Nokia G42 5G Teardown Guide

Nokia G42 5G Teardown Guide

In this repair guide, we'll completely disassemble the Nokia G42 5G to explore its internal design and show the correct procedure for removing each major component.

The Nokia G42 5G features a plastic rear cover, making it easier to open than many modern glass-back smartphones. However, there are still several areas that require extra care, particularly around the fingerprint flex cable, motherboard and battery. Following the correct order of disassembly will help minimise the risk of accidental damage and make reassembly much smoother.

Let's begin the teardown.

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

• Polar Tech Magic Self-Heating Pad 

• Polar Tech Phone Repair Toolkit (Isopropyl alcohol ,Metal shim, Plastic pry card, Tweezers, Spudger, Precision screwdriver set)

Step 1 – Heat and Remove the Back Cover

Power off the phone before starting any repair.

Use the PolarTech Magic Self-Heating Pad to warm the rear cover for approximately 10 minutes to soften the adhesive. Insert a thin metal opening tool to create a small gap, then apply a small amount of isopropyl alcohol around the edges to weaken the adhesive further.

Once there's enough space, switch to a plastic opening pick and carefully work your way around the entire frame.

Although the Nokia G42 5G uses a plastic back cover, which makes cracking less likely, extra care is required near the fingerprint sensor area. Avoid inserting the opening tool too deeply, as the fingerprint flex cable sits directly beneath this section and can be easily damaged.

After removing the rear cover, clean away any remaining adhesive from the frame before continuing.

Step 2 – Remove the Internal Components

Remove the five visible screws first.

Eject the SIM tray before releasing the clips that secure the midframe. A plastic pry tool works well, although a fingernail can also help release stubborn clips without marking the plastic.

Continue removing the remaining screws, bringing the total to thirteen.

Lift off the motherboard shield and always disconnect the battery connector first before touching any other internal components. This prevents accidental short circuits while working on the device.

Next, disconnect the remaining BTB connectors, including the display, interconnect and camera flex cables. The front camera is covered by a copper heat-dissipation foil, while the main rear camera remains attached to the motherboard until the board is removed.

Step 3 – Remove the Motherboard and Charging Board

Move to the lower section of the phone and remove the loudspeaker assembly.

Disconnect the black and white coaxial antenna cables before carefully lifting out the charging board. The charging board can be slightly difficult to remove, so locate the correct pry point instead of forcing it.

Before removing the motherboard, check for the hidden retaining screw that is easy to overlook. Once removed, carefully lift the motherboard from the frame.

With the motherboard removed, the main rear camera can now be separated from the board.

Step 4 – Remove the Battery and Complete the Teardown

Heat the phone again for around five minutes to soften the battery adhesive.

The Nokia G42 5G includes a green pull tab that makes battery removal much easier than traditional adhesive strips. Lift the main FPC cable slightly to gain access before pulling the battery free.

Continue by removing the vibration motor, applying a small amount of isopropyl alcohol where necessary to soften the adhesive. Finally, remove the earpiece module to complete the teardown.

At this stage, every major component has been successfully removed, giving you a complete view of the Nokia G42 5G's internal layout.

✅ Conclusion

Whether you're replacing the battery, repairing the charging port or carrying out a full device refurbishment, following the correct disassembly procedure helps ensure a safer repair and reduces the chance of damaging delicate flex cables or connectors.