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Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra Screen Replacement

Complete guide to Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra screen replacement. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.

💰 Cost:$80 - $350
⏱️ Time:1-2 hours
🌍 CO₂ Saved:62 kg

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💰 Cost Breakdown

Parts$48 - $210
Labor$32 - $140
Total Estimated Cost$80 - $350

💡 Tip: Costs vary by location and repair shop. Authorized service centers typically charge more than independent repair shops.

🔧 Repair Overview

Screen Replacement is one of the most common repairs for Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. This repair involves replacing the damaged display component with a new or refurbished part. The process typically takes 1-2 hours and requires moderate skill level.

🔧 Required Tools

🔩 Replacement Parts

What You'll Need

  • Replacement display 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 bottom edge

Step 1 - Image 1

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.

Step 2: Separate the bottom edge adhesive

Step 2 - Image 1
Step 2 - Image 2

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

Step 3 - Image 1
Step 3 - Image 2

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

Step 4 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the back cover for two minutes.

Step 5: Separate the left edge adhesive

Step 5 - Image 1
Step 5 - Image 2

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.

Step 6:

Step 6 - Image 1
Step 6 - Image 2

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:

Step 7 - Image 1
Step 7 - Image 2

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:

Step 8 - Image 1
Step 8 - Image 2

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

Step 9 - Image 1

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.

Step 10: Separate the right edge adhesive

Step 10 - Image 1
Step 10 - Image 2

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.

Step 11:

Step 11 - Image 1
Step 11 - Image 2

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.

Step 12:

Step 12 - Image 1
Step 12 - Image 2

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.

Step 13: Heat the top edge

Step 13 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back cover for two minutes.

Step 14: Separate the top edge adhesive

Step 14 - Image 1
Step 14 - Image 2

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

Step 15 - Image 1
Step 15 - Image 2

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 [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers. Apply heat if you're having trouble separating the adhesive.

If you're using Samsung custom-cut adhesives, [guide|152862|follow this guide|new_window=true].

If you're using double-sided tape, [guide|113604|follow this guide.|new_window=true]

Step 16: Disconnect the wireless charging coil

Step 16 - Image 1
Step 16 - Image 2

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

Step 17 - Image 1
Step 17 - Image 2

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|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

Step 18 - Image 1

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the five 3.9 mm-long screws securing the motherboard bracket.

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 19: Remove the motherboard bracket

Step 19 - Image 1

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to unclip and remove the motherboard bracket.

Step 20: Disconnect the battery

Step 20 - Image 1
Step 20 - Image 2

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.

Step 21: Unfasten the lower midframe

Step 21 - Image 1

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

Step 22 - Image 1
Step 22 - Image 2

Insert the point of a spudger or a pair of [product|IF145-020|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

Step 23 - Image 1
Step 23 - Image 2

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable.

Step 24: Adhesive tip

Step 24 - Image 1
Step 24 - Image 2

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

Step 25 - Image 1

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 26:

Step 26 - Image 1
Step 26 - Image 2

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.

Step 27:

Step 27 - Image 1
Step 27 - Image 2

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.

Step 28:

Step 28 - Image 1
Step 28 - Image 2

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:

Step 29 - Image 1
Step 29 - Image 2

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:

Step 30 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the display for two minutes.

Step 31:

Step 31 - Image 1
Step 31 - Image 2

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:

Step 32 - Image 1

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:

Step 33 - Image 1

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the display for two minutes.

Step 34:

Step 34 - Image 1
Step 34 - Image 2

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

Step 35 - Image 1
Step 35 - Image 2

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:

Step 36 - Image 1
Step 36 - Image 2

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

Step 37 - Image 1
Step 37 - Image 2

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

Step 38 - Image 1
Step 38 - Image 2

Use [product|IF145-020|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, [guide|126585|follow this guide|new_window=true] to install custom-cut adhesives for your device.

📖 Repair guide provided by iFixit - The free repair manual. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

iFixit Difficulty: Difficult | Time: NaNh NaNm

DIY vs Professional Repair

✋ DIY Repair

  • ✅ Lower cost (parts only: $48-$210)
  • ✅ Learn new skills
  • ❌ Risk of further damage
  • ❌ No warranty
  • ❌ Requires tools and time

🔧 Professional Repair

  • ✅ Expert installation
  • ✅ Warranty included
  • ✅ Faster turnaround
  • ❌ Higher cost ($80-$350)
  • ❌ Need to find reputable shop

Environmental Impact

By choosing to repair your Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 62 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra generates 70 kg of CO₂, while this repair only produces about 8 kg of CO₂. That's a 89% reduction in carbon emissions!

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