Google Pixel Xl Rear Facing Camera Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          50 minutes - 2 hours

Sections

SIM Card Tray
1 step
Display Assembly
10 steps
Google Pixel XL Opening Procedure
6 steps
Motherboard
12 steps
Rear Facing Camera
2 steps

Flags

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

Introduction

This guide will teach you how to replace the rear facing camera on your Google Pixel XL. The steps should be easy to follow and tFollow this guide to replace the rear-facing camera module for the Google Pixel XL.

The Pixel XL’s unreinforced display panel is fragile and is attached to the frame with strong adhesive, making repairs difficult. There is a considerable chance of breaking the display, especially if it already has micro-fractures. Be sure to apply plenty of heat and be extremely careful during the prying stage.he rear facing camera will be found on the motherboard of the device.

What you need

Step 1

              SIM Card Tray

Insert a SIM eject tool, SIM eject bit, or a paperclip into the small hole on the left edge of the phone, near the top.
Press to eject the tray.

Insert a SIM eject tool, SIM eject bit, or a paperclip into the small hole on the left edge of the phone, near the top.

Press to eject the tray.

1024

Step 2

              Display Assembly

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the display 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.
Take note of the following regions before you begin prying:
Thin adhesive lined against the display panel
Thick adhesive
The OLED display panel, which is very prone to damage
The display cable, which can be damaged during prying

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the display 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.

Take note of the following regions before you begin prying:

Thin adhesive lined against the display panel

Thick adhesive

The OLED display panel, which is very prone to damage

The display cable, which can be damaged during prying

Step 3

Once the edge is warm to the touch, apply a suction cup close to the edge.
Lift on the suction cup, and insert an opening pick into the gap.
Do not insert the pick more than 13 mm (0.5 inches), or you will damage the display assembly.
If you have trouble creating a gap, reheat the edge and try again.
You can also try to use a playing card instead of an opening pick to help make the initial entry.

Once the edge is warm to the touch, apply a suction cup close to the edge.

Lift on the suction cup, and insert an opening pick into the gap.

Do not insert the pick more than 13 mm (0.5 inches), or you will damage the display assembly.

If you have trouble creating a gap, reheat the edge and try again.

You can also try to use a playing card instead of an opening pick to help make the initial entry.

Step 4

Slide the opening clip across the top edge to slice through the adhesive.
Be sure not to cut deeper than 13 mm (0.5 inches) or you will damage the display.
There’s a mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen. If you don’t have a replacement mesh, take care not to damage or lose this component.
Leave an opening pick in the edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Slide the opening clip across the top edge to slice through the adhesive.

Be sure not to cut deeper than 13 mm (0.5 inches) or you will damage the display.

There’s a mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen. If you don’t have a replacement mesh, take care not to damage or lose this component.

Leave an opening pick in the edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the phone for two minutes.
Insert an opening pick near the top edge of the phone, where you have already sliced the adhesive.
Slowly guide the pick around the right corner.
Carefully slide the pick down the right edge of the phone to slice through the adhesive.
Do not insert the pick more than 1 mm (1/32") along the edge, or you will damage the display assembly.
Repeat the step for the left edge of the phone.

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the phone for two minutes.

Insert an opening pick near the top edge of the phone, where you have already sliced the adhesive.

Slowly guide the pick around the right corner.

Carefully slide the pick down the right edge of the phone to slice through the adhesive.

Do not insert the pick more than 1 mm (1/32") along the edge, or you will damage the display assembly.

Repeat the step for the left edge of the phone.

Step 6

Heat the bottom edge with an iOpener for two minutes.
Insert a pick near the right edge where you have already loosened the adhesive.
Carefully guide the pick around the corner.
Slide the pick along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
Do not slice deeper than 8.5 mm (1/3") or you will damage the display cable.

Heat the bottom edge with an iOpener for two minutes.

Insert a pick near the right edge where you have already loosened the adhesive.

Carefully guide the pick around the corner.

Slide the pick along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.

Do not slice deeper than 8.5 mm (1/3") or you will damage the display cable.

Step 7

Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the display assembly up slightly by the right corners.
Do not attempt to remove the display assembly. It is still attached by a flex cable.
Use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the display assembly up slightly by the right corners.

Do not attempt to remove the display assembly. It is still attached by a flex cable.

Use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.

Step 8

Lift the display assembly from the top end and swing it around such that it rests upside down on the frame.
Be careful not to strain the flex cable when you swing the assembly around.

Lift the display assembly from the top end and swing it around such that it rests upside down on the frame.

Be careful not to strain the flex cable when you swing the assembly around.

Step 9

Remove the two 4 mm T5 screws securing the display cable bracket.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Remove the display cable bracket.

Remove the two 4 mm T5 screws securing the display cable bracket.

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

Remove the display cable bracket.

