The Fairphone 4 is designed to make repair accessible. So, the separate spare parts of the device connect within the modular architecture without glue or complex screws.

Every spare part is easily accessible and replaceable, which is good for the planet as well as your pocket.

The only tool you will need is a Phillips #00 screwdriver to access all spare parts of the Fairphone 4. The screws of the Fairphone 4 are also used for most (sun)glasses, so you might already have this size of crosshead screwdriver at home. If not, we offer an iFixit PH00 screwdriver in our online shop.

Table of contents

• Prepare
• How do I open up the Fairphone 4?
• How do I replace the display on Fairphone 4?
• How do I replace the main cameras on Fairphone 4?
• How do I replace the earpiece on Fairphone 4?
• How do I replace the selfie camera on Fairphone 4?
• How do I replace the loudspeaker on Fairphone 4?
• How do I replace the USB-C port on Fairphone 4?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Prepare

We made the replacement of each spare parts as easy as possible. However, we recommend to prepare a bit before you start, as you still handle vulnerable electronics.

• Do not open your device when not needed. When in doubt, consult the troubleshooter guide to find out if your issue can be solved in another way.
• In case you want to repair something that might be covered by the manufacturing or extended warranty, contact Customer Support first before you order a spare part.
• In case you need to replace a spare part due to water damage or a fall, we recommend to have a professional assess the full scope of the damage first. It might be that more than one spare part is impacted, so replacement of one spare part might not solve your issues. As user damage is not covered by the manufacturing warranty, you can use a local repair service of your choice (including our repair center).
• Before you actually start, read the following instructions and watch the accompanying video tutorials.
• Update your device. To make sure you have the right firmware drivers, update your device to the latest software version first. Otherwise, the software can not 'read' the new spare part.
• Charge the battery if possible, so you can test the spare part right after your replacement.
• Use a flat and clean working surface and a good light source.
• Get your Phillips #00 screwdriver ready. Make sure the screwdriver is of a sturdy quality as inferior tools can damage screws.
• Do not use metal tools to disconnect the BTB-connectors. You can use a fingernail or a plastic object such as a spudger, a credit card or a guitar pick.

How do I open up the Fairphone 4?

To access the spare parts, you must follow a specific order. 

You have to open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover (see the first steps of our video tutorial).
3. Take out the battery.

To replace the display, you only have to unscrew and disconnect the display.

To replace the other spare parts, you sometimes have to remove another spare part or connector first.

How do I replace the display on Fairphone 4?

To replace the display of your Fairphone 4, follow the instructions in our video tutorial or in the text below the video.

Open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover and take out the battery.

Continue to remove the spare part:

1. With your Phillips 00 screwdriver, unscrew the 8 black screws keeping the display in place.
2. Separate the display carefully from the mid-frame.
3. Disconnect the connector cable from the display at the BTB-connector - indicated by the white triangle.

Then, mount the new display:

1. Attach the BTB-connector to the new display.
2. Place the new display carefully to the midframe again - make sure the cable stays flat.
3. Fasten the display to the phone with the 8 black screws.
4. Place back the battery and the Battery cover.
5. Power the phone back on to check your new display.

You replaced your display!

How do I replace the main cameras on Fairphone 4?

To replace the main cameras of your Fairphone 4, follow the instructions in the video tutorial or in the text below the video. The main cameras contain: Wifi, Bluetooth, mobile network and GPS antennas, the rear cameras including the Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor and the flash.

Open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover and take out the battery.

Continue to take out the Main Cameras unit:

1. With your Phillips 00 screwdriver, unscrew the single silver screw of the camera lid - marked with 1 - right above the battery housing.
2. Gently lift off the camera lid, starting from the right bottom side.
3. Disconnect the visible two BTB-connectors, each marked with a white triangle.
4. Now the third BTB-connector is visible, also marked with a white triangle: disconnect that one too.
5. Remove the remaining 5 silver screws that hold the Main Cameras unit in place.
6. Lift up the Main Camera unit from the bottom right side to take it out - avoid touching the battery pins.

