Featured
Featured Guide
Difficulty
Difficult
Steps
38
Time Required
45 minutes - 2 hours
Sections
5
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Back Cover Removal
- 15 steps
- Wireless Charging Coil
- 2 steps
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Battery Disconnection
- 3 steps
- Loudspeaker
- 2 steps
- Screen
- 16 steps
Flags
2
Provided Hardware
A manufacturer provided iFixit with this device or component.
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BackSamsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
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Introduction
Note: Some replacement screens for this phone come pre-installed in a new frame (a.k.a. chassis), which requires you to transplant all of your phone’s internals and install a new battery. Make sure you have the correct part before starting this guide.
There is a significant chance that you may break the unreinforced and fragile display panel during this procedure. If you plan on reusing the screen assembly, be sure to apply plenty of heat and be extremely careful during the prying stage.
You’ll need replacement adhesive in order to complete this repair.
What you need
Step 1
Heat the bottom edge
- Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
- Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover’s bottom edge for two minutes.
- A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover’s bottom edge for two minutes.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
1024
Step 2
Separate the bottom edge adhesive
- Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
- If the back cover is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken cover.
- Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
- Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
- Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts of reheating with the iOpener and separating with the suction cup before you get it right.
- If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
- Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.
Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.
If the back cover is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken cover.
Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts of reheating with the iOpener and separating with the suction cup before you get it right.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.
Step 3
Slice the adhesive
- Slide the pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
- Do not attempt to cut the adhesive near the corners of the phone where the glass is curved or you risk cracking the glass panel.
- Leave your opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Slide the pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.
Do not attempt to cut the adhesive near the corners of the phone where the glass is curved or you risk cracking the glass panel.
Leave your opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 4
Heat the left edge
- Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the back cover for two minutes.
Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the back cover for two minutes.
Step 5
Separate the left edge adhesive
- Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.
- Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
- Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
- As the glass on this edge is curved, you won’t be able to insert this pick very far. As long as the very tip of the pick is underneath the glass’s edge, you will be able to proceed.
- Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts.
- If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
- You can try also applying a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol into the seam to help loosen the adhesive.
- Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.
Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.
As the glass on this edge is curved, you won’t be able to insert this pick very far. As long as the very tip of the pick is underneath the glass’s edge, you will be able to proceed.
Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts.
You can try also applying a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol into the seam to help loosen the adhesive.
Step 6
- Once the pick is underneath the glass’s edge, tilt it downward and insert it further to fully separate the back cover’s adhesive.
Once the pick is underneath the glass’s edge, tilt it downward and insert it further to fully separate the back cover’s adhesive.
Step 7
- Slide the pick towards the bottom edge of the phone to separate the back cover’s adhesive.
- Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass near the bottom of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Slide the pick towards the bottom edge of the phone to separate the back cover’s adhesive.
Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass near the bottom of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 8
- Insert another pick under the center of the left edge of the back cover.
- Gradually slide the pick towards the top of the device to separate the back cover’s adhesive.
- Take care when sliding across the ridge in the frame surrounding the volume and power buttons—the cutout in the glass may make it more prone to cracking.
- Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass near the top of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert another pick under the center of the left edge of the back cover.
Gradually slide the pick towards the top of the device to separate the back cover’s adhesive.
Take care when sliding across the ridge in the frame surrounding the volume and power buttons—the cutout in the glass may make it more prone to cracking.
Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass near the top of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 9
Heat the right edge
- Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover for two minutes.
- A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover for two minutes.
Step 10
Separate the right edge adhesive
- Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
- Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.
- Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
- Like with the previous edge, you will need to tilt the opening pick downward to fully insert it underneath the back cover.
Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
Like with the previous edge, you will need to tilt the opening pick downward to fully insert it underneath the back cover.
Step 11
- Slide the pick towards the bottom edge of the phone to separate the back cover’s adhesive.
- Leave your pick under the right edge of the glass near the bottom of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Leave your pick under the right edge of the glass near the bottom of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 12
- Insert another pick underneath the center of the right edge of the back cover.
- Gradually slide the pick towards the top of the device to separate the back cover’s adhesive.
- As you do this, the bottom edge of the back cover may release the three picks located there. If this occurs, set these picks aside as the bottom edge shouldn’t reseal from this point onward.
Insert another pick underneath the center of the right edge of the back cover.
As you do this, the bottom edge of the back cover may release the three picks located there. If this occurs, set these picks aside as the bottom edge shouldn’t reseal from this point onward.
