How To Replace Nokia N73 Faceplate Cover
Now that more eBay sellers have Nokia N73 faceplates and covers available, curious Nokia N73 users can now change the color of their phone. Johnh_21 from HOFO recently tried it and shows off the successful result. Here’s how he did it.
There are 2 excellent tutorials which can be found here by digisnacks and here by elcapitan. They complement each other perfectly. Here it is in combined and summarized version.
Tools Needed: 2 credit cards and T6 Screwdriver.
1. Take front faceplate off by inserting credit card 1 between housing and silver key. As you pull up, take credit card 2 and slide it on the side of the phone prying the clips off.
2. Unscrew these 6 screws at the edges with the T6 screwdriver and release the 4 clips surrounding the LCD screen.
3. Slip the little black frame off of the LCD screen, and lift the screen. You should now see a screw. Removing this screw removes the back cover.
4. That’s it! Put your new faceplate or housing in and figure out how to put things back by following the directions here in reverse order.
Enjoyed this post?
Consider subscribing to our full feed RSS. You can also subscribe by Email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox. For more updates, follow Mark on Twitter.
Hi, I've just bought an E71 & I clicked on the link to Visual Hub, but the sites been shut ...
@ Edu: any product code from Americas will (or atleast should) have spanish language. My N95-3 with product code 0552415 ...
I think the Nokia 5800 is at least as good as the iphone. Sure there are some differences the nokia ...
This is a real 3G phone from Nokia. Its features like 2.8 inch display, 16 GB internal memory, 5 MP ...
Ha! my instruction booklets never left the box. I should start reading them. 
I actually found it in the help documentation in my n82...infact for a lot of in built apps, you can ...
I use nuevasync.com with my n82.
They create a exchange server proxy for gcal to use with the mail for exchange ...
Erska on 23 October 2006:
Thank You!
I got water inside my new N73 today in heavy rain.
I was quite impossible to figure out how to open covers and then I just search from Internet.
Luckily I found your Nice instructions how to open covers. Now I got water dried out and lence cleaned and I can enjoy my N73 again
Thank you for wery informative site and nice instructions
Erska from Finland
Mark Guim on 23 October 2006:
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found the instructions helpful.
Andrew Burgin on 28 December 2006:
Anyone wanting a Black Fascia for your N73 go on to ebay.co.uk an you can buy a full fascia for about £14.00 an there superb an make your phone look like the music one you get the front,back an battery cover all in Black an now you buy the same keypads as well i got mine for £6.00 an can”t wait to get them,then if you want you can send your mobile with the fascia to the nokia care centre cell-tech.co.uk an they will fit it you for £10 an just call them at 01925860444 an ask them if its o.k to send to them by special delivery an you get back the next day,they couldn”t believed it when they saw mine but they really liked it an when i got it back it was unbelievable,an you know its been fitted properly i am sure
Brooke2389 on 30 December 2006:
Somebody Please Help!!!
I brought the N73 ME a week ago.
i am not able to add new songs to the music player.
i transfer the songs from my PC to the 2GB mini SD card by using a card reader.After inserting the card in the cell and starting the music player when i click on update the music player nothing happens no songs are getting added.
Also explain in detail how to add music to the Mini SD card of N73 ME.
muzafar on 2 January 2007:
hi brooke..you just need to use pc suite that comes with the phone to transfer music..that all..
Kerbdog on 12 January 2007:
Hey all,
Just before you get a cheap replacement Black cover for your N73 be careful. I got one about 2 weeks ago, fitted it and after 2 days the new keypads silver has already started to rub off, the silver coat on the mini camera is starting to rub off.
Also, the keypad is of really low quality.
Just so yea all know. A real OEM cover is about 50-70euro at-least. Don’t buy them from eBay, just ask your local Nokia Center to purchase one and fit it for yea.
-Kerb
Mark Guim on 13 January 2007:
Also depends on the seller. Check the feedbacks first. I’ve bought replacement covers before and had no problems. Of course, the OEM are better quality, but a lot more expensive.
