Xiaomi’s Redmi line of smartphones is well-deservedly known for their reliability and autonomy, but even the highest quality lithium-ion batteries lose their capacity over time. If your Xiaomi Redmi 5 stops holding charge, suddenly turns off in the cold or the battery is swollen, then the only effective solution is a physical replacement. This procedure requires accuracy, but it is quite feasible at home with a minimum set of tools and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions.
Many users are afraid to open modern gadgets because of the risk of damaging the plumes or impairing the sealing of the case, but in the Redmi 5 model, the design is relatively easy to repair yourself. It is important to understand that ignoring battery problems can lead to more serious consequences, including damage to the motherboard due to leakage of an electrolyte or mechanical pressure of a bloated element.
In this guide, we will discuss each step of the process in detail, from the preparation of the workplace and the selection of tools to the final test of the system’s health, and we will pay special attention to the nuances of turning off the plumes and fixing the new battery, since these are the moments that most often cause difficulties for beginners. Following the instructions will allow you to avoid common mistakes and perform quality repairs without contacting the service center.
Diagnostics of battery status and selection of new battery
Before you start disassembling the device, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the physical wear of the battery, and not in the software failure or malfunction of the charge controller. The first sign of degradation is a sharp drop in charge: the phone can show 30%, and after a minute turn off. Also worth paying attention to the appearance of the case: if the back cover has begun to recede or iridescent spots appear on the screen, this is a sure sign that the battery is swollen and requires immediate disposal.
When choosing a new battery for Xiaomi Redmi 5 (model BN37), it is extremely important to focus on the capacity and manufacturer.The original capacity is 3300 mAh, and buying cheap counterparts with overstated performance (for example, 4000+ mAh in the dimensions of the regular battery) often leads to unstable operation or rapid failure of a new element.
Visually inspecting an old battery after removal can also tell you a lot about the reasons for its failure: If you see signs of contact oxidation or mechanical damage to the insulation, it could be caused by overheating or using a poor-quality charger. The table below shows the main symptoms and their probable causes, which will help you to more accurately determine the condition of your device.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is turned off at 20-30% | Voltage drop under load | Battery replacement |
| Bloating back cover | Gases released within the element | Urgent replacement and disposal |
| Long charging (more than 4 hours) | Capacity wear or controller malfunction | Diagnostics of charge controller |
| Heating in the chamber area | Short circuit or overheating of the battery | Checking the power chain |
⚠️ Attention: If the battery is too swelled, do not puncture it or try to squeeze it by force. This can lead to lithium ignition and chemical burn.
When buying a new battery, be sure to check the date of production. Lithium-ion chemicals are aging even without use, so the cell that has been in storage for three years has already lost some of its capacity. Look for a label with the current year of release or buy in stores with high turnover. A high-quality battery is the key to the stable operation of your smartphone in the future.
Tools and workplace preparation required
A good repair is impossible without a properly organized workspace and suitable tools. You don't need complex industrial equipment to replace the battery in Redmi 5, but the kit must be complete. The main tool will be a set of screwdrivers, including a cross PH000 for the motherboard screws and possibly flat for some latches. Lacking the right size can lead to licking of the screw caps, which will make it much more difficult to build.
Also critical are plastic tools for opening the case, often called mediators or shoulder blades. Metal objects are strongly discouraged, as they can easily damage plumes, break the display glass or close contacts on the board. Plastic bends and does not conduct current, making it an ideal material for delicate work inside the smartphone.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (mandatory size availability) PH000)
- 📱 Plastic blades and mediators for opening the body
- 🌡️ A hair dryer or hot water heater to soften the glue under the back cover
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or screw sorting container
- 🧤 Antistatic gloves (optional, but desirable)
Preparing the workspace includes providing good lighting and no moisture, it is recommended to use an antistatic mat or just a clean, dry surface of the table. Before starting work, be sure to turn off the phone completely, this will not only prevent short circuits, but also protect the data on the device from potential corruption of the file system at the time of the power outage.
☑️ Preparation for battery replacement
The process of disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi 5 body
The Xiaomi Redmi 5 starts by removing the back cover, which is attached to the two-part perimeter glue and is additionally fixed by screws. Unlike the older models, there is no removable battery, so access to the insides is through the removal of the rear panel. First, you need to unscrew the two screws located at the bottom of the back cover on the sides of the charging socket. Use the PH000 screwdriver to do this, applying a moderate force to avoid tearing the thread.
After removing the screws, the back cover is still tightly glued. To loosen the adhesive layer, you need to carefully warm the perimeter of the device. Use a household hair dryer to set the average temperature, and warm the edges evenly for 1-2 minutes. Do not hold the hair dryer too close or at one point, so as not to overheat the display matrix or plastic elements of the case, which can deform at temperatures above 80-90 degrees.
