Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Screen Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 1

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Screen Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a cracked or damaged screen on your Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G.

The screen may need to be replaced if it's not responding to touch, has dead pixels or discoloring, or has been cracked and damaged.

Some replacement screens come pre-installed in a new frame (a.k.a. chassis), requiring you to transplant all your device's internals instead of just replacing the screen. That's a different procedure from what's shown in this guide. Make sure your new screen looks frameless before starting this repair.

The screen is secured to the frame with very strong adhesive. Because of this, the removal process will completely destroy your old screen.

You’ll need replacement adhesive for the back cover and screen to reassemble your device.

Tools

Step 1

Before you begin, let your battery drain below 25%—a charged lithium-ion battery can be dangerous if accidentally punctured.
Power off your phone and unplug any cables.

Step 2

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the bottom edge of the back cover for two minutes.
You can also use a hair dryer—but be careful, as extreme heat will warp the back cover.

Step 3

Apply a suction cup to the center of the back cover's bottom edge, as close to the edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a gap between the cover and frame.
This will require significant force. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
Insert an opening pick in the gap.

Step 4

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to slice the adhesive securing the back cover.
Leave the opening pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover for two minutes.
You can also use a hair dryer—but be careful, as extreme heat will warp the back cover.

Step 6

Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and all the way up the right edge to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick inserted in the top right corner.

Step 7

Apply a heated iOpener to the top edge of the back cover for two minutes.
You can also use a hair dryer—but be careful, as extreme heat will warp the back cover.

Step 8

Slide the opening pick around the top right corner and along the top edge to slice the adhesive.
Leave the pick inserted in the top left corner.

Step 9

Apply a heated iOpener to the left edge of the back cover for two minutes.
You can also use a hair dryer—but be careful, as extreme heat will warp the back cover.

Step 10

Slide the opening pick around the top left corner and all the way down the left edge to slice the remaining adhesive.

Step 11

Remove the back cover.
If the back cover is still stuck to the frame, slide an opening pick around the perimeter to separate any remaining adhesive.

Step 12

During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your device and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power it back down completely before you continue working.
If you're reinstalling your old back cover:
Use tweezers or your fingers to peel off the old adhesive from the back cover and frame.
Use highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) and a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining adhesive residue.
Follow this guide to apply new custom-cut adhesive.
If you're installing a new back cover, peel off the liners and press firmly around the perimeter to secure the back cover to the frame.

Step 13

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the nine 4 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.

Step 14

Insert a pick under the bottom right edge of the motherboard cover.
Twist the pick to release the clips securing the cover.
Insert and twist the opening pick on the bottom left edge of the cover to release the remaining clips.
During reassembly, press down firmly around the perimeter of the motherboard cover to engage the clips.

Step 15

Reposition the motherboard cover so you can access the battery press connector on the bottom edge of the motherboard.

Step 16

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector from the motherboard.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 17

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable press connector from the charging board.

Step 18

Place the back cover on the frame to protect your phone's internal components during the rest of the screen removal process.

Step 19

Flip your phone over and use a hair dryer to heat the top edge of the screen.
You can also use a heat gun, or hot plate—but be careful, as extreme heat will warp the back cover and can damage the battery.

Step 20

Apply a suction cup to the center of the screen's top edge, as close to the edge as possible.
If your screen is badly cracked, cover it with a layer of clear packing tape to help the suction cup adhere. Alternatively, you can pull using very strong tape instead of a suction cup. If all else fails, try supergluing the suction cup to the broken screen.
Insert a Jimmy in the earpiece speaker cutout at a downward angle.
Pull up on the suction cup with strong, steady force while simultaneously prying up with the Jimmy until the Jimmy slides under the digitizer.
Significant force is required on the suction handle—you don't need to pry hard with the Jimmy. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.

Step 21

Insert an opening pick in the gap created by the Jimmy.
Remove the Jimmy.

Step 22

Slide the opening pick around the perimeter of the phone to slice the adhesive securing the digitizer.

Step 23

Remove the digitizer.

Step 24

Apply a heated iOpener to the middle of the LCD panel for two minutes to heat the adhesive securing it to the frame.
You can also use a hair dryer—but be careful, as extreme heat will warp the back cover and can damage the battery.

Step 25

Removing the LCD panel will cause glass shards to fly onto your workspace. To protect yourself:
Tape over the LCD panel to keep glass shards contained.
Wear safety glasses and protective gloves.
Have a clean workspace ready and be prepared to dispose of glass.

Step 26

Lift the bottom edge of the LCD panel and guide the screen cable out of the bottom left side of the frame.

Step 27

Glass will be dispersed over your workspace during this step.
Slowly peel the LCD panel from the frame.
Carefully remove any glass that's left on the frame.

Step 28

During reassembly:
Use tweezers and a spudger to remove any screen adhesive from the perimeter of the frame.
Use high‑concentration isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth to clean any remaining adhesive from the perimeter of the frame.
If you have custom‑cut screen adhesive, carefully apply it to the frame—before applying the adhesive, use the cutouts in the liner and the contours of the frame's perimeter to find its proper orientation.
If your screen comes with replacement adhesive pre‑installed, remove the liners.
Thoroughly check your replacement screen for any remaining liners or tape and remove them. Specifically, check around the front camera and fingerprint sensor areas.
Carefully thread the screen cable through its cutout near the bottom left corner and lay the screen onto the frame.
Press firmly around the perimeter of the screen to secure it with the adhesive.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

95583 Reputation

One comment

What screen do you recommend for the replacement?

Felix Thomson -