---
title: 'Her Phone Died, So I''m Making Her Fix It'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=NWoT1ZVd1Lo'
video_id: 'NWoT1ZVd1Lo'
date: 2026-08-10
duration_sec: 1096
---

# Her Phone Died, So I'm Making Her Fix It

> Source: [Her Phone Died, So I'm Making Her Fix It](https://youtube.com/watch?v=NWoT1ZVd1Lo)

## Summary

In this video, Linus from LTT guides his daughter through a DIY smartphone battery replacement after her Samsung Galaxy Note 10's battery swelled, popping off the back panel. The tutorial covers the repair process, from removing adhesive to disconnecting components, and highlights unexpected discoveries, including a broken antenna cable. The video emphasizes the value of hands-on problem-solving and the importance of teaching repair skills.

### Key Points

- **Motivation for DIY repair** [00:02] — Linus explains that his technical skills were driven by a love for video games, which required troubleshooting hardware issues like IRQ allocations. He notes that his children have been shielded from developing similar problem-solving skills, prompting this repair project.
- **The problem: swollen battery** [00:41] — The daughter's Note 10 was knocked off a table, causing or accelerating a battery swelling issue that popped the back panel off. The phone stopped charging properly, and the battery level dropped rapidly, risking data loss.
- **Tools and preparation** [01:53] — Linus sets up a static-safe work mat and gathers tools. He ordered a battery replacement kit from Amazon that includes everything needed, including adhesive and a screwdriver. The instruction manual suggests searching YouTube for detailed guidance.
- **Battery swelling is natural** [03:13] — Linus explains that lithium batteries naturally produce gases and can swell, but it's not normal when they swell too much and stop accepting a charge. The swollen battery made removal easier, as the back panel came off without heat or prying.
- **Removing adhesive residue** [04:25] — Using isopropyl alcohol on the powered-off phone, Linus demonstrates a technique to loosen and roll up adhesive residue with friction. He clarifies that alcohol is safe when the phone is off, but could cause corrosion if powered on.
- **Screw removal and organization** [06:25] — Linus uses a magnetic parts tray to keep screws organized, emphasizing the importance of tracking screw placement. He notes that screws may vary in size and length, and some have threadlocker to prevent loosening.
- **Unexpected discovery: wrong instructions** [08:10] — The kit's instructions are for the Note 10 Plus, not the Note 10, causing confusion. Linus references a teardown by his colleague Zach to understand the layout, which is similar but not identical.
- **Internal components and waterproofing** [09:45] — After removing the metal plate, they see the wireless charging coil and speaker. Linus points out waterproofing seals and grills. The daughter compares the motherboard to a tiny town, showing engagement with the process.
- **Ribbon cable breakage** [10:26] — While prying off ribbon cables, one breaks. They discover it's the sub main signal antenna flex cable, which explains poor cellular reception. The daughter had been using WhatsApp for calls, so she didn't notice the issue.
- **Testing the new battery** [12:30] — After plugging in the new battery, they initially connect it to the wrong connector (charging coil input), but correct it. The phone shows a charging icon, and the battery percentage increases, confirming the battery was the issue.
- **Replacement part and temporary fix** [14:36] — The broken antenna cable costs $11 on Amazon, but Linus finds it cheaper on eBay with faster delivery. They temporarily reassemble the phone with double-sided tape so the daughter can use it until the part arrives.
- **Sponsor segment: Meter** [17:10] — Linus promotes Meter, a networking solution that provides wired, wireless, and cellular infrastructure, designed for performance and scale. He encourages viewers to book a demo at meter.com/ltt.

### Conclusion

The video demonstrates a successful DIY battery replacement, despite challenges like broken cables and wrong instructions. It highlights the importance of hands-on repair skills and the satisfaction of solving problems independently.

