Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its protective glass (called "curtain") often suffers from falls and scratches. If your device has cracks, chips or just want to upgrade the look, replacing the curtain is a great solution. In this article, we will learn how to do it yourself without contacting the service center.
The process of replacing seems simple, but requires care: one wrong move can damage the display or plumes. We will describe each step in detail, from choosing a new curtain to the final assembly, and also warn against typical errors. If you have never disassembled smartphones, do not worry: with our instructions and a minimum set of tools you can cope!
Which curtain to choose for Redmi Note 7?
Before you start replacing, you need to buy a quality part. There are three types of curtains on the market for the Redmi Note 7:
- 🔹 Original - manufactured by Xiaomi, perfect in size and have an oleophobic coating. Minus: high price (from 1500) ₽) and rare on sale.
- 🔹 OEM-The same products are manufactured in the same factories as the originals, but without the brand logo. ₽).
- 🔹 Non-OEM (cheap) copies (300-600) ₽), but often with worse transparency, no oleophobic layer and inaccurate cutouts under the speaker/camera.
We recommend choosing OEM-analogues from trusted sellers (for example, AliExpress with a rating above 98% or domestic stores such as Beru or Svyaznoy:
- 📏 Accuracy of cutouts – check that the holes under the front camera, speaker and sensors match your smartphone.
- 🛡️ Protective coating – quality curtains have an oleophobic layer (repels greasy traces).
- 📦 Set - in the set should be adhesive tape or liquid glue for fixation.
⚠️ Note: Do not buy curtains with an inscription "3D" or "Full Cover" - they are thicker than the original and may not fit the case of the Redmi Note 7. Also avoid options with already applied glue: it often loses stickiness when stored.
If you doubt the choice, look at the reviews with the photo on the forums (for example, 4PDA Users often post comparisons of originals and copies.
Tools for curtain replacement
For the work you will need:
| Tool. | Appointment | Where to buy | Cost (₽) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic mediators (2-3 units) | Fake curtain and neat separation from the display | AliExpress, Radio Goods Stores | 50–150 |
| Suction cups (1-2 pcs) | Fixing the curtain when removed | Smartphone repair kits | 100–300 |
| Phyrene or heat gun | Heating glue for easy removal of curtain | Household stores | 500–2000 |
| Scotch (paint or stationery) | Fixing plumes and protecting the display | Any shop | 30–100 |
| Alcohol napkins | Cleaning the display from old glue | Pharmacy | 20–50 |
If you do not want to buy tools separately, take a ready-made set for replacing glasses (costs 300-800). ₽ It's usually a mediator, a sucker, a shoulder blade, and even a small screwdriver.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal blades or knives - they will scratch the display! Also avoid overheating with a hairdryer: temperatures above 60°C can damage the matrix.
Before you start, prepare your workspace: the desk should be clean, free of debris. Put soft cloth (such as a microfiber) so that the back cover of the smartphone does not scratch.
Step-by-step: Removing the old curtain
The most important step is to carefully separate the damaged glass without damaging the display.
- Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-This will prevent short circuits when working with tools.
- Put tape on the display at the edges of the curtain (step away 1-2 mm from the edge) and this will protect the matrix if the mediator slips.
- Heat the curtain with a hair dryer for 2-3 minutes, holding it at a distance of 10-15 cm. The glue will become softer and the glass will be easier to separate. Do not direct hot air to one place for too long!
- With a suction cup, lock the curtain closer to the bottom edge (where the charging connector is). Carefully pull up, creating a small gap.
- Insert the mediator into the gap and slowly move it along the edge, separating the glass. If the glue "resists", warm up the place again with a hairdryer.
If the curtain is cracked, it can split when it's removed.
- 🔧 First, separate the large pieces with a suction cup.
- 🔧 Remove small fragments with tweezers, first wrapping its tip with tape (so as not to scratch the display).
- 🔧 Remains of glue remove a plastic card or a mediator dipped in alcohol.
Critically, don't press the display when removing the curtain! The Redmi Note 7 matrix is attached to the case only on double-sided tape, and it is easy to damage.
The battery is charged less than 50% (in case of short circuit)|
Screen cover and film taken.|
There are alcohol wipes on hand to clean.|
The hair dryer is set to a minimum temperature-->
Installation of a new curtain: nuances and errors
When the old curtain is removed, clean the display of glue residues with an alcohol napkin. Make sure there are no dust or hairs on the matrix - they will be visible under the new glass.
Then proceed as follows:
- Check the new curtain for compatibility: attach it to the display without glue and make sure that all the cutouts match.
