Modern smartphones, such as Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, are equipped with high-quality IPS-The screens are 6.53 inches, but even the strong glass Gorilla Glass 5 does not guarantee full protection from falls or scratches in everyday use. The cost of replacing the display in an authorized service center can be a significant part of the price of the device itself, so the timely installation of an additional tread is a cost-effective solution for any owner.
The process of installing protective glass is often a concern for users because of the risk of bubbles, dust under the glue layer or displacement of the contours relative to the screen frame. However, if you pre-prepared the workplace, degrease the surface and act consistently, you can achieve a result that is visually almost no different from the factory coating, while maintaining the brightness of the picture and sensitivity of the touch screen.
In this article, we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparation, choose the right tools and consider the nuances of working with the Redmi Note 9 model, which has characteristic features, such as a drop-shaped cutout for the front camera and a specific oleophobic coating.
Choosing the right protective glass for the Redmi Note 9
The first and critical step is to buy a quality accessory, as cheap analogues can not only poorly glue, but also impair the responsiveness of the touch layer. The market is oversaturated with offers, and not to be mistaken, you need to pay attention to the hardness of the material, which is usually labeled as 9H, which means resistance to scratches from keys and fine debris in the pocket.
Special attention should be paid to the type of coating of the working surface. Quality glass has an oleophobic coating that repels greasy fingerprints and facilitates slipping, keeping the tactile sensation close to the original Xiaomi screen. Cheap options often lack this layer or lose its properties after a week of use, turning the screen into a fingerprint magnet.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid black-framed glass around the perimeter if it is already pasted on the glass, as the Redmi Note 9 has a proximity sensor located in a narrow area above the display and may be blocked, which will lead to a idle screen during calls.
The Redmi Note 9 also has a lot of compatibility with curved edges, although they are not very large in this model. Full Glue provides better adhesion but is more difficult to install, whereas the silicone layer is easier to glue along the contour, but leaves the work areas at the edges unprotected.
When buying, also check the equipment: the set should be wet and dry wipes, as well as a sticky tape to remove dust, since the use of improvised means often leads to the appearance of villi under the glass.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The success of the operation depends on 80% of the conditions in which you will produce the sticker, so you need to choose a room with minimal dust and good lighting. The ideal place is considered to be a bathroom where a hot shower has just been turned on: moist air nails dust to the floor, and it does not settle on the sticky layer of glue, which is the main reason for the failure of the installation.
Besides the protective glass itself, you'll need a tool kit that often comes with the kit, but it's best to prepare it yourself to ensure quality: wash your hands thoroughly with soap and wipe them dry with a lilaless towel to avoid leaving greasy marks on the ends of the glass or screen.
- 🧼 Wet alcohol wipe for degreasing the display surface and removing organic contaminants.
- 🧻 Dry microfibre or high-quality paper napkin to polish the screen to the ideal state.
- 🏷️ Sticky tape (scotch) for the final removal of the smallest dust particles before gluing.
- 🔦 Powerful light source (desktop lamp or flash of another phone) for visual cleanliness control.
Open the glass packaging in advance, but don't remove the side adhesive protective film to prevent damage to the side and dust from settling on the glue. If there's a blue or transparent film on the glass that says it, it will need to be removed immediately before contacting the screen.
💡
Use paint tape to fix the phone on the table if you are afraid it will move in the process of aligning the glass.
Make sure you have tweezers or a plastic card wrapped in soft cloth on hand to squeeze out bubbles, though for the Redmi Note 9 with its flat screen, this may not be necessary with the right approach.
Screen cleaning process before installation
The quality of the protective glass fit depends on how perfectly cleaned the surface of the display Xiaomi Redmi Note 9. Even a microscopic villi or dust will create a visible defect that will irritate the eye and can become the starting point of detachment of the coating when pressed with a finger.
Start by using a wet wipe, thoroughly scrubbing the entire screen in circular motions, paying special attention to the corners and areas around the speaker where dirt often accumulates.Don't be afraid to press to remove the old greasy spots, but avoid getting moisture into the talking speaker or charging connector.
After wet treatment, take a dry napkin and dry the screen, removing the stains from alcohol. This stage is critical, since moisture residue can prevent the glue from grasping evenly, creating the effect of "rainbow" spots under the glass.
⚠️ Warning: Never use household chemicals, window wipers or acetone, as they can damage the oleophobic coating of the Redmi Note 9 display itself and the plastic edging around the screen.
