Galaxy Note II screen replacement / repair disassembly and reassembly guide

Remove the back cover

This is a guide on replacing the touchscreen digitizer and an OLED display on a Samsung
Galaxy Note 2. It is best to replace both if either of them are broken or defective.

To begin, make sure that the phone is not powered on and proceed with removing the back
cover. The back cover is designed to be opened with a fingernail just be careful to unsnap
each tab gently. Set the back cover aside and remove the battery.

Remove the 11 screws

Proceed with removing 11 Phillips screws. All of these screws are identical.

Separate the front assembly

we'll be using standard case opening tools to separate the front assembly from the mid-frame.
A good place to begin is around the bottom, just above the charge port, and continue
opening the front assembly with the help of a case opening tool.

Remove the middle frame

Once the front assembly is evenly lifted, the mid-frame can be separated. There are two tabs
on the inside near the bottom right and upper left corner of the battery bay that will unsnap;
the mid-frame will open up fairly easily.

Remove the logic board

Using the case opening tool, unsnap five connections from the logic board. Remove one small
Phillips screw on the right upper side of the logic board. Unsnap the Wi-Fi antenna cable
and another small connector from the logic board. Lift the logic board away from the front
assembly, starting at the left upper corner and making sure no connectors are getting
caught.

Warm up the front frame

The original touchscreen and display are mounted with adhesive around the front frame,
which will need to be warmed up with a heat gun for an easier separation. Warm up the
entire front assembly thoroughly and evenly. Make sure not to focus the heat on one spot for
too long.

Separate the display

Begin separating the display at the right upper corner. Use a case opening tool to
carefully get between the front assembly and the touchscreen. Keep warming up the
perimeter of the touchscreen if the separation process is slowing down. Keep working the
sides until all four are evenly separated from the assembly.

Once the bottom edge is separating, make sure to properly unglue the buttons and the
connecting cable from the glass digitizer those need to stay with the front assembly as
well. The digitizer and the display connector board may be glued with display adhesive
tape and will require a bit of attention to separate properly.

Salvage parts

(The white piece is the light filter for the backlit button).
Also, the speaker grill is usually not included on the replacement part, but it is easily
transferable simply unsnap it from the original touchscreen. The same goes for the home
button and the decorative framing around it; both need to be transferred onto the new part.

Transfer the salvaged parts on to the new display assembly

Before the new part can be installed, all the little extras have to be attached to it. If
the new part does not come with its own adhesive, it's best to transfer the old adhesive
onto the new part. Alternatively, new adhesive needs to be sourced (or, if there are no
plans on repairing the device again in the future, superglue is also feasible).

Replace the decorative home button frame. Replace one of the button light filters that came
off the old part in the same position (it needs to wrap around the button on the flex cable).
Replace the home button.

Fit the screen on to the front assembly

To fit the screen onto the front assembly, start at the bottom, making sure that the white
light filter wraps around the button and the flex cable. Start closing the display with the
front assembly; the digitizer and display connectors have to be threaded through the frame
at the top.

Replace the speaker grill

The speaker grill can be inserted just before closing the display fully. Firmly
press around the perimeter of the display to catch the adhesive.

Install the logic board

At this point, the logic board can be installed. Carefully position it in place, ensuring
that no connectors are getting caught underneath. Reconnect the bottom right connector.
Secure one small Phillips screw. Reconnect the small connector at the bottom right.
Reconnect the Wi-Fi antenna connector, making sure that the Wi-Fi coaxial cable is properly
routed under the logic board.

Reconnect the 5 connectors at the top

Secure the five connections at the top. All connectors make a distinctive click when
connected properly. Please be careful, as the connectors are extremely fragile.

Replace the mid-frame

Now the mid-frame can be replaced. Align it with the front assembly and firmly press around
the perimeter to snap in the tabs. Replace the 11 identical Phillips screws on the
mid-frame.

Replace the battery and the back cover

Replace the battery and finally replace the back cover.

Test the new screen

At this point, the new screen can be tested:

Press the power button on the side.

If the startup graphics appear, it is safe to remove the screen protector.

After testing the touchscreen functions and the lower buttons, you're done!