Samsung Galaxy S8 fingerprint sensor repair guide

The fingerprint sensor no longer recognizes your fingerprint.

This repair guide shows you how to replace the fingerprint sensor of your Galaxy S8. This fix is necessary, if your Galaxy S8 no longer recognizes your fingerprints or doesn't let you register new fingerprints.

Required tools

Flat Picks

Flat Picks

You need a very flat tool such as a flat pick to pry out parts that are glued in place.
from €11.95 on Amazon
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
Plastic prying tool

Plastic prying tool

You need a flat plastic prying tool to disconnect the various plugs and connectors.
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

Required replacement part

Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+ Fingerprint Sensor

Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+ Fingerprint Sensor

from €10.98 on Amazon

Show all replacement parts for the Galaxy S8

Steps

8 Steps

Switching off your device

Step 1

Removing the SIM and microSD card tray

Step 2

Removing the back cover

Step 3

Disconnecting the fingerprint sensor

Step 4

Removing the fingerprint sensor

Step 5

Inserting the new fingerprint sensor

Step 6

Attaching the back cover

Step 7

Inserting the SIM and microSD card tray

Step 8

Getting started with the repair of your Galaxy S8

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

8 steps

Switching off your device
Shut down your Galaxy S8 by pressing the power button until you see the option "Switch off".

Now you can confirm the shut down of the mobile phone. Start the next step as soon as the screen stays black.
Removing the SIM and microSD card tray
Now remove the SIM tray including your card by using a SIM tool.
Removing the back cover
Now you have to release the back cover of the Galaxy S8. As this is glued, you will need a heat gun or a regular hairdryer. The heat will loosen the glue, so that you can remove the back cover more easily. In addition, you'll need a flat, flexible tool like the iPlastix or iFlex as well as several picks to remove the back cover all around.
Heat the back cover all around with a hair dryer to loosen the glue. Do not put the hair dryer too far away, you will need it again and again in between. Place a suction cup on the bottom of the back cover.
Pull the suction cup on the key ring upwards and try to press a flat tool like the iPlastix or iFlex between the back glass and the frame at the same time. You can always use the hair dryer to help you do this, so that the heat will loosen the glue at this point.

The iPlastix is made of plastic, which protects the frame from scratches. However, the tool is very soft and therefore difficult to insert.

The backcover is made of glass and will break easily. For this reason, be very careful when removing the back cover. If necessary, use the hair dryer and the flat tool again and again. This step may take you more time than you think - even experts need up to half an hour to remove the back cover. So take some time to complete this step to make sure you don't break anything.
Once you have managed to insert the flat tool between the back glass and the frame, you now insert a plectrum into the gap. This way the gap remains open and you can take out your tool again.
Repeat this along the entire edge. Pull the tool through the gap to loosen the glue bit by bit.
In between you can always reach for a hair dryer. Re-heat the area you are working on. In this way, you will gradually insert the other picks.
On the lower side the backcover is more strongly glued than on the other places.
The fingerprint sensor is connected with a cable under the camera. Therefore, lift the back cover very slightly once you have loosened it everywhere.
Disconnecting the fingerprint sensor
After loosening the back cover and carefully lifting it up, disconnect the fingerprint sensor from the spudger.
Now the back cover is completely detached - you can lift it off and put it aside.

Removing the fingerprint sensor
Carefully run the steel spatula around the edges of the fingerprint sensor to unglue it.
Once it is completely unglued, you can take out the sensor easily.
If the sensor is hard to remove, use a heat gun to soften the glue.
Inserting the new fingerprint sensor
Put fingerprint sensor back into its original position on the back cover.
Slightly press down the sensor so the glue bonds better.
Attaching the back cover
Place the back in the original place.

Connect the fingerprint sensor again.

Now press the back cover on the whole surface so that the adhesive surface can re-attach.

So that the original glue lasts better, you can warm up your phone again with a hair dryer. If you then clamp the Galaxy S8 or weigh it down with some books, you can further optimise the result.
Inserting the SIM and microSD card tray
Now you have to put the SIM card holder back into your Galaxy S8. The slide must be aligned correctly.