[Sprint LG Optimus G] nericus:
So, you've been instructed to remove the battery in your Optimus G, huh?

I've had to do it twice, and the first time, I screwed up royally. This time I took it step by step, and decided to take a bunch of photos along the way!

Here's what you'll need.

* T-4 or possibly T-5 Torx bit to get the case off

* P00 Philips head to get the connector off.

* Fingernails, spudger, some little implement.

* Patience.

* Tiny pointy implement strongly suggested (I used a sewing needle)

* Little magnet suggested, or some method to keep the screws together.

Direction references are assuming you have flipped over your Optimus, and are looking at it like it was a compass, so "West" is the power button side.

On the south side, towards the corners are two Torx screws. You have to remove these first.

I found it simplest to start with your fingernails to start seperating the case, and then use your spudger-like device to start popping the hooks. There is no glue involved, so that makes things a bit simpler.

Images 02-05 have the locations of the catches on each side highlighted. Once you pop those, the cover will come off.

Take your time, it's rather annoying, and if you put too much pressure on the silver part, you'll nick/dent it. Be aware that the power and volume buttons will "fall out".

Image 06 is what the device looks like when you have taken the cover off. Our area of focus is right "under/left" of the camera module, that little silver strip covered with blue tape.

Remove that tape. (Image 07) You can save it to put back on, or leave it off, it doesn't seem to serve any "actual" purpose. Obviously, putting it back on is probably the better option, but I mangled mine, and it seems to be fine.

Here's where you need your P00 Philips. There are two TINY screws holding the plate in place. Be damn careful, they are only a few millimeters in dimensions. Remove them, set them somewhere they won't move (your magnet, perhaps?) (Image 08)

Now, here's the "dangerous" part... I used a sewing needle, but as a very helpful individual on IRC put it.

Image 09 is how I went about doing it. I cannot stress enough NOT to pry it up with your fingernails. The solder holding the connector to the PCB is not that strong, and you CAN break it! I speak from unfortunate experience (See Image 12, note the second OG in the distance)

What I did was poked the needle into the center, and the shallowest angle I could manage, and VERY gently pried up a bit... Repeat to both sides, each time prying up a little bit more. The trick is that you want to put the lifting pressure on the plate side, while pushing down on the PCB side.

After a handful of seconds of prying, you should pop the connector off (Images 10 and 11)

Stop a moment, pat yourself on the back!

Now that you've successfully disconnected the battery, it's time to reconnect, and close it back up. Luckily this is a lot simpler...

Click the plate back into place.

Now, I assume you came here because you're having problems. Continue your troubleshooting, being careful of the back. No sense putting it all back together if you're going to need to do it again, huh? The plate is snug enough that it should stay in place for mild troubleshooting.

Go ahead, I'll wait.

Back already? Congrats! Let's close this thing up!

Screw those obnoxiously tiny black screws back down.

If you choose to, put the blue tape back in place. (Image 6 for original placement)

Now, getting the back cover back in place is.... annoying. You need to snap it down, while keeping the power and volume buttons in place. What I wound up doing was putting the cover on the table, placing the buttons where they belong, and setting the rest of the phone in place. I had to jimmy it a little since my power button fell in a hair, but nothing serious.

Xiutehcuhtli had a beautifully simple solution to this... scotch tape them into place. Watch his video!

Go around the outside of your case with your fingernails/spudger/etc and ensure all the catches are in place. I managed it with a combination of fingernails and just a bit of shoving.

Put your Torx bolts back in, and rejoice!