Why Change Glass on Xiaomi and When It’s Justified
Fractured glass on Xiaomi is a problem that one in three smartphone owners face. According to service centers, 68% of screen damage is due to the external glass (not the matrix), and in 80% of cases it can be replaced without losing the functionality of the phone.
Professional glass replacement in the service will cost 2,500-8000 rubles (depending on the model), while self-repair will require an investment of only 500-1 500 rubles - provided that you do not damage the matrix or plumes. However, there are nuances: for example, on models Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+ glass glued to the OLED-matrix at the factory, and its replacement without special equipment is fraught with the appearance of a "web" of microcracks after 1-2 months due to uneven pressure.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔧 What tools will be needed to replace glass (list with prices and alternatives)
- 📹 TOP-3 Video instructions from masters with analysis of nuances for different models Xiaomi
- ⚠️ 7 critical errors that cause damage to the sensor or matrix
- 🧪 Which glue to choose: UV-cured, B-7000 or bilateral Scotch - comparison in reliability
- 📱 Step-by-step gluing process with photo and alignment tips
Preparation: tools and materials (full checklist)
Before you start replacing the glass, make sure you have everything you need. The absence of even one tool can lead to irreversible damage - for example, trying to tamper with a glass without a mediator often ends in a tearing of the touchscreen plume.
Here is the minimum set that most Xiaomi models will require (from Redmi 9A to Xiaomi 13 Ultra):
Suction cup (∅ 5-7 cm)|Mediators (plastic or metal, 0.1–0.2 mm)|Construction hair dryer (power) ≥1500 W)|Tweezers with curved ends|Scalpel or stationery knife|Clay (UV, B-7000 double-scotch 3M)|Degreasing agent (isopropyl alcohol 99%)|Microfibre without pile|Screen protection film (optional)-->
Where to buy cheaper tools:
- 🛒 Suction cups and mediators: a set of 5 pieces on AliExpress is worth ~300 rubles (search for "screen removal kit").
- 🔥 Dryer: any building with temperature adjustment (for example, Black) is suitable+Decker KX1600 1 200 rubles).
- 🧴 Clay: UV-cured LOCA (10 ml) will cost 400-600 rubles, and the tuba B-7000 (30 g) - 200 rubles.
⚠️ Note: Do not use a household hair dryer – its maximum temperature (60-80)°C) not sufficient to soften the factory adhesive, minimum temperature for glass separation 90-110°C.
Which glue to choose: comparison of UV, B-7000 and bilateral tape
The type of adhesive not only determines the strength of the fixation, but also the durability of the repair. For example, cheap bilateral tape begins to peel off at the edges after 3-6 months, and the improperly applied one begins to peel off at the edges. UV-Glue can create an "oil effect" under glass when the screen becomes cloudy in bright light.
| Type of glue | Pluses | Cons | Cost (per unit) | Suitable for models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV-cured (LOCA) | Maximum strength Transparency 99.9% Water resistance | Demands. UV-Lamps (365 nm) Difficult to remove during re-repair When uneven application - bubbles | 400–800 ₽ | Xiaomi 11/12/13 Series, Redmi K50, POCO F4 |
| B-7000 | Easy to apply Low price Suitable for temporary repairs | Yellow with time Weak fixation on curved screens Long dries (24 hours) | 150–300 ₽ | Redmi 9/10, POCO X3, old models |
| Double-sided Scotch (3M) | Quick installation Does not require drying Easy removed | Low water resistance peeled off at temperature changes Seen edge of scotch on the lumen | 200–500 ₽ | Budget models (Redmi 8A, 7A) |
For most modern Xiaomi (2020 and later) is optimal UV-It provides the factory quality of gluing and does not lose its properties over time. B-7000 Suitable for temporary repairs or old models, and Scotch - only if you are ready for a second replacement in six months.
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Before buying the glue, check if your Xiaomi model has an oleophobic coating. If so, after gluing, apply it again (cost of the canister — ~500 ₽).
