Google Pixel 7 5G Mmwave Antenna Cable Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          45 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

Screen Removal
12 steps
Screen (prereq)
1 step
Graphite Foils
2 steps
Loudspeaker
3 steps
Midframe
2 steps
Battery Disconnection
2 steps
5G mmWave Antenna Removal
6 steps
5G mmWave Antenna Cable
2 steps

Flags

Provided Hardware

A manufacturer provided iFixit with this device or component.

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Introduction

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

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.

Caution: The Pixel 7 contains class 1 lasers. Disassembly could result in exposure to invisible infrared laser emissions.

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.

What you need

Step 1

              Loosen the display adhesive

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.

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.

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Step 2

              Screen removal information

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.

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

              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 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.

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 4

              Slice the bottom edge adhesive

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.

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 5

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 6

              Release the left clips

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.

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 7

              Slice the top edge adhesive

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.

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 8

              Release the right clips

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.

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 9

              Open up the phone assembly

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.

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 10

              Release the display cable bracket

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.

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 11

              Remove the display cable bracket

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

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 12

              Disconnect the display cable

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.

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 13

              Separate the screen

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.

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 14

              Remove the black silicone pad

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.

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 15

              Peel off the upper graphite foil

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.

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 16

              Peel off the lower graphite foil

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.

Use a pair of tweezers to carefully peel the lower graphite foil off the battery and midframe.

Step 17

              Unfasten the loudspeaker screws

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

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

Step 18

              Remove the loudspeaker

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

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

Step 19

              Unfasten the midframe screws

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

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

Step 20

              Remove the midframe

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the midframe.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the midframe.

Step 21

              Disconnect the battery cable

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

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

Step 22

              Remove the thermal paste

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.

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 23

              Unfasten the mmWave antenna bracket screw

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.

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 24

              Pry up the mmWave antenna bracket

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

Insert a spudger underneath the bottom right edge of the mmWave antenna bracket.

Pry upwards to loosen the mmWave antenna bracket.

Step 25

              Remove the mmWave antenna bracket

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

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

Step 26

              Disconnect the mmWave antenna cable

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

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

Step 27

              Remove the mmWave antenna assembly

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

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

Remove the mmWave antenna assembly.

Step 28

              Remove the thermal paste

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.

Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape the thermal paste off the mmWave antenna.

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.

Step 29

              Disconnect the mmWave antenna cable

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

Separate the mmWave antenna cable from the mmWave antenna.

Step 30

You’re now left with the mmWave antenna cable.

You’re now left with the mmWave antenna cable.

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 answers community for help.

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                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

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