Google Pixel 6a Screen Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 41

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

40 minutes - 1 hour

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 screen for your Google Pixel 6a.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Your new replacement screen will come with the fingerprint reader already attached. If not, you will need to reinstall the original fingerprint reader to your new replacement screen and recalibrate the reader to maintain its functionality.

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

Tools

Parts

Google Pixel 6a Screen - Genuine

Step 1

Completely power off your phone before you begin.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the screen for two minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

What's a good temperature to set to hotplate to for a repair like this?

David -

I used a hair dryer to heat up the adhesive. Unfortunatly the IOpener did not work for me. Even with the hair dryer, it was quiet difficult to soften the adhesive. It might have been due to the phone beeing only a few months old.

It was quiet difficult to seperate the screen, but it eventuelly worked. I feel like it took the heat a while to move through the cover and heat up all of the adhesive. After almost giving up, I tried again after a few minutes without heating it again and it suddenly worked. So keep that in mind.

LetsTryThisNext -

Agree with LetsTryThisNext's comment -- it takes a while for the adhesive to loosen. Expect to be at it for 20, 30 minutes -- with the iOpener not working (for me either), re-microwaving the iOpener, then hair dryer, then suction cup not sticking, etc. Good idea to give it a few minutes between each heating attempt.

Steve -

Step 2

While you're waiting for the adhesive to loosen, take note of the following:
Screen seam: This seam separates the screen from the rest of the phone. Do not pry at this seam.
Bezel seam: This is where the plastic bezel designed to protect the screen meets the frame. It's held in place by plastic clips. This is where you should pry.

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 middle of the right 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 bezel seam 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

Apply a suction cup to the screen, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the bezel 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 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.

Would be helpful to have alternative solutions offered here for those with shattered screens, since suction cups don't work.

Paul York -

Hi Paul.

Thank you for your comment! I have updated the step to provide an alternative solution for shattered screens.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl - 22/11/22

Would just like to note that in my particular case even tape or super glue did not work, due to the screen being shattered right along the spot where you need to place the suction cup. I ended up resorting to inserting a razor blade into the seam to open it just enough to insert the pick.

mkirwin -

I'm in the same boat as mkirwin no amount of pulling with the suction cup worked, I had to use a razor blade to get the seam separated enough to insert a pick. Maybe I didn't heat up the adhesive enough but that stuff is super strong

Tanner Davis -

If your suction cup is not working properly: Heat it up a little bit and it will have a lot more suction.

LetsTryThisNext -

Ditto, needed to use a razor blade to get it started. Thank you mkirwin & Tanner D for posting that tip here.

Steve -

Step 6

While still applying suction, pivot the pick upwards to a steep angle.
Carefully push the pick in while prying to reposition the opening pick into the bezel seam.
Only insert the pick up to 3.5 mm to avoid damaging the internals.

Unfortunatly my plectrums I got with the pro tool kit bent way too easy to open up this first crack between screen and housing. But the reason might have been, that the adhesive was not soft enough yet

LetsTryThisNext -

Step 7

Slide the pick along the right edge to release the plastic clips securing the bezel to the frame.
Position the pick at the top-right edge before moving to the next step.

Step 8

Rotate the opening pick around the top-right corner of the phone to release the clips.
Leave the opening pick in the top-right corner to prevent the clips from re-locking.
Only insert the pick up to 4 mm to avoid damaging the internals.

Step 9

Insert a new opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the pick along the top edge to release the clips.
When slicing around the front camera, only insert the pick up to 3 mm to avoid damaging the lens.

Step 10

Rotate the opening pick around the top-left corner of the phone to release the clips.
Leave the opening pick in the top-left corner to prevent the clips from re-locking.

I found that using the side of the pick instead of the point made it easier to keep from over-inserting the pick and it provided more area to keep the glass separated from the frame. It was also easier to slide it around the edges this way. Still had to use the point to get under the frame initially.

mark schneider -

Step 11

Insert a new opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the pick along the left edge to release the clips.
Only insert the pick up to 3 mm to avoid damaging the internals.
Repeat the rotating and sliding procedure for the remaining edge.
At this point, the screen should be separated from the frame. If there's still resistance around the edges of the screen, use an opening pick to release any remaining clips.