Cool on 16 January 2007:
Hey Guyz
Could Ne1 of yaah be kind enough and post a video of you changing the Faceplate on YouTube
Thanks
jack clough on 20 January 2007:
hi ahave cracked my n73 screen:-(
am going to buy one off ebay as it is not on warrenty:-(
i was just wondering is it easy to replace the screen…
i have managed to remove the front cove but dont want to go further than that just yet as i dont have the screen yet…
do i jus unclip the screen cover and unplug the screen or sumting
n73_lover on 28 January 2007:
fuck you ppl!!!
i broke my ‘c’ button because of this stupid procedure!!
screw u all!
tanky on 31 January 2007:
I broke ma button n cover!
tanky on 1 February 2007:
oh yeh today i broke ma screen 2!!! Thanks for the stupid procedure u cunt1
DigitalNRG on 1 February 2007:
Just finished changing my faceplate to black music edition. I wouldn’t recommend to anyone who never changed any complicated faceplate before. It is hard and easy to break. With the firmware I flashed last week from this blog, now my phone is really a ME. Thanks Mark and everyone else for all the tips.
n80 any help? on 7 February 2007:
hey can any1 help with changing n80 faceplate pls???
daredn on 13 February 2007:
Thanks to this site.
I made my standard n73 to ME. Would you recommend to update also my N73 ME updated to Internet Edition? I am concern about the language. Will there still be english?
Thanks….
matty on 16 February 2007:
Hi peeps,
i have a little prob wiv ma nokia n73 screen. A few weeks ago i damaged it and had a new one fitted but since got the phone bak it seems lyk the screen is not bright enough, its quite dull 2 b honest! Ive selected maximum brightness on the display nenu but it still seems pretty dull! Does any1 knw bou this prob? How can this prob b solved? plz help guyz
Mark Guim on 17 February 2007:
People like th IE because you retain the multimedia button. English is on all of the language packs.
matty on 18 February 2007:
guys ne idea wot myt b the problem wiv ma screen?
chawi2ooo on 18 February 2007:
software
mike on 22 February 2007:
hey this guy seems to be selling the genuine music edition keypad at a very good price, check it out:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsassZswitchkickflip
Koffein Schluck on 2 March 2007:
Yeah! It’s great! Screen is clear! xD Im not good at this stuff, but it was easy! You guys are stupid if you brake your glass… It’s YOUR fault! It was YOUR decision and YOUR risk.
Zenith india n73 on 15 March 2007:
Can any one tell me that how to degrade if i update my n73
to me
how to flash any software will help
call me @09867058934.com
can i use the nemesis suite
i am from india
and what code should i use
please help
Hasan on 16 March 2007:
I changed my n73me.its great.thankyou very much
duffy on 19 March 2007:
to tanky and n73 lover… well maybe you dumb fucks should of been careful and followed the instructions in a proper way… dont start giving it cause your to retarded to follow a couple of easy steps.
pricks!!
p.s mark keep the cool info coming mate
Anonymous on 26 March 2007:
Guys you gotta be careful when taking out the cover. I suggest buying the right tool because it helps a lot. By the way I opened mine successfully. I have to say that the most challenging part was taking out that four frames on the lcd. I know that looking at these pictures weren’t enough so I watched the video to make sure, search it somewhere in google.
Daniel on 31 March 2007:
Hey thx for the nice tutorial, everything worked perfect just my camera does not work anymore.
If I open the back to start the camera…nothing happens…anyone knows what I have done wrong while changing my cover?
alx on 3 April 2007:
you are all a bunch of cunts, why don’t you just BUY the ME loool
Vera on 4 April 2007:
Same problem here as Daniël.. Anybody any idea?
Anonymous on 4 April 2007:
My goodness I’m having the same problem as Daniel and Vera too. WE NEED HELP IF ANYBODY KNOWS PLEASE HELP US.
I think it has something to do with the internal. I’m not sure but I’ve read it somewhere that the circle rubber inside has to be centered. I will try to fix mine. I will give you any updates later.
Anonymous on 5 April 2007:
Listen Daniel and Vera
I found out what’s wrong with it, first make sure that the little circle part inside (Little rubber circle with little spring metals) is centered right.
Second, make sure that that SCREWS ARE TIGHT because the contacts wouldn’t touch.