Step-by-step: how to remove old glass without damage
This is the most critical stage, and errors here cause the touchscreen plume to rupture (repair price starting at 3,000). ₽) or OLED-matrices (up to 10,000) ₽). Follow the algorithm strictly by point:
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-You don't have to disconnect the battery, but if you're a beginner, you better do it to avoid short circuits. On Xiaomi models with a non-removable battery (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro), you just need to turn off the device.
- Heat the glass with a hair dryer. Set the temperature at 100-120 ° C and evenly warm the screen for 2-3 minutes, holding the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm. Do not direct the air flow to one place - this can melt the plastic parts of the case.
- Put a suction cup on the glass, stick the suction cup closer to the edge (like the power button) and pull up. If the glass doesn't work, reheat the area. Use the mediators to gradually separate the glass around the perimeter.
- Remove the glue residues. Moisten the microfiber with isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the old glue off the matrix. Don't use acetone or solvent, they will damage the oleophobic coating.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with curved screens (such as the Mi 11 Ultra), the glass is especially tightly glued. If it does not separate after 5 minutes of heating, do not apply force - you better contact the service.
What to do if the glass breaks into small pieces?
TOP-3 video instructions from masters (with analysis of nuances)
Video speeds up understanding by 70%, especially when it comes to subtleties like aligning new glass or working with a new glass. UV-We've selected 3 of the most detailed videos for different levels of complexity:
- For beginners: glass replacement with Redmi Note 10 Pro FixMyGadget channel author shows the process from scratch, including tool preparation and touchscreen testing after repair. 🔗 Watch the video (27 minutes)
- For the advanced: Xiaomi 12T s OLED-In this video, the master explains how to avoid the “moir effect” (wavy divorces) when gluing UV-This is a process of applying glue with a vacuum table (you can replace it with a heavy book). 🔗 Watch the video (42 minutes)
Note the comments below the video, which often discuss typical model problems, such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro often loses its camera plume when disassembled, and the Xiaomi Mi 11, which stops working after uneven heating.
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Before watching the video, check if it fits your model. For example, the instruction for Redmi 9 is not suitable for Xiaomi 13 due to different types of matrixes (LCD vs OLED).
7 Critical Mistakes That Ruin 90% of Self-Repairs
Even with tools and video instructions, 6 out of 10 beginners make mistakes that lead to re-repair or deterioration of the phone’s functionality.
- 🔥 Overheating of the matrix (temperature above 120)°C) - causes the pixels to burn out on OLED-screen.
- 💧 Use of alcohol of low concentration (less than 90%) - leaves divorces, which then appear under new glass.
- 📏 Uneven application of glue – creates bubbles or “waves” when you press the screen.
- ⚡ Connecting the battery until the glue is completely dry - can cause short circuit (especially on the side of the battery) POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T).
- 🖐 Touching the inside of the glass – greasy finger marks are then visible in bright light.
- 🔄 Using an old touchscreen plume – if it was deformed when removing glass, the sensor will fail.
- 🕳 Ignoring leakage checks – after gluing, the phone is tested under a stream of water (for example, in the shower) to make sure there are no cracks.
The most insidious mistake is the wrong alignment of the glass, and if it is even 0.5 mm off, the later will cause the sensor to be inoperable at the edge of the screen, so to avoid this, use magnetic guides (sold in repair kits) or cut the pattern out of cardboard.
What to do after replacement: testing and calibration
Successful gluing is only half the battle, and once you've replaced the glass, you need to:
- Check the touchscreen. Install the Touch Screen Test app (available on Google Play) and test the response across all areas of the screen, and if there are dead areas, the touchscreen plume is damaged or the glass is shifted.
- Calibrate the sensor (if necessary). Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) require calibration after glass change, and type ##6484## in the phone dialer and follow the instructions.
- Check the leaks. Blow on the side, and if you can feel the air moving, you've got cracks, and then you can put an extra layer of glue around the edges.
- Restore the oleophobic coating (optional).If the new glass does not have fingerprint protection, apply an oleophobic spray (e.g., Nano Liquid Screen Protector — ~500 ₽, enough for 2-3 applications.
⚠️ Warning: If after changing the glass, the phone becomes discharged faster, check whether the high sensitivity mode of the touchscreen (turns on automatically when the screen is damaged) is still on. → Additionally. → Special facilities → Touch and hold.