Replacing or installing the protective glass on the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone is a procedure that is awe-inspiring for many owners, but with the right approach it becomes an easy task. Modern displays, whether AMOLED or IPS, require careful handling, as their replacement is expensive, and the risk of damaging the matrix if you do not act negligently is high, which is why it is important to prepare the workplace and tools in advance to minimize the likelihood of dust.
The quality of the result depends on the cleanliness of the surface and the absence of villi in the air. Many users make the mistake of starting the process in a dusty room or on a waxy carpet, which leads to microscopic air bubbles. Hydrophobic coating of the new glass also requires care not to erase it with your fingers during installation.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances, including the choice between the usual and the 3D-glass with a full adhesive base, which is ideal for screens with rounded edges of the Redmi Note and Mi series. You will learn how to use special frames-assistants and what to do if dust is still protected. Following the algorithm will prolong the life of the display and maintain its responsiveness.
Choosing the Right Glass Protection for Xiaomi
The first step is to buy a quality accessory, as cheap counterparts often have low hardness and quickly get scratched. For Xiaomi smartphones with curved edges of the display, it is critical to choose glass labeled Full Glue (full adhesive), otherwise the sides will form iridescent detachments. Conventional flat glass is only suitable for budget models with a 2.5D effect, where the rounding is minimal.
Note the hardness of the material, which is usually indicated as 9H. This parameter means resistance to scratches from keys or knives, but does not guarantee protection against falling on the asphlet. Also important is oleophobic treatment, which makes slipping the finger easy and prevents the appearance of greasy marks.
When choosing, consider the thickness of the glass: the optimal value is 0.26-0.33 mm. thicker specimens (0.4 mm and above) can worsen the sensitivity of the touch screen, especially in models with an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner built into the screen.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To do this successfully, it's not enough to buy glass; you'll need a set of auxiliary aids that are often included, but you'll better prepare them separately. The main enemy of the sticker is dust, so the work surface should be thoroughly wiped with a wet and then dry wipe. The ideal place is a bathroom where all the flying dust has settled after the shower, or a kitchen with the hood turned off.
You'll need a bright light source to see the smallest specks of dust on the screen before the final glue. LED-The lantern will work best, as the side light reveals all defects. Also prepare a tape, preferably a wide stationery or a special sticky roller (dam absorber).
- π§Ό Alcohol wipes or degrease liquid (necessary for removing fat spots).
- π¨ A compressed air canister or a pear for blowing out dust (you can use a vacuum cleaner with accuracy).
- π Plastic card or special spatula for smoothing.
- 𧲠Installer frame (if included) for perfect positioning.
Make sure your hands are clean and dried, as the fat from your fingers can leave traces on the adhesive layer.If you work in a room with carpet or pets, it is recommended to slightly moisten the floor around the table with water to nail the dust.Static electricity can also attract villi, so synthetic clothing is undesirable.
Screen cleaning process before installation
The quality of the display cleaning determines 90% of the success of the entire operation. Even a microscopic villi trapped under the glass will create an air pocket that will irritate the eye and can cause local damage to the matrix when pressed. Start by using a dry microfiber to remove large particles of dust with light movements without much pressure.
Then take an alcohol wipe from the kit.Make sure to thoroughly wipe the entire screen surface, paying special attention to the edges and areas around the conversational speaker where dirt often accumulates. Xiaomi often uses oleophobic coatings that wear off over time, but the alcohol won't damage the screen itself unless it's poured buckets into the speaker.
βοΈ Screen preparation checklist
After wet cleaning, go back to the dry cloth or a new dry cloth to clean up the stains, and the final step is to use a sticky layer or a wide tape, and go all over the surface, sealing and lifting the tiny villi that you can't remove with the cloth, which is a step that you can't skip, because these villi are the ones that most often cause marriage.
β οΈ Warning: Never use household window wipers or acetone to clean the screen. Aggressive chemistry can damage the oleophobic layer and adhesive base of the protective glass, as well as leak into the speaker.
Sticker technology: step-by-step algorithm
When the screen is perfectly clean, you can start to the most critical moment. If you have a plastic installer frame in the kit, put it on your phone, which guarantees the perfect fit into the speakers and cameras. If you don't have a frame, take the glass by the ends, trying not to touch the glue layer with your fingers.
Carefully remove the bottom protective film (usually marked with a number 1 or "Back"). Bring the glass to the screen, focusing on the speaker cutouts and camera. Don't glue it right away! First try on, make sure the gaps on all sides are the same. Only after precise positioning can you start gently lowering the glass onto the screen, starting on one side (usually from the speaker or bottom).
Once the glass has touched the screen, it will stick on its own, thanks to the adhesive layer. If you see it lying flat, slowly lower the rest of the glass, while smoothing your finger from center to edge. Don't push hard in the center so you don't squeeze the glue on the edges.
What to do if the glass is moved in the process?
Once the glass has fallen, take a plastic card wrapped in a soft cloth and forcefully walk across the entire surface once again, pushing possible residues of air to the edges. Pay special attention to the edges where often there are unpatched areas. If the bubbles do not go away on their own, you can try to slightly heat the edges with a hairdryer (without overheating the screen) and press.
Removing defects: dust and bubbles
Even the skilled craftsmen sometimes get dust under the glass. Δiα»m, Don't try to crush it with your finger -- it's useless. You'll need a thin needle, a scotch and a magnifying glass. Carefully lift the edge of the protective glass above the contamination site, using the needle as a lever.
Put a dust mote with a sticky edge of scotch, or use another piece of scotch injected under the glass to "grab" the mote. After removing the dust, smooth the glass again from center to edge. This method requires a firm hand and good lighting, but saves the situation without repainting.
| Type of defect | Cause of the occurrence | Elimination | The screen risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bubble | Air hit on the sticker | Throw your finger to the edge | Low. |
| White spot | Dust got stuck in the glue. | Raise the edge and remove the scotch | Medium (scratching) |
| Rainbow divorces | Bad fit (air) | Press or warm up harder. | Low. |
| The Grid (Newton rings) | Poor quality glass | Replace the glass | Absent. |
Sometimes, after the sticker, a light grid of iridescent divorces remains, a phenomenon called Newtonian interference, and most often indicates poor quality of the glass itself or loose adhesive, and in most cases, this mesh disappears after 2-3 days of wear, when the glue finally polymerizes and fills the microvoids.
β οΈ Warning: Do not use sharp metal objects (needles, blades) to pluck glass unless absolutely necessary.One wrong move can lead to a deep scratch on the display itself Xiaomi, which will no longer be removed.
Care and features of operation after installation
After a successful glass installation, it is recommended not to load the phone for several hours. Although modern adhesives are quickly grasped, full polymerization takes time. On the first day, try not to put the phone down on hard surfaces and avoid moisture in the speaker, as new glass can change the acoustics or tightness.
To clean the new glass, use only soft microfibers. Abrasive materials will quickly destroy the oleophobic layer, and the screen will become dull and rough. If you carry a phone in your pocket with keys, a quality 9H glass will protect the display, but a strong point blow can split the defense itself, taking the impact energy on itself - this is a standard situation, indicating the work of protection.
π‘
If you wear a case, make sure it is compatible with the glass you choose. Some cases have high sides that can lift the edges of the glass (the "white line" effect), which will cause it to peel off.
Owners of Xiaomi phones with a fingerprint scanner in the screen should know that thick glass can reduce the speed of unlocking. In settings β Settings β Passwords and security β Unlocking from the fingerprint often has the option to βEnhance sensitivityβ or the ability to retrain the fingerprint already with the pasted glass.