The final touch is to use sticky tape: walk it all over the screen, easily slapping it to collect all the tiny particles that might have been left after you wiped it with wipes. Turn on the flashlight and light the screen at an angle: if you see specks, repeat the procedure with sticky tape until the surface is completely clean.
☑️ Checklist before sticker
Only after making sure of the perfect cleanliness, you can proceed to the next stage, since it will be extremely difficult to correct the error after gluing without removing the glass.
Technology of the sticker: step-by-step instructions
The most important moment has come, and here maximum concentration and lack of haste is important: Take the protective glass by the side edges, trying not to touch the adhesive layer with your fingers, and carefully remove the lower protective film (usually marked with a number 1 or the inscription "Back").
Hold the glass to the Xiaomi screen, combining the cutouts under the speaker and the front camera. Make sure that the distance from the edge of the glass to the frame on all sides is the same. It is critical to align the glass on a horizontal axis relative to the upper edge of the case, because that is where the proximity sensor is located.
Once you've made sure that you're positioning correctly, gently lower the glass onto the screen starting on one side (usually the one where the camera is, or the center), allowing the adhesive layer to stick to the display on its own. Don't press the glass with your fingers in the center right away, let the air come out naturally as it sticks.
If you notice a skew, gently lift the edge of the glass and correct it until the glue is fully grasped.The silicone layer allows you to do this several times, but try not to touch the sticky surface with your fingers so as not to leave traces.
💡
The main secret of success is not to press on the center of the glass at once, but to let it stick independently from the center to the edges, displacing the air.
Once the glass has fallen on the screen, take a plastic card wrapped in a soft cloth and gently, with moderate pressure, swipe from center to edges, squeezing out possible air bubbles. Movements should be smooth and directed to the nearest edge of the device.
At the end of the process, remove the top protective film (marked with the number 2 or "Front"), which protects the surface of the glass from scratches during transportation.
Fixing defects: bubbles and dust
Even with the most careful work, small air bubbles or dust particles can remain under the glass, and it is important to know how to deal with them correctly. Small air bubbles, which are visible immediately after the sticker, are most often temporary and will disappear on their own within 24-48 hours, as the adhesive layer will spread out and fill the micro-voids.
If the bubble is large and clearly contains air, try to gently move it to the nearest edge of the glass by pressing your finger through the fabric. In the case of the Redmi Note 9, thanks to the flat screen, air comes out quite easily without the need for piercing.
The speck of dust under the glass is more complex and requires intervention, and if you see a black dot, it means that a mote of dust has been glued under the glue, and to remove it, gently raise the edge of the glass above the problem area with a thin needle or tape pasted on the end of the glass.
- 🌬️ Carefully tuck the edge of the glass over the dust, creating a gap.
- 🏷️ Use the sticky part of the tape or tape from the set to "pull" the dust from the adhesive layer of glass or from the screen.
- 👇 Lower the glass again and smooth the place of gluing from the center to the edge.
⚠️ Note: Do not use sharp metal objects (needles, scissors) to squeeze bubbles directly through the glass, as you can scratch the tread itself or, in the worst case, damage the display matrix with strong local pressure.
If there are a lot of dust or they are in the center of the screen, sometimes it is easier to completely remove the glass, clean its adhesive layer with duct tape from pile and dust, blow the screen and glue it again until the silicone layer has lost its properties.
What to do if the glass cracks during installation?
Compatibility with covers and care of coating
After successfully installing the protective glass, owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 often face the question of the compatibility of the accessory with protective cases. Since the smartphone screen has a flat geometry, most glasses (2D and 2.5D) perfectly go with any type of cases, including those with curved sides.
However, if you choose a glass with a full glue or thick frame, it can conflict with very tight or thick covers, in which case the case may start to press on the edges of the glass, causing it to detach (the “rainbow effect” around the perimeter) or even cause cracks when falling.
To extend the life of the protective coating and maintain a pleasant tactile sensation, it is recommended to follow simple rules of care: Regularly wipe the screen with a soft microfiber cloth to remove abrasive dust, which over time can leave micro-scratches even on hardened glass.
| Type of pollution | Recommended remedy | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Fat spots. | Special spray for screens | Alcohol-containing solutions (often) |
| Dust and pile | Dry microfiber/Adhesive tape | Clothing (rough fabric) |
| Sticky footprints. | Wet wipe (without alcohol) | Acetone/Dolluents |
| Disinfection | Napkins with 70% isopropyl alcohol | Chlorine-containing products |
Do not leave your phone under direct sunlight for a long time, for example, on the car panel, as overheating can adversely affect the adhesive layer, especially in the summer, and lead to spontaneous peeling off.