Samsung Galaxy S10 Back Glass Replacement
Complete guide to Samsung Galaxy S10 back glass replacement. 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
Back Glass Replacement is one of the most common repairs for Samsung Galaxy S10. This repair involves replacing the damaged housing component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 1-3 hours and requires difficult skill level.
What You'll Need
- Replacement housing 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: Heat the back cover
Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.
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.
As you wait, take a look at the image of the removed back cover and take note of where the adhesive is located.
Step 2: Create an opening gap
Rest the heated right edge of the phone on something that is about 0.5 inches (13 mm) thick. This angles the phone for the opening tool.
Brace the left edge of the phone with your fingers so that the phone won't slide. Pull on the suction cup with firm pressure.
Press the edge of an opening tool into the seam between the back cover and the frame.
With the opening tool in place in the seam, slide it back and forth along the seam to loosen the back cover.
Step 3: Insert an opening pick
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the same edge of the phone for two minutes.
Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible ([https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/D5lNQoWPOgOCEAPO.full|where the adhesive is narrowest|new_window=true]).
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 and strong adhesive, multiple attempts may be necessary to create a gap for the opening pick.
If you are having trouble creating a gap, the adhesive isn't weakened enough. Make sure you have heated the edge until just barely too hot to touch try this step again.
You can try 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 will risk cracking the back cover glass.
Step 4: Slice through the adhesive
Slide the opening pick along the edge of the phone, slicing through the adhesive.
Do not attempt to slice the adhesive holding the corners down before applying heat. If you do, you may crack the back cover.
Leave a pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
Step 5:
Apply a heated iOpener to the bottom edge of the phone for two minutes.
Insert an opening pick into the right edge near the bottom right corner.
Carefully slide the pick around the corner. Continue cutting along the bottom edge and around the bottom left corner.
If the cutting feels difficult, re-apply heat to the edge before continuing.
Leave an opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.
Step 6:
Continue heating and slicing around the remaining edges of the phone.
When cutting around corners, be sure that the corner is thoroughly heated.
Step 7:
Once you have sliced around the phone, twist an opening pick in one of the edges to help separate the back cover from the frame.
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 you seal the back cover in place. Be sure to power your phone back down completely before you continue working.
If desired, you may reinstall the back cover without replacing the adhesive. Remove any large chunks of adhesive that might prevent the back cover from sitting down flush. After installation, heat the back cover and apply pressure to secure it.
📖 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: $42-$108)
- ✅ Learn new skills
- ❌ Risk of further damage
- ❌ No warranty
- ❌ Requires tools and time
🔧 Professional Repair
- ✅ Expert installation
- ✅ Warranty included
- ✅ Faster turnaround
- ❌ Higher cost ($70-$180)
- ❌ Need to find reputable shop
Environmental Impact
By choosing to repair your Samsung Galaxy S10 instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 59 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new Samsung Galaxy S10 generates 65 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 6 kg of CO₂. That's a 91% reduction in carbon emissions!
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