Step 12

Don't try to remove the screen all the way yet. It's still connected to the frame by a flex cable.
Lift the right edge of the screen up and towards the left side of the device, like opening a book.
Rest the screen upside down and parallel to the frame before continuing.
Don't twist the screen or move it too far away from the frame to avoid damaging the flex cable.

Step 13

The display cable bracket is secured with metal clips.
Use tweezers to bend the left side of the bracket upwards, releasing the metal clip.
Remove the display cable bracket.

Step 14

Be very careful performing this step, as you risk damaging tiny components around the press connector.
Insert the tip of a spudger under the left edge of the display cable press connector.
Pry up and disconnect the display cable 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. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

be incredibly careful when removing and installing the cable, the many tiny components along the edge and under the tab are incredibly fragile. This is one of, if not, the most important step.

Jeffrey Leon -

At this step I had some trouble to reattach the connector. When I pushed down one side the other would pop up again. I solved the issue by carefully pressing down both sides with the tweezers.

LetsTryThisNext -

Step 15

If you're reusing your screen, follow this guide to reapply adhesive to the screen.
If you're replacing the screen, follow these instructions:
Follow this guide to reapply adhesive to the screen
Be sure to remove all adhesive liners from your replacement screen, including the front-facing camera recess
Perform a fingerprint sensor calibration
If you're having trouble performing the calibration, you might need to download the Google USB Driver

Don't forget the display cable bracket folks! This was my first at home repair and Im kicking myself forgetting the bracket.

Tanner Davis -

The fingerprint sensor calibration is impossible to complete in some cases. No matter what, I get an error "Your phone's current software version: TQ2A.230305.008.E1 is newer than this repair tool has." from the google software updater. This indicates it is a known issue "https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/2... not fixed for a year. The Google USB driver does not help if you're not on Windows and get this error. I tried on both mac and linux, no dice.

I'm SOL without a fingerprint sensor. Screen works again though, and everything else went ok with the repair.

Scott Carey -

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 6a Answers community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

68841 Reputation

26 comments

How do I glue the new screen to make it waterproof.

Brenda Holt -

My screen replacement of my 6a was a success. Thank you IFixit :) Very good kit with good tutorial :)

fpoulin1 -

Just replaced the screen and it is a GREAT REPLACEMENT. Only issue is the fingerprint reader isn't working. Issue is with google NOT this replacement screen. I haven't been able to find a solution. Even when trying to install google's "Install fingerprint calibration software". I have an appointment with "Ufixit" to see if they can resolve it. Google's tech said it isn't a common issue but just wanted to share my experience.

Also...Install steps only show how to take the screen off. Steps to install would be helpful because there are some tips to aligning/applying the adhesive that would be helpful to consumers.

Jon Holland -

the new display's fringer sensor must be replaced with the same(old screen's).

Rahilkhan Pathan -

In the end I was able to get everything working. BUT, there needs to be a reassembly process. I was finally able to make it work, but it isn't terribly intuitive. Just simple instructions for the adhesive like this side down and peel this first, etc. would be really useful. I ended up with incomplete adhesion (and thus incomplete water resistance) because the adhesive failed to easily remove from the backing. I'm sure it's because I did something wrong, but I was on my own for this part.

Likewise, the fingerprint reader recalibration is very poorly documented on Google's site, requiring that you hop around until you click the right places to download the right USB drivers, unzip them, navigate through Windows device manager, install new drivers, and then finally complete the process of resetting the fingerprint reader. Took me almost an hour of cursing to get this working (heck, took 15 minutes just to get it to the fastboot screen...very finicky).

Anyway, good first 15 steps. Just wish there were 30 or so.

Paul York -

Replaced my screen successfully but as Jon and Paul pointed out there is a number of things I wish I knew / understood during the repair :

## Backup your phone (mandatory)

- Fingerprint calibration will require that you reset your phone so back it up now.