Goodluck on fixing your phone.
Chad on 8 April 2007:
Thank you very much! I was busting my brain trying to work out how to open it. As i dropped my phone & cracked my screen. Thank you again.
James on 8 April 2007:
Could someone please help me? I’ve broken the side button on my N73 that takes photos, and Don’t know how to get to it.Thanks
ŵֻ on 9 April 2007:
·ͲԺû䣡
诺基亚手机 on 9 April 2007:
不错，路过支持一下
J on 13 April 2007:
I Also broke my screen, its pretty easy to mistake, the side of the screen for the clip your supposed to unclip, take it from me and take a good look at the useful pictures posted, at second glance you will realise the bit you have in mind to tugg on are probably the wrong one, i now have a new screen and the cover has be succesfully put on so all is well, apart from my mistake, these instructions are very usfull. Thanks.
kat on 20 April 2007:
can anyone help me with changing a nokia 7373 face plate please?
JAcko on 27 April 2007:
I am interested to know why my n73 wont work annymore
i did everything wth caution yet nothing works now and and i didnt even get the back off the phone. after releasing the last screw my ohone stayed stuck in the casing! wtf someone please help me
eyad mayy on 8 May 2007:
jacko you have to open it agian you v miss something!
BMF on 15 May 2007:
i 2 am interested in how to change a nokia 7370 faceplate.someone please help me
R A Mi on 18 May 2007:
hi anybody help me to know how nokia 6230i mobile phone face/cover is replaced regards,
Rob Anderson on 24 May 2007:
Top work mate… I bit my phone in a drunken rage.. and managed to crack the screen.
Having bought a new screen I fitted it.. bastardising the instructions above.
A blessing on all your beer!
Mr.G on 25 May 2007:
i got the cover popped off on the c button side but other side seems very stingy and wont pop off i tried every way i dont wanna brake it am i do something wrong or my fone just doesnt like me :).. thx
joe on 26 May 2007:
wankersi fuckin broke my cover cause of this shit
Ivan on 6 June 2007:
Help… I have changed whole case to black but when close everything work, except main camera… It seems that it not sees that back cover is open… What to do___
blobby on 9 June 2007:
u bastards u made me brake my phone fuk u allll!!!!!!!
Tester on 13 June 2007:
Just want to say thanks for the article. Just tested on my phone and could clean the dust inside the phone.
And greetings from the hot sunny Finland
Sofia on 14 June 2007:
Just wanted to say the instruction’s are very good, i just changed the full housing of mine to pink… but you have to be very careful when you opening it and when you closing it. When i closed mine.. the cam was not working it was giving me an error.. for the memory card.. i opened the front cover and tighten the screws put the cover back on.. and its working fine, try this website got more info..
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?p=8155657
MacPee on 17 June 2007:
I must say thank you for your pics and tutorial as it helped me fix my sons N73. I can normally pull anything apart, yet with this phone, it felt like it would have broken. Thankfully your way is perfect, keep up the great work. Mac
matt on 17 June 2007:
hey i have a probleme i left my mobile in the rain by accident and i did what you said and now eerything works except for the backlight of the fone any idea?? thanks
ironmaiden1uk on 19 June 2007:
hi
these instructions are great , someone sat on my n73 and cracked the lcd. i found this link on youtube ‘http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_jOLMEE1YY’
shows how to take the whole phone apart, not that i would want to!
hope this helps too,
blazin on 21 June 2007:
lol… Those of you who cannot read intructions carefully i suggest you go back to school and serves you right for breaking your phones…FKN NOOBs… Anyways enough about noobs.
This article it awesome and very informative i certainly will be using this to guide myself when i get my back housing with face plate, battery cover & keypads which are oem covers for my std N73.
Well thnks again and great tips!!!
Nix on 4 July 2007:
Hi
thank you… iv been wondering how to open the phone to dry it out, as it fell out my pocket and into the loo.. yeah.. lovely… but any way, i got it off easily, strange how some people broke it, idoits…. cant blame other people. do so at your own risk….
hopefully it still works once its dried….
