Samsung Galaxy S Iii Lcd Display Front Glass Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          2 hours

Sections

Rear Case
5 steps
SIM Card
2 steps
microSD Card
2 steps
Front Glass
15 steps
Plastic Midframe
2 steps
LCD
14 steps

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Introduction

Alternatively if you want to glue the LCD display to the replacement glass using clear glue you may find it easier to do this with the display removed.

This is not to be attempted by the faint of heart and whilst you won’t damage the phone you may damage the display, as such I would only recommend this in the event the display is damaged and not working.

Use the iOpener instead of the heat gun if you have one to remove the front glass, it makes life easier and massively reduces the risk of damaging the phone due to excess heat.

This guide include the steps for the removal of the front glass however SKIP steps 12-15 (the last steps of the front glass) as these detail actually reattaching the front glass which you won’t be doing at this point

What you need

Step 1

              Rear Case

The following four steps can be accomplished without a plastic opening tool. However, it’s recommended to use a tool to best avoid breaking any clips along the perimeter of the rear case.
Insert a plastic opening tool or fingernail into the notch in the gap between the rear case and the rest of the phone, located at the top of the device.
Gently twist the opening tool to disconnect the clips securing the top of the rear case.

The following four steps can be accomplished without a plastic opening tool. However, it’s recommended to use a tool to best avoid breaking any clips along the perimeter of the rear case.

Insert a plastic opening tool or fingernail into the notch in the gap between the rear case and the rest of the phone, located at the top of the device.

Gently twist the opening tool to disconnect the clips securing the top of the rear case.

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Step 2

Slide the plastic opening tool left along the top edge and repeat the twisting motion to widen the gap between the rear case and the phone.

Slide the plastic opening tool left along the top edge and repeat the twisting motion to widen the gap between the rear case and the phone.

Step 3

Continue to move the plastic opening tool around the perimeter of the top left corner, gently prying up along the rear case.

Continue to move the plastic opening tool around the perimeter of the top left corner, gently prying up along the rear case.

Step 4

Pry along the top right side, and continue prying down the right side of the rear case.

Pry along the top right side, and continue prying down the right side of the rear case.

Step 5

Lift up and remove the rear case from the phone.
You may need to peel the case up to separate it from any clips still holding it to the bottom of the phone.

Lift up and remove the rear case from the phone.

You may need to peel the case up to separate it from any clips still holding it to the bottom of the phone.

Step 6

              SIM Card

Using your fingernail, push the SIM card slightly deeper into its slot, until you hear a click.
After the click, release the card and it will pop out of its slot.
For reassembly, push the SIM card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Using your fingernail, push the SIM card slightly deeper into its slot, until you hear a click.

After the click, release the card and it will pop out of its slot.

For reassembly, push the SIM card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Step 7

Use your thumb to slide enough of the SIM card out of its slot to grab ahold of it.
Grasp and remove the SIM card away from the phone.

Use your thumb to slide enough of the SIM card out of its slot to grab ahold of it.

Grasp and remove the SIM card away from the phone.

Step 8

              microSD Card

Using your fingernail, push the microSD card slightly deeper into its slot, until you hear a click.
After the click, release the card and it will pop out of its slot.
For reassembly, push the microSD card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Using your fingernail, push the microSD card slightly deeper into its slot, until you hear a click.

For reassembly, push the microSD card into the slot until it clicks in place.

Step 9

Use your thumb to slide the microSD card out of the slot.
Remove the microSD card from the phone.

Use your thumb to slide the microSD card out of the slot.

Remove the microSD card from the phone.

Step 10

              Front Glass

If your phone already has a protective screen applied to it, you are ready to begin.
If it doesn’t, cut a piece of packaging tape the size of the screen and apply it to the screen. This will help you remove the broken glass later.

If your phone already has a protective screen applied to it, you are ready to begin.

If it doesn’t, cut a piece of packaging tape the size of the screen and apply it to the screen. This will help you remove the broken glass later.

Step 11

With a plastic opening tool, pry open the back case. It will come out very easily.

With a plastic opening tool, pry open the back case. It will come out very easily.

Step 12

Take out the battery. There are no cables attached.

Take out the battery. There are no cables attached.

Step 13

If your provider/version of phone takes a SIM card, remove it by pushing it in a bit until you hear a small click, and then slide it out.
Sprint USA does not use SIM card.

