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How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones

How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones

Clay Eickemeyer

crwdns2944107:0crwdnd2944107:0Clay Eickemeyercrwdnd2944107:0crwdnd2944107:0crwdnd2944107:03crwdnd2944107:0crwdne2944107:0

crwdns2944111:0September 23, 2024crwdne2944111:0

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Use this guide to re-apply thermal paste to your phone.

The processor in your phone might be small, but it generates a lot of heat. Thermal paste helps transfer this heat from the processor to another part of the phone where the heat can dissipate over a large surface (usually the frame or a cover). When you disassemble your phone, you can often find the goopy opaque thermal paste above or below the motherboard.

Your phone will usually work without thermal paste. However, it will overheat faster and may slow down to keep itself cool. Reusing thermal paste is better than nothing, but should only be done if you don't have access to thermal paste for the moment. Apply new thermal paste to keep your phone working safely and at full capacity.

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  1. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Locate the thermal paste: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Locate the thermal paste: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Look for existing thermal paste above or below the motherboard.

    • Thermal paste is often gray, but can be any color. It's opaque and thick, with a wet texture. Older thermal paste is drier.

  2. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Clean the motherboard: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to scrape away large pieces of old thermal paste from your phone's motherboard.

    • Don't use sharp or metal tools. They can scratch the motherboard surface or puncture the battery in an accident.

  3. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Clean the frame or cover: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Scrape away large pieces of thermal paste from the frame or cover.

  4. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Prepare the motherboard: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Prepare the motherboard: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Prepare the motherboard: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Apply a few drops of highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to any remaining thermal paste residue.

    • Wipe away the residue using a coffee filter or lint-free cloth.

  5. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Prepare the frame or cover: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Clean the cover or frame using isopropyl alcohol and a coffee filter or lint-free cloth.

  6. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Apply new thermal paste: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Apply new thermal paste: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Apply a small bead of thermal paste to the motherboard in the same location as the old thermal paste.

    • Unlike full-size processors found in computers with heatsinks, phones need very little thermal paste.

  7. How to Apply Thermal Paste to Phones, Continue reassembly: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Return to your phone's guide to continue reassembly.

    • When you compress the thermal paste, it will evenly distribute and form a thermal bond with the processor.

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For other general electronics skills guides, click here.

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Clay Eickemeyer

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Guide Team crwdns2935289:0Guide Teamcrwdne2935289:0

Staff

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What kind of thermal paste is best for phones?

Brian K - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Your phone is less demanding than a full-size CPU in terms of heat transfer, so you can use any regular compound thermal paste.

Clay Eickemeyer -

Will applying thermal paste on smartphones be obsolete in the near future? I have a hint that my smartphone that is already 4 years old, now needs to renew its thermal paste because it overheats easily even while using lighter apps like the Calculator.

Koko Jeuru - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

do i need to apply just cooling film because my moto g6 plus had a film which got teared while replacing battery

Wasim Shaikh - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

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