Step 10

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable from its 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.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable from its 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.

Step 11

Remove the display assembly.
For comprehensive instructions on how to reinstall the Pixel XL display, follow this guide.
If your replacement display did not come with a speaker grille, use tweezers to gently peel the adhesive grille from your old display, and transfer it to the replacement.
Before installing a new display, be sure to remove all traces of adhesive from the frame. Use a spudger or an opening tool to scrape it off, and use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue.
If you are reinstalling the same display assembly, be sure to remove all adhesive residue from the panel and the frame before applying new adhesive.
Be sure to turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.
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.

Remove the display assembly.

For comprehensive instructions on how to reinstall the Pixel XL display, follow this guide.

If your replacement display did not come with a speaker grille, use tweezers to gently peel the adhesive grille from your old display, and transfer it to the replacement.

Before installing a new display, be sure to remove all traces of adhesive from the frame. Use a spudger or an opening tool to scrape it off, and use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue.

If you are reinstalling the same display assembly, be sure to remove all adhesive residue from the panel and the frame before applying new adhesive.

Be sure to turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.

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 12

              Google Pixel XL Opening Procedure

Remove the following screws that secure the midframe to the back:
Seven black 4 mm T5 screws
Two silver 3 mm T5 screws

Remove the following screws that secure the midframe to the back:

Seven black 4 mm T5 screws

Two silver 3 mm T5 screws

Step 13

The midframe is held tightly in place by plastic clips which push into the edge of the back case.

The midframe is held tightly in place by plastic clips which push into the edge of the back case.

Step 14

Find the small notch in the bottom left corner of the frame and insert an opening pick.
Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone towards the bottom right corner and leave it there.

Find the small notch in the bottom left corner of the frame and insert an opening pick.

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge of the phone towards the bottom right corner and leave it there.

Step 15

Insert a separate opening pick into the right edge of the phone, near the bottom.
Slowly push the pick upwards along the seam until the first clip pops free.
Due to the tight tolerances, this may be difficult, requiring a substantial amount of force. If you are having trouble, try inserting and sliding a playing card.
Once you’ve released the clip, leave the opening pick in place to prevent the midframe from resealing.

Insert a separate opening pick into the right edge of the phone, near the bottom.

Slowly push the pick upwards along the seam until the first clip pops free.

Due to the tight tolerances, this may be difficult, requiring a substantial amount of force. If you are having trouble, try inserting and sliding a playing card.

Once you’ve released the clip, leave the opening pick in place to prevent the midframe from resealing.

Step 16

Insert an opening pick into the right edge of the phone and slide it upwards towards the top right clip.
You do not need to insert the pick more than 2 mm into the edge. If you insert the pick all the way in, you may risk damaging flex cables.
Slowly slide the pick past the clip to disengage it from the frame.
At this point, the right edge of the midframe should be free from the case. If it isn’t, slide an opening clip up and down along the right edge.

Insert an opening pick into the right edge of the phone and slide it upwards towards the top right clip.

You do not need to insert the pick more than 2 mm into the edge. If you insert the pick all the way in, you may risk damaging flex cables.

Slowly slide the pick past the clip to disengage it from the frame.

At this point, the right edge of the midframe should be free from the case. If it isn’t, slide an opening clip up and down along the right edge.

Step 17

Grasp the right edge of the midframe by the corners and slowly hinge the edge up.
When the left edge feels loose, stop hinging and lift the midframe upwards.
Remove the midframe.
To reinstall the midframe, align it to the case, then squeeze around the perimeter until all the clips snap back into position. When properly done, the midframe should lie flat.

Grasp the right edge of the midframe by the corners and slowly hinge the edge up.

When the left edge feels loose, stop hinging and lift the midframe upwards.

Remove the midframe.

To reinstall the midframe, align it to the case, then squeeze around the perimeter until all the clips snap back into position. When properly done, the midframe should lie flat.

Step 18

              Motherboard

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
Bend the battery flex cable slightly so that it will not accidentally touch the motherboard.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.

Bend the battery flex cable slightly so that it will not accidentally touch the motherboard.

Step 19

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the button strip connector.
If the button strip’s metal clip falls out during the repair, align the clip and push it back into its groove.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the button strip connector.

If the button strip’s metal clip falls out during the repair, align the clip and push it back into its groove.

Step 20

Use tweezers to peel up the tape at the top of the interconnect cable.

Use tweezers to peel up the tape at the top of the interconnect cable.

Step 21

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable from the motherboard.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable from the motherboard.

Step 22

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the black antenna cable from the motherboard, near the front facing camera module.
Route the antenna cable out of its retaining clip.

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the black antenna cable from the motherboard, near the front facing camera module.

Route the antenna cable out of its retaining clip.