- Put the glue on. There are two options: 🔘 Double-sided tape (goes with curtain) - paste it around the perimeter of the display without closing the speaker and sensors. 🔘 Liquid glue (LOCA) — It's applied in a thin layer over the surface, and it requires UV lamps to polymerize.
Place the curtain starting at the top edge. Press it evenly, avoiding bubbles. LOCA, Put your smartphone under the UV lamp for 5-10 minutes.
Check the sensitivity of the touchscreen. If the screen doesn't respond well to touch, it means that the curtain is curved or the glue has hit the sensors.
Typical errors in installation:
- 🚫 Curtain skewing - causes irregular gaps at the edges, corrected by reheating and position adjustment.
- 🚫 Excess glue - leaks out over the edges and spoils the appearance.
- 🚫 Dust under glass - if you notice the mowing motifs after installation, you will have to glue.
If you use LOCA-The glue, remember, it only freezes under the UV lamp, without it, the curtain will float and lag behind. You can buy a lamp for 500-1500. ₽ (for example, YIHUA 861D).
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Before you finalize the curtain, turn on your smartphone and check if there's any backlight on the edges of the display, and if there's white bars, it means that the matrix has shifted during the disassembly, and it needs to be corrected.
Checking the performance after replacement
After installing the new curtain, turn on the Redmi Note 7 and perform the diagnosis:
- touchscreen: 📱 Swipe your finger around the screen, there should be no dead zones. 📱 Open the keyboard and check the response to quick presses.
- Sensors: 🔦 Check the operation of the light sensor (automatic brightness control). 🔦 Launch the proximity sensor (during the call, the screen should go out when you raise your hand).
Speaker and microphone:
- 🎤 Call another phone and see if you can hear it.
- 🎤 Turn on music – the sound should be clear, without wheezing.
If something is not working properly:
- 🔧 Touchscreen is "glutching" -- it's likely that the curtain is pressing on the plumes. Take it off and check if the display has shifted.
- 🔧 Sensors do not respond – clean them of glue with alcohol or check if they are closed with a curtain.
- 🔧 You've got colored bars on the screen, which is a sign of damage to the matrix.
If all the functions are working normally, you can start the final assembly. SIM-map.
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After replacing the curtain, avoid getting moisture on the screen for 24 hours - the glue should be completely polymerized.
Frequent problems and how to avoid them
Even with a careful replacement, it can be difficult.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The curtain is receding at the edges | Insufficient heating during installation or weak glue | Remove the glass using quality LOCA-glue and UV lamp |
| The screen has become less sensitive. | Too thick curtain or glue hit the sensors | Choose a thinner curtain (0.15–0.2 mm) and clean the sensors with alcohol |
| Bubble under the curtain. | Dust or uneven pressing during installation | Remove the glass, clean the display and reglue |
| Scratches on a new curtain in a week | Low quality glass (soft coating) | Use it. OEM-hardness 9H |
To minimize the risks:
- 🛠️ Work with gloves – finger fat can spoil the oleophobic coating.
- 🛠️ Don’t skimp on glue – cheap double-sided Scotch will fall off in a month.
- 🛠️ If you are not sure of your abilities, practice on an old smartphone.
If after the replacement, artifacts appeared on the screen (flickering, broken pixels), this means that the display plume was damaged during the disassembly, in which case only replacing the plume or the entire screen module will help.
What to do if the curtain is cracked during removal?
How much does it cost to replace the curtain in the service?
If you don't want to risk it, you can go to the service center. The cost of replacing the curtain on the Redmi Note 7 varies:
- 💰 Official Xiaomi service - 2000-3500 ₽ (detailing).
- 💰 Informal workshops – 1000–2000 ₽ (s OEM-analogue).
- 💰 Mobile masters (departure) - 1500-2500 ₽.
The price depends on:
- 📍 Region – in Moscow and St. Petersburg more expensive than in small cities.
- 📱 Type of curtain - the original will cost more than an analogue.
- ⚡ Urgent – rapid replacement (in 1 hour) can cost 30-50% more.
Advantages of the service center:
- ✅ Work guarantee (usually 1-3 months).
- ✅ Professional equipment (UV lamp, special suction cups).
- ✅ Diagnostics of other malfunctions (e.g. battery check).
There are, however, downsides:
- ❌ Long wait (in official services queue for 3-7 days).
- ❌ Risk of a “divorce” for additional services (e.g., a “dust cleanup” for 500 dollars) ₽).
If you decide to contact the service, choose workshops with reviews on Yandex.Maps or 2GIS. Pay attention to the photos of works and the availability of certificates.