## Transcript

as technically inclined as I am because I particularly loved electronics or I particularly loved electronics or computers. What I loved was video games. weren't going to be playing any unless you could diagnose an IRQ allocation
issue or navigate the command prompt. And because the resources to learn these skills were much harder to access, I had to get resourceful. And it occurs to me that I have shielded my children from developing a lot of the problem solving
They have a problem with their game. They got a problem with their phone. Dad >> Yeah. >> H not today. On a recent trip, my
daughter's Note 10 got knocked off of the table, which either caused or accelerated a battery swelling issue that's so bad that it popped the back panel of this phone clean off. And if she wants it repaired, she's going to
have to do it herself. So hopefully she's feeling a lot more co-hosted with me. >> I don't like your video. >> Hi, Daddy. Daddy, >> do you remember your video when you were
>> Well, this time it was my idea. >> You know what my idea is? To tell them about our sponsor, >> Meter. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless, and cellular in one solution that's built
for performance and scale. Learn more at the end of the video or go to the end of the video or go to meter.com/ltt to book a demo.
>> the inside? >> Yeah. Yeah, of course. You're you're going to do a lot more than just see the inside. I don't know how to do this. >> Wait, you don't know how to do it? >> Well, I know the basic principles. So,
the first thing that we're going to need is a static safe work mat. If you can just clear a spot, show off. And you can go ahead and put >> It's so gross in there. >> Yeah, that's the adhesive. I'm hoping
everything we need to stick the back on. The next thing we're going to need is our tools. But in theory, we won't need any of that because I fired up Amazon and the only battery I could find for the Note 10 included, quote unquote,
everything that you need to perform the swap. So, there you go. There's your new is. >> Yep. >> this is important, right? >> That is probably important. I have no
idea what it is. This is the replacement for the goopy gross stuff that you see the gross stuff and then we're going to put this on. >> Is this the anti-grosser? >> No, that's a screwdriver.
>> My favorite. >> And tweezers. The last piece that I couldn't help noticing that you just took out and discarded is of course the instruction manual. This we're going to need
>> Mhm. They don't provide any specific link. Are they just suggesting searching on YouTube to find more details on how to replace batteries? And if you don't Brilliant. >> If there is a defective battery,
>> even brand new, sometimes batteries can die, especially if they've been sitting typically do is they'll they'll puff up, which is exactly what happened with your convenient for our operation today because it means that we don't have to
because it means that we don't have to do any of the heat gunning or suction cupping or prying or cutting the adhesive. This is just going to >> Come right off for us. Yep. We won't need those at all. Now, it's time for us
need those at all. Now, it's time for us to remove all this adhesive residue. for that. I'm going to go get some alcohol, though, because I think that's going to make life a little bit easier. >> Two shots of vodka.
>> All right. All right. Let me have >> Are we allowed to put alcohol on a phone? >> We are. If the phone is powered on, then alcohol could cause contaminants to seep into areas they're not supposed to,
which could short out or or corrode the phone. But in the context of something that has no power running through it, like this back cover, spritz, [music] which should help loosen up some of that adhesive.
>> Yeah. I've been breathing this stuff my whole life and I'm not crazy yet. whole life and I'm not crazy yet. [laughter] think I've got a bit of a technique for this. [music] If you use friction and
you kind of rub at it, you can get it to roll up. See that? >> Maybe this is why they tell us to like [music] heat the back of the phone. So, >> no, they tell us to heat the back of the phone so that we can kind of loosen the
[music] So, we can run this cutter around the outside and cut the adhesive battery swelled this much, we didn't >> Oh. >> So, it's a natural thing for lithium
style batteries to have some [music] like like gases and some swelling. But what's not supposed [music] to happen is it's not supposed to swell too much and stop accepting a charge. So, the symptoms of this phone are that it
actually was working up until just a few days ago, but she went to plug it in to charge it and it would say boop boop charging and then it just wouldn't charge. And then the battery level started to go down really fast. And so I
trying to like copy all the photos off it and everything because uh I'm a bad dad and I didn't set up like cloud sync for her. I just kind of didn't get for this one. [music] If the phone dies, there's a lot of like pictures and stuff
to do a really good job. We're going to put a nice fresh battery in and it's going to be fine. Having fun yet? >> No, actually. Yeah, kind of. >> No. >> Well, it's a little bit like arts and
