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Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Home Button Repair

Complete guide to Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus home button repair. Cost estimates, difficulty level, time required, and environmental impact.

💰 Cost:$40 - $100
⏱️ Time:20-40 min
🌍 CO₂ Saved:65 kg

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💰 Cost Breakdown

Parts$24 - $60
Labor$16 - $40
Total Estimated Cost$40 - $100

💡 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 Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus. 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.

🔧 Required Tools

🔩 Replacement Parts

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: Heat the back cover

Step 1 - 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 2: Insert an opening pick

Step 2 - Image 1
Step 2 - Image 2

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

If the back cover is cracked, the suction handle may not stick. Try [https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4MmKE22Cy2MavVZU|lifting it with strong tape|new_window=true], or superglue the suction handle in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.

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 [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|iOpener|new_window=true] 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

Step 3 - Image 1
Step 3 - Image 2

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: Slice the adhesive

Step 4 - Image 1
Step 4 - Image 2

If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|new_window=true|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:

Step 5 - Image 1
Step 5 - Image 2

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:

Step 6 - Image 1
Step 6 - Image 2

Insert a fifth opening pick underneath the bottom 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

Step 7 - Image 1
Step 7 - Image 2

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 [product|IF145-020|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, [guide|124003|follow this guide|new_window=true].

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

Step 8: Slice the adhesive

Step 8 - Image 1
Step 8 - Image 2

Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with your tool—a punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a thermal event.

Be careful of the cable that runs beneath the charging coil. Work slowly and stop sliding the pick if it catches on the cable.

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:

Step 9 - Image 1
Step 9 - Image 2

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

Step 10 - Image 1
Step 10 - Image 2

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

Step 11: Disconnect the NFC antenna

Step 11 - Image 1
Step 11 - Image 2

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

Step 12 - Image 1

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

Step 13 - Image 1
Step 13 - Image 2

Use a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] or your fingers to carefully remove the NFC antenna and charging coil assembly.

Step 14: Disconnect the battery cable

Step 14 - Image 1
Step 14 - Image 2

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

Step 15: Unfasten the loudspeaker assembly screws

Step 15 - Image 1

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

Step 16: Pry up the loudspeaker assembly

Step 16 - Image 1
Step 16 - Image 2

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the top edge of the loudspeaker assembly and the midframe.

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

Step 17: Remove the loudspeaker assembly

Step 17 - Image 1
Step 17 - Image 2

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

Step 18 - Image 1
Step 18 - Image 2

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

Step 19: Remove the display flex cable

Step 19 - Image 1
Step 19 - Image 2

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

Use your fingers or a pair of [product|IF145-020|tweezers] to carefully remove the display flex cable.

Step 20: Loosen the display adhesive

Step 20 - Image 1

Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] to the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least 5 minutes.

The display adhesive of the Galaxy S21 Plus is extremely strong, and it's likely you need to reheat and reapply the iOpener several times before starting the display removal and during the removal procedure.

A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device.

Step 21: Insert an opening pick

Step 21 - Image 1
Step 21 - Image 2

Once the screen is warm to touch, apply a suction handle to the left edge of the screen and as close to the edge as possible.

If your screen is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, [link|https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4MmKE22Cy2MavVZU|very strong tape|new_window=true] may be used instead of the suction handle. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the screen.

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

Insert an opening pick into the gap between the midframe and the screen.

Slide the opening pick to the top left corner of the screen to slice its adhesive.

Only use the tip of the opening pick (~4-5 mm) during this procedure to avoid tangling with the in-display fingerprint cable or accidentally tearing it.

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

Step 22: Slice the adhesive

Step 22 - Image 1
Step 22 - Image 2

Insert a second opening pick at the top left corner and slide it to the bottom left corner of the screen to slice the adhesive.

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

Step 23:

Step 23 - Image 1
Step 23 - Image 2

When you slice near the front facing camera, insert only the tip of the opening pick (~2-3 mm) to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.

Insert a third opening pick at the top left corner of the screen.

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

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

Step 24:

Step 24 - Image 1
Step 24 - Image 2

If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|new_window=true|Use your iOpener] or heat gun for 1-2 minutes to reheat it.

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

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

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

Step 25:

Step 25 - Image 1
Step 25 - Image 2

Insert a fifth opening pick at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to slice the remaining adhesive.

Do not try to remove the display all the way yet. The display is still adhered to the midframe by adhesive underneath the center of the screen.

Step 26: Insert a plastic card

Step 26 - Image 1
Step 26 - Image 2

The Galaxy S21 Plus has adhesive [link|https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/e6f4HBRjpFTk6Vmy.full|underneath the center of the screen|new_window=true] that needs to be cut before removing the frame.

Insert a [product|IF145-101|plastic card] into the gap between the midframe and the display at a long edge of the phone.

Use the plastic card to slice the adhesive underneath the screen.

Step 27: Remove the screen

Step 27 - Image 1
Step 27 - Image 2

Remove the screen.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components from your old screen to your replacement part.

Apply new adhesive where it's necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).

During reassembly, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Pre-Cut+Adhesive+Sheet/113604|follow this guide|new_window=true] in case you're using a pre-cut adhesive card.

📖 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 Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus instead of replacing it, you're preventing approximately 65 kg of CO₂ emissions. Manufacturing a new Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus generates 67 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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