Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement

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Mishaps happen, and that was me one early morning when I dropped my Tab S9 at the corner, causing the OLED panel to crack and eventually fail. This guide will show how to replace the display panel. If you prefer watching a video demonstrating the de-gluing process, here's one on YouTube.

Take note that the water resistance of the device will be compromised, and there is no guaranteeing that it will be water-resistant again.

As for obtaining the display module itself, I highly recommend doing some searching to find the source that you can trust. You may refer to Step 6 for how the original packaging should look like.

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crwdns2931653:01crwdne2931653:0 Heating

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Heating: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

Apply heat to the screen to loosen the adhesive. A heating pad or 3D printer heated bed is recomended, but a heat gun or hair dryer can also do the trick, just be careful not to apply excessive heat to avoid damage to the battery.
Recommended temperature: 60-80°C, about 2-5min. Increase only if necesary, DO NOT EXCEED 100°C

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crwdns2931653:02crwdne2931653:0 Location of adhesive and display flex connector

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Location of adhesive and display flex connector: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

Take note of the location where the adhesive and display flex conector is:
Adhesive location
Dsiplay flex connector
Be careful during prying, slicing too deep risks damage to the flex cable.
Camera location (for orientation)

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crwdns2931653:03crwdne2931653:0 Pick and pry

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Pick and pry: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Pick and pry: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

Using a suction cup, lift the middle right side and insert a pick and/or plastic card into the gap, slowly slice left and right
Do the same from the middle top side
Again from the middle left side
Lastly, from the middle bottom side
Once again, watch out for the display flex connector
If the pick doesn't slice through, don't force it, instead continue to apply heat and try again. Try not to insert the pick too deep.
Once the display can lift free, DO NOT SEPARATE THEM JUST YET!

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crwdns2931653:04crwdne2931653:0 Disconnecting the display connector

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Disconnecting the display connector: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Disconnecting the display connector: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0

Once the display can lift free from the tablet, prop the tablet as shown, such that you can hold the display and shell separately, with the bottom side facing you to facilitate the connector removal.
Using a spudger or fingernail, disconnect the display and stylus digitizer connectors from the display.

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crwdns2931653:05crwdne2931653:0 Remove residual adhesive from the shell

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Remove residual adhesive from the shell: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Remove residual adhesive from the shell: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Remove residual adhesive from the shell: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0

Once the display is separated, use a spudger to scrape off any adhesive residue from the sides of the frame.
Optional: use kapton tape or any method you prefer to cover the camera and fingerprint sensor from dust.
Use wipes and isopropyl alcohol (70% or more) to clean off any remaining adhesive.
From this point, if you'd like to replace the battery, you would need to remove the motherboard cover at the top, disconnect the flex cables crossing the battery, and follow the instructions printed on the battery removal tabs.
There are 15 silver screws and 2 black screws holding the frame down, take note where the black screws are located for reassembly.

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crwdns2931653:06crwdne2931653:0 Prepare and testing replacement display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Display Replacement, Prepare and testing replacement display: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0

Grab the replacement display from its packaging, without removing the protective plastic and adhesive liner.
Connect the display flex connector to the replacement display, then turn on the tablet to test its functionality
You may use the Samsung Members app to perform the test, as I was unable to access the ServiceMode menu for some reason. Make sure both the capacitive touch and S Pen functionality works before reassembling
If you had replaced the battery, ensure the motherboard cover is put back, otherwise the tablet will not turn on.

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To reassemble your device, remove the front camera cutout liner (black-colored pull tab at the top), fingerprint sensor liner (black-colored pull tab at the left, ensure the attached red liner comes along), then the green adhesive liner. Carefully attach the display back to its frame, and you're done!

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