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OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to remove and replace the OnePlus 3’s volume and power button assembly. The assembly includes the buttons as well as the flex cable that connects them. The procedure requires major disassembly, removing both the battery and the motherboard to access the assembly.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

For your safety, discharge your battery below 25% before disassembling your phone. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair.

What you need

  1. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, SIM Card Tray: step 1, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, SIM Card Tray: step 1, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, SIM Card Tray: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Insert a SIM eject tool, bit, or straightened paperclip into the hole located between the SIM card slot and the power button.

    • Press firmly to eject the SIM card tray.

    • During reinstallation, make sure that the SIM card tray is properly oriented. It fits in only one direction.

    Edit

  2. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Back Cover: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 2.6 mm T2 screws from the bottom edge of the phone.

    Edit

  3. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • There is a high risk of damaging the display panel if this opening procedure is improperly followed.

    • The following three steps show how to pry the rear case from the plastic frame. Read through the steps first before attempting the procedure.

    • There are two different seams between the screen and the body of the phone:

    • Display panel seam: This seam is part of the display assembly. Do not pry at this seam, or you will separate and damage the display panel.

    • Frame seam: This is where the plastic frame meets the back cover. It is recessed into the back cover. Only pry at this seam.

    • There are fourteen clips that hold the frame against the rear case. Be aware of their location as you pry the back cover off in the following steps.

    Edit

  4. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • As you work, try not to accidentally power on the phone. If you do, turn the phone off before resuming disassembly.

    • Place a suction cup near the bottom edge of the display.

    • Pull on the suction cup with strong steady force.

    • Press the edge of an opening tool straight into the frame seam near the suction cup until the edge wedges between the plastic frame and the back cover's lip.

    • Due to tight tolerances, this will take substantial force. Using a new opening tool with an unmarred edge will help with this step.

    • Do not use metal tools, as they will most likely crack the screen.

    Edit

  5. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Once the opening tool's edge is wedged in position, carefully slide the tool along the bottom edge of the phone.

    • Carefully guide the opening tool around the left corner of the phone while keeping the tool's edge within the seam.

    Edit

  6. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Continue sliding the opening tool along the long edge, releasing the clips along the way.

    • The last clip in the top-left corner near the alert switch is recessed and can be difficult to release. Take your time and use the flat end of a spudger or an opening pick to help.

    Edit

  7. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • With the bottom and left edge of the phone freed, gently wiggle the frame to release the top and right edge clips.

    • Lift the screen up and remove it.

    • During reassembly, pause here to test your phone's functionality before securing the back cover.

    • To reinstall the back cover:

    • Align the top edge of the frame to the back cover and ensure that the top clips slip into place.

    • Squeeze along the long edges of the phone to snap the remaining clips into place.

    Edit

  8. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, OnePlus 3 Battery Disconnect: step 8, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, OnePlus 3 Battery Disconnect: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery connector from its socket, located above the top right corner of the battery pack.

    • Bend the connector away from the socket to prevent accidental contact.

    • 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.

    Edit

  9. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, OnePlus 3 Interconnect Cable Disconnect: step 9, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, OnePlus 3 Interconnect Cable Disconnect: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the 3 mm Phillips screw securing the cable bracket.

    • Remove the cable bracket.

    Edit

  11. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the interconnect flex cable from the motherboard, which is located above the battery.

    • Repeat the process to disconnect the daughterboard flex cable from the motherboard.

    Edit

  12. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 11, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Battery: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the interconnect flex cable from the daughterboard, which is located below the battery.

    Edit

  13. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the interconnect flex cable.

    • Carefully bend the still-attached daughterboard flex cable away from the battery.

    • During reassembly, make sure that the Main labeled connector connects to the motherboard. The Sub connector will fit the motherboard socket but it will cause your phone to malfunction.

    Edit

  14. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use the opening tool to push any adhesive tape holding the battery to the edge of the plastic frame. There should be at least one on each battery side.

