Google Pixel Fold Outer Screen Replacement (Inner Screen Assembly Prereq)

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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Google Pixel Fold Outer Screen Replacement (Inner Screen Assembly Prereq)

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 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 outer screen in your Google Pixel Fold.

Tools

Step 1

Allow your battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged.
Fully power off your phone and unplug any cables.

Step 2

Flip over your phone so the outer screen is facing up.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 3

While you're waiting for the adhesive to soften, note the following:
The adhesive is under the dark black border surrounding the screen.
During this screen removal procedure, you only need to insert your opening pick as deep as the border.
Don't insert your pick any deeper, as you risk damaging the screen and internal components.

Step 4

Apply a suction cup to the screen, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the screen and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you're having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
If your screen is badly cracked, cover it with a layer of clear packing tape to help the suction cup adhere. Alternatively, you can pull using very strong tape instead of a suction cup. If all else fails, try supergluing the suction cup to the broken screen.

Step 5

Slide the opening pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the bottom right corner before continuing.

Step 6

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.

Step 7

Rotate the opening pick around the bottom right corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 8

Insert a second opening pick in the bottom right corner.
Slide the opening pick toward the top right corner to separate the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner before continuing.

Step 9

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

Step 10

Rotate the opening pick around the top right corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 11

Insert a third opening pick in the top right corner.
Slide the opening pick toward the top left corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 12

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

Step 13

This sharp corner is very fragile. Use plenty of heat and be very gentle around the corner during this step.
Angle your pick so it's as flat as possible to the screen.
Rotate the opening pick around the top left corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 14

Insert a fourth opening pick in the top left corner.
Slide the opening pick toward the bottom left corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 15

This sharp corner is very fragile. Use plenty of heat and be very gentle around the corner during this step.
Angle your pick so it's as flat as possible to the screen.
Rotate the opening pick around the bottom left corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 16

Adhesive information:
There's a small adhesive strip that secures the screen near the top right corner of the phone.
The next three steps will show you how to separate this adhesive.

Step 17

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top right corner of the screen for two minutes.

Step 18

Insert an opening pick under the right edge of the screen, near the top right corner.
Push the opening pick under the screen as far you can go without losing your grip.

Step 19

Be very careful during this step, as you risk breaking the screen. Work slowly and apply more heat if necessary.
Twist or "wiggle" the opening pick back and forth to separate the adhesive.
If you don't feel the adhesive separating, apply more heat or insert the pick at a different angle.

Step 20

Don't remove the screen yet, as it's still connected to the phone by a cable.
At this point, the screen should be separated from the frame. If there's still resistance around the edges, use an opening pick to separate any remaining adhesive.
Swing the left edge of the screen up and over the right edge of the phone.
Let the screen rest next to the phone before continuing.

Step 21

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the five 2.5 mm‑long screws securing the bottom bracket.

Step 22

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the bottom bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the bottom bracket is sitting in its two alignment pegs before refastening it.

Step 23

Don't pry against the battery during this step. Angle your spudger under the left or right edges of the press connector.
Use the flat end of spudger to pry up and disconnect the flip battery press connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 24

Insert the point of a spudger under the bottom edge of the screen press connector.
Don't insert your spudger anywhere else, as you risk damaging surface-mounted components on the logic board.
Pry up to disconnect the screen press connector.

Step 25

Remove the screen.

Step 26

During reassembly:
If you're reusing your screen, use tweezers to remove big chunks of adhesive from the perimeter of the screen.
Repeat for any adhesive on the frame, including the small adhesive at the top right of the phone.
If your top right adhesive is still intact and sticky, you can reuse it.
Use isopropyl alcohol (>90%) and a lint-free cloth to remove any remaining adhesive residue.
Follow this guide to replace your screen adhesive.
If you don't have custom cut adhesive strips, use double-sided tape, like Tesa Tape, to secure the screen to 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 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 Fold Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

151892 Reputation

Google Pixel Fold Outer Screen Replacement (Inner Screen Assembly Prereq)

Introduction

Tools

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