>> It's like building and I don't like working with glue. >> I just mean you like sort of fussing at little projects. She's a big sewer, >> Seistest. >> I really don't think that's the word. I
she's more so so >> move this mess. >> Okay, step five. Remove all the large pieces of tape. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. [music] Okay, step six. Remove all the screws from the back of
>> What screws? >> 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 screws. All right, you could use this one, but instead I'm going to have you use the
float plane precision pro screwdriver set from Ult. How come you don't like put stuff in here? >> Uh, I can wait. Are you going to pay attention to where the screws are and where they need to go back and all of
>> I will put them on here. >> Nope. You'll put them in here. This is a magnetic parts tray that comes with our precision pro screwdriver. where all the ones you need to remove are? There's a diagram.
>> Okay, good. Are you sure? >> I think. >> Yeah. See there? There's two screws. These two. >> Oh, okay. These are a Phillips head. Hold on. They're Phillips. I gave you
>> How dare you. >> Sorry. I'll do [music] better next time. are you where are you putting these? Where did these come from? >> Okay. So, let's put them in a way that helps us put them back in the right
exactly the same size and length, but that might not be the case for all of >> Green. >> Uh, that's actually blue. And it's a What it does is that, you know, when this is vibrating or heating up and
from coming loose on their own. It kind of glues them in, but not permanently. >> Mhm. >> It in this diagram it says [music] take one, and this one. >> Five along that edge.
>> I don't see three of them. >> This is a completely different phone. What the heck? >> Wait, is that the wrong battery? It says Not Note 10 right on it. So, we're good on that.
something? I guess. >> All right. I guess yeah, we'll maybe we'll see if uh my buddy Zach did a tear down. This is for the Note 10 Plus, but can actually see. Yeah, it's got a very very similar layout.
>> Yeah, let's start by removing these guys. These four right here on this shipping it with instructions if they're not for the phone that the kit's for? guess. >> Yeah, I guess they could. Well, you were
instructions, so it makes sense that you would find out. I really hope you're putting these screws back in in a way that you understand. If you understand it, then I'm good. Also, they all seem to be the same so far, so we should be
to do is we're going to peel up this metal plate now. Gently. Gently. So, charging coil right here. I don't think you ever really use wireless charging, but this is this is it. So, we don't want to break that. I think we're going
well. Let's pull them all out. >> All five. need now is we're going to need this little prying tool. And I'm going to away. So, you're going to peel this back and you're going to pry up this
connector right here. Do you see this connector right here? you're going to get under it right like this is glued down. So, what we're going to do is we're going to gently, gently,
to do is we're going to gently, gently, so gently lift it up like that. Okay. >> No. >> All right. Okay. Put that aside. So, that's your wireless charging coil. I think we've also got one of your
>> Yep. That's a speaker. >> Okay. This also gives us a look at some of the waterproofing. These [music] grills and these seals here help keep the device. >> Wow. You know, when I was smaller, I
used to pretend motherboards were just gigantic or small [music] towns, and >> They're so small. >> They're almost like little towns for follow along on all the little roads, and they go do their little jobs and all
the little buildings. The one we're most concerned about, though, is the source here. And I should not be >> You sure poking at that with anything sharp? I >> This thing goes in just like that.
your device. Next thing we're going to do is just like you pried off that pry [music] off these ribbon cables. Well, one of them is apparently already >> Maybe that's why the phone's not working. At first, I just thought it
broke in half. >> Yeah, it kind of looks that way. Okay. Uh and then this one, I think what we're going to do is we're just [music] going to pin it back. So, let's find something heavy
there. I can hold that there. And then this one. Wow. That [music] That is out. I What? Wait, what? >> Is the battery not dead? Did this just break? >> Uh, can I have a look?
>> I take it he's mad. >> Yeah, I'm pretty mad. >> So, we've just got a broken piece and that's it. [music] >> Where the heck am I supposed to get this ribbon cable? And wait, that doesn't
bulged. >> Should we just replace the battery and then replace the cable, too? >> I wonder if the battery bulging is what pulled this out. The funny thing is I can't even see where this attaches. See
>> Are you holding it backwards? >> Oh, wait. No, I see it. >> You can see there's a teensy piece of green on that. I think that's where it goes. Should we like find a way to get a new cable? Uh, yeah. I guess we should.
