Google Pixel 9 Rear Camera Module Replacement

Written By: Carsten Frauenheim

Comments: 0

Google Pixel 9 Rear Camera Module Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

This repair guide was authored by the iFixit staff and hasn’t been endorsed by Google. Learn more about our repair guides here.

Use this guide to replace the rear camera module—containing both the wide and ultrawide cameras—in your Google Pixel 9.

If your photos appear distorted, blurry, or the camera just doesn’t function, it might be time to replace the rear cameras.

You'll need replacement back glass and autofocus sensor adhesives to complete this repair.

Note: Any repair can compromise the water resistance of your phone. Retaining water resistance after the repair will depend on how well you reapply the rear cover adhesive.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Let your Pixel's battery drain below 25% before starting this repair. A charged lithium‑ion battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables from your phone.
Completely power off your phone.
Press the power and volume up buttons at the same time to bring up the shutdown menu.

Step 2

Adhesive secures the perimeter of the back glass to the frame.
When separating the adhesive, don't insert your tool more than 3 mm under the back glass to avoid damaging the internal components.
To help, measure and mark 3 mm from the tip of an opening pick with a permanent marker.
If your screen or back glass is badly cracked, a suction cup may not perfectly adhere.
Lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the glass to protect yourself and make disassembly easier. Ensure there's a smooth area near the bottom edge that's large and smooth enough for a suction cup to stick to.

Step 3

Place a suction handle at the bottom edge of the back glass, as close to the edge as possible.
Push down to attach the suction cup.

Step 4

Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a small gap under the back glass.
Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap.

Step 5

Slide the opening pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive securing it.
Remember: don't insert the opening pick deeper than 3 mm.

Step 6

Slide the opening pick around the perimeter of the phone, slicing the rest of the adhesive.

Step 7

With most of the adhesive separated, lightly twist the opening pick at the bottom edge to lift the back glass up until you can grip it with your fingers.
Use the opening pick to separate any remaining sections of adhesive securing the back glass.

Step 8

Remove the back glass.
During reassembly:
Now is a good time to test your phone before sealing it up. Power it on and check that it works. Power it back down before you continue reassembly.
Follow this guide to apply new adhesive and install your back glass.

Step 9

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Pixel 9 uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits also work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a 3IP Torx Plus driver to remove the single 5.4 mm‑long screw securing the upper board cover.

Step 10

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the upper board cover.

Step 11

Use a 3IP Torx driver to remove the five screws securing the midframe and wireless charging coil:
Four 5.4 mm-long screws
One 2.2 mm-long screw

Step 12

Use a pair of tweezers to peel the flash cable off of the metal midframe.

Step 13

Remove the midframe, wireless charging coil, and NFC assembly.

Step 14

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

Step 15

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the 5G mmWave antenna's press connector.

Step 16

Remove the 5G mmWave antenna.
A small flex cable attaches to the back of the antenna with a press connector. You may need to reconnect it if it falls off.
During reassembly, insert the antenna so it's between the frame and the small metal bracket near the top right corner.

Step 17

Use a 3IP Torx Plus driver to remove the 5.4 mm-long screw securing the antenna board cover.

Step 18

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the antenna board cover.

Step 19

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the autofocus connector from the motherboard.

Step 20

Insert one arm of a pair of angled tweezers under the metal neck of the antenna board's coaxial antenna cable.
Lift straight up to disconnect the antenna.

Step 21

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the front camera press connector.

Step 22

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the top two interconnect cable press connectors from the bottom edge of the motherboard.

Step 23

Remove the two screws securing the motherboard:
One 2.9 mm-long 3IP Torx Plus screw
One 5 mm-long standoff screw

Step 24

Insert the tip of a spudger underneath the bottom right corner of the motherboard.
Lift up with the spudger to dislodge the motherboard.
Lift the motherboard up until you can grip it with your fingers.

Step 25

Remove the motherboard.

Step 26

During reassembly:
Check the condition of the logic board thermal pad—it will either be on the bottom of the logic board or on the frame.
If the pad is undamaged, skip the rest of this step.
If the pad is damaged, use the flat end of a spudger to scrape it up and remove it.
Use isopropyl alcohol (greater than 90%) and a microfiber cloth to remove all thermal pad residue from the frame and bottom of the logic board.
Apply a new thermal pad to its spot on the frame.

Step 27

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the flash connector from the motherboard.

Step 28

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the wide camera.

Step 29

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the ultrawide camera.

Step 30

Remove the rear camera module from the motherboard.

Step 31

Only the motherboard remains.

Step 32

Check if there's an autofocus sensor pre‑installed on the top of your replacement rear cameras. If there isn't, follow the remaining steps to remove and transfer the sensor from your old cameras.
Use a pair of tweezers to gently peel the autofocus and flash assembly off of the rear camera module, being very careful not to damage the cable or press connectors.
If you're having trouble, use an iOpener or hair dryer to lightly heat the sensor.
Only the rear camera module remains.

Step 33

Use a spudger and tweezers to remove the two pieces of adhesive from the bottom of the LDAF and flash module.
Remove the larger clear liners from one of the flash module adhesives.
Place the adhesive into place on the bottom of the module and press down firmly with the flat end of a spudger to secure the adhesive.
Repeat the process to apply the other piece of flash adhesive.
Remove the two remaining blue liners.

Step 34

Be very careful not to touch the camera lenses during this step. If you accidentally do, wipe them with a clean microfiber or lint‑free cloth.
If your replacement rear cameras have protective caps or liners, remove them.
Carefully lay the sensor over the rear camera and press it into place, securing it with the adhesive.
The side with the longer cable should be over the smaller camera.