Samsung Galaxy S7 mainboard repair guide

Remove the motherboard after water damage.

In this repair guide, we show you how to remove your Galaxy S7’s motherboard on your own. You need to remove the PCB if you want to clean it after water damage.

Required tools

Heat gun

Heat gun

You can use a heat gun to heat parts that are glued on so they’re easier to remove. In most cases, you can also use a hairdryer.
from €15.99 on Amazon
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
Tweezers

Tweezers

We recommend using tweezers to remove screws and various small parts from your device.
on Amazon
Pick Set

Pick Set

You need a flat but stable tool such as a pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €14.99 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 S7

Steps

21 Steps

Switching off your device

Step 1

Removing the SIM and microSD cards

Step 2

Removing the back cover

Step 3

Removing the screws

Step 4

Removing the upper antenna

Step 5

Removing the middle antenna

Step 6

Removing the speaker

Step 7

Disconnecting the battery

Step 8

Removing the front camera

Step 9

Disconnecting all the contacts from the motherboard

Step 10

Removing the motherboard

Step 11

Installing the motherboard

Step 12

Connecting all the contacts from the motherboard

Step 13

Installing the front camera

Step 14

Connecting the battery

Step 15

Installing the speaker

Step 16

Installing the middle antenna

Step 17

Installing the upper antenna

Step 18

Fastening the screws

Step 19

Attaching the back cover

Step 20

Inserting the SIM and microSD cards

Step 21

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S7

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

21 steps

Switching off your device
Turn off your device by holding down the power button until the “Power off” option appears.

Use your finger to confirm that you want to shut down your Galaxy S7 and wait until the screen goes blank.
Removing the SIM and microSD cards
Use the SIM tool to eject the SIM tray from your device and then remove the tray with your fingers.
Removing the back cover
The glass back cover is glued to the chassis. Remove the back cover by putting on a suction cup and pulling on it. Also use a pick to push against the frame. Heat your device with hot air beforehand so the glue will be easier to detach.

As soon as a gap appears between the back cover and the chassis, you can insert the pick between the two parts.

The back cover is painted on the inside. Remove any adhesive residue carefully to avoid scratches or cracks.

Use more picks to disconnect all the corners one after the other.

Remove the back cover as soon as all the glue is detached.
Removing the screws
Remove the twelve screws that hold the antennas and the speaker in place.
12 x 3.3 mm PH00 Phillips screws

Remove the yellow adhesive strip.
Removing the upper antenna
Disconnect the upper antenna from the enclosure. The antenna is hooked onto the enclosure. Start at the upper right corner.

As soon as the antenna has come off on the right side, carefully pull it up in the middle so the left side will come off, too.

Remove the antenna from the enclosure.
Removing the middle antenna
Pull the middle antenna out of the enclosure. Note that it’s hooked onto the lower antenna.
Removing the speaker
Disconnect the speaker by using the tweezers to unhook it on the left side.

Remove the speaker from the enclosure.
Disconnecting the battery
Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the battery contact from the motherboard. Carefully pry the contact out of the socket.
Removing the front camera
Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the front camera’s contact from the motherboard.

Remove the front camera from the enclosure.
Disconnecting all the contacts from the motherboard
Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the following contacts from the motherboard.
Volume rocker switch
Proximity sensor
Earpiece
Display
Power button
Antenna cable
Sensor buttons

Removing the motherboard
The bottom of the motherboard (arrow) is connected to the USB port.

Carefully tilt the board up by 180° so you can get at the contact. Don’t pull too hard on the board.

Using the spudger, carefully disconnect the contact from the PCB.

Remove the board.

There's a small plastic pin in the opening of the SIM tray. Make sure it doesn't fall out.
Installing the motherboard
Turn the board upside down and put it at the lower end of the enclosure to reconnect the USB port’s contact.

Connect the contact so you can hear it click into the socket.

Fold the board over so you can put it in the enclosure.
Connecting all the contacts from the motherboard
Connect the following contacts to the motherboard.
Volume rocker switch
Proximity sensor
Earpiece
Display
Power button
Antenna cable
Sensor buttons
Installing the front camera
Put the front camera in the recess in the upper edge of the enclosure.

Connect the camera to the motherboard. You have to hear the contact click into place.
Connecting the battery
Connect the battery to the motherboard. Press the contact into the socket on the motherboard until you hear it click into place.
Installing the speaker
Put the speaker at the lower end of the enclosure.

Press on the speaker with your fingers until it clicks into place in the enclosure.
Installing the middle antenna
Put the antenna back in the enclosure after hooking it onto the lower antenna.

Press on the antenna with your fingers until it clicks into place in the enclosure.
Installing the upper antenna
Put the antenna back in the enclosure. First put it on the left side and then press it on firmly with your fingers.

You should be able to hear the antenna click into place.
Fastening the screws
Put the yellow adhesive strip back on.

Attach everything using the screws.
12 x 3.3 mm PH00 Phillips screws
Attaching the back cover
Put the back cover back in its original position.

Press the back cover on all over so the glue will stick.

You can also heat your device with hot air and then clamp it or weight it down with a couple books so the glue will stick better.
Inserting the SIM and microSD cards
Insert the SIM tray back into your device. Make sure the tray is positioned properly.