Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation where the device stops holding the charge, suddenly turns off in the cold or a swollen battery begins to press on the screen. The question of how to get the battery out of the phone becomes relevant when the degradation of the battery reaches a critical point. Modern gadgets of the Chinese brand, as a rule, have a non-removable body, which greatly complicates the replacement process compared to older models with removable covers.
Before starting disassembly, you need to be aware of the risks associated with a violation of factory tightness. A careless opening can lead to damage to plumes, rupture of contacts or even fire of a lithium polymer cell when it punctures. In this article, we will discuss in detail the technological process of extracting the battery, the necessary tools and the specific nuances of working with glued designs of Mi and Poco smartphones.
It's worth noting that self-replacing the battery will nullify the official warranty if it's not expired yet. However, if you're confident with small tools and understand the basics of electrical safety, this procedure will prolong the life of your gadget without going to the service center. It's important to prepare a workplace with good lighting and take your time, since rush is the main enemy when working with fragile electronics.
Diagnosis of battery status and preparation
The first step before physical intervention is to accurately diagnose the current state of the power system. Software failures often mimic hardware problems, so you need to rule out errors in the Android operating system or the MIUI shell. Check the energy consumption statistics in the Settings → Battery and performance menu to make sure that physical wear is the cause of the problems, not the background parasite application.
If the visual inspection confirmed the bloating or sharp drop in the capacity, you should prepare the workplace. You will need a clean, dry surface, preferably with an antistatic coating, to eliminate the risk of short circuit with static electricity. Static discharge can instantly disable the power controller or motherboard, so work on a synthetic carpet or blanket is strongly discouraged.
To do a task successfully, you'll need a specific set of tools that a household doesn't always have. The lack of suitable tools often leads users to scratch the case or break plastic latches while trying to lid the knife. Below is a list of the equipment needed to safely disassemble.
- 🛠️ Precision screwdrivers (cross-hatched) P2/P5 and slits) for shell screws.
- 💨 A hair dryer or professional heating pad for softening the factory glue under the screen or back cover.
- 💳 Plastic card or special spatulas (spoogers) for neat detachment of elements.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws of different caliber, so as not to confuse them when assembling.
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is overblown and takes up more than 10% of the extra volume, do not try to heat the phone with a hairdryer.Thermal exposure to the deformed lithium polymer cell can cause it to ignite. In such cases, heating should be minimized or chemical adhesive solvents used.
Remember to turn the device off completely before any manipulations begin. Even when it is off, there may be residual voltage on the board, but putting the smartphone into deep sleep or completely shutting down reduces the risk of short circuits when the contacts are accidentally touched by the tool, a basic electrical safety rule that is unacceptable to ignore.
Technology disassembly of Xiaomi and Redmi cases
The process of accessing internal components depends on the specific model of your device. Xiaomi engineers use various build methods: some models have a glass back cover glued around the perimeter, while others, especially the budget Redmi series, can have a plastic panel with hidden screws under plugs. Understanding the type of design is the key to a successful start.
For glass-back models like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Xiaomi Mi 9, the main fastener is a special glue.The hairdryer heats the back cover evenly around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes to temperatures around 80-90 degrees Celsius. Overheating the center of the cover is not required and can damage the display matrix, so focus on the edges.
After heating, carefully insert a thin plastic blade or scalpel blade (with great care) into the gap between the frame and the lid. The movements should be sliding, parallel to the plane of the phone, not stabbing. If you feel strong resistance, then the glue at this point has not warmed up, and the heating procedure should be repeated to avoid cracks on the glass.
In plastic back cover models, screws are often hidden under decorative stubs or brand logos. Carefully inspect the surface for microscopic holes or rubber plugs. Sometimes accessing the fixture requires removing the main camera module or speaker, which complicates the design and requires increased care when disconnecting the plumes.
☑️ Checking disassembly readiness
Disabling plumes and removing the battery
After successfully removing the back cover or screen (in some models, the battery is only accessible via the display module), the internal layout will open to your eye. The first thing you need to do is disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard, which is critical because working with the connected battery increases the risk of short circuit.
The battery connector is usually located in the top or middle of the board and covered with a metal protective plate that is screwed. Use the appropriate screwdriver to remove protection, and then with a plastic blade or nail (if access allows) gently pull the connector up. Never pull the wires of the plume, the impact should only be on the hard part of the connector.
The battery itself in modern Xiaomi and Poco smartphones is mounted on double scotch or special adhesive strips that ensure tight fit and no backlashes. You can't just pull it out with your fingers - you need effort. There are several proven methods of extraction: using a suction cup, using special pulling tapes or neatly squirting with a spatula.
