Google Pixel 4 Xl Soli Motion Sensor Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          30 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

SIM Card Tray
1 step
Back Panel
20 steps
Front Camera and Sensor Assembly
9 steps
Motherboard
10 steps
Rear Camera Module
1 step
Earpiece Module
6 steps
Soli Motion Sensor
1 step

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Introduction

Use this guide to remove or replace the Soli radar module responsible for Google’s “Motion Sense” on your Google Pixel 4 XL.

Caution: Google warns that disassembly of the front laser assembly could result in hazardous exposure to invisible infrared laser emissions. Read their safety warnings here.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the SIM card tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the SIM card tray on the left edge of the phone.
Press firmly to eject the tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.

Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the SIM card tray on the left edge of the phone.

Press firmly to eject the tray.

Remove the SIM card tray.

1024

Step 2

              Heat the back panel glass

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the back panel for one minute.
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.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the back panel for one minute.

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 3

              Apply a suction cup

Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back panel by pressing down on it to create suction, as close to the edge as possible.
If your back glass 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 panel.

Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back panel by pressing down on it to create suction, as close to the edge as possible.

If your back glass 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 panel.

Step 4

              Insert an opening pick

Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back panel and the frame.
Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you are having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back panel and the frame.

Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you are having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.

Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 5

              Begin to slice the adhesive

Slide the opening pick across the bottom towards the left corner to slice the adhesive.
With the pick still inserted, slide it from the bottom left corner over to the bottom right corner to completely slice the bottom side adhesive.
Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Slide the opening pick across the bottom towards the left corner to slice the adhesive.

With the pick still inserted, slide it from the bottom left corner over to the bottom right corner to completely slice the bottom side adhesive.

Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 6

              Slice the lefthand-side adhesive

Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the left edge of the phone for one minute.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the left edge of the phone for one minute.

Step 7

Insert a second opening pick underneath the back panel directly over the charge port.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner of the phone.

Insert a second opening pick underneath the back panel directly over the charge port.

Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner of the phone.

Step 8

Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and across the left side of the phone to slice the adhesive.
The adhesive can be very gummy. Push the pick in and out in a sawing motion to help with slicing.
Stop when you reach the top left corner, near the camera, and leave the pick inserted.

Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and across the left side of the phone to slice the adhesive.

The adhesive can be very gummy. Push the pick in and out in a sawing motion to help with slicing.

Stop when you reach the top left corner, near the camera, and leave the pick inserted.

Step 9

              Slice righthand-side adhesive

Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the right edge of the phone for one minute.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the right edge of the phone for one minute.

Step 10

With the first two opening picks still in place, insert a third pick on the lower part of the righthand side.
Slide the opening pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the right side’s adhesive.
Stop when you reach the top right corner, and leave the pick inserted.

With the first two opening picks still in place, insert a third pick on the lower part of the righthand side.

Slide the opening pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the right side’s adhesive.

Stop when you reach the top right corner, and leave the pick inserted.

Step 11

              Slice the top-side adhesive

Slide the third opening pick around the top right corner and across the top side of the phone, slicing the final strip of adhesive.

Slide the third opening pick around the top right corner and across the top side of the phone, slicing the final strip of adhesive.

Step 12

              Lift up the back panel

Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the back cover, opening it like a book.
Do not try to pull the panel all the way off yet, as it is still connected to the phone.

Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the right edge of the back cover, opening it like a book.

Do not try to pull the panel all the way off yet, as it is still connected to the phone.

Step 13

Continue swinging open the back panel until you can rest it on the left edge the phone, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.
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.

Continue swinging open the back panel until you can rest it on the left edge the phone, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.

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.

Step 14

              Disconnect the battery

Remove the four T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:
One 1.8 mm screw
One 4.1 mm screw
One 4.4 mm shouldered screw
One 4.0 mm shouldered screw
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

Remove the four T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:

One 1.8 mm screw

One 4.1 mm screw

One 4.4 mm shouldered screw

One 4.0 mm shouldered screw

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

Step 15

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector shield.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector shield.

Step 16

Whenever you use the spudger near the battery, be very careful not to puncture the battery.
Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect the battery.
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.

Whenever you use the spudger near the battery, be very careful not to puncture the battery.

Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect the battery.

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 17

Using the flat end of a spudger, gently fold the battery cable over so it doesn’t accidentally make contact during the rest of your repairs.

Using the flat end of a spudger, gently fold the battery cable over so it doesn’t accidentally make contact during the rest of your repairs.

Step 18

              Disconnect the back panel connector

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 4.1 mm screws securing the back panel connector cover.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 4.1 mm screws securing the back panel connector cover.

Step 19

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the back panel connector cover.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the back panel connector cover.

Step 20

Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry up and disconnect the back panel connector.

Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry up and disconnect the back panel connector.

Step 21

              Remove the back panel

Remove the back panel.
During reassembly, follow this guide to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.
Follow this guide if you are using a pre-cut adhesive card.

Remove the back panel.

During reassembly, follow this guide to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.

Follow this guide if you are using a pre-cut adhesive card.

Step 22

              Remove the camera connector covers

Gently pry back the battery adhesive pull tab to allow easier access to the screws underneath it.

Gently pry back the battery adhesive pull tab to allow easier access to the screws underneath it.

Step 23

Remove the three T3 Torx screws securing the rear-facing camera connector cover:
One 2.7 mm screw
One 4.1 mm screw
One 4.2 mm screw

Remove the three T3 Torx screws securing the rear-facing camera connector cover:

One 2.7 mm screw

One 4.2 mm screw

Step 24

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera connector cover.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera connector cover.