If your provider/version of phone takes a SIM card, remove it by pushing it in a bit until you hear a small click, and then slide it out.

Sprint USA does not use SIM card.

Step 14

At this point you can already go to the next step, which is using a heat gun. However I felt safer by taking out the motherboard too.
If you decide to take out the motherboard follow the Samsung Galaxy S III Motherboard Replacement, it has all the details.

At this point you can already go to the next step, which is using a heat gun. However I felt safer by taking out the motherboard too.

If you decide to take out the motherboard follow the Samsung Galaxy S III Motherboard Replacement, it has all the details.

Step 15

You need to have lots of patience in this procedure. Take your time.
Using an infrared thermometer heat the surface to 170-180° F (roughly 70-80° C). This will loosen the glue but not damage the electronics.
Hold the gun at about 3 inches from your phone (in this picture it looks like its right on top). With the heat gun set to low, heat up the borders for about 3 to 5 minutes depending on the strength of your heat gun.
You must be careful when using the heat gun on this device. If the device is heated up too much then it may melt the digitizer and cause discoloration. If you start to see any discoloration then shut off the gun immediately.
If you are working with a hair dryer, it might take up to 1 hour.
This melts the glue that holds the glass to the frame and to the display. The glass is glued to them.

You need to have lots of patience in this procedure. Take your time.

Using an infrared thermometer heat the surface to 170-180° F (roughly 70-80° C). This will loosen the glue but not damage the electronics.

Hold the gun at about 3 inches from your phone (in this picture it looks like its right on top). With the heat gun set to low, heat up the borders for about 3 to 5 minutes depending on the strength of your heat gun.

You must be careful when using the heat gun on this device. If the device is heated up too much then it may melt the digitizer and cause discoloration. If you start to see any discoloration then shut off the gun immediately.

If you are working with a hair dryer, it might take up to 1 hour.

This melts the glue that holds the glass to the frame and to the display. The glass is glued to them.

Step 16

Using a guitar pick or a plastic opening tool, very carefully start to work separating the edges of the glass.
Make sure to go from top to bottom.
You will need to use the heat gun a number of times as you go down separating the glass. For glasses with lots of damage you will need to go extra carefully as to not damage the LCD with the shattered glass pieces.

Using a guitar pick or a plastic opening tool, very carefully start to work separating the edges of the glass.

Make sure to go from top to bottom.

You will need to use the heat gun a number of times as you go down separating the glass. For glasses with lots of damage you will need to go extra carefully as to not damage the LCD with the shattered glass pieces.

Step 17

When you start separating the screen, you need to start from the top borders and work your way to the center, ungluing the whole screen from top to bottom. Leave some opening tools in to prevent the glass from bonding again to the LCD.
Be extra careful when you get to the bottom because the menu buttons are glued to the glass.
Do not pull the glass just yet, you might damage the cables. Pull the screen from the top to the bottom to the point where you can see the menu and return button cables.

When you start separating the screen, you need to start from the top borders and work your way to the center, ungluing the whole screen from top to bottom. Leave some opening tools in to prevent the glass from bonding again to the LCD.

Be extra careful when you get to the bottom because the menu buttons are glued to the glass.

Do not pull the glass just yet, you might damage the cables. Pull the screen from the top to the bottom to the point where you can see the menu and return button cables.

Step 18

Extra attention is necessary with this step, don’t damage the buttons or cable! With a spudger, detach the buttons from the inner side of the glass. This might require a little extra heat. Also, the best strategy is to start in the middle, under the black ribbon that connects the two buttons, and then move sideways to separate each one.
Edit Thanks to the awesome guy or gal who uploaded the missing pics ^__^

Extra attention is necessary with this step, don’t damage the buttons or cable! With a spudger, detach the buttons from the inner side of the glass. This might require a little extra heat. Also, the best strategy is to start in the middle, under the black ribbon that connects the two buttons, and then move sideways to separate each one.

Edit Thanks to the awesome guy or gal who uploaded the missing pics ^__^

Step 19

Take out the broken glass. I was able to take it all in one piece.
If your glass is very shattered you will need to pick up the small pieces with tweezers, one by one or stick tape to the glass before you take it out. You can also use screen protectors.

