Nexus 7 2nd generation (2013) Accelerator sensor repair (see description, see recent comments!)

Nexus 7 2nd Generation (2013) quick repair of the accelerator sensor cable. Accelerator sensors are the bits that tell the tablet its orientation in space.

This was totally unscripted. I just needed to do the repair and figured I'd record a video while I was doing it. There are plenty of instructions available elsewhere, including other videos. Well, I figured, what the hell, here's mine. For what it's worth.

Yours: It's possible the actual sensors are broken, but if all three show 0 (zero) in the app, then there's a good chance it's just the internal cable. Mine stopped working every few months, so I've gotten pretty good at popping it open and re-seating the cable connectors. Your tablet probably won't open so easily. Don't worry, just persist, but be sure to use a non-metal tool (see this teardown https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nexus+7+2nd+Generation+Teardown/16072). Be gentle with the connectors! If you're unsure of your skills, I believe Google will repair it for a price.

If you re-seat the connector and the accelerator sensors still don't work, then your tablet may need parts replaced. Time for a web search, and possibly professional repair, or replacement. Or you can live with it and use a rotation control app; that will be less convenient than having working hardware, but it's free.

I was actually doing that for a while before I found out how to fix it. That's when I found this rotation app (below). I now use it on all my Android gadgets.

Stuff I'm using:

Fosmon TPU Silicone Case
http://www.fosmon.com/product/dura-fro-series-for-google-nexus-7-2nd-generation-2013/
Got mine from eBay. My only complaint is that it makes the buttons stiff. I used an X-acto knife to partially detach them (on the case! not the tablet), which helped a bit. Otherwise it's a nice case and I have no other complaints. It's thin enough not to affect wireless charging.

Check My Android app by Wooram Hong: this will give you the raw numbers from pretty much all your sensors. This is the app you see me using in the video.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.checkmyandroid.app&hl=en

Rotation Control app by CrapeMyrtle: My own personal favorite rotation control app. YMMV of course. This one gives you all the options (including locking the rotation) and shows in your pull-down menu for quick access, so, really convenient.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.crape.rotationcontrol&hl=en

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Not related to the video, but you might have found this video by accident, and I have some answers. Another common failure on the Nexus 7 is the USB connector. It's positioned to take a lot of stress -- more than a phone's USB would, because the tablet is both longer and heavier. Putting it on one end instead of along one side just exacerbates the problem. Thanks, Google.

Usually what happens is the solder attaching the internal pins to the board cracks after repeated flexing, and the pins get bent slightly away from the board, breaking the connection. Sometimes the USB connector will work for a while after, if you tilt the plug just right, but that just slowly bends the pins away.

You can re-solder the pins if you have the skills and equipment. (It's not difficult, but it's fiddly, the pins are small, and it's easy to solder the pins together. Best done only if you have practice.)

You can buy a replacement board that holds the USB connector. That doesn't require soldering skills or equipment, just mechanical skills, and instructions are available online. It's also a PITA and requires a near-complete teardown of the tablet.

A third option is to work around it. The Nexus 7 can be charged via wireless Qi, and data can be moved on and off wirelessly. Buy a Qi charger and sync your data with Google, or use Dropbox or something. NFC can work for small file transfers.

If your connector works and you want to keep it that way, you can use a magnetic USB connector. You see me pull the plug end of one from my tablet after removing the protective case. I got mine from eBay, you can find them other places as well. My experience is mixed, but mostly good; not much good for fast charging, but they allow both charging and data transfer, and there is less chance of stressing the USB. However, they don't tilt off along the short axis very well, which is where you want it most. So I use Qi for most of my charging and only rarely use the cable. Also: in the car the magnet tends to pick up debris, which interferes with the connection and can be difficult to remove.

Just search for "magnetic micro USB android" and you'll find something you can use.

I've repaired the USB twice; the second time I beefed up the support tabs with extra solder, and started using the magnetic cables. Since then I've had no trouble. If yours is working, I recommend starting now!

Видео Nexus 7 2nd generation (2013) Accelerator sensor repair (see description, see recent comments!) канала jjnonken