Step 25

Remove the three T3 Torx screws securing the front-facing camera connector cover:
One 4.1 mm screw
One 4.0 mm shouldered screw
One 4.1 mm shouldered screw

Remove the three T3 Torx screws securing the front-facing camera connector cover:

One 4.1 mm shouldered screw

Step 26

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front-facing camera connector cover.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front-facing camera connector cover.

Step 27

              Disconnect the camera and sensor connectors

Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the camera and sensor connectors straight up from the motherboard.

Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the camera and sensor connectors straight up from the motherboard.

Step 28

Disconnect the additional sensor connector.
This cable is secured to the phone with some light adhesive.

Disconnect the additional sensor connector.

This cable is secured to the phone with some light adhesive.

Step 29

              Remove the front camera and sensor assembly

Remove the three T3 Torx screws securing the front camera and sensor assembly:
Two 2.7 mm screws
One 3.1 mm screw

Remove the three T3 Torx screws securing the front camera and sensor assembly:

Two 2.7 mm screws

One 3.1 mm screw

Step 30

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front camera and sensor assembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front camera and sensor assembly.

Step 31

              Remove the screws securing the display connector cover

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 3.5 mm screws securing the display connector cover.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 3.5 mm screws securing the display connector cover.

Step 32

              Remove the display connector cover

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the display connector cover.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the display connector cover.

Step 33

              Disconnect the display connector

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the display connector from the motherboard.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the display connector from the motherboard.

Step 34

              Remove the motherboard screw

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2.7 mm screw securing the motherboard to the frame.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2.7 mm screw securing the motherboard to the frame.

Step 35

              Disconnect the motherboard press connectors

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the side buttons connector from the motherboard.
Disconnect the two rear-facing camera connectors from the motherboard.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the side buttons connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the two rear-facing camera connectors from the motherboard.

Step 36

Disconnect the earpiece speaker connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the earpiece speaker connector from the motherboard.

Step 37

Disconnect the two grip sensor connectors from the motherboard.
Disconnect the charge port connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the two grip sensor connectors from the motherboard.

Disconnect the charge port connector from the motherboard.

Step 38

              Disconnect the antennas

Use the pointed end of a spudger and pry up gently to unclip the top antenna connector from the motherboard.
Disconnect the bottom antenna connector.

Use the pointed end of a spudger and pry up gently to unclip the top antenna connector from the motherboard.

Disconnect the bottom antenna connector.

Step 39

              Remove the motherboard

Using a spudger, pivot the top end of the motherboard up and out of the phone’s frame.

Using a spudger, pivot the top end of the motherboard up and out of the phone’s frame.

Step 40

Slowly lift out the motherboard, being careful not to snag any ribbon cable connectors.
The rear-facing camera module connectors loop around the motherboard, and the camera module is not secured to the phone, so it may lift out with the motherboard during this step.
Completely remove the motherboard.
When reinstalling the motherboard, check that no ribbon cable connectors are caught underneath.

Slowly lift out the motherboard, being careful not to snag any ribbon cable connectors.

The rear-facing camera module connectors loop around the motherboard, and the camera module is not secured to the phone, so it may lift out with the motherboard during this step.

Completely remove the motherboard.

When reinstalling the motherboard, check that no ribbon cable connectors are caught underneath.

Step 41

              Remove the rear cameras

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera module.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera module.

Step 42

              Remove the earpiece module

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2 mm screw securing the small earpiece module board to the phone.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2 mm screw securing the small earpiece module board to the phone.

Step 43

Using the pointed end of a spudger, slide the board slightly to the side, away from the top of the phone.
Do not attempt to entirely remove this board; it’s still connected to the earpiece speaker.

Using the pointed end of a spudger, slide the board slightly to the side, away from the top of the phone.

Do not attempt to entirely remove this board; it’s still connected to the earpiece speaker.

Step 44

Using the flat end of a spudger, pry the earpiece module away from the phone’s midframe.
The earpiece module is attached with some light adhesive, and should come up without too much force.

Using the flat end of a spudger, pry the earpiece module away from the phone’s midframe.

The earpiece module is attached with some light adhesive, and should come up without too much force.

Step 45

Pull the earpiece speaker away from the light adhesive holding it to the phone’s top frame.
Do not completely remove the earpiece speaker yet, as the microphone is still adhered to the phone’s frame.

Pull the earpiece speaker away from the light adhesive holding it to the phone’s top frame.

Do not completely remove the earpiece speaker yet, as the microphone is still adhered to the phone’s frame.

Step 46

Using the pointed end of a spudger, peel the microphone away from the light adhesive holding it to the phone’s top frame.
Ensure the microphone is completely detached from the top frame before continuing to the next step.

Using the pointed end of a spudger, peel the microphone away from the light adhesive holding it to the phone’s top frame.

Ensure the microphone is completely detached from the top frame before continuing to the next step.

Step 47

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the earpiece speaker and Soli motion sensor assembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the earpiece speaker and Soli motion sensor assembly.

Step 48

              Remove the Soli motion sensor cable

Use a pair of tweezers to peel away and remove the Soli motion sensor cable, which is held in place with some light adhesive.

Use a pair of tweezers to peel away and remove the Soli motion sensor cable, which is held in place with some light adhesive.

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 above steps in reverse order.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

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                    Carsten Frauenheim

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