Then, mount the new Main Cameras unit:

1. Place the new Main Cameras unit in the phone - insert from the top.
2. Screw back the 5 silver screws to hold the Main Cameras unit in place.
3. Reconnect the BTB-connector that will be hidden by the other two.
4. Reconnect the remaining two BTB-connectors.
5. Insert and connect the camera lid from left to right.
6. Insert and tighten the remaining silver camera connector screw.
7. Place back the battery and the Battery cover.
8. Power the phone back on to check your new cameras.

You replaced your Main Cameras!

How do I replace the earpiece on Fairphone 4?

To replace the secondary speaker of your Fairphone 4, follow the instructions in the video tutorial or in the text below the video. To take out the Earpiece, you will have to remove the Main Cameras unit first. The receiver of the Earpiece is used for calling and is the secondary speaker to provide stereo sound.

Open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover and take out the battery.

Continue to take out the Main Cameras unit:

1. With your Phillips 00 screwdriver, unscrew the single silver screw of the camera lid - marked with 1 - right above the battery housing.
2. Gently lift off the camera lid, starting from the right bottom side.
3. Disconnect the visible two BTB-connectors, each marked with a white triangle.
4. Now the third BTB-connector is visible, also marked with a white triangle: disconnect that one too.
5. Remove the remaining 5 silver screws that hold the Main Cameras unit in place.
6. Lift up the Main Camera unit from the bottom right side to take it out. The Earpiece is now visible.

Continue to take out the Earpiece:

1. Disconnect the BTB-connector of the Earpiece at the white triangle.
2. Take the Earpiece out.

Mount the new Earpiece:

1. Insert the new Earpiece, top first.
2. Connect the BTB-connector.

Then, mount the Main Cameras unit:

1. Place the new Main Cameras unit in the phone - insert from the top.
2. Insert and tighten the 5 silver screws to hold the Main Cameras unit in place.
3. Reconnect the BTB-connector that will be hidden by the other two.
4. Reconnect the remaining two BTB-connectors.
5. Insert and connect the camera lid from left to right.
6. Insert and tighten the remaining silver camera connector screw.
7. Place back the battery and the Battery cover.
8. Power the phone back on to check your new Earpiece.

You replaced your Earpiece!

How do I replace the selfie camera on Fairphone 4?

To replace the front camera of your Fairphone 4, follow the instructions in the video tutorial or in the text below the video. To take out the Selfie Camera, you will have to remove the Main Cameras unit first.

Important: Your replacement selfie camera is protected by a cover to prevent the camera lens from dust and inner motor damage. The cover should be removed before installing the spare part.

Open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover and take out the battery.

Continue to take out the Main Cameras unit:

1. With your Phillips 00 screwdriver, unscrew the single silver screw of the camera lid - marked with 1 - right above the battery housing.
2. Gently lift off the camera lid, starting from the right bottom side.
3. Disconnect the visible two BTB-connectors, each marked with a white triangle.
4. Now the third BTB-connector is visible, also marked with a white triangle: disconnect that one too.
5. Remove the remaining 5 silver screws that hold the Main Cameras unit in place.
6. Lift up the Main Camera unit from the bottom right side to take it out. The Selfie Camera is now visible.

Continue to take out the Selfie Camera:

1. Disconnect the BTB-connector of the Selfie Camera at the white triangle.
2. Take the Selfie Camera out.

Mount the new Selfie Camera

1. Insert the new Selfie Camera, top first.
2. Connect the BTB-connector.

Then, mount the Main Cameras unit:

1. Place the new Main Cameras unit in the phone - insert from the top.
2. Insert and tighten the 5 silver screws to hold the Main Cameras unit in place.
3. Reconnect the BTB-connector that will be hidden by the other two.
4. Reconnect the remaining two BTB-connectors.
5. Insert and connect the camera lid from left to right.
6. Insert and tighten the remaining silver camera connector screw.
7. Place back the battery and the Battery cover.
   Power the phone back on to check your new Selfie Camera.