Madders on 4 July 2007:
Hi guys, i feel embarressed to ask a simple question but how do you get the date up on the screen!! i have tried everything and looked everywhere and can’t find the option…..
can someone please show me i think its right infront of my eyes but keep missing it…
thanks
Roy on 4 July 2007:
Hi,
It was a real nice article on how to replace the faceplate of the n73.
However I have a query which comes prior to beginning the procedure..
I live in Bangalore, India and would like to know where I can get a faceplate and back housing assembly along with the keypad for my n73.
Also how much it would cost for the same.
Regards.
tony on 10 July 2007:
This was very informative. Helped very much, thanks.
Althought there are a few more parts to change after you`ve removed the body of the phone.
GoGolfer on 12 July 2007:
Hello Everyone,
I am a golfer myself and I like to play whenever I get a chance.
A short while ago, a very good friend of mine told me about a great golfing equipment and accessories website that has discounted prices on all their products, same day shipping in most cases and there is no state sales tax, they are paying that.
So if any golfer here is ready to save some money on quality products at highly discounted prices, you might want to check out their site at; http://hoffmangolf.com
thomas on 14 July 2007:
change the cover ok
open phone no prbolem
closed phone and picture upside down
any help….
Kress-syrian Man on 15 July 2007:
thanks you man
i opent now and i’m going to close it back
Ravi on 16 July 2007:
Sub : To add songs into your music library.
Hi,
After adding the songs in the mini.. memory card…
just press the music edition button… In options u will find refresh music library… jusss press it all the songs will come into ur music library.
Ravi
Ravi on 16 July 2007:
Can anybody know how to assign a tone to a specific contact.
I would like assign diff ringtones to my frds….
plsss
– Ravi Shankar
Ivor Vrbos on 28 July 2007:
Hey , hope you still check this blog,
Thanks for the procedure, I managed to disassemble my N73 no problems. Didn’t break anything ha ha
However, my N73 fell out of my pocket into a pond (yes I’m stupid) n i managed to dry it b4 it died, but the calcium residue or soemthing got into the keypad and caused a short circuit or something. So now the left option key and the green button dont work and numbers and joystick are screwed (when i press 3 it dials 3 and sometimes it’s 7) So I was wondering…
1. What’d happen if i would remove the white sticker from the keypad contacts and tried to clean it.
2. Is it possible to change the keypad (not just the mask) or do i have to get a new phone.
Feel free to answer via e-mail. Thanks alot if you find something out.
Ivor
gangsta on 8 August 2007:
thanx everyone for all your help it helped me alot
Nick on 14 August 2007:
hahahahahahahaha you lot are all stupid then!!! i got a full nokia housikng in white of ebay the over day its the official nokia case and all i done is uise my old buttons and it works fine!!! you just have to be careful not to stab your screen when removing the phones plate out of the case… all you people getting angry and screwing at the people near the top can fuck off! they gave good advice its just you thick cunts in here that dont have a fucking ounce of common sence cant fit a phone cover!!!!
Dynamac on 18 August 2007:
Ravi,
Instead of going into the playlist, you have to go to gallery and then tracks, from there you have the option of assigning a song toe each contact.
Dynamac
g on 18 August 2007:
yo my i changed my housing but now ma camera aint working i put the gold clips in aswell but it still aint any1 now wat i can do plz
bbEZ on 19 August 2007:
also guide here that i wrote…
http://www.geocities.com/b_bez
nerd. on 20 August 2007:
Just successfully replaced the front cover (the plastic screen cover was cracked). Didn’t try to change the back but delighted with the new screen.
Ali on 21 August 2007:
Hey there…
does anyone here know how to change the housing on a Nokia 3250?? or at least a website where I can find a guide on how to change the housing for it?
please contact me on the e-mail listed above.
thank u
Ali on 21 August 2007:
^^^ bad_boyz_4_life_1@yahoo.com
rob on 21 August 2007:
hey guys i have a question , ive just changed my n73 housing and theres a problem with the bottom speaker it sounds very bad , i dunno what i did wrong, could any1 help me??
Dave Hadley on 23 August 2007:
hey guys i broke the screen on my girlfriends 7370. ive got a replacement cover but havent got a clue how to change the faceplate. ne ideas would be great!
