Galaxy A7 (2018) - Replacing the screen

1. Turn off your device by holding down the power button until the “Power off” option appears.
2. Use your finger to confirm that you want to shut down your Galaxy A7 and wait until the screen goes blank.

In this step we show you a Galaxy S8, but switching it off works the same on the Galaxy A7.

1. Use the SIM tool to eject the SIM tray from your device and then remove the tray with your fingers.

1. The back cover’s really glued to the chassis. Heat the device evenly with hot air to soften the glue. A temperature of 60 - 80°C should be sufficient. As a rule of thumb, you should still be able to touch your device without it being uncomfortably hot.
2. The easiest way to loosen the back cover is to use a flat and flexible tool such as the iPlastix or iFlex. You will also need several picks to unstick the back cover all around.
3. Heat the spot where you start and place a flat tool between the back cover and the frame.

The iPlastix is made of plastic, so it won't scratch the device. On the other hand, it's very soft and tricky to insert.

Be extra careful, the back cover can break very easily. If necessary, apply the heat several times and try again. Removing the back cover might take half an hour. Take a little more time and work carefully to make sure you don't break anything.

1. Once the tool is inserted, stick a pick into the gap to keep it open. Then run the tool around the entire edge to gradually loosen the glue.
2. Then heat the next part and insert the picks one by one.

• 15 × 4,0 mm Phillips

Next, remove the middle frame of the Galaxy A7.

1. First loosen the Phillips screws of the same length, which are distributed all over the device.

Note that screws can be covered by adhesive residue.

1. Then turn the device over and slide a plectrum between the display and the center frame.
2. Move around the entire display once until it comes loose everywhere.
3. Turn the device around again and lift off the middle frame.
4. Also remove the plastic cover in the lower area.

• Battery connector

1. Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the battery contact from the motherboard.

Always lever from a side where there are no small components on the motherboard. This avoids unintentional damage to capacitors or ICs.

• Display connector

1. Carefully separate the connector of the display with a plastic spudger.

The display of the Samsung Galaxy A7 is firmly glued. To loosen it, it must be heated constantly with a hot air gun so that the adhesive becomes soft and detachable. Then you have to push a tool like the iFlex or iSesamo into the gap between the frame and the display to loosen the glue.

1. Especially heat the place where you start.
2. Insert the iFlex or another thin tool between the display glass and the plastic frame.
3. Pull the iFlex along the edge to gradually detach the display.
4. Loosen the adhesive all around and insert flat plastic picks into the gap to prevent the display from bonding back to the frame.
5. Try to dissolve glass and display together. The display may break. Gradually heat up all areas that are more difficult to remove.

If the glass splinters too much, you can also tape it. This prevents flying glass splinters.

1. Now lift the display carefully and fold it downwards.
2. Lead the flex cable through the opening and finally remove the defective display.

After this step, clean your workplace carefully to prevent glass splinters from scratching your new display or the rear glass.

Before installing and re-gluing the display, you need to prepare the frame.

1. Remove all residue of the defective display. Use the tweezers to carefully remove any remaining glass fragments.
2. Run a tool along the edge of the frame to gradually remove as much adhesive residue as possible.
3. Install the new frame sticker to the device smoothly and without wrinkles. Slide your finger over all surfaces to remove any bumps.

Make sure the frame sticker is aligned correctly. Look at the holes for the camera, flash and earpiece to see where top, bottom, front and back are.

1. Remove the protective film and carefully start attaching the frame sticker from the center position. Make sure the frame sticker is not tilted.
2. Let the frame sticker slide into the device slowly, then check the alignment again.
3. Press the frame sticker down firmly all around and then remove the second protective film.

Make sure that the adhesive does not peel off with the protective film or becomes wrinkly. The sticker should not come out at the edges of the frame. Otherwise it stays visible when the display is installed.

• Display connector

1. Now grab the new screen and remove all protective films.

Don't forget the film on the top openings for the cameras and earpiece.

1. Lead the flex cable with the connector through the opening of the metal frame.
2. Position the display on the frame. Orient yourself by the openings for the camera and flash.
3. Make sure that no glue sticks out of the edge and gradually place the display on the frame.
4. Press the display firmly so that the adhesive bonds.

If there is a protective film on the replacement display, leave it in place until the repair is complete. This will prevent scratches on the screen.

1. Turn the device over and connect the display connector.

• Battery connector

1. Connect the battery to the motherboard. Press the contact into the socket on the motherboard until you hear it click into place.

• 15 × 4,0 mm Phillips

1. Place the plastic cover in the lower part of the device. Orient yourself by the screw holes to properly position the cover.
2. Place the middle frame on top of the unit and tighten it all around until it sits properly.
3. You can also take the device in both hands and squeeze the display and frame together.
4. If the frame sits correctly everywhere, then reattach all Phillips screws of the same length.

1. Turn on your device and test it with the integrated test mode.
2. Access the test mode by dialing *#0*#
3. The test menu lets you check the display for pixel errors and calibrate the touch screen.
4. Also check all other functions such as the camera, speaker, or status LED.

Here in the image you can see another device, but the procedure is the same for the Galaxy A7 2018.

You can try reusing the existing adhesive that has remained on the backcover. But we recommend to use a new adhesive frame to glue the backcover perfectly.

1. First remove all the glue left on the middle frame and the backcover.
2. Then take the new adhesive frame and orient yourself at the opening of the cameras to position it correctly.
3. Peel off the transparent protective film and put the adhesive frame on the top side and let it slide slowly into the device.
4. Make sure it sits straight and doesn't protrude beyond the frame.
5. Press the adhesive firmly to the frame. You can use a spudger to do this.
6. Remove the second plastic film and check if the black glue is flush everywhere.
7. Then put the backcover back in its original position.
8. Press the backcover over the entire surface so that the adhesive bonds.
9. In addition, you can heat the device with hot air and then clamp the device or weigh it down with a few books to make the glue hold even better.

1. Reinsert the SIM and microSD card holder into the device.