You replaced your Selfie Camera!

How do I replace the loudspeaker on Fairphone 4?

To replace the main speaker of your Fairphone 4, follow the instructions in the video tutorial or in the text below the video. The speaker of the Loudspeaker is used for all audio, except for calls. Together with the Earpiece, it provides stereo sound. It also hosts the vibration motor and some mobile network antennas.

Open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover and take out the battery.

Continue to take out the Loudspeaker:

1. With your Phillips 00 screwdriver, unscrew the 6 silver screws of the Loudspeaker.
2. With a plastic credit card or plectrum, take out the Loudspeaker. Start at the battery housing side.

Mount the new Loudspeaker:

1. Insert the new Loudspeaker, bottom first.
2. Insert and tighten the 6 silver screws to hold the Loudspeaker in place.
3. Last steps:
   Place back the battery and the Battery cover.
   Power the phone back on to check your new Loudspeaker.

You replaced your Loudspeaker!

How do I replace the USB-C port on Fairphone 4?

To replace the USB-C port of your Fairphone 4, follow the instructions in the video tutorial or in the text below the video. To take out the USB-C port, you will have to remove the Loudspeaker unit first. The USB-C hosts the USB-C port for charging and data- and audio transfers.

Open up the phone first:

1. Power off the phone.
2. Take off the Back cover and take out the battery.

Continue to take out the Loudspeaker:

1. With your Phillips 00 screwdriver, unscrew the 6 silver screws of the Loudspeaker.
2. With a plastic credit card or plectrum, take out the Loudspeaker. Start at the battery housing side.
3. The USB-C port is now visible.

Continue to take out the USB-C port:

1. Disconnect the BTB-connector of the USB-C port at the white triangle.
2. Take the USB-C port out.

Mount the new USB-C port:

1. Insert the new Earpiece, top first.
2. Connect the BTB-connector.

Mount the Loudspeaker:

1. Insert the new Loudspeaker, bottom first.
2. Insert and tighten the 6 silver screws to hold the Loudspeaker in place.

Last steps:

1. Place back the battery and the Battery cover.
2. Power the phone back on to check your new Loudspeaker.

You replaced your USB-C port!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I buy a replacement Core Module?

No, the Core Module is not available for individual purchase.

The Core Module is the "brain" of your Fairphone, containing the motherboard, CPU, and SIM slots. We do not sell this as a standalone spare part for three key reasons:

• Legal & Security: The Core Module houses your device’s unique identity (IMEI numbers). Selling these separately creates legal complexities regarding device registration and security.

• Technical Fragility: This module contains the most delicate components. Replacing it requires a controlled, anti-static environment to prevent permanent damage.

• Quality Assurance: Core Module issues are complex. We handle these repairs at our authorized service centers to guarantee the long-term reliability of your device.

Is your phone not powering on or malfunctioning? If you suspect a fault with your Core Module, please do not attempt a manual repair. Instead, use our official diagnostic tool to find the best path forward:

1. Diagnose: Visit our Repair & Troubleshooting Portal.

2. Test: Follow the step-by-step guide to rule out issues with your battery, display, or software.

3. Resolve: If the problem is confirmed as a Core Module fault, the portal will provide instructions on how to send your device to our specialized repair center for a professional replacement.

Q: Can I use spare parts from a different Fairphone model in my Fairphone 4?

For our smartphone range, spare parts are not interchangeable between different models (e.g., you cannot use The Fairphone (Gen. 6) parts in a Fairphone 4).

While we advocate for modularity, each phone generation requires specific dimensions, voltage ranges, and connector types (BTB architecture) to function safely. Attempting to install a module from a different phone model can result in:

• Physical Damage: Connectors may look similar but have different pin configurations.

• System Instability: The software (firmware) is tuned specifically for the hardware in that model.

• Safety Risks: Battery and power modules have different thermal and voltage specifications.

If after reading the article you need more help, contact our Customer Support.