## Screen adhesive

- Buy some screen replacement glue (B7000 glue or B7010 adhesive)

## Fingerprint reset

- On first boot everything will be fine EXCEPT the fingerprint reader that need "unrollment"/calibration.

- A QRcode link is printed on the new screen but use the link provided by ifixit in the introduction of this repair (https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/udfps)

- Before you install the software on the pixel you will need a computer and the right USB driver : search "Google USB Driver" or go to https://developer.android.com/studio/run...

- Once you have completed the procedure on pixelrepair.withgoogle.com the fingerprint reader still won't work

- You need to reset your phone to factory settings (be sure to back it up before)

- Voilà

Laurent A. -

First, it is very upsetting to buy that screen and install it to finally discover that the fingerprint reader is not working.
I see that you got yours working, but i just can't get mine working. To resume: I can see my pixel 6a when i lunch the https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/udfps application in normal mode. But if, i put my pixel in FastBoot lunch the app, and plug the pixel to the usb port. It doesn't see it.
Any clue? The pc is a HP Envy.

daniel -

i cannot get my volume up rocker to work. I have cleaned out the phone with compressed air and inspected the button. I am not sure what to do.

nick peloquin -

For anyone wondering - you can replace the screen, "install" the fingerprint calibration software at https://pixelrepair.withgoogle.com/udfps and restore full functionality of the fingerprint reader in the replacement screen WITHOUT needing to wipe/reset your phone. The google tool even says as much, but I wanted to confirm that, for me, it indeed did not require a device data wipe.

Jason Harper -

I just received my repair kit this morning. Took me less than 30 minutes following the instructions you guys gave was spot on. I haven’t seen my wife smile so big in a long time. Thanks I fix it. Will be coming to you from now on 10 out of 10.❤️🙏👍

Kenneth Higgins -

I got the screen for PIxel 6A and I have no skills in replacing a phone screen. The instructions on this page were helpful. The suction cup was not helpful.

What I learned:

If you can't get under the screen, then a pocket knife works good to wedge under it and pry it up.

If your phone is on, but the screen it not lighting up/working, then you need to really push the connector into the phone. If it's loose, then it's not going to send a signal. You shouldn't be depending on the bracket to hold the connector in place.

The items I found useful in the tool kit were the tweezers, the picks, and the alcohol prep pad. I probably should have cleaned the old glue away better, but honestly my phone is in a case, I think it will be alright.

Amelia Richards -

The instructions should have contained reassembly instructions. And some more options for removing the screen, especially when it's shattered. The suction cup did not work, the packing tape I had wasn't strong enough. Eventually got it with duct tape. Also some instructions or video on how exactly to hold the phone while pulling with the suction cup would be helpful. That was rather tricky. I needed three or more hands which I was unable to sprout on short notice.

Saif Ahmed -

Make sure you remove the small protective film over the selfie-camera hole (if there is one) or your selfie camera will be waaay out of focurs.

Sam Robertson -

Comment to above: It's a small white piece of fabric tape about 1/2 inch long over the camera and onto the back of the display. Note that there is something that looks like a bigger neater piece of tape on the bottom and you shouldn't pull THAT off - its also on the back of the old display so you can just compare that two and pull the single piece of tape off over the camera on the new display as explained above to make them look similar.

Sam Robertson -

I can't complete this repair...I have two problems:

1. I can't get the bezel to come away from the screen enough to fit an opener in. I heated the screen for up to 10 minutes with the iOpener and it does not seem to get hot enough or I am not able to get enough leverage to pull the screen away from the bezel. The phone is only weeks old, not sure if newer or older is supposed to make this more difficult.

2. There should be specific instructions on applying the adhesive and replacing the screen, the "just do everything in reverse" doesn't seem very helpful here. This doesn't seem as straight forward as that.

