Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Vibration Motor Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          45 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

Back Cover
7 steps
NFC Antenna & Charging Coil Assembly
6 steps
How to Disconnect the Battery in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
1 step
Loudspeaker
3 steps
How to disconnect the Interconnect Cables in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
2 steps
Interconnect Cables
2 steps
How to remove the laser AF module and earpiece speaker assembly in a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
3 steps
How to remove the motherboard assembly in the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
6 steps
Vibration Motor
3 steps

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Introduction

This guide was performed on the SM-G998B/DS (international) model. Other models have an additional antenna cable sitting in the edge of the midframe.

Although it’s not necessary to remove the interconnect cables to replace the screen we advise doing so. It makes the required motherboard removal and the reassembly way easier.

If you do not replace the adhesive seals when reassembling, your device will function normally, but will most likely lose its water protection.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.

What you need

Step 1

              Heat the back cover

Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the back cover for at least three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
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.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the back cover for at least three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.

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.

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Step 2

              Insert an opening pick

Secure a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back cover, as close to the 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.
Lift the back cover with the suction handle to create a small gap between the back cover and the frame.
If you have trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
Insert an opening pick into the gap you created.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Secure a suction handle to the bottom edge of the back cover, as close to the 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.

Lift the back cover with the suction handle to create a small gap between the back cover and the frame.

If you have trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.

Insert an opening pick into the gap you created.

Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to slice the adhesive.

Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 3

              Slice the adhesive

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge of your phone.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom edge of your phone.

Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive.

Leave the opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 4

If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. Use your iOpener for two to three minutes to reheat it.
Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right corner of your phone.
Slide the opening pick along the right edge of your phone to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. Use your iOpener for two to three minutes to reheat it.

Insert a third opening pick at the bottom right corner of your phone.

Slide the opening pick along the right edge of your phone to slice the adhesive.

Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

When you slice near the camera assembly, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~ 4-5 mm) to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.
Insert a fourth opening pick underneath the top right corner of your phone.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

When you slice near the camera assembly, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~ 4-5 mm) to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.

Insert a fourth opening pick underneath the top right corner of your phone.

Slide the opening pick along the top edge to slice the adhesive.

Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 6

Insert a fifth opening pick underneath the top left corner.
Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the back cover to slice the remaining adhesive.
When you slice near the power button, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~ 3-4 mm) to avoid damaging the power and volume button flex cable.

Insert a fifth opening pick underneath the top left corner.

Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the back cover to slice the remaining adhesive.

When you slice near the power button, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~ 3-4 mm) to avoid damaging the power and volume button flex cable.

Step 7

              Remove the back cover

Remove the back cover.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers.
Use some high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to wipe away any adhesive residue.
If you’re using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
If you’re using double-sided tape, follow this guide.

Remove the back cover.

During reassembly:

This is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.

Remove any adhesive chunks with a pair of tweezers or your fingers.

Use some high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to wipe away any adhesive residue.

If you’re using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.

If you’re using double-sided tape, follow this guide.

Step 8

              Slice the adhesive

Insert an opening pick underneath the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
Carefully slide the opening pick along the bottom left edge of the assembly to separate it from the battery.

Insert an opening pick underneath the left bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Carefully slide the opening pick along the bottom left edge of the assembly to separate it from the battery.

Step 9

Insert an opening pick underneath the bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.
Carefully slide the opening pick along the bottom of the assembly to separate it from the loudspeaker.

Insert an opening pick underneath the bottom end of the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Carefully slide the opening pick along the bottom of the assembly to separate it from the loudspeaker.

Step 10

              Disconnect the charging coil

Use a spudger to disconnect the charging coil by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the charging coil by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 11

              Disconnect the NFC antenna

Use a spudger to disconnect the NFC antenna by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the NFC antenna by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 12

              Unfasten the NFC antenna & charging coil assembly screws

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Step 13

              Remove the NFC antenna & charging coil assembly

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Use a pair of tweezers or your fingers to carefully remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Step 14

              Disconnect the battery cable

Use a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 15

              Unfasten the loudspeaker assembly screws

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 3.9 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker assembly.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 3.9 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker assembly.

Step 16

              Pry up the loudspeaker assembly

Insert a spudger into the gap between the top edge of the loudspeaker assembly and the midframe.
Use your spudger to pry up the loudspeaker assembly by tilting it downwards.

Insert a spudger into the gap between the top edge of the loudspeaker assembly and the midframe.

Use your spudger to pry up the loudspeaker assembly by tilting it downwards.

Step 17

              Remove the loudspeaker assembly

Remove the loudspeaker assembly.
During reassembly apply new adhesive where it’s necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

Remove the loudspeaker assembly.

