Bypass charging (or bypass charging) on Xiaomi smartphones is a feature that allows you to charge the battery directly, bypassing the power controller. It is most often used when the phone refuses to turn on due to a completely discharged or damaged battery, but sometimes it helps in other scenarios, for example, in diagnosing malfunctions or restoring bricks.
However, enabling bypass charging is not as easy as it seems: you need to understand the principles of how Xiaomi electronics work, have the right tools and follow the instructions clearly. Mistakes here can not only cause battery failure, but also damage the motherboard. In this article, we will discuss how to activate bypass charging correctly, which Xiaomi models it is suitable for, and what to do if something goes wrong.
If you are not sure about your skills or have never worked with a soldering iron and multimeter before, you should contact a service center. Bypass charging is a last resort, not an everyday procedure.
What is a bypass charging and why it is needed
Bypass charging is a method of feeding voltage directly to the battery contacts, bypassing the standard smartphone charging circuit. Under normal conditions, Xiaomi (like any other smartphone) charges through a power controller that regulates current, voltage and protects the battery from overheating or overcharging. But if the controller is faulty and the battery is discharged to zero, the phone may not respond to the charger at all.
Here are some situations where bypass charging can help:
- π The phone does not turn on or respond to charging (black screen, no signs of life).
- π The battery is discharged to 0% and the controller blocks charging.
- π οΈ You need to run the phone through EDL-mode, but the battery does not hold the charge.
- π Diagnostics of malfunctions (for example, checking whether the battery or motherboard is to blame).
But bypass charging isn't a magic wand. It won't work if:
- π₯ Damaged motherboard (for example, burned processor or memory).
- π₯ Short circuit in food chains.
- π« The battery is swelled or physically damaged (in which case it needs to be replaced!).
β οΈ Attention: Bypass charging can cause the battery to overheat or even catch fire if the voltage or current is not correctly selected.Never use power supplies higher than 4.4V for lithium-ion batteries!
What Xiaomi models support bypass charging
In theory, bypass charging can be applied to any Xiaomi model that has access to battery contacts, but in practice, it is easiest to do this on phones with a removable back cover or modular design.
| Series | Models. | Difficulty accessing contacts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note | Redmi Note 4/4X, Note 5/5A, Note 7/8/9 | Medium | We need to remove the lid and disconnect the battery plume. |
| Redmi | Redmi 4/4A/4X, Redmi 5/5A/5 Plus | Easy. | The battery is often glued, but contacts are available. |
| Mi | Mi 5/5s/5s Plus, Mi 6/6X, Mi 8/8 SE | Difficult. | It requires a complete disassembly, the battery is soldered. |
| POCO | POCO F1, POCO X3/X3 Pro | Medium | U POCO F1 Easy to remove the cover, new models β more difficult. |
On newer models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10/11, Xiaomi 12/13) The problem with bypass charging is that the battery is often soldered to the board and the contacts are filled with compounds.
If your model is not on the list, it doesn't mean that bypass charging is impossible, but the main thing is to find a circuit for the battery contacts for your phone. 4PDA or XDA-Developers.
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Before disassembling your phone, take a photo of the inside in case you forget how to plug the plumes back in.
What you need to do for a roundabout charge
To safely carry out the procedure, prepare the following tools and materials:
- π§ A set of screwdrivers (cross, flat, sometimes needed) T3-T5 or Y00).
- π₯ Stolen iron (power) 30-60 W) and solder (if the battery is soldered).
- π Multimeter for voltage testing.
- π Controlled voltage power supply (e.g., laboratory power supply or output charger) USB 5V).
- π Wires (thin, multi-core, for example, from USB-cable).
- π§² Plastic blade for careful putting of the cover.
- π‘οΈ Insulation or shrink tube for insulation of contacts.
If you do not have a laboratory power supply, you can use:
- π Charging device from the phone (sweep out the wires) +5V and GND).
- π» Power supply from a router or laptop (but you need to check the output voltage!).
- π External battery (power bank) with disassembled USB-cable.
β οΈ Warning: Never use power sources with higher voltage 5In without a resistor or stabilizer! Lithium-ion batteries Xiaomi designed for 3.7V-4.4B, and exceeding this value may cause an explosion or fire.
We also recommend that you work in a well-ventilated area and have a fire extinguisher (at least a sand tank) on hand. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite if not handled correctly.
Step-by-step instructions: how to turn on bypass charging
Now, to the most important thing, the phased bypass charging connection, we'll look at a universal method that works for most Xiaomi models with removable batteries. If you have a soldered battery, you'll need additional steps ( soldering).
