Google Pixel 6 Fingerprint Reader Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          25 - 40 minutes

Sections

Screen
10 steps
Fingerprint Reader
5 steps

Flags

Provided Hardware

A manufacturer provided iFixit with this device or component.

BackGoogle Pixel 6
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the fingerprint reader in your Google Pixel 6.

If you replace the fingerprint reader in the Pixel 6 or switch it between two different displays, you need to recalibrate it to maintain its functionality.

Warning: The replacement of the fingerprint reader in the Google Pixel 6 is not complicated, but the screen can get damaged very easily during the removal procedure.

Caution: The Pixel 6 contains class 1 lasers. Disassembly could result in exposure to invisible infrared laser emissions.

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 to reattach components when reassembling the device.

Note: Replacement fingerprint sensors are not available for sale on iFixit or from Google.

What you need

Step 1

              Loosen the display adhesive

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.

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.

1024

Step 2

              Insert an opening pick

Once the screen is warm to the touch, apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen.
If your screen is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction handle to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction handle. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction handle to the screen.
Lift the screen, including its safety frame, with the suction handle to create a small gap between the screen and the phone assembly.
Insert an opening pick into the gap between the screen frame and the phone assembly.
Make sure to insert your opening pick in the right position to avoid separating the screen from its safety frame instead of the phone assembly.
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.

Once the screen is warm to the touch, apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen.

If your screen is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction handle to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction handle. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction handle to the screen.

Lift the screen, including its safety frame, with the suction handle to create a small gap between the screen and the phone assembly.

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the screen frame and the phone assembly.

Make sure to insert your opening pick in the right position to avoid separating the screen from its safety frame instead of the phone assembly.

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 3

              Slice the adhesive

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.

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge and slide it to the bottom left corner of the screen to slice the adhesive.

Step 4

The screen of the Google Pixel 6 is not only held in place by adhesive but also small plastic clips. If your opening pick gets blocked during the screen removal procedure, it means you inserted your pick too deep underneath the screen. Only insert the tip of the opening pick (3-4 mm) when slicing the display adhesive.
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.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

The screen of the Google Pixel 6 is not only held in place by adhesive but also small plastic clips. If your opening pick gets blocked during the screen removal procedure, it means you inserted your pick too deep underneath the screen. Only insert the tip of the opening pick (3-4 mm) when slicing the display adhesive.

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.

Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

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 (2-3 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.

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 (2-3 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 6

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

Insert a fifth opening pick and slide it along the right edge of the phone to slice the remaining adhesive.

Do not try to remove the display all the way yet, the screen is still connected to the phone assembly.

Step 7

              Open up the phone assembly

Avoid straining the display cable during the following procedure.
Carefully open the right side of the screen to the left side of the phone assembly like you would open a book.

Avoid straining the display cable during the following procedure.

Carefully open the right side of the screen to the left side of the phone assembly like you would open a book.

Step 8

              Remove the display cable bracket

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully unhinge and remove the metal bracket sitting on top of the display cable connector.
Make sure to keep this component to reinstall it during reassembly.

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully unhinge and remove the metal bracket sitting on top of the display cable connector.

Make sure to keep this component to reinstall it during reassembly.

Step 9

              Disconnect the display cable

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

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

Step 10

              Remove the screen

Remove the screen.
During reassembly, 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.
If installing a different fingerprint reader, you will need to recalibrate the reader before it will work.

Remove the screen.

During reassembly, 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.

If installing a different fingerprint reader, you will need to recalibrate the reader before it will work.

Step 11

              Open the ZIF connector

If you replace the fingerprint reader in the Pixel 6 or switch it between two different displays you need recalibrate it to maintain its functionality.
Use one arm of a pair of tweezers to carefully open the ZIF connector at the rear side of the screen.

If you replace the fingerprint reader in the Pixel 6 or switch it between two different displays you need recalibrate it to maintain its functionality.

Use one arm of a pair of tweezers to carefully open the ZIF connector at the rear side of the screen.

Step 12

              Disconnect the fingerprint reader

Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the fingerprint reader by pulling its cable out of the ZIF connector.

Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the fingerprint reader by pulling its cable out of the ZIF connector.

Step 13

              Loosen the fingerprint reader adhesive

Apply a heated iOpener to the screen where the fingerprint reader is located 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.

Apply a heated iOpener to the screen where the fingerprint reader is located to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 3 minutes.

Step 14

              Separate the fingerprint reader from the screen

Carefully slide an opening pick underneath the fingerprint reader cable to slice its adhesive.
Be very gentle during this procedure. Too much force might damage the display. If the adhesive is hard to cut, reapply your iOpener for another minute to loosen it.
Be careful not to overheat the screen—the display is susceptible to heat damage.
Use your opening pick to separate the fingerprint reader from the screen.

Carefully slide an opening pick underneath the fingerprint reader cable to slice its adhesive.

Be very gentle during this procedure. Too much force might damage the display. If the adhesive is hard to cut, reapply your iOpener for another minute to loosen it.

Be careful not to overheat the screen—the display is susceptible to heat damage.

Use your opening pick to separate the fingerprint reader from the screen.

Step 15

              Remove the fingerprint reader

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the fingerprint reader.
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.

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the fingerprint reader.

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.

If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. During reassembly apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

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.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      5 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 4 other contributors

                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 11/23/2016

158,135 Reputation

                                      649 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       40







                                                        +37 more badges

Team

                       iFixit                        

                                                  Member of iFixit 



                    Community                     


                                            141 Members                     


                                            15,772 Guides authored

bara soleiman - Jul 21, 2022

Will you ever sell a fingerprint replacement part?

Aashish Shrestha - Jul 29, 2022

Great guide! Using very little alcohol after heating the display can help loosen up the adhesive holding the fingerprint scanner.

DWIGHT PR - Oct 18, 2022

I am looking at this gide right now because I would like to know how to calibrate my fingerprint after I swap one of your screen on my phone

Provided Hardware#

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Provided Hardware

Introduction

What you need

Team