Take out the broken glass. I was able to take it all in one piece.

If your glass is very shattered you will need to pick up the small pieces with tweezers, one by one or stick tape to the glass before you take it out. You can also use screen protectors.

Step 20

Take this small metal piece from your old glass, you will need to put it in the new one.

Take this small metal piece from your old glass, you will need to put it in the new one.

Step 21

Clean up the glue that remains on the borders. A small microfiber with a bit of WD40 or windex can help you take all the glue off.
Be sure to not use too much WD40 or windex.
When cleaning out the glue, do NOT attempt to scrape glue out of the cracks between the LCD and the frame. A very small amount of force toward the center or from underneath will crack the LED.
Cut up two small 1mm pieces of the sticker tape and glue the buttons to the phone to keep them in place.
It’s very important to make sure the buttons line up exactly with the picture.

Clean up the glue that remains on the borders. A small microfiber with a bit of WD40 or windex can help you take all the glue off.

Be sure to not use too much WD40 or windex.

When cleaning out the glue, do NOT attempt to scrape glue out of the cracks between the LCD and the frame. A very small amount of force toward the center or from underneath will crack the LED.

Cut up two small 1mm pieces of the sticker tape and glue the buttons to the phone to keep them in place.

It’s very important to make sure the buttons line up exactly with the picture.

Step 22

Put pieces of the sticker tape along the inner frame of the phone.
Clean up the digitizer with lint free wipes or a clean microfiber towel. I used some lens cleaner to leave it spotless and smudge free.

Put pieces of the sticker tape along the inner frame of the phone.

Clean up the digitizer with lint free wipes or a clean microfiber towel. I used some lens cleaner to leave it spotless and smudge free.

Step 23

Take out the plastic from the new glass, make sure you dont touch the inner side of the screen.
There are thin protective plastic layers on both sides of the glass. Peel them out before placing the glass on your phone.

Take out the plastic from the new glass, make sure you dont touch the inner side of the screen.

There are thin protective plastic layers on both sides of the glass. Peel them out before placing the glass on your phone.

Step 24

Check the glass against the light to make sure it is streak free before applying. If packaging left noticeable marks clean with glass cleaner and let dry before applying
Peel off the paper from the sticker tape and put on the new glass. Press on the edges to secure adhesion.

Check the glass against the light to make sure it is streak free before applying. If packaging left noticeable marks clean with glass cleaner and let dry before applying

Peel off the paper from the sticker tape and put on the new glass. Press on the edges to secure adhesion.

Step 25

              Plastic Midframe

Remove the ten 4.0 mm Phillips screws securing the midframe to the front panel assembly.

Remove the ten 4.0 mm Phillips screws securing the midframe to the front panel assembly.

Step 26

Grasp the left side of the plastic midframe with your thumb and forefinger and lift it away from the phone.
The midframe lightly snaps in place, and can be removed with very little force.

Grasp the left side of the plastic midframe with your thumb and forefinger and lift it away from the phone.

The midframe lightly snaps in place, and can be removed with very little force.

Step 27

LCD

Use the spudger to gently pry the display data cable from the motherboard.

Use the spudger to gently pry the display data cable from the motherboard.

Step 28

Using the marvellous iOpener start to loosen the adhesive holding the display to the case.
This will take time and will require many reheats
Ensure you wait 2 mins before reheating the iOpener
Start at the top of the screen and work your way down

Using the marvellous iOpener start to loosen the adhesive holding the display to the case.

This will take time and will require many reheats

Ensure you wait 2 mins before reheating the iOpener

Start at the top of the screen and work your way down

Step 29

Use one of the picks to lift the display in one of the corners
Work the pick along the top lifting the display from the case
Slide the plastic card into the top to provide some leverage
This will also stop the display from sticking back down to the case while you work down the display

Use one of the picks to lift the display in one of the corners

Work the pick along the top lifting the display from the case

Slide the plastic card into the top to provide some leverage

This will also stop the display from sticking back down to the case while you work down the display

Step 30

As you work you will want to reheat the iOpener and put it back on the display to melt the adhesive further down the screen

As you work you will want to reheat the iOpener and put it back on the display to melt the adhesive further down the screen

Step 31

Keep working down the phone
Inserting the picks into the sides to help lift the display as you slide the card down towards the bottom
If you remove the card and picks and can see the same view as in the second picture then you have the correct separation of parts