Step 23

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the white antenna cable from the motherboard, near the rear facing camera module.
Route the antenna cable out of its retaining clip.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the white antenna cable from the motherboard, near the rear facing camera module.

Step 24

Remove the two 3 mm T5 screws securing the motherboard to the frame.
During reinstallation, be sure that both camera modules and the headphone jack module are seated properly in their sockets before screwing down the motherboard.

Remove the two 3 mm T5 screws securing the motherboard to the frame.

During reinstallation, be sure that both camera modules and the headphone jack module are seated properly in their sockets before screwing down the motherboard.

Step 25

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and loosen the front facing camera module from its socket.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and loosen the front facing camera module from its socket.

Step 26

Insert the point of a spudger into the headphone jack port and pry upwards to loosen the port from its socket.

Insert the point of a spudger into the headphone jack port and pry upwards to loosen the port from its socket.

Step 27

Be sure that you have ejected the SIM card tray before performing this step.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the bottom edge of the motherboard up slightly, loosening it from its recess.
Do not try to remove the motherboard yet. It is still connected by a flex cable.

Be sure that you have ejected the SIM card tray before performing this step.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the bottom edge of the motherboard up slightly, loosening it from its recess.

Do not try to remove the motherboard yet. It is still connected by a flex cable.

Step 28

Locate the fingerprint sensor cable attached to the underside of the motherboard, near the bottom edge.
Use the point of a spudger to pry and release the fingerprint sensor cable from its socket.
Peel the cable away from the motherboard.

Locate the fingerprint sensor cable attached to the underside of the motherboard, near the bottom edge.

Use the point of a spudger to pry and release the fingerprint sensor cable from its socket.

Peel the cable away from the motherboard.

Step 29

Hold the motherboard by the corners and maneuver it out of its recess, being careful not to snag any cables.
During reinstallation, be sure to route both antenna cables underneath the motherboard edges, and direct them through the cable notches.
The fingerprint sensor connector can be tricky to reconnect during reinstallation.
Bend the fingerprint sensor cable slightly so that it bows upward near the connector.
Stand the motherboard up and position it such that the connector rests against the socket.
Use your finger to carefully align the connector and press it into the socket. Do not use excessive force! If done correctly, the socket should hold the connector securely.
If you are having a difficult time, follow this guide, which removes the fingerprint sensor from its indention before attaching it to the motherboard.

Hold the motherboard by the corners and maneuver it out of its recess, being careful not to snag any cables.

During reinstallation, be sure to route both antenna cables underneath the motherboard edges, and direct them through the cable notches.

The fingerprint sensor connector can be tricky to reconnect during reinstallation.

Bend the fingerprint sensor cable slightly so that it bows upward near the connector.

Stand the motherboard up and position it such that the connector rests against the socket.

Use your finger to carefully align the connector and press it into the socket. Do not use excessive force! If done correctly, the socket should hold the connector securely.

If you are having a difficult time, follow this guide, which removes the fingerprint sensor from its indention before attaching it to the motherboard.

Step 30

              Rear Facing Camera

Flip the motherboard such that the underside is facing up.
Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear facing camera connector from its socket.

Flip the motherboard such that the underside is facing up.

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the rear facing camera connector from its socket.

Step 31

Flip the motherboard such that the backside is facing down.
Pivot the camera module out of its recess and slowly pull it out, lifting the adhesive tape in the process.
Remove the rear camera module.

Flip the motherboard such that the backside is facing down.

Pivot the camera module out of its recess and slowly pull it out, lifting the adhesive tape in the process.

Remove the rear camera module.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Google Pixel XL Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      5 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 6 other contributors

                    Arthur Shi

Member since: 01/03/2018

211,862 Reputation

                                      442 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       46







                                                        +43 more badges

Team

                       iFixit                        

                                                  Member of iFixit 



                    Community                     


                                            141 Members                     


                                            15,769 Guides authored

Caleb - Feb 26, 2018

Where can I get the replacement camera

Eric Tackaberry - Mar 11, 2018

https://www.witrigs.com/oem-rear-camera-…

This is one of other only places I could find to get a replacement camera module.

Erik Swan - May 15, 2018

iFixit sells the replacement part here. It looks like new camera modules are out of stock, but used and fully tested ones are still in stock as of May 15, 2018.

Google Pixel/Pixel XL Rear Camera

Erik Swan - May 15, 2018

A helpful tip: before you re-assemble the phone, shine a bright light through the back glass and check that there is no dust or debris on the inside of the back glass or the camera lens.

Also, this may be obvious to some, but you will need replacement adhesive for the display in order to re-attach it to the phone. I didn’t even think about this until I had already started the repair and taken the display off.

Jeremy Sing - Sep 10, 2019

Do you think that if I put a Pixel 3 camera in there, it would still work?

Have any of you tried to up the storage capacity on one of these things?

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team