Step 13
Heat the top edge
- Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back cover for two minutes.
Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back cover for two minutes.
Step 14
Separate the top edge adhesive
- The glass near the corners of the back cover is curved and very susceptible to cracking. Be gentle during this step to prevent damaging your back cover.
- Gradually slide the pick from the right edge of the device around the top right corner.
- Continue slicing along the top edge to fully separate the back cover adhesive.
- If the slicing becomes difficult at any point, stop and reapply heat before continuing.
The glass near the corners of the back cover is curved and very susceptible to cracking. Be gentle during this step to prevent damaging your back cover.
Gradually slide the pick from the right edge of the device around the top right corner.
Continue slicing along the top edge to fully separate the back cover adhesive.
If the slicing becomes difficult at any point, stop and reapply heat before continuing.
Step 15
Remove the back cover
- Lift the back cover slowly. Use opening picks to slice any remaining adhesive.
- Remove the back cover.
- During reassembly:
- This is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up.
- Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers. Apply heat if you’re having trouble separating the adhesive.
- If you’re using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
- If you’re using double-sided tape, follow this guide.
Lift the back cover slowly. Use opening picks to slice any remaining adhesive.
Remove the back cover.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up.
Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers. Apply heat if you’re having trouble separating the adhesive.
If you’re using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
If you’re using double-sided tape, follow this guide.
Step 16
Disconnect the wireless charging coil
- Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil connector.
- When you disconnect connectors like these, be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil connector.
When you disconnect connectors like these, be careful not to dislodge the small surface-mounted components surrounding the socket.
Step 17
Remove the wireless charging coil
- Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel the wireless charging coil away from the device.
- Remove the wireless charging coil.
- During reassembly, reconnect the wireless charging coil connector first to properly align it into place, then firmly press the rest of the coil down to adhere it.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel the wireless charging coil away from the device.
Remove the wireless charging coil.
During reassembly, reconnect the wireless charging coil connector first to properly align it into place, then firmly press the rest of the coil down to adhere it.
Step 18
Unfasten the motherboard bracket
- Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the motherboard bracket.
- Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the motherboard bracket.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Step 19
Remove the motherboard bracket
- Use a pair of tweezers to unclip and remove the motherboard bracket.
Use a pair of tweezers to unclip and remove the motherboard bracket.
Step 20
Disconnect the battery
- Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
Step 21
Unfasten the lower midframe
- Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker and lower midframe.
Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker and lower midframe.
Step 22
Remove the loudspeaker
- Insert the point of a spudger or a pair of tweezers into the notch in the top left corner of the midframe and pry up to release the clips holding it in place.
- Remove the loudspeaker and lower midframe.
Insert the point of a spudger or a pair of tweezers into the notch in the top left corner of the midframe and pry up to release the clips holding it in place.
Remove the loudspeaker and lower midframe.
Step 23
Disconnect the display cable
- Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable.
Step 24
Adhesive tip
- In the next several steps, you will heat and separate the black adhesive around the perimeter of the device.
- The adhesive surrounding the long edges of the device is thin and will only require you to insert the pick 5 mm to separate.
- Note that along the top edge of the phone, the adhesive runs significantly farther from the device’s edge. You will need to insert your pick deeper here to fully seperate the adhesive.
In the next several steps, you will heat and separate the black adhesive around the perimeter of the device.
The adhesive surrounding the long edges of the device is thin and will only require you to insert the pick 5 mm to separate.
Note that along the top edge of the phone, the adhesive runs significantly farther from the device’s edge. You will need to insert your pick deeper here to fully seperate the adhesive.
Step 25
Separate the perimeter adhesive
- Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the display for two minutes.
- A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the display for two minutes.
Step 26
- Apply a suction cup to the display glass, as close to the center of the top edge as possible.
- If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
- Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the display glass and the frame.
- Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap in the center of the earpiece speaker notch, working it downwards underneath the display.
- Ensure the pick slides over the front-facing camera and is not pushing against it.
- Due to the stubborn adhesive, this may take multiple attempts of reheating with the iOpener and lifting with the suction cup before you get it right.
- If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
- Leave your pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from reasealing.
Apply a suction cup to the display glass, as close to the center of the top edge as possible.
If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.
Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the display glass and the frame.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap in the center of the earpiece speaker notch, working it downwards underneath the display.
Ensure the pick slides over the front-facing camera and is not pushing against it.
Due to the stubborn adhesive, this may take multiple attempts of reheating with the iOpener and lifting with the suction cup before you get it right.
