Samsung Galaxy S4 Active sub-board repair guide

Your device won’t charge or people can’t understand you on the phone.

In this guide, we show you how to remove your Galaxy S4 Active’s sub-board on your own. You need to remove it if your phone won’t charge, your PC doesn’t recognize it, or people can’t understand you on the phone.

Required tools

For storing screws

For storing screws

We recommend storing your screws so you don’t mix up the various screws and small parts.
from €10.99 on Amazon
Menda ESD Spudger

Menda ESD Spudger

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
from €26.38 on Amazon
iDoc Tool Kit, 21 pieces

iDoc Tool Kit, 21 pieces

Do you need to repair your smartphone? This kit includes all the tools you need for professional-quality repairs, from the ESD spudger and suction cup, to screwdrivers and tweezers, as well as the iDoc magnetic pad that holds your screws and small parts in place while you work. Not sure what goes where? Don’t worry – our detailed repair guides tell you what tool to use for each step.
from €29.99 on Amazon
iPhone Tool Kit, 14 pieces

iPhone Tool Kit, 14 pieces

We've put together a complete set of tools so you can solve all the big and small problems with your iPhone yourself. From a spudger and vacuum cup to four different screwdrivers for the various screws designed specifically for iPhones, the toolkit includes all the tools you need for any repair which will come up. The set is complemented by our iDoc magnetic mat, which you can use during the repair to maintain an overview of all the screws and small pieces. All tools come in the high-quality iDoc tool case. No repair equipment gets lost. When putting together our tool sets, it's especially important to us that you enjoy your time as much as possible. That's why we've only selected professional-quality tools for the iPhone repair kit, so you don't have to struggle with bad equipment. Good luck with your next repair!
on Amazon
Phillips PH00 screwdriver

Phillips PH00 screwdriver

You need the right screwdriver for removing PH00 screws.
from €10.84 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S4 Active

Steps

18 Steps

Removing the back cover

Step 1

Removing the battery

Step 2

Removing the SIM and microSD cards

Step 3

Removing the four metal shields

Step 4

Removing the chassis screws

Step 5

Removing the chassis

Step 6

Disconnecting the sub-board plug contacts

Step 7

Disconnecting the sub-board

Step 8

Removing the sub-board

Step 9

Installing the sub-board

Step 10

Attaching the sub-board

Step 11

Connecting the sub-board plug contacts

Step 12

Installing the chassis

Step 13

Fastening the chassis screws

Step 14

Installing the four metal shields

Step 15

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 16

Installing the battery

Step 17

Attaching the back cover

Step 18

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S4 Active

If you get stuck or have questions, you can post a comment. We’d be happy to help.

18 steps

Removing the back cover
There are little clips attaching the back cover to the chassis. The back cover has a little recess right over the power button. Using your fingernail or the spudger, you can lift the cover here.

Carefully disconnect the back cover from the chassis.

Remove the back cover.
Removing the battery
Remove the battery with your fingers. There’s a little hollow in the chassis for lifting out the battery.

Remove the battery.
Removing the SIM and microSD cards
Remove the SIM card and the microSD card.
Removing the four metal shields
Use the steel laboratory spatula to remove the four metal shields. Use the spatula to pry the covers out of the hollows in the chassis. You can get the tip of the spatula under the covers.
Removing the chassis screws
Remove the twelve Phillips screws that attach the chassis to the display. Put the screws in a container.
12 x 3.9 mm Phillips screws
Removing the chassis
The chassis isn’t just screwed onto the display. There are also little hooks keeping it in the display. Use the steel spatula to detach the chassis.

Insert the spatula between the display and the chassis. It’s very easy to start at the power button.

Move the spatula all the way around the device.

Once the chassis is detached, remove it from the display.
Disconnecting the sub-board plug contacts
Disconnect the sub-board’s plug contact from the logic board.

Disconnect the antenna cable from the sub-board.
Disconnecting the sub-board
Remove the cover from the USB port.

Remove the two Phillips screws that attach the white cover to the sub-board.
2 x 3.0 mm Phillips screws

Remove the USB port’s white cover from the enclosure.
Removing the sub-board
The sub-board is glued to the enclosure. Use the steel spatula to detach the sub-board. Carefully insert the spatula below the sub-board until it’s fully detached.

Remove the sub-board from the enclosure.

Installing the sub-board
Position the sub-board in the enclosure. Make sure the sub-board sticks in place.

Use your fingers to press the sub-board firmly onto the enclosure so the glue will stick.
Attaching the sub-board
Put the USB port’s white cover in the enclosure.

Attach the sub-board to the enclosure with the two Phillips screws.
2 x 3.0 mm Phillips screws

Install the USB port’s cover again.
Connecting the sub-board plug contacts
Connect the antenna cable to the sub-board.

Reconnect the logic board to the sub-board.
Installing the chassis
The chassis isn’t just screwed onto the display. There are also little hooks keeping it in the display. Press on the chassis with your fingers to secure it on the display.

Press the chassis firmly onto the entire device.
Fastening the chassis screws
Attach the chassis with the twelve Phillips screws.
12 x 3.9 mm Phillips screws
Installing the four metal shields
Using tweezers, put the four metal shields back on.

Firmly press on each cover.
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
Insert the SIM card and the microSD card.
Installing the battery
Put the battery in the Galaxy S4 Active.
Attaching the back cover
Position the back cover on the chassis.

The back cover hooks onto the bottom of the chassis.

Carefully press the back cover on all over so the retaining clips can click into place.