Keep working down the phone

Inserting the picks into the sides to help lift the display as you slide the card down towards the bottom

If you remove the card and picks and can see the same view as in the second picture then you have the correct separation of parts

Step 32

The two touch buttons need to be separated from the case
This should already be the case but incase you stuck them down earlier you should carefully pry them so they are loose
Be very careful not to damage the cable or buttons

The two touch buttons need to be separated from the case

This should already be the case but incase you stuck them down earlier you should carefully pry them so they are loose

Be very careful not to damage the cable or buttons

Step 33

Once you reach the bottom you will want to be careful and remove the bottom left corner before lifting up the right
This is due to the connection cable being on the right which passes through the case
Use the pick to help pry the cabling away from the case without pulling too hard

Once you reach the bottom you will want to be careful and remove the bottom left corner before lifting up the right

This is due to the connection cable being on the right which passes through the case

Use the pick to help pry the cabling away from the case without pulling too hard

Step 34

Once all the adhesive is separated lift the display to the right
Careful of the cable passing through the case
Separate the display from the case pulling the cable through the case

Once all the adhesive is separated lift the display to the right

Careful of the cable passing through the case

Separate the display from the case pulling the cable through the case

Step 35

Comparing a new display (in the centre) against the old one (on right) and the case (on left)
Note this replacement does NOT have the touch screen buttons
If yours does then skip the next step

Comparing a new display (in the centre) against the old one (on right) and the case (on left)

Note this replacement does NOT have the touch screen buttons

If yours does then skip the next step

Step 36

Using a spudger very carefully lift the black lock on the connector
Gently pull the cable out of the connector
Using a pick very carefully separate the touchscreen cable from the display
The chip on the cable at that point is glued to the display but can be easily separated by sliding a pick under it
If it is not separating with ease place the iOpener on top this should loosen the adhesive.

Using a spudger very carefully lift the black lock on the connector

Gently pull the cable out of the connector

Using a pick very carefully separate the touchscreen cable from the display

The chip on the cable at that point is glued to the display but can be easily separated by sliding a pick under it

If it is not separating with ease place the iOpener on top this should loosen the adhesive.

Step 37

The old/broken display can now be disposed of
Keep the case
Keep the touchscreen buttons

The old/broken display can now be disposed of

Keep the case

Keep the touchscreen buttons

Step 38

Finally to tidy up the case
The adhesive strip (double sided tape) used to attach the old display probably did not come off with the display
Use the iOpener to loosen the adhesive
Use the picks to lift up the edges and then peel the strip off the case
This may again take several attempts with heating and picking, be patient, the slower you go the larger the strip you should be able to lift which should make it easier to take the whole thing off in one (or 3) goes

Finally to tidy up the case

The adhesive strip (double sided tape) used to attach the old display probably did not come off with the display

Use the iOpener to loosen the adhesive

Use the picks to lift up the edges and then peel the strip off the case

This may again take several attempts with heating and picking, be patient, the slower you go the larger the strip you should be able to lift which should make it easier to take the whole thing off in one (or 3) goes

Step 39

Before putting the phone back together apply double sided tape to the case to hold the glass to the case
The LCD display should have some serious adhesive already on it. Make sure you remove the protective plastic to reveal it
if you’re lucky your replacement screen may have custom 3M tape sections

Before putting the phone back together apply double sided tape to the case to hold the glass to the case

The LCD display should have some serious adhesive already on it. Make sure you remove the protective plastic to reveal it

if you’re lucky your replacement screen may have custom 3M tape sections

Step 40

To reassemble
Attach the touchscreen buttons to the new screen (Step 14)
Slide the cable through the case
Stick the display down to the case (apply pressure to make sure its stuck, but not too much you don’t want to break the new screen)
Follow steps 1 - 5 in reverse to reassemble from the back

To reassemble

Attach the touchscreen buttons to the new screen (Step 14)

Slide the cable through the case

Stick the display down to the case (apply pressure to make sure its stuck, but not too much you don’t want to break the new screen)

Follow steps 1 - 5 in reverse to reassemble from the back

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

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                    Ollie Freeman

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abdo - Sep 16, 2017

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Member-Contributed Guide

Mismatched Prerequisites

Introduction

What you need