Stephen 123 on 24 August 2007:
someone help me after i changed my housing wen i make a call no1 can hear me??? lol what did i do wrong i did every step carefully..
please i really need help
K-A on 29 August 2007:
Hi, Just wanted to say a huge Thanks to u guys. I’m a useless female who usually cant do anything technical (usually get hubby to help in that dept), but my new pink covers arrived and hubby away for 5 days - I couldn’t wait, so used your instructions and managed it all by myself. Absolutely brill!!
Pinark on 31 August 2007:
thanks a lot to this forum there was some gunk on the underside of my screen and i could not get it off, thanks to u guys i have opened the inside and got it cleaned with a non dust cloth…
thanks a lottttttt my screen looks really clean now…
regards 2 u
ahmed on 9 September 2007:
hi,thanks 4 this nice web i had like many in and out scratches which made my moblie look very bad but because of ur site am having it just as new.
Rajat on 9 October 2007:
Hi
I have a nokia 7373 and i was hoping you would be able to guide me as to how I could get the screen cover off.
watch replica on 15 October 2007:
Our watch replica price is cheaper than other website, and the watch replica is the good watch. you can choose any watch replica to placed order, Once we receive your payment, we will handle the watch replica shipment.
Sammi on 26 October 2007:
HI I HAVE JUST CHANGED MY N73 AND NOW IT IS SAYING OFF LINE?!!?
EVERYTHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE WORKING, CHANGING THE COVER WAS HARDER THAN U THOUGH WISH I HADNT NOW!!
PLS HELP ME URGENTLY
THANKS X
barneybear on 26 October 2007:
Hi,
I replaced the cheap cover that came with my phone to an original silver one.
Took a while but all working again.
Only (huge) problem is now people can’t hear me.
I assume I’ve messed up the mic - can anyone describe where it is?
Cheers
BiLLY_BaDaSS on 27 October 2007:
To be honest changing body of the n73 is a big hassle especially if you have to move all the parts from one body to the other. The hardest bit was opening the charger port, it just refused to open.
I think that using a card to open the face is a bad idea and you should use the tool intended to open cases. Using other tools other than the proper one will put you at a higher risk in breaking your phone people.
One thing for certain is that if you’re considering opening the fascia, you should consider the risks such as the face or keypad popping out and maybe getting broken because of too much force you put in.
BTW great ‘How To’ on opening the fascia of the Nokia N73
JAcke1337@hotmail.com on 5 November 2007:
Hi there.. I just wanted to say that this isn’t anything you just do like that and think it’s will work after.. DAMN it is hard!! :O
Anyway, I have discovered that my camera works sometimes and sometimes not.. And it’s because wich battery cover case I have.. WEIRD.. but yes.. Something to think, if you all people have som problems with your camera..
Mish on 7 November 2007:
urgh i followed everything but now my microphone wont work!!
and when i put the back cover on it wont accept my pin =(
anyone good at all the technical stuff?
Paul on 19 November 2007:
If you buy a decent new cover it should come with a new keypad. So if you damage the C button its not a problem. Replace the keypad with the one that comes with new cover. Its better to use one of the plastic tools you can get with the covers though rather than the front.
Upgrading to music edition is easy and didn’t damage my already unlocked phone. It has newer firmware now as a result and bluetooth works more reliably. Plus the font is much nicer on the eye than the antiquated font used on previous versions.
Phil on 27 November 2007:
Faaar Out!!!!!!!!!1
great tips, had to change a cracked LCD for my son.
managed to get the phone apart, and put back together within an hour, including finding the instructions, without breaking anything.
and the nokia people wanted over 100 Euros for the job. wait till he sees the bill.
jakub on 1 December 2007:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_jOLMEE1YY
its so easy
Madde on 11 December 2007:
Thanks for this tip! An easy thing to do, and the result was great!
