Google Pixel Watch Screen Replacement

Written By: Dominik Schnabelrauch

Comments: 7

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a cracked, broken, or dead screen on your Google Pixel Watch.

Note: Gaining access to the screen cable requires removing the battery. If the battery gets even slightly deformed during removal, it's a potential fire hazard and must be replaced.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your device. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to to reattach the screen when reassembling the device.

Retaining water resistance after the repair will depend on how precisely the adhesive is reapplied, but your device will lose its IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

Note: This guide was written using a GBZ4S LTE model. If you have the non-LTE version, you can still use this guide—but there might be slight visual discrepancies.

Tools

Step 1

Before starting repairs, turn off your watch and take it off the charger.
Remove the watch band by pressing the band release button and sliding the band over the button while pulling it away from the watch.
Repeat for the other watch band.

Step 2

Heat an iOpener and apply it to the screen for about two minutes to soften the adhesive securing the screen.
A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the screen and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

Step 3

The thin seam between the frame and screen requires a thin metal tool—take your time and work carefully to avoid scraping or gouging the watch body or glass.
Insert an iFlex into the thin gap between the screen and frame, left of the digital crown.

Step 4

When slicing the screen adhesive, insert the iFlex no deeper than 3 mm to prevent damaging internal components.
Slide the iFlex around the entire perimeter of the watch to slice all of the screen adhesive.

Step 5

Remove the iFlex and reinsert it under the screen, to the right of the speaker grille.
Twist the iFlex to pry the screen up.
Don't try to fully remove the screen just yet, as it‘s still connected to the watch assembly by a delicate cable.

Step 6

Be careful not to strain the screen assembly cable when you open the display.
Swing the screen open to an upright position.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your device and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power it back down completely before you continue working.

Step 7

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a Torx T2 screwdriver to remove the 2.1 mm-long screw securing the speaker bracket.

Step 8

Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with sharp tools—it can leak dangerous chemicals or catch fire.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the speaker bracket.

Step 9

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the vibration motor‘s press connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 10

Be careful with sharp tools around the battery.
Use tweezers to peel up the yellow tape securing the vibration motor cable to the battery.

Step 11

Use a Torx T2 screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the vibration motor:
One 1.8 mm-long screw
One 2.8 mm-long screw

Step 12

Use tweezers to lift the grounding bracket out of its recess and remove it.

Step 13

Remove the vibration motor.

Step 14

Use a Torx T2 screwdriver to remove the two 3 mm-long screws securing the battery bracket.

Step 15

Use tweezers to lift the grounding bracket out of its recess and remove it.

Step 16

Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with sharp tools—it can leak dangerous chemicals or catch fire.
Use tweezers to peel up the yellow tape from the edge of the battery, next to the speaker.

Step 17

Slide the flat end of a spudger under the edge of the battery where the vibration motor was.
Pry up the battery until you can grip it with your fingers.
The battery is held in place by mild adhesive. If you're struggling to pry up the battery, apply a heated iOpener to the bottom of the watch for about 2 minutes to loosen the adhesive. Don't apply the iOpener directly to the battery.
Don't try to remove the battery all the way yet, as it‘s still connected to the watch assembly by a delicate cable.

Step 18

Avoid straining or tearing the battery cable when moving the battery.
Carefully place the battery next to the watch to access the battery connector bracket.

Step 19

Use a Torx T2 screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm-long screws securing the battery connector bracket.

Step 20

Use tweezers to remove the battery connector bracket.

Step 21

Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 22

Remove the battery.
Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery—it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

So if I change the display, should I also buy a new battery because the old one might be damaged?

Nitramon -

Step 23

Note: The screen assembly cable is threaded underneath the test port cable.
Avoid straining or tearing the test port cable in the following steps.
Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the screen assembly cable by carefully prying the connector straight up from its socket.

Step 24

The screen assembly cable is secured by light adhesive.
Slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the screen assembly cable to loosen its adhesive and detach it from the watch frame.

Step 25

Carefully pull the screen assembly cable out from underneath the test port cable.
Remove the screen assembly.
During reassembly, apply new adhesive where it's necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
After installing the screen, apply strong, steady pressure for several hours to help the adhesive form a good bond—a stack of heavy books works well.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

If you were installing a new batter—For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 23/11/16

217902 Reputation

6 comments

Bekommt man das Display überhaupt irgendwo zu kaufen? Ich habs nicht irgendwo gefunden

Anna Katharina Linges -

Whee do you get the screen

Janelle Roland -

Replacement screen can be obtained by buying a broken Pixel Watch (with an intact screen) off eBay. There aren't a lot for sale but they do come up. I just bought one for 34 USD plus 15 USD shipping to Canada.

What width replacement adhesive is needed? Is this Tesa tape suitable? Tesa 61395 Tape

Lance Kersey -

Is it an adhesive tape or will something like uhu or evostik work?

Marcus Winter -

Gibt es ein schon fertiges Klebeband für das Display?

Maximilian Schmidt -

Does this work for the Pixel watch 2 aswell?

Diego Turner -