Introduction
Smartphone batteries will naturally degrade as you use your phone over a matter of years. This will cause the battery life to be shorter than it was when you first started using the phone. Use this guide to replace your Essential Phone's battery or to remove it to access other components of the phone.
Note: A verified replacement battery for the Essential Phone is currently hard to find, so keep that in mind when performing a battery replacement.
What you need
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Step 1 Display
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Power your phone off before you begin.
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If possible, drain the battery before disassembly. When the battery is charged, there's increased risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is overheated or damaged during repairs.
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If your display is cracked, completely cover it with packing tape to contain the glass shards and avoid injury.
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Step 2
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Heat the perimeter of the display to soften the adhesive securing it.
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If available, use a hot plate or heat pad. Place the Essential Phone face-down and heat it to 85° C for at least 15 minutes.
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Otherwise, use a heat gun to evenly heat the entire perimeter of the display until it's too hot to touch. Try to maintain a high temperature for 15-20 minutes—but beware that without exact control over the temperature, you can easily destroy the display.
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Wear heat-resistant anti-static gloves as needed to safely handle the phone after this step.
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Step 3
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In the following steps, you will separate the display panel and cover glass assembly from the Essential Phone's chassis.
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For reference, the back of the display panel is shown at left. Note the contours of the display panel. Tools can only safely be inserted into the camera notch at the top, and along the very thin (just over 1 mm) black bezel surrounding the display.
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Inserting tools at any other location risks permanent damage to the LCD.
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Step 4
Tool used on this step:
Heavy-Duty Suction Cups (Pair)
$14.95
Buy
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While the phone is still hot, apply a heavy-duty suction cup to the top half of the display.
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After positioning the suction cup, gently press down, and then close the handle to securely fasten the suction cup to the display surface.
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If your display is badly cracked, the suction cup may not adhere. Skip the next step below and use your blade to slice under the display as best you can.
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Step 5
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Pull on the suction cup handle to open a slight gap between the top edge of the display and the Essential Phone's titanium enclosure.
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You only need a very slight gap, but this may require a significant amount of force. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
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Step 6
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Insert a thin blade or pry tool into the camera notch at the top of the display.
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The gap where you can safely insert a tool is only about 5 mm wide. If you hit the LCD with your tool, you will damage it.
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Use your suction cup and blade or pry tool to widen the gap at the top of the display until you can insert a second tool under the glass, closer to the corner.
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Step 7
Tool used on this step:
Halberd Spudger
$2.99
Buy
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Insert a halberd spudger no more than 1 mm under the display, and cut the adhesive all along the top edge.
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The bezel surrounding the LCD panel is slightly over 1 mm deep. If you insert your tool any deeper, you can damage the display.
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Step 8
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Continue carefully separating the adhesive at the top corners and down both sides of the display.
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Do not insert your tool more than 1 mm.
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Do not pry or slice on the bottom edge yet. The display's FPC is folded under the bottom edge and may be damaged.
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Step 9
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Pull carefully on the suction cup to swing the top edge of the display away from the chassis.
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Leave the bottom edge connected for now; the glue will most likely continue to hold it in place.
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Step 10
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Carefully open the clamp on the suction cup to release the suction, and remove the suction cup.
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Step 11
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Swing the display open to about 90° and prop it up against something sturdy so it doesn't move while you work.
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An unopened soda or can of soup works well as a prop.
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If needed, gently add a rubber band to help secure the display.
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Step 12
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Use a Phillips #00 driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the display cable.
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Step 13
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Carefully slide a pick underneath the display cable to separate the adhesive securing it to the metal shield beneath.
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If necessary, add a little heat to soften the adhesive and make it easier to separate.
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The two adhesive pads securing the display cable are conductive and should be firmly re-adhered during assembly. If necessary, replace the pads.
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Step 14
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Use the point of a spudger to pry the display cable pop connector straight up from its socket.
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Step 15
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Use your halberd spudger to carefully separate any remaining adhesive along the bottom edge of the phone.
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Step 16
Tool used on this step:
Tesa 61395 Tape
$5.99
Buy
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Remove the display.
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Before installing the display, remove all traces of the old adhesive, then clean and prep the glued areas of the chassis and display (if you're re-using it) with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
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Connect the display and power on the Essential Phone to test your repair before sealing the display panel in place.
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You may re-secure the display with a strong double-sided adhesive tape, such as 1 mm Tesa 61395.
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Step 17 Battery
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Use a Phillips #000 driver to remove the six 3.4mm screws holding on the back panel.
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Step 18
Tool used on this step:
Tweezers
$4.99
Buy
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Use tweezers to carefully lift the back panel off of the phone.
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Make sure to only lift the panel from the rectangular space adjacent to the power button.
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Step 19
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Use a Phillips #000 screwdriver to remove the 2.4mm screw securing the battery clip over the battery connector.
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The battery clip should come off with the screw. If it doesn't, carefully remove it using tweezers.
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Using the tweezers carefully disconnect the battery from the motherboard.
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Step 20
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Pull off the two pieces of black adhesive tape on the battery.
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If the tape doesn't pull the battery out with it, use a spudger to carefully pry the battery from the phone.
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In this case, use the spudger to also separate any extra adhesive under the battery.
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Step 21
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Remove the battery from the phone.
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After reassembling the phone, force restart your phone to prevent potential software issues.
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Almost done!
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Conclusion
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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Author
with 8 other contributors
Seth Santa Maria
Member since: 04/18/19
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Cal Poly, Team S2-G7, Maness Spring 2019 Member of Cal Poly, Team S2-G7, Maness Spring 2019
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4 Comments
Is more glue needed when the display is put back in? The guide doesn’t mention that process.
Terry Cameron - Oct 1, 2019 Reply
Yes when you re-install the display you’ll need to add more adhesive as it destroy it during the removal process. They recommend using '''Tesa 61395 Tape (1mm)''' however I got away with using 2mm tape as it was all I had on hand and it worked just fine, however the application was a little difficult. I’d also recommend getting some small conductive tape for the display adhesive pads as well as the couple of conductive pads on the bottom of the battery.
Justin W - Dec 28, 2019
can you also do the putting it back guide pls
Deepa Patri (CONT) - Oct 22, 2020 Reply
Is there any possibility of paying you to do this procedure on my Essential phone? I'm local to you, I think, and would supply the battery.
Let me know how to get in touch.
Thanks!
Vincent - Sep 6, 2021 Reply