Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S21 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Back Cover Replacement
Back Cover Replacement guide for the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Before you begin
Tools
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Suction cup tool
- Plastic prying tools
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- Clean workspace mat
Parts / materials
- Replacement back cover with pre-cut adhesive
- High-concentration isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
Safety
- Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes against flying glass fragments if the panel cracks.
- Use heat-resistant gloves when handling the phone frame after applying high heat.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using isopropyl alcohol.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off the Phone
1 minPress and hold the Side and Volume Down buttons simultaneously, then tap Power Off. Ensure the screen turns off completely before proceeding.
- 2
Heat the Bottom Edge
2 minApply a heat gun or hair dryer to the bottom edge of the back cover for two minutes. Keep the heat source moving constantly to prevent thermal damage to internal components.
- 3
Attach the Suction Cup
1 minPlace a suction cup on the lower section of the glass back panel, just above the USB-C port. Press firmly to establish a secure seal against the glass.
- 4
Create a Seam Gap
2 minPull up firmly on the suction cup handle to create a tiny gap between the rear glass and the aluminum frame. Insert a plastic opening pick into the gap.
- 5
Slice Bottom Adhesive
2 minSlide the plastic opening pick across the bottom edge of the phone to cut through the factory adhesive strip. Leave the pick inserted to prevent the glass from re-adhering.
- 6
Heat and Slice Left Edge
3 minHeat the left side of the back cover for 90 seconds. Insert a second pick and slice upward along the left seam toward the top corner.
- 7
Heat and Slice Top Edge
2 minWarm the top perimeter with your heat gun. Gently slide a pick along the top edge to separate the adhesive, avoiding excessive depth near the top microphone.
- 8
Heat Camera Housing Area
3 minDirect heat around the large metal camera bump for two minutes. The adhesive surrounding the camera module on the S21 Ultra is thicker and requires extra heating.
- 9
Slice Right Edge and Camera Frame
2 minSlide your pick carefully down the right edge and work it around the camera perimeter. Ensure all underlying adhesive seals are fully severed.
- 10
Lift Off Rear Cover
2 minGently lift the back cover up and away from the phone body. If you feel strong resistance, stop and apply additional heat to the stuck area.
- 11
Clean Old Frame Adhesive
5 minPeel away old adhesive residue from the metal frame using a spudger. Wipe the contact surfaces clean with isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth.
- 12
Prepare New Back Cover
2 minPeel off all protective plastic films covering the pre-applied adhesive on the inner side of the replacement glass panel.
- 13
Install New Back Cover
2 minAlign the replacement glass precisely over the camera cutout and phone body. Press firmly along all edges for 30 seconds to lock the seal.
After your Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra back cover replacement
Power the Galaxy S21 Ultra back on and test the back cover replacement 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 Ultra 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 Ultra repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