>> Or should we just like super glue it? [laughter] >> No, we should not super glue it. Okay, now I'm confused. [music] before? I'll be honest with you. This I just like pulled it out of inventory
>> What? >> Did someone like take it apart and then put it back together and back on the shelf and hope nobody [music] noticed? >> LTT. It's possible. Anything's possible. >> Wait, so there's no point of all that
>> Wait, so there's no point of all that glue removing? I didn't say that. >> get a new one >> is we can plug this battery in and then see if it charges. >> Is it safe to power it on with the back
>> Um, it's safe for us. This is a low voltage and is not going >> I bet it's not going to work. >> Did I do this wrong? [music] >> Did you? >> Uh-oh. It's possible. [laughter]
That would [music] be really bad. Why are there two connectors here? I plugged the battery into the power input for the charging into the power input for the charging coil. [laughter]
to know now then is does it charge? >> Life's big questions. Does it charge? >> Cuz if our if it charges >> 15% still. >> Well, no. It's a new battery, love. Oh, >> that's what this battery shipped with
to be careful not to touch any of the delicate components at the back. delicate components at the back. >> In 3 2 1. Hey, cool. It's charging. charge like it did before? >> No. Last time it would just not do the
little charge icon thing. >> Let's I want to see that number move. believe it's charging because sometimes the little lightning bolt icon would come up when I was testing it, but then it would go away. If it charges, then
what that tells me is that the battery is dead. But then, darling, um, how that there was a broken ribbon cable in your phone? Like, was everything
>> Yeah. >> I'm so confused. Yeah, there we go. We >> Cool. But
what the Okay, come on. >> I was okay. Okay, you know what? You're right. You're on your off hand. Okay, we'll give you another shot. All right, there we go. Okay, that's much better.
>> So, if it works, why >> then? Do we just hawk this back in there [laughter] and seal it up? search what that thing does. >> Let's find out what this does. Okay, this is the sub main signal antenna flex
cable for the Note 10. Was your cell reception really bad? >> Oh, get that thing out of here. It's so weird. [laughter] >> [laughter] >> Okay. The bad news is that you don't get
your phone back right away because if we glue it all together now without have to take the glue off again. You want to do that? >> Wow. It's $11. >> The good news is it's $11 and free
delivery Thursday, July. Oh, next week. Oh, shoot. I'm sorry. I'll have to wait another week. I found it on eBay for cheaper and [music] anywhere from 2 to 3 days earlier. So, I'm going to go ahead and order that. But overall, I consider
our operation a success. We managed to get the I mean, yeah, the phone's >> right? So, all we have to do is replace that cable that apparently we don't even need, although I don't understand that. Okay. What
>> It won't work. I think >> cuz see how you have no signal right now. just [music] like as an antenna without being attached to anything. >> No. >> Hold on. Give it a sec. Let it cook.
reception. >> I mean, this would explain that. Holy You use WhatsApp for calling. >> Yeah. [music] So, >> so you probably just never noticed you don't have a working cellular antenna.
from you. >> This is insane. I can't believe it took a dead battery to make us notice that her antenna was broken. Here's what put the wireless charging element back on. Then, what we're going to do is
we're going to put the screws back in. We're going to just very like temporarily tack this down. And that way, at least you can use your phone for the next few days while we wait for the part. Then, what we'll do is we'll pop
properly. Okay, good plan. >> So, how are we going to put it temporarily on? I'm just going to find just some cheap double-sided tape and >> I have cheap double-sided tape at home >> or even we could not even use
at the top and the bottom so that way you'll be able to take pictures. You'll >> Creative. Okay. >> I'm trying to find solutions for you, creative. >> You're going to have to work on not
sounding sarcastic when you're being sincere then. Well >> that was surprisingly successful given some of the challenges that we lie. >> Exactly. And you know what else isn't a
lie? Is telling you about our sponsor. >> But you already told them about your >> What >> meter? If your network is being held together by a small team working with multiple vendors, it can be hard to make
sure that everyone's goals are aligned. So you end up with a mess that just builds up over time without any organization in your organization. Meter in mind. They offer a complete
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and replace everything. Upgrade credits, manage migration, 24/7 support, and a easy. Thanks to Meter for sponsoring this video. Go to meter.com/ltt to book this video. Go to meter.com/ltt to book a demo now. That's me t.com/ltt
enjoyed this video, then you might like the one where >> that one was less good >> helped me build a computer. Oh, it's >> helped me build a computer. Oh, it's it's cute, though.