    • Be careful not to puncture the battery pack with the tool.

    Edit

  15. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the clear pull tab up from the battery.

    Edit

  16. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Brace the phone frame against the table.

    • Using a strong, steady force, pull the clear pull tab upwards until the battery loosens from its recess.

    • If you are having a hard time, apply some high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol along the battery seam to help weaken the adhesive.

    • Swing the battery completely out of its recess and pull off of any remaining adhesive.

    Edit

  17. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tesa 61395 Tape
    $5.99
    Buy

    • Remove the battery and any remaining adhesive residue on the frame.

    • Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed. Reusing a battery that is bent or otherwise stressed is a potential safety hazard.

    • If your replacement battery did not come with a pull tab, you can transfer the old tab to the new battery to help with subsequent replacements.

    • While installing a new battery, temporarily connect the battery to the phone to ensure proper battery alignment.

    • To install a new battery onto an existing frame, remove some adhesive strips from a pre-cut adhesive card, or cut some strips from a roll of Tesa tape, and stick them in the highlighted area.

    • If you are installing a battery onto a new screen and digitizer assembly, be sure to peel off the orange adhesive liner to expose the battery adhesive for the new battery.

    Edit

  18. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Motherboard: step 17, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Motherboard: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the point of a spudger underneath the antenna interconnect cable located at the bottom left corner of the motherboard.

    • Pry up and disconnect the antenna interconnect cable.

    Edit

  19. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display connector from its socket on the motherboard.

    Edit

  20. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the seven Phillips screws securing the motherboard to the frame:

    • Four 3 mm black screws

    • Three 2.9 mm silver screws

    • Some of these screws may be covered by stickers. Remove the stickers to access the screws.

    Edit

  21. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Make sure you have ejected the SIM tray before performing this step.

    • The motherboard is still held in place near the top by clips.

    • Slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the top left corner of the motherboard.

    • Twist the spudger and pry up to release the motherboard from its recess.

    Edit

  22. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the motherboard.

    • During reinstallation, be careful not to trap any flex cables or antenna cables underneath the motherboard.

    Edit

  23. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Power and Volume Button Assembly: step 22, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement, Power and Volume Button Assembly: step 22, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Electrical Tape in 6 Assorted Colors
    $9.99
    Buy

    • Try not to tear the black tape pieces so that you can reuse them during re-assembly. If you do tear the tape, replace them with pieces of electrical tape.

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and remove the black tape covering the volume buttons on the right edge of the phone.

    • Repeat the process with the black tape covering the power button on the left edge of the phone.

    Edit

  24. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 3 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 23, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tesa 61395 Tape
    $5.99
    Buy

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to gently push the volume button board away from the frame.

    • If the volume button board begins to bend significantly, stop and pry from a different angle.

    • Continue prying until you loosen the volume button board from the frame.

    • To reinstall the volume button board, cut a small piece of adhesive from the pre-cut adhesive card or a roll of Tesa tape, and use it to stick the board back onto the frame.

    Edit

  25. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Tesa 61395 Tape
    $5.99
    Buy

    • Use the point of a spudger to pry and loosen the power button from the left edge of the frame.

    • To reinstall the power button, cut a small piece of adhesive from the pre-cut adhesive card or a roll of Tesa tape, and use it to stick the button back onto the frame.

    Edit

  26. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Squeeze the tweezer tips together and insert the point underneath the rectangular contact pad near the top left edge of the frame.

    • Pry upwards to loosen the contact pad from the frame.

    Edit

  27. OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 2 OnePlus 3 Power and Volume Button Assembly Replacement: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the volume flex cable upwards from its position, removing it from its groove.

    • Remove the volume and power button assembly.

    • If you are transferring the assembly to a new screen and digitizer, remove the blue adhesive liner on the replacement frame and press the cable onto the exposed adhesive.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our OnePlus 3 Answers community for troubleshooting help.

11 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Arthur Shi

Member since: 01/03/18

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