Pratik on 11 December 2007:
Screw you guys
it-was-easy on 11 December 2007:
very simple
just gave it a good clean cuz it was that easy and in need of cleanin
cheers
SiPS on 13 December 2007:
HAHAHA THIS THREAD IS HILARIOUS, PEOPLE BREAKING THEIR PHONES, THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR USING THESE GHETTO INSTRUCTIONS. YOU SHOULDVE STOPPED READING THIS WHEN IT SAID “Take front faceplate off by inserting credit card” HAHAHA, A CREDIT CARD?
mariog on 26 January 2008:
i was very happy that i got insturction bto replace the faceplate cover,but unfortunately there isnt any photos to see.please help me in this case as soon as possible.
thank you
Garry on 28 January 2008:
Mark,
I found your site through Google and it seems pretty informative. I also wanted to know how to remove the faceplate without damage which I have through your blog info. Thanks for that.
My problem:
I had the misfortune of dropping my N73ME out of my shirt pocket and the phone landed squarely on its face. It looks like I’ve damaged the joystick as now it stays depressed and now there are erroneous command inputs coming from the joystick if it is even slightly touched. I tried to see if it will pop back out (I have forced nothing) but of no luck.
Do you have any ideas on how I can fix this or is it Nokia Care Center time?
Thanks in advance,
Garry
Rick on 11 February 2008:
Thanks for the words, but links to pics fail.
Tony on 19 February 2008:
I’m having problems with the camera button on the back cover? Find it impossible to fit the spring! Tried putting the button in first than the spring and vica versa but just ended up bending the spring out of shape! Can someone help?
Cheers
Ishan on 19 February 2008:
Sum1 deleted t pics sad :(((
leona on 3 March 2008:
how do you get the back plate (not the camera slide part) off? i just cant seem to get it
bryan on 6 March 2008:
hey thnks 4 the easy to follow instructions, everything is good except that my camera doesnt work! plz help!
Vlad on 14 March 2008:
Thanks for this guide, worked like a charm!
I put together a post of my own, complete with IMAGES!
for the needy of you.
http://www.1on1.ro/2008/03/12/replacing-the-lcd-screen-on-a-nokia-n73-7-steps/
However I managed to replace the screen without removing any screws, and without the need for a T6 screwdriver.
liam on 15 March 2008:
everything went wrong all phone broke
bibo on 26 March 2008:
I have broken the screen of my N73. Not the cover but the inner panel. Is it possible for me to replace the panel? If yes will I get the same clarity?
Naushad on 28 March 2008:
somebody please help me!!!
My n73 mobile some stuck it will come on after 3 times remove battery this it sort it out because i was installed google map software. after some days my mobile again hang when I tried to transfer music file from my pc then i remove my battery again tried many times. it shows only Nokia white back ground.
please heap…
carl on 7 April 2008:
Yeh good work mark keep new information posted thnx
carl on 7 April 2008:
can any1 help me my play button on the side of my n73 is stuck and does not work any ideas thanks!
bhuwan on 19 April 2008:
i have n73m and when i
instal a sis or sisx files on it in the instal
the phon tell me (unabel to install) and i cant now install im trying to may times but im not install software in my phone
plz tall me how to instyall any sis file pleas help meeeeeeeee…….
bhuwan on 19 April 2008:
I have sis file and i want to install and test on N73.I am getting
certificate error.
Please any one give me some idea or suggestion, how I will install sis file on N73.
Waiting for your valuable reply.
arolaser on 1 May 2008:
Make sure that when you replace the microphone you place it so that the 2 gold contacts are on the right hand side.
It kind of looks like this when it is in the correct position.
( - -)
If you do not replace it correctly your microphone will either not work or will not be clear.
Good luck and thanks for this guide.
sunil on 17 May 2008:
i try any rotateme software n 73 music. but not working.pleaes sand me screen rotate me software or tips.
aws on 20 May 2008:
what is going on, why I can not see the photos!!
lulu on 25 May 2008:
what are the steps to upgrade a normal N73 cellphone to a Music Edition…???
plz lemme knw thankie you guys!
LzhBrzl on 25 June 2008:
Hey! The pics are down ! Only empty spaces!
Soul on 27 June 2008:
bhuwan
try to change your date and time to a bit earlier … about 2000 something, install it, then change the date back.
samichi on 21 September 2008:
hey arolaser
u say make sure the microphone contact things are on the right, do u mean wen the microphone is nearer the botom of the phone or vice versa
thnks x.
samichi on 21 September 2008:
thnks