5G mmWave Antenna Removal

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

This is a prerequisite-only guide! This guide is part of another procedure and is not meant to be used alone.

Use this guide to replace the 5G mmWave antenna in your Google Pixel 7.

Not every Google Pixel 7 is equipped with a mmWave antenna. Before using this guide determine which model of the Pixel 7 Pro you're using.

Note: Retaining water resistance after the repair will depend on how well you reapply the adhesive, but your device will lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

You'll need replacement adhesive in order to complete this repair.

Tools

Parts

Precut Adhesive Card

Step 1

Completely power off your phone before you begin.
Apply a heated iOpener to the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 3 minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device. The edge should feel slightly too hot to the touch.

Step 2

The screen of the Google Pixel 7 is held in place by plastic clips and adhesive.
During the removal procedure, make sure to insert your opening picks in the right position to avoid separating the screen from its safety frame instead of the phone assembly.
Only insert the pick up to ~3.5 mm during the removal procedure to avoid damaging the internals and to avoid interfering with the plastic clips.
There are several plastic clips around the whole screen. In case your opening pick gets blocked during the screen removal procedure it means you inserted your pick too deep underneath the screen.

Step 3

The next two steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down two steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
Pull the blue handle towards the hinge to disengage opening mode.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the phone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Push down on the cups to apply suction to the desired area.
If you find that the surface of your device is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use packing tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 4

Push the blue handle away from the hinge to engage opening mode.
Turn the handle clockwise until you see the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned to each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
Insert an opening pick under the screen and its safety frame when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle clockwise half a turn.
Don't crank more than a half a turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next two steps.

Step 5

Once the screen is warm to the touch, apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen.
If your display 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 screen.
Lift the screen including its safety frame with the suction handle to create a small gap between the screen and the phone assembly.
Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you're having trouble, apply more heat to the bottom edge and try again.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Step 6

Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner of the screen to slice its adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 7

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge and slide it to the bottom left corner of the screen to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 8

Insert a third opening pick underneath the bottom left corner of the screen.
Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the screen to slice the adhesive and to release the plastic clips.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 9

If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. Use your iOpener or heat gun for 1-2 minutes to reheat it.
When you slice near the front facing camera, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~2.5 mm) to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.
Insert a fourth opening pick at the top left corner of the screen.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge of the phone to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 10

Insert a fifth opening pick and slide it along the right edge of the phone to slice the remaining adhesive and release the right plastic clips.
Do not try to remove the display all the way yet, the screen is still connected to the phone assembly by a flex cable.

Step 11

Lift the right edge of the screen up and towards the left side of the device, like opening a book.
Don't twist the screen or move it too far away from the frame to avoid straining or damaging the flex cable.
Rest the screen upside down and parallel to the frame before continuing.

Step 12

The display cable bracket sits tightly and requires some force to release it.
Insert one arm of a pair of tweezers into the opening at the upper end of the display cable bracket.
Push the bracket inwards and pry up to release it.

Step 13

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the display cable bracket by pulling it from underneath the midframe and in direction of the cameras.

Step 14

Use a spudger to disconnect the display flex cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
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. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 15

Separate the screen from the phone.
During reassembly:
Check that all screws are tightened and there are no loose parts.
Apply new adhesive where it's necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
Follow this guide if you're using custom-cut adhesives for your device.
Follow this guide if you're using a pre-cut adhesive card.
During the boot-up process after reassembly, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Do not touch the screen during this process, as it could result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.

Step 16

Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with your tool in the following steps—a punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a fire.
Use a pair of tweezers to peel the black silicone pad off the battery and midframe.

Step 17

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel the upper graphite foil off the battery and midframe.
If you're having a hard time peeling off the foil, apply a heated iOpener to the foil for two minutes to loosen its adhesive.

Step 18

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel the lower graphite foil off the battery and midframe.
If you're having a hard time peeling off the foil, apply a heated iOpener to the foil for two minutes to loosen its adhesive.

Step 19

Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the three 5.1 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker.

Step 20

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the loudspeaker out of its recess and remove it.

Step 21

Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the nine 5.1 mm-long screws securing the midframe.

Step 22

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the midframe.

Step 23

Use a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 24

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape the thermal paste off the motherboard.
Clean any remaining thermal paste with isopropyl alcohol and either a coffee filter or a lint-free cloth.
Repeat the cleaning process for the thermal paste on the midframe.
During reassembly, follow this guide for reapplying thermal paste onto the motherboard.

Step 25

The next six steps show how to remove the mmWave antenna.
Use a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the 5.1 mm-long screw securing the mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 26

Insert a spudger underneath the bottom right edge of the mmWave antenna bracket.
Pry upwards to loosen the mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 27

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 28

Use a spudger to disconnect the mmWave antenna cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 29

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the mmWave antenna (including its cable) out of its recess.
Remove the mmWave antenna assembly.

Step 30

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape the thermal paste off the mmWave antenna.
Clean any remaining thermal paste with isopropyl alcohol and either a coffee filter or a lint-free cloth.
Repeat the cleaning process for the thermal paste on the mmWave antenna bracket.
During reassembly, follow this guide for reapplying thermal paste onto the mmWave antenna.

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 7 Pro answers community for help.

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

167396 Reputation

5G mmWave Antenna Removal

Introduction

Tools

Parts

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