Disassembly: Back Cover

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

This repair guide was authored by the iFixit staff and hasn’t been endorsed by Google. Learn more about our repair guides here.

Use this guide to replace the back cover in your Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Tools

Step 1

Let your phone's battery drain below 25% before starting this repair. A charged lithium‑ion battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables from your phone and completely power it down.

Step 2

Apply a suction cup to the back cover, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
While securing the phone with one hand, pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
If your back cover 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 back cover.

Step 3

During the next two steps, don't insert your opening pick deeper than 3 mm to prevent damaging the metal springs around the frame.
Optionally, you can measure and mark your opening pick at 3 mm to help you visualize the length.
Remove the suction handle from the back cover.
Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and up the left edge of the back cover to separate the adhesive.

Step 4

Continue sliding the pick around the top left corner and across the top edge of the back cover.

Step 5

The adhesive along the right edge of the back cover is thicker than the rest. You'll need to insert your opening pick at a minimum of 4 mm to separate the adhesive.
Slide your pick down the right edge and around the bottom right corner to separate the remaining adhesive.

Step 6

Don't fully remove the back cover yet, as it's still connected to the phone by a cable.
At this point, the back cover should be free from the frame. If there's still resistance around the edges, use an opening pick to separate any remaining adhesive.
Lift the bottom edge of the back cover and swing it over the top edge of the phone.
Prop up the back cover with your suction handle or a clean, sturdy object—making sure that the cable isn't strained.

Step 7

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits also work. Use the same size or one size larger (T3 or T4 Torx bits with 3IP Torx Plus screws) and apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a Torx Plus 3IP driver to remove the 3.0 mm‑long screw securing the top bracket.

Step 8

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull the top bracket towards the top of the phone to release it from its clip.
Remove the top bracket.

Step 9

Insert the tip of your spudger under the bottom edge of the back cover cable press connector.
Don't insert your spudger anywhere else, as you risk dislodging surface‑mounted components.
Pry up and disconnect the back cover cable.

Step 10

Lift the back cover off the frame and remove it.

Conclusion

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

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 you install it.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

151892 Reputation

Disassembly: Back Cover

Introduction

Tools

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