If you use the tampering method, you put the tool under the edge of the battery opposite the socket. Move the shoulder blade progressively, gradually separating the adhesive base. Be extremely careful: puncture of the battery shell with a sharp tool will lead to an instant chemical reaction, emitting caustic smoke and fire. Lithium polymer batteries, when the housing is damaged, light up very quickly and are almost impossible to extinguish.
| Smartphone model | Type of battery access | Difficulty | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 9/10/11 | Through the back cover (glue) | Medium | Cracking lid. |
| Xiaomi Mi 11/12 | Through the back cover (glue) | Tall. | Tall (glass) |
| Redmi 9A/10A | Removable cover + screws | Low. | Low. |
| Poco X3/NFC | Through the back cover (glue) | Medium | Damage to plumes |
Features of working with glued batteries
The main challenge in replacing the battery in Xiaomi smartphones is the aggressive adhesive layer, which over time becomes polymerized and becomes very durable, making extraction of the battery a time-consuming process. The use of force is unacceptable here, since the battery body is soft and easily deformed, which can disrupt the integrity of the inner layers.
Experienced craftsmen often use special adhesive solvents or isopropyl alcohol to ease adhesion, the liquid is gently inserted under the edge of the battery with a thin needle, and then wait a few minutes for the chemical to penetrate the adhesive structure, a method that greatly reduces the risk of mechanical damage when extracted.
If you don't have chemicals at hand, you can use the thread method, a thin but strong thread (like dental floss) is inserted at the top corner of the battery and moves left and right gradually "saws" the adhesive layer, which requires patience and skill, but is one of the safest ways for the integrity of the battery and surrounding components.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal objects (tweezers, needles, knives) to pick under the battery. One wrong move can pierce the battery case, leading to short circuit, heat dispersal and possible fire. Use only plastic or special non-conductive tools.
After removing the old battery, be sure to clear the seat of the residue of old glue. The surface should be smooth and fat-free so that the new battery will fall flat and securely fixed. To fix the new battery, use special adhesive strips (B-7000 or analogues) designed to repair electronics, avoiding the use of superglue, the fumes of which can damage the camera optics and screen.
Installation of a new element and assembly of the device
The new battery is installed in reverse disassembly order. Before final fixation, check that the new battery model meets the specifications of your phone. The voltage (V) must match completely, and the capacity (mAh) can be equal to or slightly higher than the original, if dimensions allow. Using incompatible elements can lead to incorrect operation of the charge controller.
Once you've glued the new battery, first plug the connector into the motherboard. Make sure the connector is in place with a characteristic click and locks in. Only then you can start installing metal plates and twisting the screws. The order of tightening the screws is not as critical as in PC processors, but you should twist them evenly, without excessive fanaticism, so as not to break the thread in the plastic racks.
When you install a back cover or screen, apply a new layer of glue around the perimeter of the frame. There are ready-made adhesive frames that simplify this process significantly and provide better leakage than liquid glue. Press the lid around the perimeter and lock the device with rubber bands or a load for 15-20 minutes for primary polymerization of the glue.
After assembly, turn on the device and perform the initial battery calibration. To do this, discharge the smartphone before turning off, then charge it when turned off to 100%, and then hold on charging for 1-2 hours, this procedure will help the system correctly determine the real capacity of the new element and correctly display the percentage of charge.
Typical errors and precautions
Self-repairing electronics is always a risk, and even experienced users make mistakes. One of the most common problems is damage to the display plume when the back cover is not neatly removed, since many Xiaomi models have a plume that runs close to the edge. Another common mistake is losing screws or entanglement, which can damage the internal components when screwing a long screw into a short hole.
It is also worth mentioning the risk of damage to the moisture protection. Even if you carefully seal the case, the factory level of IP protection is almost impossible to restore at home. After repairing, the phone becomes vulnerable to moisture and dust, so avoid using it in high humidity or in the rain.
It is important to monitor the condition of the tools. Dulled blades require more effort to work, which increases the risk of slipping and damage to components. Similarly, using magnetic screwdrivers requires caution: do not bring the magnetized tip too close to the cameras or speakers, so as not to demagnetize them or disrupt the stabilizer.
- 🔥 Never heat a bloated battery with an open fire or a powerful building hair dryer at maximum power.
- 🔌 Do not connect the charger immediately after replacement until you are sure that all connections are correct.
- 🧤 Work in antistatic gloves or regularly touch a grounded object to relieve static charge.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after you've replaced the battery or shows the wrong percentage of charge, don't rush to disassemble it again. 1-2 If the problem persists, the new battery itself (marriage) or the power controller on the board may have malfunctioned.