When the case is sufficiently warmed, insert a plastic blade or mediator into the junction between the frame and the back cover, usually starting at the bottom corner near the charging socket. Move the tool along the perimeter, carefully trimming the adhesive layer. You can hear the characteristic cracking of the glue is a normal process. The main thing is to act without jerking so that the glass or plastic insert of the back cover does not crack.
What to do if the lid does not open?
Disconnecting plumes and removing the old battery
Once the back cover is successfully removed, the inside of the smartphone will open to your eye. The first thing you need to do is disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard. This is a critical safety step: any manipulation inside the phone (disable the display, buttons, cameras) should only be done after the device has been turned off. The battery plume is usually located in the bottom or center of the board and is covered with a metal plate or plastic cap.
To access the battery connector, you may need to unscrew several screws that hold the safety plate. Use the same PH000 screwdriver and fold the screws into a separate cell so as not to confuse them with the others. After removing the protection, gently tuck the battery connector with a plastic blade or nail as you move from the bottom up. Don't pull the plume wires themselves, as they may come off the contact area.
The battery itself in Redmi 5 is also fixed with adhesive backing, and it's going to require precision to retrieve it, you can slightly warm up the battery area through the body (if it's still there), or you can use a plastic card to tamper with the element from the bottom. In some cases, manufacturers leave special tongues for easy extraction, but you don't have to rely on them if they're not there. It's strictly forbidden to pull the battery behind the wires, which will lead to a breakdown of the power chain.
- 🔋 Turn off the battery plume with the first action after opening
- 🛠️ Use only plastic tools to work with connectors
- 🚫 Do not bend or twist the battery itself when retrieving
- 👀 Check the connector on the board for the presence of oxides or debris
⚠️ Warning: If you damage the battery shell and smell a strong chemical odor, stop working immediately, ventilate the room and place the damaged element in a non-combustible container.
Installation of a new battery and assembly of the device
Installation of the new battery begins with the preparation of the seat. Carefully clean the inner surface of the case of residues of old glue using a plastic blade and, if necessary, a little isopropyl alcohol. The surface should be flat and clean so that the new battery lay tight and does not hang inside the case. Make sure that the contacts on the new battery are clean and do not have a protective film (if provided by the manufacturer).
Before you lock it, plug the battery plume into the motherboard, make sure the connector is up before you click and is flat on the connector, and then you can check the device's performance without sticking the lid permanently. Press the switch. If the screen catches fire and the MIUI logo appears, the replacement is successful and the power supply chain is intact. If the phone doesn't respond, double-check the density of the plume connection.
Use a special B-7000 glue or double-sided electronics tape to fix the battery. Apply a thin layer of glue around the perimeter of the battery compartment or stick tape strips. Do not use superglue (cyanacrylate), as its vapors can damage the camera optics and screen, and it becomes brittle over time. Press the battery for a few minutes before grasping the glue.
💡
Use B-7000 glue to hold the battery – it remains elastic after drying, making future repairs easier, and does not emit aggressive fumes, unlike conventional adhesives.
The final step is to assemble the case. Apply a new layer of glue or use the original adhesive layer on the back cover (if it's preserved and you've carefully removed it), warm the edges of the cover with a hairdryer to activate the adhesive, combine the halves of the case and press them tightly around the perimeter. For better fixation, you can use stationery gums, wrapping them around the phone for 15-20 minutes until the adheses.
First start and calibration of the new battery
Once the smartphone is successfully assembled and turned on for the first time, it is recommended that you calibrate the battery, a software process that helps the power controller correctly determine the real capacity of the new cell and correctly display the percentage of charge. Without calibration, you may find a situation where the phone shows 100%, but quickly goes down, or turns off at 10-15%.
The calibration process is simple: completely discharge the phone before it turns off automatically. Then, without turning it on, charge to 100%. After reaching full charge, keep the device charging for another 1-2 hours. After that, you can use the smartphone as normal. It is advisable to conduct 2-3 such full cycles for the best result. This is especially important for new lithium polymer batteries.
It is also worth checking the work of other modules after assembly: the camera, speakers, vibrator and fingerprint sensor (if the model is equipped with a scanner on the rear panel). If you are not tidy build, you can forget to connect any plume or damage it. If all the functions are working normally, and the autonomy is happy, then the repair was successful and your Xiaomi Redmi 5 is ready for active use again.
💡
Proper calibration in the first days of use extends the life of the new battery and ensures accuracy of charge indication.