Follow this guide to replace the loudspeaker module for the Google Pixel XL.
The Pixel XL’s unreinforced display panel is fragile and is attached to the frame with strong adhesive, making repairs difficult. There is a considerable chance of breaking the display, especially if it already has micro-fractures. Be sure to apply plenty of heat and be extremely careful during the prying stage.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the display for two minutes.
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.
Take note of the following regions before you begin prying:
Thin adhesive lined against the display panel
Thick adhesive
The OLED display panel, which is very prone to damage
The display cable, which can be damaged during prying
Slide the opening clip across the top edge to slice through the adhesive.
Be sure not to cut deeper than 13 mm (0.5 inches) or you will damage the display.
There's a mesh covering the earpiece speaker on the top edge of the screen. If you don’t have a replacement mesh, take care not to damage or lose this component.
Leave an opening pick in the edge to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display cable from its connector.
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. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.
For comprehensive instructions on how to reinstall the Pixel XL display, follow this guide.
If your replacement display did not come with a speaker grille, use tweezers to gently peel the adhesive grille from your old display, and transfer it to the replacement.
Before installing a new display, be sure to remove all traces of adhesive from the frame. Use a spudger or an opening tool to scrape it off, and use high-concentration isopropyl alcohol to remove any residue.
If you are reinstalling the same display assembly, be sure to remove all adhesive residue from the panel and the frame before applying new adhesive.
Be sure to turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.
During the boot-up process after reassembly, the screen will go through a calibration sequence. Do not touch the screen during this process, as it could result in improper touch calibration and create touch issues.
Insert a separate opening pick into the right edge of the phone, near the bottom.
Slowly push the pick upwards along the seam until the first clip pops free.
Due to the tight tolerances, this may be difficult, requiring a substantial amount of force. If you are having trouble, try inserting and sliding a playing card.
Once you've released the clip, leave the opening pick in place to prevent the midframe from resealing.
Grasp the right edge of the midframe by the corners and slowly hinge the edge up.
When the left edge feels loose, stop hinging and lift the midframe upwards.
Remove the midframe.
To reinstall the midframe, align it to the case, then squeeze around the perimeter until all the clips snap back into position. When properly done, the midframe should lie flat.
Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable from the motherboard.
To reconnect during reinstallation, align the cable with the socket and use your finger to press down on one side, followed by the other. If done correctly, the cable should be firmly held in place by the socket.
Slowly lift the left edge of the daughterboard up, pulling the antenna patch off of the loudspeaker.
You can insert an opening pick under the antenna patch to help separate it from the loudspeaker.
If the antenna patch begins to rip, stop pulling. Heat an iOpener, apply it to the corner for a minute, and use an opening pick to help remove it from the loudspeaker.
Insert the point of a spudger under the loudspeaker flex cable and pry gently to loosen it from the frame.
During reinstallation, make sure that the loudspeaker flex cable is properly seated using the alignment notches. If it is not properly aligned, the loudspeaker will not work.
I installed a new battery and screen and now the loadspeaker does not work. I never removed the daughterboard so I'm not sure what I did to cause it not to work. Is there anything else to try before I take it back apart?
Does the vibration motor still work? Does it charge properly? The first thing I would check is to re-seat both ends of the wide ribbon which connects the motherboard to the daughterboard. Make sure there are no particulates in the sockets.
You can test the phone without the midframe installed—the earpiece speaker just won’t work as it’s attached to the loudspeaker. If you do, be careful not to short anything!