Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S4 Screen Replacement
Screen Replacement guide for the Samsung Galaxy S4
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #000 screwdriver
- Plastic prying tool
- Spudger tool
- Tweezers
- Heat gun or hair dryer
Parts / materials
- Replacement Samsung Galaxy S4 screen assembly
- Double-sided adhesive strips
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
Safety
- Power off the device and remove the battery completely before servicing internal components.
- Wear safety glasses when applying heat to glass surfaces to protect against sudden cracking.
- Avoid concentrated heat on a single spot to prevent melting plastic housing components.
- Use an anti-static wrist strap to protect sensitive integrated circuits from electrostatic discharge.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off the Phone
1 minPress and hold the Power button, then tap Power Off on the screen. Ensure the device is fully powered down before continuing.
- 2
Remove the Back Cover
1 minInsert a fingernail or plastic prying tool into the notch near the top edge. Pry the rear cover up and away from the body.
- 3
Remove the Battery
1 minLift the battery out from the bottom recess. Store it safely off to the side.
- 4
Remove SIM and MicroSD Cards
2 minPush the microSD card and micro-SIM card inward to release their spring latches. Slide both cards out of their respective slots.
- 5
Unscrew the Midframe
3 minUse a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the nine screws securing the midframe to the display assembly.
- 6
Detach the Midframe
3 minInsert a plastic prying tool between the midframe and the front assembly along the inner seam. Pry along the edges to release the perimeter clips and pull the midframe off.
- 7
Disconnect Display and Digitizer Connectors
2 minUse the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display cable connector and digitizer cable connector from the top section of the motherboard.
- 8
Disconnect Upper Component Cables
3 minDisconnect the front-facing camera, earpiece speaker sensor assembly, and headphone jack press-fit connectors from the upper motherboard.
- 9
Disconnect the Sub-Board Cable
2 minPry up the lower sub-board flex connector near the bottom left area of the motherboard.
- 10
Remove the Motherboard Screw
1 minRemove the single Phillips #000 screw holding the motherboard frame in place near the top right.
- 11
Lift Out the Motherboard
2 minGently lift the motherboard by its edges and pull it clear of the display housing. Place it on an anti-static mat.
- 12
Remove the Front-Facing Camera
1 minUse tweezers to lift the front camera out of its recess in the display frame.
- 13
Remove the Earpiece and Headphone Jack
2 minPry up the headphone jack and earpiece speaker module using a spudger. Lift the connected assembly out of the top slot.
- 14
Remove the Vibration Motor
2 minCarefully pry the small circular vibration motor out of its sticky socket using tweezers.
- 15
Heat the Lower Sub-Board Assembly
2 minApply heat from a heat gun or hairdryer to the bottom home button region for 30 seconds to soften the underlying adhesive.
- 16
Detach the Home Button Sub-Board
3 minPry up the menu and back soft-key ribbons along with the home button switch using a spudger. Lift the lower sub-board assembly free.
- 17
Transfer Small Components to New Screen Assembly
5 minPlace the vibration motor, earpiece assembly, front camera, and sub-board into their matching slots on the new display assembly.
- 18
Reinstall the Motherboard
3 minPosition the motherboard into the new display frame, ensuring no flex cables are trapped beneath it. Secure it with the single Phillips screw.
- 19
Reconnect Motherboard Flex Cables
3 minPress down firmly on all display, digitizer, camera, sensor, and sub-board connectors until they snap into place on the motherboard.
- 20
Snap the Midframe into Place
2 minAlign the midframe over the rear assembly and press firmly around all edges until the plastic clips engage securely.
- 21
Secure Midframe Screws
3 minTighten the nine Phillips #000 screws around the midframe to lock the housing together.
- 22
Reinsert Cards and Battery
2 minPush the SIM card and microSD card back into their slots. Insert the battery with its contact points facing the top connectors.
- 23
Reattach the Rear Cover
1 minAlign the back cover over the phone chassis and press around all perimeter edges until it clicks flat.
After your Samsung Galaxy S4 screen replacement
Power the Galaxy S4 back on and test the screen 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 S4 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 S4 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
