Samsung Galaxy S20+ Screen and Battery Assembly Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 6

Samsung Galaxy S20+ Screen and Battery Assembly Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace the screen and battery assembly on your Samsung Galaxy S20+ with a genuine Samsung part.

This guide is written for the genuine Samsung screen and battery assembly. The assembly consists of the screen, battery, and frame together in one part. Be sure you have the right part before you begin the repair.

Before you begin, refer to the Samsung Self-Repair document for safety information.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. Before disassembling your device, completely discharge the battery. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair.

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.

Some images in this guide may show minor discontinuities. They should not affect the overall guide procedure.

Tools

Parts

Samsung Galaxy S20+ (USA) Screen and Battery - Genuine

Step 1

Insert a SIM card eject tool, bit, or a straightened paperclip into the hole on the SIM tray, located at the top edge of the phone next to the plastic antenna band.
If you inserted the tool into the other hole, don't worry—the microphone and the ingress gasket are mounted out of harm's way.
Press in firmly to eject the tray.

Step 2

Remove the SIM card tray.
The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.
When you reinsert the SIM card, ensure that it is in the proper orientation relative to the tray.
A thin rubber gasket around the SIM tray provides water and dust protection. If this gasket is damaged or missing, replace the gasket or the entire SIM tray to protect your phone's internal components.

Step 3

Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover's bottom edge 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.

Step 4

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
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 glass.
Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts of reheating with the iOpener and separating with the suction cup before you get it right.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.

Step 5

Slide the pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
Do not attempt to cut the adhesive near the corners of the phone where the glass is curved or you risk cracking the glass panel.
Leave your opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.
Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
As the glass on this edge is curved, you won't be able to insert this pick very far. As long as the very tip of the pick is underneath the glass's edge, you will be able to proceed.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
You can try also applying a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol into the seam to help loosen the adhesive.
Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.

Step 8

Once the pick is underneath the glass's edge, tilt it downward and insert it further to fully separate the back cover's adhesive.

Step 9

Slide the pick all along the left edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.
Take care when sliding across the ridge in the frame surrounding the volume and power buttons—the cutout in the glass may make it more prone to cracking.
Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 10

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover 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.

Step 11

Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
Like with the previous edge, you will need to tilt the opening pick downward to fully insert it underneath the back cover.

Step 12

Slide the pick all along the right edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.
Leave your pick under the right edge of the glass near the top of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
As you do this, the back cover may release one or both of the other picks and allow them to fall free. If this occurs, set the pick(s) aside as the bottom edge shouldn't reseal from this point onward.

Step 13

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

Step 14

The glass near the corners of the back cover is curved and very susceptible to cracking. Be gentle during this step to prevent damaging your back cover.
Gradually slide the pick from the right edge of the device around the top right corner.
Continue slicing along the top edge all the way around to the left edge to fully separate the back cover adhesive.
If the slicing becomes difficult at any point, stop and reapply heat before continuing.

Step 15

Lift the back cover slowly. Use opening picks to slice any remaining adhesive.
Remove the back cover.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers. Apply heat if you're having trouble separating the adhesive.
If you're using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
If you're using double-sided tape, follow this guide.

Step 16

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the six 4 mm-long screws securing the motherboard bracket.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
If you're reassembling with the Samsung Self-Repair kit, be sure to replace the screws with new ones labeled #3373.

Step 17

Use a pair of tweezers to gently pull up and unclip the motherboard bracket from the plastic midframe.
Do not completely remove the bracket yet, as its still attached to the wireless charging coil.

Step 18

Gently tilt up the motherboard bracket so the orange battery connector is accessible.

Step 19

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
When you disconnect connectors like these, be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.

Step 20

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil connector.

Step 21

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 4 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker and lower midframe.
If you're reassembling with the Samsung Self-Repair kit, be sure to replace the screws with new ones labeled #3373.

Step 22

Insert the point of a spudger into the notch in the top left corner of the midframe and pry up to release the clips holding it in place.
Remove the loudspeaker and lower midframe.

Step 23

Use a pair of blunt-nose tweezers to gently peel the wireless charging coil away from the device.
Remove the wireless charging coil.
During reassembly, first reconnect the charging coil and battery connectors and refasten the motherboard bracket screws to properly align everything into place, then firmly press the coil pad down to adhere it.

This guide is missing some important steps right here: disconnecting the daughterboard, removing the main flex cables, removing the three phillips screws on the daughterboard, then removing the daughterboard itself. The vibrator motor is much easier to remove once these steps are done. The steps (other than the daughterboard removal) are pictured on the iFixit S20+ battery-replacement-only guide (steps 22-24); you can see the three short (likely #3394) screws to remove at the bottom of that step 24 battery replacement photo: one on either side of the USB-C port, one between the flex cables.

Jeff Bowman -

Hi Jeff.

Great catch! I have added the missing steps.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Step 24

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the primary and secondary flex cables from the daughterboard near the bottom of the device.
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 25

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the primary and secondary flex cables from the motherboard.

Step 26

Gently peel up and remove the primary and secondary flex cables.

Step 27

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the three 3.4 mm-long screws securing the USB-C port and daughterboard.

Step 28

Insert the pointed end of a spudger under the left edge of the daughterboard and pry up to release it from its recess.
Use a pair of blunt-nose tweezers to pull the daughterboard up and away from the bottom of the device and remove it.

