was using iso to get the adhesive off. Just wanna know before i put the phone back together.

Thanks

Bob

Bob Erto -

Step 9

Remove the nine 4 mm Phillips #00 screws.

Don´t forget to unscrew the two screws on the left side (one near the battery, and one near the edge).

Janny 4real - 12/04/21

My s9+ NFC screws in this step are different sizes most are the same except one is shorter and coloured black and another is just shorter. The phone will not charge now, how can you find out which screws go where?

H8redflip -

11 screws need to be removed here. Watch the video to confirm the remaining 2.

Nick Tipton -

The 9 screws shown won't let the bracket up unless you finish with the 2 more screws. (near edge and bottom of the bracket).

Daylen Westwood -

Step 10

Insert an opening pick under the right side of the plastic cover containing the NFC antenna and charging coil.
Flip the opening pick sideways to lift the cover out of its plastic clips.
Work your way around the plastic cover, prying up to release the remaining clips.

I used a pointed metal spudger to pop that piece. The picks were more difficult here. There's an arrow that points the spot that needs to be opened.

Daylen Westwood - 23/03/24

Step 11

Remove the plastic cover containing the NFC antenna and the charging coil.

Step 12

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable.

Step 13

Remove the two 4 mm Phillips #00 screws.

Step 14

Remove the plastic cover from the motherboard.

Step 15

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the display flex cable.

Step 16

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the display for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive beneath.
You may need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times to get the phone warm enough. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
If your display glass is cracked, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.
Lay overlapping strips of clear packing tape over the display until the whole face is covered.
This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

Step 17

Once the screen is warm to the touch, apply a suction cup to the upper edge of the phone.
If the phone's screen is cracked, the suction cup may not stick. Try lifting it with strong tape, or superglue the suction cup in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.
Insert an opening pick in the gap and start to cut the adhesive by sliding it to the top left corner.

to just replace the screen with the Digitizer would I have to remove the back still?. I've removed the broken glass screen but the replacement didn't have the film inside it and I see a foil covering what I assume is the lcd.

John Chambers - 10/09/20

In this step start from the bottom, not the top. I tried for an hour with a heat gun on the top, the bottom worked first try.

Pi Ohmy -

Step 18

Insert another opening pick and slide it to the top right corner of the phone.
Insert a third opening pick to prevent the adhesive from resealing during the display removal.

Step 19

Start to slide the right opening pick half way down the side of the frame to cut the adhesive.
If cutting becomes too difficult, reheat and reapply the iOpener.
Slide the left opening pick half way down the frame and leave it in place.

Step 20

Insert a fourth opening pick at the left side of the frame and slide it down to the bottom left corner to cut the adhesive.
The screen's flex cable is located just below the midpoint near the power button, and may interfere with your cutting tool.

Step 21

Insert a fifth opening pick on the right side and slide it down.
Slide around the bottom right corner and cut the remaining adhesive on the bottom end of the display.

Step 22

Once you cut the adhesive on all sides of the phone you can slowly lift the display upwards and remove it.
The display cable is threaded through a hole in the midframe; guide it through carefully in order to free the display.
Before installing a new display, it's very important to remove all traces of the old adhesive from the frame, and clean the glued areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and a lint-free cloth.
If the frame is bent, or if any glue or glass remnants are left behind, the new display will not mount correctly and may be damaged. If necessary, replace the frame.

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

The best way to secure the new screen is with a sheet of custom-cut double-sided tape. Apply the tape to the back of the screen, then carefully feed the display cable through the frame. Align the screen and press it into place.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

After you've completed the repair, follow this guide to test your repair.

If possible, turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.

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

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

201132 Reputation

10 comments

I need only 205 Minutes for changing…. 5 Minutes heat up to 60°C , then…

Kerker S - 27/02/19

bonsoir

où puis-je trouver la coque arrière du s9 plus? puisque le mien est endomagé.

boubajinior@gmail.com

Boukary OUEDRAOGO - 08/12/19

Bonjour,

voici le lien sur l’article en question : ++Galaxy S9+ Rear Glass Panel/Cover

et voici le lien sur le tutoriel pour l’échange : ++https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Samsung+Gal...

Sandra Hiller - 09/12/19

210$ for the screen is more expensive than having it repaired for you in a lab…

Daniel S - 09/08/20

how to change sansung galaxy S9 plus (screen) LCD flex belt?

Black 1213 -

where i do get s9+board

gemedahailu151@gmail.com -

Why aren't there any visuals for the installation? This is more of a screen removal guide than a screen replacement guide…

James Leung -

Just finished installing front screen and battery. Everything is working correctly. phone is currently charging. One thing that I did on mine was use a heat gun at 212 F at the bottom of the glass while also using the suction cup to pry up slightly. it created a large enough gap to get a pick started. Also used a lot of 99% isopropyl alcohol in the teardown and glue clean up. 10/10 guide. Thank you!!

themadmaxof07 -

I need help please. While on steps 7/8 removing the rear glass and disconnecting the fingerprint sensor. I removed the glass successfully however the rear camera lens and fingerprint sensor stayed intact with the phone. Is it safe to carry or have I goofed up?

David Allen -

Hi, if you don't break the flat cable i think will be OK if the sensors and cameras stays with phone. Check it before you glue the scren and the rear cover

Andreu de Cabo Sindin -