Featured
Featured Guide
Difficulty
Moderate
Steps
14
Time Required
15 - 30 minutes Sections
5
- SIM Card Tray
- 1 step
- Rear Panel
- 3 steps
- Midframe
- 5 steps
- Nexus 5X Battery Disconnection
- 1 step
- Battery
- 4 steps
Flags
1
Featured Guide
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Introduction
Before disassembling your phone, discharge the battery below 25%. If your battery is swollen, do not heat your phone. Swollen batteries can be very dangerous, so wear eye protection and exercise due caution, or take it to a professional if you’re not sure how to proceed.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
What you need
Step 1
SIM Card Tray - Insert a SIM card ejection tool into the hole on the SIM card tray, located on the left edge of the phone.
- Press in to eject the SIM card tray.
- Remove the SIM card tray.
Insert a SIM card ejection tool into the hole on the SIM card tray, located on the left edge of the phone.
Press in to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.
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Step 2
Rear Panel - Place an opening pick in the opening of the SIM card tray slot and twist it sideways to release the first plastic clip that holds the rear panel in its place.
- Slide the opening pick around the top edge of the phone to release the plastic clips that secure the rear panel.
Place an opening pick in the opening of the SIM card tray slot and twist it sideways to release the first plastic clip that holds the rear panel in its place.
Slide the opening pick around the top edge of the phone to release the plastic clips that secure the rear panel.
Step 3
- Continue to slide the opening pick around all sides of the phone to release all clips that secure the rear panel.
Continue to slide the opening pick around all sides of the phone to release all clips that secure the rear panel.
Step 4
- Tilt the opening pick to lift the rear panel a little bit.
- There are two more plastic clips next to the fingerprint sensor. Release them by gently pulling the rear panel.
- Remove the rear panel.
Tilt the opening pick to lift the rear panel a little bit.
There are two more plastic clips next to the fingerprint sensor. Release them by gently pulling the rear panel.
Remove the rear panel.
Step 5
Midframe - Remove the ten 3.6mm Phillips screws that secure the midframe.
Remove the ten 3.6mm Phillips screws that secure the midframe.
Step 6
- Insert an opening pick into the SIM card tray slot and twist the opening pick sideways to release the plastic clips.
Insert an opening pick into the SIM card tray slot and twist the opening pick sideways to release the plastic clips.
Step 7
- Continue sliding the opening pick around the upper part of the midframe to release the plastic clips.
Continue sliding the opening pick around the upper part of the midframe to release the plastic clips.
Step 8
- Use the plastic pick to pry open the plastic clips on the long edge of the midframe and on the bottom edge.
- Make sure the clips on the long edge are released. The midframe is prone to break here if they are not disconnected properly.
Use the plastic pick to pry open the plastic clips on the long edge of the midframe and on the bottom edge.
Make sure the clips on the long edge are released. The midframe is prone to break here if they are not disconnected properly.
Step 9
- Make sure all the clips are free.
- Carefully remove the midframe.
Make sure all the clips are free.
Carefully remove the midframe.
Step 10
Battery Disconnect - Use the edge of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable located at the bottom right of the motherboard.
Use the edge of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable located at the bottom right of the motherboard.
Step 11
Battery - Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the battery. Apply the iOpener on the back of the phone for at least two minutes.
Use an iOpener to loosen the adhesive beneath the battery. Apply the iOpener on the back of the phone for at least two minutes.
Step 12
- Try your best not to deform the battery during the following removal process. Soft-shell lithium-ion batteries can leak dangerous chemicals, catch fire, or even explode if damaged. Do not use excessive force or pry at the battery with metal tools.
- Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bottom left corner of the battery and gently pry upwards.
- The adhesive is only located beneath the edges of the battery so there’s no need to pry beneath its center.
- If you are having trouble prying up the battery, the adhesive may not be loose enough. You can apply some isopropyl alcohol under each corner of the battery and allow it to penetrate for several minutes to help weaken the adhesive.
Try your best not to deform the battery during the following removal process. Soft-shell lithium-ion batteries can leak dangerous chemicals, catch fire, or even explode if damaged. Do not use excessive force or pry at the battery with metal tools.
Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bottom left corner of the battery and gently pry upwards.
The adhesive is only located beneath the edges of the battery so there’s no need to pry beneath its center.
If you are having trouble prying up the battery, the adhesive may not be loose enough. You can apply some isopropyl alcohol under each corner of the battery and allow it to penetrate for several minutes to help weaken the adhesive.
Step 13
- Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the battery and gently pry upwards to loosen the remaining adhesive.
Insert the flat end of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the battery and gently pry upwards to loosen the remaining adhesive.
Step 14
- Remove the battery.
- Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
- Before installing a new battery remove any remaining adhesive from the phone, and clean the glued areas with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
- Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the phone at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery. Press the new battery firmly into place for 5-10 seconds.
Remove the battery.
Do not reuse the battery after it has been removed, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.
Before installing a new battery remove any remaining adhesive from the phone, and clean the glued areas with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the phone at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery. Press the new battery firmly into place for 5-10 seconds.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
If possible, turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.
For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery: Charge it to 100%, and keep charging it for at least two more hours. Then, use it until it shuts off due to low battery. Finally, charge it uninterrupted to 100%
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Nexus 5X Answers community for troubleshooting help.
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118 other people completed this guide. Author
with 7 other contributors Dominik Schnabelrauch Member since: 11/23/2016
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iFixit Member of iFixit Community 141 Members 15,767 Guides authored Thom -Dec 15, 2016
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I replaced the battery with a stock LG OEM replacement. Now, 1. Lighting bolt indicator doesn’t appear. 2. Doesn’t read “Charging” or “Charging Rapidly” on the lock screen. 3. I lost rapid charge; it charges slooooowly. Help!
danchee -Feb 19, 2017
Reply
Is the battery supposed to be one hard piece or is it supposed to be squishy as in bendable?
pocketdrummer -Feb 20, 2017
Reply
I replaced the battery, but I’m still not getting an led or anything on the screen to show it’s charging. What else could be the issue?
Andrew Cook -Apr 1, 2017
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Terrence Benade -May 1, 2017
Reply
worked great for me, in the end used brute force to get the battery off with a terrifying crack.