Andrew Kulp - 03/01/23

Great tutorial, I have experience replacing other screens and doing such repairs so the tutorial was easy and t the point. I had the toolkit from a few years ago and it worked flawlessly, had to heat the adhesive a bit first to get the device to open, all went smooth after that. Thank you!

beriisrude -

Help! I dropped and shattered the screen and replaced it according to the guide, but the screen still isn't working! I can tell the phone is turning on because holding the power button gives the quick double-vibration from activating Google Assistant, and I can power-cycle it by pressing and holding power and volume up for 10-ish seconds (I know it's power cycling because the Google Assistant double-vibration stops working and then starts working again a minute later). I've tried reseating the display connector a few times now, and I don't see any bent pins so I'm sure I'm aligning it correctly. I haven't sealed it up yet because I wanted to test it first, but the display should work even if it's not glued in, right? What else could be going wrong? Is it most likely that I destroyed more than just the screen when I dropped it, or is there something else I can check?

Jordan Kizer -

I just got my Pixel 6a screen replacement and I noticed several plastic tabs around the perimeter. the removal instructions refer to these as well. my broken screen does not have these tabs. the new screen does turn on when I test it, but I do not see how I can get it to go back together without removing the tabs. I confirmed that my phone is a Google Pixel 6A under the system settings tab.

Russ Caldwell -

Thank you to Jerry. I forgot to follow the directions for removal of screen as mine was spidered in two spots and also at the Right side start point. Went back and got the plastic frame out.

Russ Caldwell -

This repair absolutely cannot be done without the Anti-Clamp. The screen is held in such a way there's no way to get it off without it, unless you want to fight it and risk the screen.

Nick -

I managed to do it without the anti-clamp, but my original screen wasn't too badly cracked (just one corner) and it took me 2 tries with the heat pad to get it. It really was a struggle, though, trying to figure out how to hold the phone down without pushing down on the screen too much at the same time. It took me around 15 minutes to remove the screen by pressing down at the very top and bottom while pulling up on the middle... probably worth buying the anti-clamp to skip the struggle.

Houston Searcy -

sorry auf deutsch ....... was bedeutet bei displaykauf ...... mit Rahmen? ...... ohne Rahmen? Ich muss nur das display bei meinem pixel 6a wechseln, weil kaputt. Es funktioniert alles, nur das Glas ist kaputt ...... danke für eine Antwort.

yala -

La partie deu recalibrage de L'appareil ne fonctionne tout simplement pas!
J'arrive à mettre mon téléphone en mode Fast Boot mais le téléphone n'apparait pas dans la liste dans ce mode. Si l'appareil est en mode normal, il apparait...

daniel -

I did it! I gotta say my behind was puckered pretty tight trying to figure out how to get that ribbon cable back on! In the end, I watched a couple of youtube videos of people doing it, and (like them) used my finger to push down one side instead of trying to use the spudger. It would be nice to give people some extra guidance or a really close up picture of the positioning of the cable for reassurance, because it was a struggle!

Good guide, though. I appreciate it! Fingerprint sensor is working after using the linked tool as well AFTER installing the USB driver, which was also linked 😄

Houston Searcy -

The adhesive was stubborn to clean off, but everything else went smoothly and everything works!

Mark Pruett -

My Pixel 6a screen replacement was a success thanks to this guide.

I followed all the instructions, including the adhesive replacement guide. My only issue was that the iOpener didn't provide enough heat to loosen the glue when opening the phone, however, the hair dryer did the job.

- With enough heat to soften the adhesive, screen removal was easy with zero damage to internal components or connectors.

- Adhesive reapplication guide was perfect (be sure to properly remove old adhesive)

- Fingerprint sensor calibration worked on first try (be sure to install Google USB Driver before attempting, and restart phone after calibration).

- I did not have to reset my phone.

- I did not have to re-register fingerprints

- I haven't experienced any screen discoloration or touch issues

NOTE

The included suction handle is functional, however the Anti-Clamp is the better tool for the job. Sadly, I didn't purchase a Anti-Clamp, so I substituted with a suction cupped wall hanger to be able to get suction and pull from both sides.

Randy Huntley -