Turn off your phone from all power sources
Remove the back cover (carefully, without sudden movements!)
Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard
Check the voltage at the battery contacts with a multimeter (should be 0V or close to it)-->
Step 1: Disassemble the phone and access the battery
1. Turn off the phone (if it still responds to the power button).
2. With a plastic blade, gently apply the back cover. On most Xiaomi, it is held on latches, but sometimes glued. If the lid does not respond, warm it up with a hair dryer (no higher than 60).Β°C) or use a mediator.
3. Unscrew the screws that fix the metal plate (if any).
4. Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard, which is usually attached with a small connector that can be tucked in with a nail or a plastic spatula.
Step 2: Determine the contacts of the battery
Xiaomiβs battery usually has 3-4 contact:
- B+ (plus batteries, often red wire).
- B- (minus battery, black wire).
- NTC (Thermistor, responsible for temperature control).
- ID (Sometimes there is, but not always necessary).
We only need B.+ B- These can be identified by battery marking or by multimeter:
- Enable multimeter in resistance measurement mode (200Ξ©).
- Touch the two contacts with your probes if the resistance is close to 0Ξ©, B.+ b-.
- Mark them with a marker or tape.
Step 3: Connecting a power source
Now you need to apply tension to contacts B+ And B-- for that:
- Take two wires and clear the ends.
- Seal or tightly press one wire to B.+, The other is to B- (can be fixed with tape).
- Connect the other end of the wires to the power source: π΄ B+ β +5V (or +4.2V, if there is an adjustment). β« B- β GND (minus).
4.2B
4.4B
0.5-1And
If done correctly, after a few minutes the battery will start charging and the phone can be turned on.
What to do if the battery is soldered?
Step 4: Checking and turning on the phone
After 10-15 charge-minutes:
- Turn off the power source.
- Connect the battery plume back to the motherboard.
- Get your phone together (not necessarily completely, you can leave the lid removed).
- Connect the original charger and try to turn the phone on.
If the phone boots, congratulations! If it doesn't, maybe it's not the battery, it's the motherboard.
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Bypass charging is a temporary solution. Once your phone is restored, be sure to check the battery for wear (for example, through the AccuBattery app) and replace it if necessary.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when bypassing charging, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone does not turn on after charging | The battery is too badly drained or damaged. | Try charging longer (30-60 minutes) or check the battery with a multimeter |
| Battery's warming up. | Too high current or voltage | Reduce the current to 0.3-0.5A and the tension up 4.0V |
| The phone turns on, but immediately turns off. | Poor contact or damaged battery plume | Check the reliability of the connection of the plume and contacts |
| Sparks or smoke when connected | Short circuit or irregular polarity | Turn off the power immediately! Check polarity and insulation. |
Critically, if the battery starts to swell or smoke starts to come out of it, immediately stop the procedure, take the phone outside and do not use it until the battery is replaced!
Another common mistake is using an unstabilized power source (for example, direct connection to a power source). USB-The voltage may jump there, causing damage to the battery. Always use a stabilized power supply.
Alternative Xiaomi recovery methods without bypass charging
Bypass charging isnβt the only way to revive a dead Xiaomi. If youβre not sure about it, try these methods:
- π Charging through USB With button retention: connect your phone to charge and hold the Power + Volume Up 20-30 Sometimes it makes the power controller wake up".
- π Replacement of the battery with a known good one: if there is a donor battery, try to connect it.
- π» Firmware through EDL: If the phone is not turned on, but is determined by the computer in 9008 mode, you can try flashing it using the Mi Flash Tool.
- π§ Checking power chains with a multimeter: sometimes the problem is in the break of the tracks on the board, not in the battery.
If none of the methods worked, itβs likely the motherboard problem (e.g., the power controller burned down). PMIC). In this case, professional repairs will be required.
Safety when working with Xiaomi batteries
Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries used by Xiaomi require extreme care, and here are the basic safety rules:
- π₯ Do not overheat the battery (maximum 60)Β°C).
- π§ Do not allow moisture to enter the contacts.
- π Do not close contacts with metal objects.
- π« Do not use damaged batteries (blown, cracked).
- π Do not leave the exercise unattended for more than 1 hour.
If the battery starts to make hissing sounds, smoke or get very hot, immediately turn off the power and take it out into an open space. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite or explode!
β οΈ Warning: If you've never worked with electronics before, it's best not to take risks.Take to Xiaomi's service center or a proven wizard.The cost of repairing will be cheaper than buying a new phone after a failed experiment.