Leave your pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from reasealing.
Step 27
- Insert a second pick into the same gap and slide it to the top left corner of the display to slice the adhesive.
- Leave your opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert a second pick into the same gap and slide it to the top left corner of the display to slice the adhesive.
Step 28
- Insert a third pick into the center gap and slide it to the top right corner of the display to slice the adhesive.
- Leave your pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert a third pick into the center gap and slide it to the top right corner of the display to slice the adhesive.
Leave your pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 29
- Slide the center pick further into the device’s top edge to slice the adhesive surrounding the earpiece and front-facing camera.
- If the adhesive becomes difficult to separate, apply more heat and try again.
- Don’t insert the pick too far or you may lose the pick under the screen assembly.
- Remove the center pick.
Slide the center pick further into the device’s top edge to slice the adhesive surrounding the earpiece and front-facing camera.
If the adhesive becomes difficult to separate, apply more heat and try again.
Don’t insert the pick too far or you may lose the pick under the screen assembly.
Remove the center pick.
Step 30
- Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for two minutes.
Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for two minutes.
Step 31
- Insert an opening pick into the gap at the top right corner of the display.
- Slide the pick down to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive.
- Insert a pick underneath the center of the screen’s right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert an opening pick into the gap at the top right corner of the display.
Slide the pick down to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive.
Insert a pick underneath the center of the screen’s right edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 32
- When you slice the adhesive around the perimeter of the device, watch out for the sensitive areas of the screen near the USB-C port.
- There’s no thick adhesive in this area, so insert your pick no more than 5 mm into the gap.
When you slice the adhesive around the perimeter of the device, watch out for the sensitive areas of the screen near the USB-C port.
There’s no thick adhesive in this area, so insert your pick no more than 5 mm into the gap.
Step 33
- Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the display for two minutes.
Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the display for two minutes.
Step 34
- Insert a pick into the gap at the top left corner of the display.
- Slide the pick down to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.
- Insert a pick underneath the center of the screen’s left edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert a pick into the gap at the top left corner of the display.
Slide the pick down to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.
Insert a pick underneath the center of the screen’s left edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Step 35
Separate the interior adhesive
- In this step, you will apply isopropyl alcohol behind the screen to release the clear adhesive towards the bottom center of the device.
- Apply high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol behind the display as close to the clear adhesive (marked red) as possible.
- Tilt the device as you apply the alcohol to help it penetrate the adhesive underneath the lower portion of the display.
- After you apply the alcohol, continue tilting the bottom of the phone down for two to three minutes to help the alcohol penetrate further.
In this step, you will apply isopropyl alcohol behind the screen to release the clear adhesive towards the bottom center of the device.
Apply high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol behind the display as close to the clear adhesive (marked red) as possible.
Tilt the device as you apply the alcohol to help it penetrate the adhesive underneath the lower portion of the display.
After you apply the alcohol, continue tilting the bottom of the phone down for two to three minutes to help the alcohol penetrate further.
Step 36
- Slowly insert a spudger under the top edge of the screen to separate the clear adhesive.
- Insert the spudger until the clear adhesive is completely separated.
Slowly insert a spudger under the top edge of the screen to separate the clear adhesive.
Insert the spudger until the clear adhesive is completely separated.
Step 37
Remove the screen
- Remove the display from the frame.
- There still may be a small strip of adhesive at the bottom edge of the phone, but it should release easily.
- Take care to thread the display cable through the frame.
- During reassembly, you will need to insert the display cable through the frame cutout before pressing the display into place. Do not insert the display cable before the new screen adhesive is applied.
Remove the display from the frame.
There still may be a small strip of adhesive at the bottom edge of the phone, but it should release easily.
Take care to thread the display cable through the frame.
During reassembly, you will need to insert the display cable through the frame cutout before pressing the display into place. Do not insert the display cable before the new screen adhesive is applied.
Step 38
Remove the old adhesive
- Use tweezers to remove any remaining adhesive from the frame.
- Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to thoroughly clean the frame’s surface and prepare it for new adhesive. Wipe in one direction to avoid smearing.
- During reassembly, follow this guide to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.
Use tweezers to remove any remaining adhesive from the frame.
Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to thoroughly clean the frame’s surface and prepare it for new adhesive. Wipe in one direction to avoid smearing.
During reassembly, follow this guide to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.
After you’ve completed the repair, follow this guide to test your repair.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.
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Carsten Frauenheim
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