Step 29

Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom-right corner of the device for 90 seconds.

Step 30

Insert the tip of a spudger between the frame and the notch in the vibrator's edge, close to the bottom edge of the device.
Pry up with the spudger to separate the vibrator from the frame.
Remove the vibrator.
Set the vibrator aside. You'll reuse it during reassembly.

Step 31

During reassembly, follow these instructions to reinstall your vibrator:
Peel off the vibrator adhesive from its liner and apply the sticky end to the bottom of the vibrator.
Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull up on the white liner to expose the top layer of adhesive.
Insert the vibrator and apply pressure to adhere it to the frame.
The adhesive is very thin and hard to distinguish from the liner. Use your fingers to check if the adhesive transferred correctly.

Step 32

Pry up and disconnect the left 5G mmWave antenna cable from the motherboard.

Step 33

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the main display flex cable from the motherboard.

Step 34

Gently peel up and bend the display and left 5G mmWave antenna flex cables out of the way of the motherboard and battery.

Step 35

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the three 4 mm-long screws securing the upper midframe.
If you're reassembling with the Samsung Self-Repair kit, be sure to replace the screws with new ones labeled #3373.

Step 36

Insert the point of a spudger into the notch on the right side of the upper midframe and pry up to release the clips holding it into place.
Remove the upper midframe.
Set the upper midframe aside. You'll reuse it during reassembly.

Step 37

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right 5G mmWave antenna flex cable from the motherboard.
Bend the cable out of the way of the motherboard.

Step 38

Pry up and disconnect the side button flex cable from the motherboard.
Bend the cable out of the way of the motherboard.

Step 39

Pry up and disconnect the front facing camera flex cable from the motherboard.
Bend the cable out of the way of the motherboard.

Step 40

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna module.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the corner of the antenna module.
The module is secured with a bit of adhesive, but should release easily.
Remove the mmWave antenna module.
During reassembly, reconnect the antenna connector first to properly align it into place, then firmly press the rest of the module down to adhere it.

Step 41

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the motherboard and camera assembly:
One 4 mm-long screw
One 3.4 mm-long screw
If you're reassembling with the Samsung Self-Repair kit, be sure to replace the screws with new ones:
Screw labelled #3373
Screw labelled #3394

Step 42

Insert the flat end of a spudger into the bottom left corner of the motherboard assembly and pry up to release it from the phone body.
Remove the motherboard assembly.

Step 43

Apply a heated iOpener to the front camera for 90 seconds.

Step 44

Insert a spudger into the gap between the frame and the front camera.
Pry up with the spudger to separate the front camera from the frame.
If you're having trouble separating the front camera from the frame, apply more heat.
Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the front camera.
Set the camera aside. You'll reuse it during reassembly.

Step 45

During reassembly, follow these instructions to reinstall your front camera:
Peel off the front camera adhesive from its liner and apply the sticky end to the frame.
Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull on the tab and expose the top layer of adhesive.
Insert the front camera and apply pressure to adhere it to the frame.

Step 46

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 3.4 mm-long screws securing the 5G mmWave antennas.
If you're reassembling with the Samsung Self-Repair kit, be sure to replace the screws with new ones labeled #3394.

Step 47

Use the point of a spudger to pry up on the 5G antenna bracket's bottom screw tab.
Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the 5G antenna.

Step 48

Use the point of a spudger to pry up on the 5G antenna bracket's top edge.
Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the 5G antenna.

Step 49

You're now left with the screen and battery assembly.

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.

To reassemble your device, follow the instructions in reverse order and perform the opposite actions, e.g., "reattach" instead of "removing." Skip steps that use heating and prying, and pay close attention to the 📌 bullets as you work through the steps.

After you've completed the repair, download the Samsung Members App from the Galaxy Store or the Play Store, and Samsung Self-Repair document (beginning page 10) to make sure your device is fully functional.

Download the Self Repair Assistant on your device and follow the Samsung Self-Repair document (beginning page 11) to perform a battery cycle reset.

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

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

68841 Reputation

4 comments

I just finished this repair. Note that when separating the back cover, you can go straight in for the top and bottom. The sides have curves in the glass. This requires angling your tool slightly up towards back cover to separate. Too much could scratch the back glass.

Also, between step 23 and #0024 there is a missing step. Before you heat and remove the vibrate component, you need to remove the circuit board for the charging port. There are 3 screws to remove using the #00 Phillips screwdriver. Also, disconnect the two ribbons. You can just disconnect the Main side to remove them with the circuit board.

Finally, I have yet to be able to find the Galaxy Cal APK

Dave Long -

Hi Dave.

Thank you for the comment! I have added the missing steps. To find the Galaxy Cal APK, there's a link in the conclusion section labeled "Galaxy Cal App" that should give you the APK.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

I really appreciate the response and the link. I downloaded and when I tried to run, after install, the app received the message "Try again after getting new version." The apk was Version 1.0.1-usa. Can you please advise? Thanks.

Dave Long - 15/09/22

This requires an immense amount of patience and the persistent use of heat to disassemble this phone. I ended up breaking the front camera module while trying to pry it loose. Fortunately, this is available as a repair part and I was able to replace the front screen, camera, and battery and the phone now works perfectly.

Rusty Teer -