The Xiaomi Mi A1 (known in some regions as the Xiaomi 7A) is a popular smartphone with a non-removable battery that may need to be replaced over time. However, the battery recovery process in this model has a number of nuances, from the non-obvious attachment of the rear cover to the risk of damage to the plumes. In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of necessary tools, and critical warnings to help avoid typical errors in disassembly.
It is important to understand that the Mi A1 belongs to the first wave of Xiaomi devices with the program Android One, where the emphasis was on “pure” Android without the shell MIUI. This also affects the design: for example, it uses adhesive tape to lock the battery, not screws, as in later models. If you have never disassembled smartphones before, we recommend you to read the FAQ at the end of the article, which deals with frequent questions on tools and security.
Before you start, answer two key questions: 1. Are you sure the battery is the problem? Symptoms like quick discharge or sudden shutdowns can be caused by software failure or damage to the power controller. 2. Are you prepared for the fact that after disassembly, you may need to replace the sealing pad or re-adhesive the display? In the Mi A1, these elements often suffer from a sloppy opening.
Battery bloating|Fast discharge.|The smartphone is off.|Self-sustaining replacement|Other-->
Preparation: tools and modalities
To extract the battery from the Xiaomi Mi A1, you need a specialized set of tools. Don't try to get by with improvised tools (knives, screwdrivers of the wrong type) - this is almost guaranteed to damage the body or internal components.
- 🔧 Plastic blades (2-3 pieces, 0.2-0.4 mm thick) - for separation of the rear cover and tweaking of the battery.
- 🔩 The screwdriver. PH00 (magnetic) for the screws of the shell.
- 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C).
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ — glue-residue.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – so as not to lose screws.
- 🔋 New battery (if you are planning to replace) is the original LB3050mAh3.85V or analogue with the same parameters.
Also prepare the workplace:
Good lighting (it is better to use a table lamp).
Clean surface without pile (please put a napkin or silicone mat).
Antistatic bracelet (optional, but recommended for chip protection).
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swollen, do not use a hair dryer to heat it up - there is a risk of fire or explosion! In this case, carefully remove it without heat exposure, pre-discharge the smartphone to 0% and leave it off for 24 hours.
Before disassembly it is necessary:
1. Turn off the smartphone.
2. Remove the SIM- card and memory card (if any).
3. Take a picture of the location of the screws and plumes - this will help with the reverse assembly.
Turn off smartphone and remove cards |Prepare tools and workspace |Premove internal design |Put on antistatic bracelet (optional)|Preview battery for bloating-->
Step 1: Removing the back cover
The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi A1 is attached to glue and latches. To remove it, you need to evenly heat the edges of the body with a hairdryer (do not direct air flow to the display!). Temperature is 60-70 ° C, heating time is 2-3 minutes at each edge.
Then proceed as follows:
1. Insert the plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the bottom edge where the charging connector is).
2. Carefully drive the shoulder blade along the edge, without going deeper than 2 mm - the plumes pass inside!
3. After snapping the latches on one side, repeat the procedure from the opposite edge.
Common mistakes at this stage:
- Too much effort → cracks on the cover.
Heating above 80°C → plastic deformation or damage to the glue under the battery.
Use of metal tools → scratches or closing contacts.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The lid doesn't lend itself. | Insufficient heating or glue residue | Repeat heating, increasing the time to 4-5 minutes |
| Crackling when removed | Latches break. | Stop and heat again, reduce the effort. |
| The plume is moving away with the lid. | Plug the plume to the lid | Carefully separate the plume with a spatula, do not pull! |
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If the lid is glued too tightly, try using a string or guitar string: snag it under the lid and saw the glue back and forth, like in the video with the disassembly of the iPhone.
Step 2: Disconnect the plumes and batteries
After removing the cover, you will see three key elements:
1. Battery (black rectangle with the inscription LB3050mAh).
2. battery plume (thin orange or black wire to the motherboard).
