Samsung Galaxy S23 Back Cover Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 3

Samsung Galaxy S23 Back Cover Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the back cover in your Samsung Galaxy S23.

Note: Retaining water resistance after the repair will depend on how well you reapply the back cover adhesive, but your device will lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Allow your phone's battery to drain below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery is a potential safety hazard. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
Unplug any cables from your phone.
Hold the side key and the volume down button, then select "Power off" to turn off your phone.

Step 2

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the back cover for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
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 susceptible to heat damage.

Step 3

Apply a suction handle to the back cover, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.
Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a gap between the cover and the frame.
If you have trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive. Follow the iOpener instructions to avoid overheating.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

When inserting the first pick, I partly cracked my backplate: if the opening is not long enough, inserting the pick puts vertical pressure on the backplate and it'll crack. I suggest slicing a few centimeters of glue before inserting the pick.

Stéphane L -

Step 4

Slide the pick back and forth along the right edge to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick inserted near the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Insert a second opening pick at the bottom right corner.
Rotate it around the bottom right corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 7

Slide your opening pick to the bottom left corner to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick in the bottom left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 8

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

Step 9

Rotate the opening pick around the bottom left corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 10

Insert a third opening pick at the bottom left corner.
Slide your pick toward the top left corner to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 11

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the back cover for two minutes.

Step 12

Insert a fourth opening pick at the top left corner.
Rotate it around the top left corner to separate the adhesive.

Step 13

Slide your opening pick to the top right corner to separate the adhesive.
Leave the pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

Step 14

There's a remaining patch of adhesive directly under the flash.
Line up the tip of an opening pick with the flash cutout.
Slide the opening pick under the top of the back cover until you feel it start to snag on the adhesive.
You should see the opening pick through the flash cutout.
Keep sliding the pick toward the bottom of the phone until you feel the adhesive completely separate from the back cover.
Avoid touching the rear cameras with your pick. Pushing against the lenses risks damaging them.

Step 15

Grab and remove the back cover.
If your cover is still sticking to the frame, slide an opening pick around the perimeter until the cover completely separates.
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 tweezers or your fingers. Apply heat and isopropyl alcohol (90% or greater) if you're having trouble removing the adhesive.
If you're using custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.
If you're using double-sided tape, follow this guide.

Just before removing the backplate, take care at the long ribbon cable (in white on the 2nd and 3rd photos, next to the black wireless charging patch). In my case, part of it was gently glued to the backplate for some reason, so double-check that you've separated it from the backplate before attempting to open it, or you might just rip the ribbon cable entirely. In my case, this was preventing me lifting the backplate for more than a few millimeters, and I'm glad I didn't force it before trying to understand exactly what was going on.

Stéphane L -

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—be sure to transfer remaining components and remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

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 Samsung Galaxy S23 Answers Community for troubleshooting help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

163004 Reputation

One comment

Why no illustrations on how to get it back together?

Reformed Stoic -