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Interconnect Cable Removal

Prerequisite Only
This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

Introduction

Prerequisite guide for removing both of the interconnect cables in the Samsung S23.

What you need

  1. Interconnect Cable Removal, Prepare your phone for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Prepare your phone for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  2. Interconnect Cable Removal, Heat the right edge: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • 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.

    Edit

  3. Interconnect Cable Removal, Insert an opening pick: step 3, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Insert an opening pick: step 3, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Insert an opening pick: step 3, image 3 of 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.

    Edit

  4. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the right adhesive: step 4, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the right adhesive: step 4, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the right adhesive: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  5. Interconnect Cable Removal, Heat the bottom edge: step 5, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  6. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the corner adhesive: step 6, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the corner adhesive: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a second pick at the bottom right corner.

    • Rotate the opening pick around the bottom right corner to separate the adhesive.

    Edit

  7. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the bottom adhesive: step 7, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the bottom adhesive: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the 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.

    Edit

  8. Interconnect Cable Removal, Heat the left edge: step 8, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  10. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the corner adhesive: step 9, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the corner adhesive: step 9, image 2 of 2

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

    Edit

  11. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the left adhesive: step 10, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the left adhesive: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  12. Interconnect Cable Removal, Heat the top edge: step 11, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  13. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the corner adhesive: step 12, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the corner adhesive: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Insert a fourth opening pick at the top left corner.

    • Rotate it around the top left corner to separate the adhesive.

    Edit

  14. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the top adhesive: step 13, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the top adhesive: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • 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.

    Edit

  15. Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the flash adhesive: step 14, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the flash adhesive: step 14, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Separate the flash adhesive: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  16. Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the back cover: step 15, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the back cover: step 15, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the back cover: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • 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.

    Edit

  17. Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the wireless charging coil: step 16, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the wireless charging coil: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the wireless charging coil press connector from the motherboard.

    • To re-attach press connectors, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

    Edit

  18. Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the NFC antenna: step 17, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the NFC antenna: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the NFC antenna press connector.

    Edit

  19. Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker screws: step 18, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker screws: step 18, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker screws: step 18, image 3 of 3

    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the thirteen 3.5 mm‑long screws securing the wireless charging coil and the loudspeaker:

    • Six screws securing the wireless charging coil

    • Seven screws securing the loudspeaker

    Edit

  20. Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker: step 19, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker: step 19, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • Insert the point of your spudger in the notch at the top left corner of the loudspeaker.

    • Pry up to unclip the loudspeaker from the frame.

    Edit

  21. Interconnect Cable Removal: step 20, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal: step 20, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Use your fingers to lift the loudspeaker away from the frame to fully separate it.

    • Remove the wireless charging coil and loudspeaker from the frame.

    • During reassembly, press around the perimeter of the loudspeaker to clip it to the frame.

    Edit

  22. Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the battery: step 21, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the battery: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of your spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.

    Edit

  23. Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the interconnect cables: step 22, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the interconnect cables: step 22, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal, Disconnect the interconnect cables: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Use your spudger to pry up and disconnect the primary and secondary interconnect cable press connectors from the daughterboard.

    Edit

  24. Interconnect Cable Removal: step 23, image 1 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal: step 23, image 2 of 3 Interconnect Cable Removal: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • Repeat the previous step for the primary and secondary interconnect cable connectors on the motherboard.

    Edit

  25. Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the interconnect cables: step 24, image 1 of 2 Interconnect Cable Removal, Remove the interconnect cables: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the interconnect cables.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 01/16/22

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