Google Pixel 4 Home Button Repair
Complete guide to Google Pixel 4 home button repair. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.
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💰 Cost Breakdown
💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.
🔧 Repair Overview
Home Button Repair is one of the most common repairs for Google Pixel 4. This repair involves replacing the damaged input component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 20-40 min and requires easy skill level.
What You'll Need
- Replacement input part (OEM or aftermarket)
- Precision screwdriver set (Phillips #000 or pentalobe)
- Opening tools (plastic spudger, suction cup)
- Adhesive strips or glue
- Clean workspace with good lighting
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Remove the SIM card tray
Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or a straightened paper clip into the small hole on the SIM card tray on the left edge of the phone.
Press firmly to eject the tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.
Step 2: Heat the back panel glass
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.
Step 3: Apply a suction cup
Apply a suction cup to the heated edge of the back panel by pressing down on it to create suction, as close to the edge as possible.
If your back glass 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 panel.
Step 4: Insert an opening pick
Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back panel and the frame.
Depending on the age of your phone, this may be difficult. If you are having trouble, apply more heat to the edge and try again.
Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.
Step 5: Begin to slice the adhesive
Slide the opening pick across the bottom towards the left corner to slice the adhesive.
With the pick still inserted, slide it from the bottom left corner over to the bottom right corner to completely slice the bottom side adhesive.
Leave the pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
Step 6: Slice the lefthand-side adhesive
Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the left edge of the phone for one minute.
Step 7:
Insert a second opening pick underneath the back panel directly over the charge port.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner of the phone.
Step 8:
Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and across the left side of the phone to slice the adhesive.
The adhesive can be very gummy. Push the pick in and out in a sawing motion to help with slicing.
Stop when you reach the top left corner, near the camera, and leave the pick inserted.
Step 9: Slice righthand-side adhesive
Prepare an iOpener and apply it on the right edge of the phone for one minute.
Step 10:
With the first two opening picks still in place, insert a third pick on the lower part of the righthand side.
Slide the opening pick up towards the top of the phone, slicing the right side's adhesive.
Stop when you reach the top right corner, and leave the pick inserted.
Step 11: Slice the top-side adhesive
Slide the third opening pick around the top right corner and across the top side of the phone, slicing the final strip of adhesive.
Step 12: Lift up the back panel
Once you have sliced around the perimeter of the phone, carefully lift the '''right edge '''of the back cover, opening it like a book.
Do not try to pull the panel all the way off yet, as it is still connected to the phone.
Step 13:
Continue swinging open the back panel until you can rest it on the left edge the phone, being careful not to put any stress on the attached ribbon cable.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your phone and test all functions before re-sealing the back panel. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
Step 14: Disconnect the battery
Remove the five T3 Torx screws securing the battery connector shield:
Four 4.0 mm screws
One 2.1 mm screw
Throughout this repair, [https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Magnetic-Project-Mat/IF145-167-4|keep track of each screw|new_window=true] and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Step 15:
Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to remove the battery connector shield.
Step 16:
Whenever you use the spudger near the battery, be very careful not to puncture the battery.
Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the battery connector straight up from the motherboard to disconnect the battery.
To re-attach [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Recognizing+&+Disconnecting+Cable+Connectors/25629#s70308|press connectors|new_window=true] like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.
Step 17:
Using the flat end of a spudger, gently fold the battery cable over so it doesn't accidentally make contact during the rest of your repairs.
Step 18: Disconnect the back panel connector
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 4 mm screws securing the back panel connector cover.
Step 19:
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the back panel connector cover.
Step 20:
Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry up and disconnect the back panel connector.
Step 21: Remove the back panel
Remove the back panel.
During reassembly, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Replace+the+Back+Panel+Adhesive+on+Your+Google+Pixel+4/154763|follow this guide|new_window=true] to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.
Step 22: Remove the adhesive strips
Pull on the yellow pull tab of the adhesive strip with steady force.
If the adhesive becomes hard to pull, you can [https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/oPj6hFLgBQdEdU3p.full|roll it around a spudger] and continue pulling.
Continue firmly pulling up on the adhesive strip with constant force. If you're using a spudger, spin it every so often to keep the exposed section of the pull tab as short as possible.
This may take a lot of force.
These adhesive pull tabs are very prone to snapping in half during this process. Pull as slowly as possible.
If the adhesive pull tabs are not stretching, fill a plastic dropper or syringe with high concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and apply a few drops under the left edge of the battery. Give the alcohol a minute to weaken the battery adhesive.
Continue this process for each of the three pull tabs, until all are either out or have snapped in half.
Step 23: Remove the battery
If the battery tabs snapped during removal, insert an opening pick on the upper right edge of the battery, slicing the adhesive underneath.