During reassembly apply new adhesive where it’s necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

Step 18

              Disconnect the display flex cable

If you’re not planning to remove the motherboard or to replace the battery, you can skip this step and continue with the next one.
Use a spudger to disconnect the display flex cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

If you’re not planning to remove the motherboard or to replace the battery, you can skip this step and continue with the next one.

Use a spudger to disconnect the display flex cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 19

              Disconnect the main & interconnect flex cables

Use a spudger to disconnect the main and interconnect flex cables from the motherboard by prying their upper connectors straight up from their sockets.

Use a spudger to disconnect the main and interconnect flex cables from the motherboard by prying their upper connectors straight up from their sockets.

Step 20

              Remove the interconnect flex cable

Use a spudger to disconnect the interconnect flex cable from the daughterboard by prying its bottom connector straight up from its socket.
Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the interconnect flex cable.

Use a spudger to disconnect the interconnect flex cable from the daughterboard by prying its bottom connector straight up from its socket.

Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the interconnect flex cable.

Step 21

              Remove the main flex cable

Use a spudger to disconnect the main flex cable from the daughterboard by prying its bottom connector straight up from its socket.
Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the main flex cable.

Use a spudger to disconnect the main flex cable from the daughterboard by prying its bottom connector straight up from its socket.

Use your fingers or a pair of tweezers to carefully remove the main flex cable.

Step 22

              Unfasten the earpiece and laser AF module assembly screws

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 3.9 mm-long screws securing the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the four 3.9 mm-long screws securing the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.

Step 23

              Disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker  flex cable

Use a spudger to disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cables by prying the connectors straight up from their socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the laser AF module and earpiece speaker flex cables by prying the connectors straight up from their socket.

Step 24

              Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly

Grab the bottom right corner of the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly with a pair of blunt nose tweezers and carefully lift it upwards.
Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.

Grab the bottom right corner of the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly with a pair of blunt nose tweezers and carefully lift it upwards.

Remove the earpiece speaker and laser AF module assembly.

Step 25

              Disconnect the in-display fingerprint and  antenna flex cables

Use a spudger to disconnect the in-display fingerprint and antenna flex cables by prying the connectors straight up from their socket.
Carefully bend both connectors to the side to free the motherboard.
Do not fold the cables sharply and only bend them to avoid cable damage.

Use a spudger to disconnect the in-display fingerprint and antenna flex cables by prying the connectors straight up from their socket.

Carefully bend both connectors to the side to free the motherboard.

Do not fold the cables sharply and only bend them to avoid cable damage.

Step 26

              Disconnect the front facing camera

Use a spudger to disconnect the front facing camera cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Use a spudger to disconnect the front facing camera cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 27

              Disconnect the power button flex cable

Use a spudger to disconnect the power button flex cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
Carefully bend the connector to the side to free the motherboard.

Use a spudger to disconnect the power button flex cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Carefully bend the connector to the side to free the motherboard.

Step 28

              Unfasten the camera module screw

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.9 mm-long screw securing the camera module.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 3.9 mm-long screw securing the camera module.

Step 29

              Pry up the motherboard

Avoid damaging the flex cables surrounding the motherboard during the following procedure.
Insert an spudger underneath the top edge of the motherboard next to the vibration motor.
Use your spudger to pry up the motherboard by tilting it downwards and twisting it to the side at the same time.

Avoid damaging the flex cables surrounding the motherboard during the following procedure.

Insert an spudger underneath the top edge of the motherboard next to the vibration motor.

Use your spudger to pry up the motherboard by tilting it downwards and twisting it to the side at the same time.

Step 30

              Remove the motherboard

Carefully remove the motherboard.
Avoid any abrupt movements during the removal and make sure none of the flex cables are entangled in the motherboard to avoid tearing them.

Carefully remove the motherboard.

Avoid any abrupt movements during the removal and make sure none of the flex cables are entangled in the motherboard to avoid tearing them.

Step 31

              Loosen the vibration motor adhesive

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen where the front facing camera is located for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath the vibration motor.
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.

Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen where the front facing camera is located for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath the vibration motor.

Step 32

              Pry up the vibration motor

Carefully insert one arm of a pair of tweezers underneath the vibration motor connector.
Use your tweezers to pry up the vibration motor.

Carefully insert one arm of a pair of tweezers underneath the vibration motor connector.

Use your tweezers to pry up the vibration motor.

Step 33

              Remove the vibration motor

Use your pair of tweezers to lift the vibration motor out of its recess and remove it.
During reassembly apply new adhesive where it’s necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

Use your pair of tweezers to lift the vibration motor out of its recess and remove it.

During reassembly apply new adhesive where it’s necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.

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 these instructions 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? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

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                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

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