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Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to remove the glass back cover for replacement or to access the Samsung Galaxy S20’s internals.

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

What you need

  1. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Heat the bottom edge: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Unplug and power off your phone before you begin.

    • Heat an iOpener and apply it to the back cover's bottom edge 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.

    Edit

  2. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the bottom edge adhesive: step 2, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the bottom edge adhesive: step 2, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the bottom edge adhesive: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the bottom edge as possible.

    • If your display is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, very strong tape may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the broken screen.

    • Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.

    • Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

    • Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts of reheating with the iOpener and separating with the suction cup before you get it right.

    • If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.

    • Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.

    Edit

  3. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the pick back and forth along the bottom edge to slice through the adhesive.

    • Do not attempt to cut the adhesive near the corners of the phone where the glass is curved or you risk cracking the glass panel.

    • Leave your opening pick in the seam to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

    Edit

  4. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Heat the left edge: step 4, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  5. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the left edge adhesive: step 5, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the left edge adhesive: step 5, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the left edge adhesive: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the left edge as possible.

    • Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.

    • Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

    • As the glass on this edge is curved, you won't be able to insert this pick very far. As long as the very tip of the pick is underneath the glass's edge, you will be able to proceed.

    • Due to tight tolerances, this may take multiple attempts.

    • If you are having trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to the edge and try again.

    • You can try also applying a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol into the seam to help loosen the adhesive.

    • Do not apply excessive force with the pick, or you risk cracking the back cover glass.

    Edit

  7. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Once the pick is underneath the glass's edge, tilt it downward and insert it further to fully separate the back cover's adhesive.

    Edit

  8. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the pick all along the left edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.

    • Take care when sliding across the ridge in the frame surrounding the volume and power buttons—the cutout in the glass may make it more prone to cracking.

    • Leave your pick under the left edge of the glass near the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

    Edit

  9. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Heat the right edge: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Apply a heated iOpener to the right edge of the back cover 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.

    Edit

  10. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the right edge adhesive: step 9, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the right edge adhesive: step 9, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the right edge adhesive: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Apply a suction cup to the back of the phone, as close to the center of the right edge as possible.

    • Pull on the suction cup with strong, steady force to create a gap between the back cover and the frame.

    • Insert the point of an opening pick into the gap.

    • Like with the previous edge, you will need to tilt the opening pick downward to fully insert it underneath the back cover.

    Edit

  11. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the pick all along the right edge of the phone to separate the back cover's adhesive.

    • Leave your pick under the right edge of the glass near the top of the device to prevent the adhesive from resealing.

    • As you do this, the back cover may release one or both of the other picks and allow them to fall free. If this occurs, set the pick(s) aside as the bottom edge shouldn't reseal from this point onward.

    Edit

  12. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Heat the top edge: step 11, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  13. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the top edge adhesive: step 12, image 1 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the top edge adhesive: step 12, image 2 of 3 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Separate the top edge adhesive: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • The glass near the corners of the back cover is curved and very susceptible to cracking. Be gentle during this step to prevent damaging your back cover.

    • Gradually slide the pick from the right edge of the device around the top right corner.

    • Continue slicing along the top edge all the way to the top left corner to fully separate the back cover adhesive.

    • If the slicing becomes difficult at any point, stop and reapply heat before continuing.

    Edit

  14. Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 13, image 1 of 2 Samsung Galaxy S20 Back Cover Replacement, Remove the back cover: step 13, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Lift the back cover slowly. Use opening picks to slice any remaining adhesive.

    • Remove the back cover.

    • 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 if you're having trouble separating the adhesive.

    • If you're using custom-cut adhesives, follow this guide.

    • If you're using double-sided tape, follow this guide.

    Edit
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? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

17 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Tarun Thiruma

Member since: 11/20/19

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3 Comments

Cool, great advice

LIGE SIZEMORE - Reply

Did not work at all for me. Tried the iOpener many times and a hair dryer plus the suction cup but no luck. In the end I used an Exacto knife to just begin to gently break the glass cover in one spot, inserting no further than the glue edge and then twisting, and cracked the whole thing which thereafter I just peeled off in one minute and cut the adhesive as I went, since it was going to be thrown away when replaced with the new one. Perfect and quick.

liburt - Reply

Was easy for me because the backside was coming off anyways. (used desinfectant too often on my hands + phone).

I think the hyperlinks at the end are not right: they both lead to the same guide using pre cut tape.

Rolloblonsko - Reply

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