Even if you successfully removed all three adhesive pull tabs, using an opening pick to dislodge the battery may be helpful.
Don't insert the opening pick on or anywhere below the [https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PJK1RXUEONc5jZDF.full|grip sensor cable], as the pick can damage the charge port flex cable located underneath the battery.
Step 24:
Do not reuse the battery if it has been deformed or damaged, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Lift the battery up and away from the phone to remove it. You may need to peel the battery away from any leftover adhesive tabs.
If there's any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off with a lint-free cloth or allow it to air dry before installing your battery.
To install a replacement battery:
If you're using stretch release adhesive, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+To+Apply+Stretch+Release+Battery+Adhesive/137171|apply them onto the battery.] Otherwise, apply some [https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Tesa-61395-Tape/IF317-072-1|double-sided tape|new_window=true], or [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Pre-Cut+Adhesive+Sheet/113604|pre-cut adhesive strips|new_window=true] in the phone's battery well, being careful not to cover the charge port flex cable. Peel away any tape liners to expose the adhesive.
''Temporarily ''re-connect the battery's connector to the motherboard socket. This ensures that the battery is properly positioned.
Lay the battery in place and press firmly.
Disconnect the battery connector from its motherboard socket and resume re-assembly.
Step 25: Remove the screws securing the camera connector cover
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 4 mm screws securing the camera connector cover.
Step 26:
Using a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers], tilt the camera cover up and slide it out of the retaining slot on the upper right corner of the phone to remove.
Step 27: Disconnect the camera and sensor connectors
Using the pointed end of a spudger, pry the camera and sensor connectors straight up from the motherboard.
Step 28:
Disconnect the additional sensor connector.
Step 29: Remove the front-facing camera and sensor assembly
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.4 mm screws securing the front camera and sensor assembly.
Step 30:
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the front camera and sensor assembly.
Step 31: Remove the vibration motor cover
Remove the two T3 Torx screws securing the vibration motor cover:
One 4.2 mm screw
One 4.4 mm shouldered screw
Step 32:
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the vibration motor shield.
Step 33: Disconnect the motherboard press connectors
Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the two rear-facing camera connectors from the motherboard.
Disconnect the side buttons connector from the motherboard.
Step 34:
Disconnect the earpiece speaker connector from the motherboard.
Step 35:
Disconnect the left grip sensor connector from the motherboard.
Disconnect the charge port connector from the motherboard.
Step 36:
Disconnect the right grip sensor connector from the motherboard.
Disconnect the display connector from the motherboard.
Step 37:
Use a pair of tweezers to disconnect the antenna connector from the charging assembly by pulling it straight up from the motherboard.
Step 38:
Disconnect the bottom microphone connector from the motherboard.
Step 39: Remove the motherboard
Slowly lift out the motherboard, being careful not to snag any ribbon cable connectors.
The rear-facing camera module connectors loop around the motherboard, and the camera module is not secured to the phone, so it may lift out with the motherboard during this step.
Completely remove the motherboard.
When reinstalling the motherboard, check that no ribbon cable connectors are caught underneath.
Step 40: Remove the rear-facing camera module
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the rear-facing camera module.
Step 41: Remove the side button flex cable
Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to peel the side button flex cable off of the phone's frame. It is secured with some light adhesive.
Step 42:
Continue peeling the flex cable until it is no longer adhered to the back side of the phone.
Step 43:
Use a pair of tweezers to peel away the side button flex cable from the button bracket, on the inside edge of the phone's frame.
This process is destructive, so proceed with caution, and have a replacement part ready.
Continue to peel away the flex cable until it is no longer adhered to the button bracket.
Step 44:
With the side button flex cable peeled away from the button bracket, completely remove it.
The flex may come out in multiple pieces or rip, so make sure there's nothing left behind.
Step 45: Remove the button bracket
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.4 mm screws securing the button bracket to the frame.
Step 46:
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the button bracket.
Step 47:
The side button flex cable is adhered to both sides of the button bracket.
Using a pair of tweezers, peel away leftover flex cable that's adhered to the back side of the button bracket.
The cable is in multiple pieces, so make sure there's nothing left behind.
Remove any leftover adhesive before reinstalling a new grip sensor.
Step 48: Installing a new side button flex cable
When reinstalling a new side button flex cable, align the holes in the flex cable with the holes on the button bracket, remove the adhesive backings, and press to secure.
Don't install the new flex cable on the opposite side of the button bracket until you have screwed it back into the phone frame.
📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
iFixit Difficulty: Moderate | Time: NaNh NaNm
DIY vs Professional Repair
✋ DIY Repair
- ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $24-$60)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($40-$100)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your Google Pixel 4 instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 58 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new Google Pixel 4 generates 60 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 2 kg of CO₂. That's a 97% reduction in carbon emissions!
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