Protecting the screen of a smartwatch is a critical procedure to extend the life of a device.Modern Xiaomi gadgets like the Mi Band, Redmi Watch or Amazfit often have curved edges of the display, making them vulnerable to bumps and scratches. Even accidentally touching a doorknob or keys in your pocket can leave a noticeable mark on the surface.
Many users are afraid to take up the protection sticker themselves because of the risk of bubbles or skews. However, with the right technology and the preparation of the workplace, this process takes only 10-15 minutes. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances in detail, from choosing a quality accessory to the final polishing of the edges.
The big challenge is that microscopic dust particles can get under the adhesive layer, and they create the very white dots that are hard to get rid of, so the cleanliness of the hands and the room is just as important as the quality of the glass itself.
Choosing the Right Glass Protection for Xiaomi
The first step is to buy the right accessory. The market is full of offers, but not all of them are equally useful for your gadget. Cheap counterparts often have insufficient hardness (less than 9H) and do not fit well to the curved edges of the screen, forming what is called a “rainbow grid”.
When choosing, pay attention to the type of adhesive base. For watches with 2.5D glass (rounded edges), products with silicone adhesive that fills microgaps are best suited. Hard glasses are designed only for flat displays and can break off on the first impact.
- 🛡️ Firmness 9H — It protects against keys and knives, but does not save from falling on asphalt.
- 💧 Oleophobic coating – prevents the appearance of greasy fingerprints and facilitates slipping.
- 📏 Accurate geometry – the cutouts for speakers and sensors must match to millimeter accuracy.
⚠️ Warning: Don't buy smartphone-grade protective glass, even if it seems like a good size, and it has a completely different sensitivity to touch and thickness, which will disrupt the touchscreen.
Too thick glass (more than 0.33 mm) can interfere with the operation of the optical pulse sensor if it is located close to the edge, or create problems when wearing under the cuff of clothing.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
The success of the operation depends on the conditions in which you work, and the ideal place is the bathroom after a hot shower, and the moisture deposits the dust, and it doesn't fly in the air, settling on the sticky surface of the glass.
You're going to need to have a flat surface with good lighting, a daylight bulb that allows you to see even the smallest villi, and prepare all the tools in advance so you don't look for them in the process when the adhesive layer is already open.
☑️ Sticker kit
The standard kit often includes wet and dry wipes, as well as sticky tape. If something is missing, you can use home analogues: soft fabric without pile (for example, for glasses) and regular scotch, pre-swiping it on clothes to remove excess glue.
It is important to wash your hands with soap and dry them. The fat from the skin is the main enemy of adhesion. It is also recommended to wear short-sleeved clothes so that the pile from the sweater does not hit the screen at the most inopportune time.
The process of cleaning the watch screen
So we're going to start the most critical phase, turn on the watch screen to see where the contaminants are, and then turn them off or put them in Do Not Disturb mode so that you don't accidentally activate the interface while you're cleaning.
Take a wet alcohol wipe and rub the entire display in circular motions. Don't be afraid to press, you need to remove not only visible dirt, but also subtle fatty plaque. Pay special attention to the edges of the screen.
| Type of pollution | Deleting method | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|
| Fat spots. | Alcohol napkin | Low. |
| Dust and pile | Sticky ribbon (scotch) | Medium (may stay a pile) |
| Microparticles | Dust-removing sticker | Low. |
After wet cleaning, take a dry piece of cloth or microfiber. Dry the screen thoroughly without leaving any wiring. Movements should be confident, but without putting undue pressure on the watch body.
The final touch before the sticker is to use sticky tape, and you can go all over the display, glue and peel it off to collect the last micro villi, and you can't skip that step, because these are the particles that most often cause the failure.
How do you replace an alcohol napkin?
Blisterless Sticking Technique
Now, to the immediate installation, remove the bottom layer from the glass, but don't touch the adhesive side with your fingers for now, and carefully hold the glass to the watch, orienting yourself by the speaker cutouts or the shape of the case.
Many modern windows for Xiaomi Mi Band have a frame that helps center. If the frame is transparent, use the glare from the lamp to match the edges of the glass with the edges of the display. Once you are sure of the correct position, lower the glass on the screen.
The adhesive layer will start to spread out on its own. Don't push it into the center! Easy press the center part with your finger to start the adhesion process, and then watch the wave of adhesive go to the edges, and if the air doesn't come out on its own, you can gently press it from the center to the edges.
- 👆 Start gluing on one side if you are afraid of not getting into the center.
- 🌬️ Use a plastic card to expel bubbles if they appear at the edges.
- 👀 Constantly check the position of the glass in side lighting.
If you notice that the glass is crooked and the glue is not fully grasped, you can gently raise the edge and correct the position, but it is not recommended to do this more than once or twice, since the adhesive layer can lose its properties or gain dust.
Removal of bubbles and defects
Even the skilled craftsmen sometimes have air pockets, and the little bubbles usually disappear by themselves. 24-48 The larger ones require mechanical intervention.
Take a dense tissue (like the same microfiber) and wrap it around a finger or a plastic card. With effort but no fanaticism, push the bubble to the nearest edge. Movements should be directed from the center of the bubble outwards.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to squeeze a nail bubble through a glass if you see a solid speck of dust underneath.You can scratch the watch display itself or crack the protective glass from the inside.
If there's a villi under the glass and it interferes with the fit, you can try this method: slightly lift the edge of the glass above the defect with a thin needle or blade, wipe the place with a clean dry wipe and press it again, a risky method that requires a firm hand.
For stubborn bubbles on curved edges, sometimes light heating helps. You can briefly heat the edges with a hairdryer at a minimum temperature to make the glue more elastic, and then press it down. But be careful not to overheat the battery or the clock matrix.
Final inspection and maintenance tips
Once the glass is glued, let it lie down for at least an hour before active use, during which time the glue is finally polymerized, and the grip will become maximum, turn on the clock and check the touchscreen throughout the area.
Pay special attention to the edges. Swipe your finger from the center to the edges, so there should be no sense of step or hooks. If the edges of the glass move away, it's a sign of poor accessory quality or fat on the screen frame.
💡
Use a long-range bracelet. The thickness of the protective glass can make the watch body a little wider, and the standard position of the clasp will become tight.
Rub the surface of the protective glass with a soft cloth regularly. Despite the oleophobic coating, fat accumulates and can reduce feelings. Once a week, perform a thorough cleaning to maintain the clarity of the image.
Replacing the security glass is a consumable. Once you notice deep chips or cracks that interfere with your view or scratch your finger, replace the accessory. It's cheaper to buy a new glass for a couple of dollars than to change the display module.
💡
High-quality glued glass should be almost invisible visually and tactilely, maintaining the full functionality of the touchscreen.