Phone · Google · Pixel 3a
Google Pixel 3a Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Google Pixel 3a
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic opening picks
- Torx T3 screwdriver
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- Soft brush
- Compressed air
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Replacement display adhesive strips
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
Safety
- Wear eye protection to guard against glass splinters or liquid splashes.
- Disconnect the battery as soon as possible to prevent electrical shorting.
- Ensure the workspace is well-ventilated when using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off and Eject SIM Tray
2 minPower down your Google Pixel 3a completely. Insert a SIM eject tool into the tray hole on the left edge to remove the SIM card and holder.
- 2
Heat the Front Display Edges
3 minUse a heat gun or hairdryer to apply uniform heat around the perimeter of the screen for two minutes to soften the display adhesive.
- 3
Attach Suction Cup
1 minPress a suction cup onto the bottom center of the glass screen, just above the lower bezel.
- 4
Insert Opening Pick
2 minPull up firmly on the suction cup to create a thin gap, then insert a plastic opening pick beneath the glass.
- 5
Slice Screen Adhesive
5 minSlide the plastic pick carefully around all four edges of the screen to cut through the foam tape holding it down.
- 6
Open Display Assembly
2 minGently lift the top edge of the display screen and swing it open like a book to the left side.
- 7
Unscrew Screen Cable Shield
3 minUse a Torx T3 screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the metal display ribbon cable shield.
- 8
Disconnect Display Cable
2 minUse a plastic spudger to pry the display cable connector straight up from the motherboard connector, then set the screen aside.
- 9
Unscrew Midframe Screws
5 minRemove the Torx T3 screws securing the black plastic midframe cover to the phone chassis.
- 10
Remove Midframe Shield
2 minPry up the edges of the plastic midframe cover with a spudger and lift it off the chassis.
- 11
Disconnect Battery Cable
2 minPry the battery press-connector off the motherboard immediately to cut all power to the board and prevent short circuits.
- 12
Unscrew Motherboard Fasteners
4 minRemove the remaining Torx T3 screws holding the motherboard and bottom speaker assembly to the phone frame.
- 13
Extract Motherboard
3 minGently lift the motherboard out of the phone enclosure, taking care not to snag any flex cables.
- 14
Clean Board with Isopropyl Alcohol
10 minDip a soft brush in 99% isopropyl alcohol and scrub away all visible liquid residue and white corrosion from both sides of the board.
- 15
Dry Components Thoroughly
15 minUse compressed air to blow liquid out from under chips, then let the motherboard air dry for at least 30 minutes.
- 16
Reassemble and Test Device
10 minReinstall the motherboard, reconnect the battery and screen, then turn on the phone to verify functionality before applying fresh adhesive.
After your Google Pixel 3a water damage repair
Power the Pixel 3a back on and test the water damage repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Google Pixel 3a job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Google Pixel 3a repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