3. Child board (with charging connector and power button).
First, turn off the battery:
Find a battery plume connector (usually marked as BATT or J4001).
Carefully tuck it with a plastic spatula on the side, not on top, so as not to damage the contacts.
If the connector is "stiffened", drop 1-2 drops of isopropyl alcohol and wait 10 seconds.
Next, turn it off.
- Display plume (wide white connector).
- The tail of the child board (a small black connector next to the charging connector).
Don't pull the wires!
⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone was turned on before disassembly, the motherboard capacitors may remain voltage, touch the board only with plastic tools to avoid static discharge.
What happens if you don’t turn off the battery before work?
Step 3: Remove the battery
The battery in the Mi A1 is glued to the body with double-sided adhesive tape to remove it.
1. Tap the edge of the battery with a plastic spatula (start at the top corner where there are no plumes).
2. Pull up carefully without bending the battery - it may burst!
3 If the battery fails, heat it with a hair dryer (70°C, 1-2 minutes) and try again.
Possible difficulties:
Glue too strong: Use isopropyl alcohol to dissolve (drip under the battery and wait 5 minutes).
- Battery swells: don't make an effort! Better cut the glue with a paper knife (carefully so as not to puncture the battery).
The plume interferes: solder it off with a soldering iron or carefully cut it off (if the battery is replaced).
After removing the battery, inspect the body:
Remove the glue residues with alcohol and a napkin without pile.
Check if the motherboard has any oxidation or burnt components (especially near the battery connector).
If you plan to install a new battery, do not turn on your smartphone without it – this can damage the power controller.
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Never use metal tools to tamper with the battery – even the slightest closure of contacts can disable the motherboard.
Step 4: Install a new battery (if required)
If you have removed the battery for replacement, follow these rules when installing a new one:
1. Check that the capacity and voltage match the original (3050 mAh, 3.85V).
2 Remove the protective film with the adhesive side of the battery only before installation - the glue dries quickly.
3. Press the battery evenly, starting from the center to avoid bubbles.
Connect the plumes in reverse order:
1.The tail of the child's board.
2. Display plume.
3. Battery plume (last!).
After assembly:
Turn on your smartphone and check the charge level (should be displayed correctly).
Run the battery test through the engineering menu (#4636# → Battery information).
If the smartphone does not turn on, check the density of the plumes and repeat the assembly.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Mi A1.
- 🔌 Damage to the battery connector -- occurs when the plume is not neatly turned off. Solution: Use only plastic blades and push the connector on the side.
- 🔥 Overheating the battery with a hair dryer — can cause bloating or fire. Solution: Keep the hair dryer 10 cm away and don't heat it for longer than 3 minutes in a row.
- 📱 Display plume damage is a common problem when removing the lid. Solution: Set the plume with tape to the body before heating.
- 🔩 Helical loss -- Mi A1 uses screws of different lengths. Solution: Set them up in groups on a magnetic mat.
If after the assembly of the smartphone:
- Not turned on: check the battery connection and power plume.
- Not charging: check the charging connector on the child board (the contact may have gone away).
Overheating: Most likely damaged power controller (PMIC) – will require diagnosis in the service center.
When is the best time to contact the service
Self-removal of the battery is justified if you:
You have experience in electronics.
- Confident in the diagnosis (for example, the battery is swollen or the smartphone does not hold a charge).
Prepared for the risk of damage to the device.
Contact professionals if:
The battery is very swelled (risk of rupture when extracted).
On the motherboard, oxidation or burnt elements are visible.
After replacing the battery, the smartphone does not turn on or charge.
You need a guarantee for work (in case of self-repair it is lost).
The cost of replacing the battery in the service for Xiaomi Mi A1 is 1500-3000 rubles (depending on the region and type of battery).
- Diagnosis.
The battery itself (original or high-quality analogue).
- Sealing the body after replacement.
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If you’re unsure of your skills, don’t take risks – mistakes when replacing your battery can cost more than repairing your service.