Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S21 FE
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Fingerprint Sensor Repair
Fingerprint Sensor Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic prying tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Tweezers
- Spudger tool
Parts / materials
- Back cover adhesive sticker
- Isopropanol (99% isopropyl alcohol)
- Cleaning wipes
Safety
- Wear eye protection when heating and prying components.
- Disconnect the battery immediately after opening to prevent short circuits.
- Do not puncture or bend the lithium-ion battery.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off the Phone
1 minPress and hold the side button and volume down button simultaneously, then tap Power Off. Ensure the device is completely powered down before continuing.
- 2
Heat the Back Cover
2 minApply heat to the rear cover perimeter using a heat gun on low for two minutes. This softens the adhesive securing the plastic panel to the frame.
- 3
Attach Suction Cup
2 minPress a suction cup firmly onto the lower third of the rear cover. Pull upward gentle and steady to create a hairline gap between the panel and body.
- 4
Slice Rear Adhesive
4 minInsert a plastic prying pick into the gap and slowly slide it around all four edges. Keep the pick shallow to avoid damaging internal flex ribbons.
- 5
Remove Back Cover
1 minLift the rear cover away from the chassis once all adhesive is severed. Set the back panel aside on your work mat.
- 6
Unscrew the Midframe
3 minRemove the 15 Phillips #00 screws holding down the wireless charging coil and upper midframe. Keep screws organized for reassembly.
- 7
Detach Wireless Charging Assembly
2 minGently pry up the edges of the plastic midframe and wireless charging coil using a spudger. Lift the assembly off the device.
- 8
Disconnect the Battery
1 minUse a plastic spudger to pry the battery flex cable connector straight up from the motherboard. Disconnecting power prevents short circuits.
- 9
Disconnect Interconnect Cables
2 minUnsnap the main interconnect flex cable connectors bridging the motherboard and lower sub-board. Remove the cable from the phone.
- 10
Disconnect Fingerprint Sensor
2 minLocate the optical fingerprint sensor flex connector near the bottom of the frame. Pry the small press-fit connector straight up with a spudger.
- 11
Remove Sensor Retaining Bracket
2 minUnscrew the single Phillips #00 screw holding the metal fingerprint sensor bracket in place. Remove the bracket with tweezers.
- 12
Pry Out Fingerprint Sensor
3 minInsert tweezers carefully under the optical sensor module and lift it out of its recessed frame socket. Avoid touching or dirtying the optical lens area beneath.
- 13
Install New Fingerprint Sensor
3 minPosition the replacement optical sensor flat into the frame well. Reinstall the metal bracket and secure it with its retaining screw.
- 14
Reconnect Flexes and Reassemble
5 minSnap the fingerprint flex, main interconnect cables, and battery connector back into place. Reattach the midframe, insert screws, and press down the back cover.
After your Samsung Galaxy S21 FE fingerprint sensor repair
Power the Galaxy S21 FE back on and test the fingerprint sensor 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 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Samsung Galaxy S21 FE repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.

