Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its Gorilla Glass 3 screen is vulnerable to scratches and chips. Security glass is an easy way to extend the life of the display, but its installation requires accuracy. In this article, we will analyze all the steps of the process, from the selection of glass to the finish check, and also reveal the secrets to avoid bubbles and displacements.
Many users have problems with the glass moving around the edges, rainbow smudges or dust falling under the film, and we tested the installation method using soap solution for perfect positioning, and we put together a checklist of tools that will really help, and we also want to answer the question of whether to glue the glass yourself or trust the master.
1.What kind of security glass to choose for Xiaomi Redmi 9?
Not all glasses are equally useful. Three things are critical for Redmi 9:
- 📏 Thickness: optimally 0.2-0.33 mm Thin glass (0.15 mm) is worse to protect against impacts, and thick (> 0.5 mm) reduce sensor sensitivity.
- 🔍 Cover: oleophobic repels greasy marks, without it, the glass will quickly become stained.
- 📱 Camera cutout: Redmi 9 has selfie-cut glass (top of the screen) that closes sensors and makes Face Unlock worse.
The brands tested include Spigen, Nillkin and Belkin, and Baseus and Xiaomi Original have proven to be good on the budget (but they are often faked). Pay attention to the kit: the box should have napkins, a dust collector and a positioning sticker.
⚠️ Attention: Glasses with rounded edges (2.5D/3D) They look aesthetically pleasing, but they're harder to glue -- they often come out on the sides (2D).
| Type of glass | Pluses | Cons | Price (rupe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2D (flat) | It's easy to stick, it doesn't go off the edges. | A transition between glass and body is visible | 300–600 |
| 2.5D (rounded) | Aesthetic appearance, smooth transition | Hard to install without bubbles | 500–900 |
| 3D (full coverage) | Maximum protection, no gaps | Requires professional installation | 800–1500 |
| Ultra-thin coating | Does not impair sensor sensitivity | Worse protects against heavy blows | 1000–1800 |
2.Phone Preparation: What to Do Before Installation
80 percent of users fail to get the screen ready enough, and even a tiny speck of dust under the glass will ruin the result.
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-card/memory card. Vibration when turned on can move the glass.
- Wipe the screen with a wet microfiber wipe (come complete with glass) and use distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (70%) for degreasing.
- Remove the dust with a dust collector sticker (usually attached) and run it around the edges of the screen where the most garbage accumulates.
- Check the lighting: stick the glass in bright light (for example, under a lamp) to help you see dust and bubbles.
Remove the cover and film (if any)
Wipe the screen with a wet wipe.
Liquor-free
Remove dust with a sticker
Turn off the phone and take out the cards-->
If the screen already has scratches, do not stick the glass over them - it will repeat the relief and may crack. In this case, first polish the display with a special paste (for example, Displex).
⚠️ Warning: Do not use acetone, gasoline or household detergents for cleaning – they will damage the oleophobic coating of the original screen.
3. Step-by-step instruction: how to glue glass without bubbles
The most reliable way is to use a wet-setting method with soap solution, which allows you to position the glass accurately and avoid errors.
- 🧼 Soap solution (1 drop of liquid soap per 50 ml of water)
- 📱 Protective glass with a positioner sticker
- 🧴 Scotch (for fixation)
- 🔦 Bright lamp.
Step 1. Apply the solution
Take the transport film off the glass (only on one side!). Spray the soap solution on the phone screen (3-4 drops are enough); spread it evenly with a napkin; the solution will help the glass "swim" and align.
Step 2. Positioning
Carefully apply the glass to the screen, aligning the cutout under the camera. Use the positioner sticker from the set (if any), at which point you can adjust the glass, the solution gives 10-15 seconds to adjust.
Step 3. Fixing.
When the glass is perfectly laid, take a tape and glue it around the edges of the screen, fixing the glass. Then gently swipe the plastic map from center to edge, squeezing out the excess solution. Wait 2 to 3 minutes and remove the tape.
Step 4: Drying
Put your phone under the lamp for 1-2 hours, heat will accelerate the evaporation of moisture. Don't turn the phone on at this time!
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If there are small bubbles left under the glass, don't try to squeeze them out, they will disappear by themselves in 12 to 24 hours. Large bubbles are eliminated by carefully lifting the glass and re-adhesively gluing it.
4 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even with a careful installation, you can make critical errors.-5 problems and solutions:
- 🌀 Bubbles around the edges: caused by insufficient pressure when fixing. Use a plastic card to press the glass tightly against the screen.
- 🔄 The glass came off when you pressed it, so you didn't dry enough. Let the phone lie under the lamp for longer (up to 3 hours).
- 🧹 Dust under glass: if it's not enough, ignore it. If it's too much, gently tuck the glass in and wipe the screen again.
- 📵 The sensor is not working: the reason is too thick glass (> 0.5 mm) or a low-quality glue.
- 💧 Rainbow divorces: occur when using poor-quality alcohol for cleaning. Use only isopropyl alcohol 70%.
What to do if the glass breaks after a week?
If the glass begins to move away in the corners after 1-2 months, this is a sign of poor-quality glue. UV-Apply it around the edges and illuminate it with an ultraviolet lamp (or sun) for 5 minutes.
5. How to check the quality of the installation?
It's not enough to just glue the glass, you have to make sure it's doing its job.
- Sensitivity test: Open the keyboard and quickly tap all areas of the screen. Delays or missed presses? The sensor should respond instantly.
- Bubble test: illuminate a flashlight at an angle of 45°. Small bubbles (up to 1 mm) are permissible, large ones are not.
- Strength test: press the glass lightly with the blunt side of the pencil. It should not bend or creak.
- oleophobic coating test: swipe across the glass with your finger, if there are any greasy marks, low-quality coating.
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If the glass is pressed after installation (bending and creaking), it means that the glue is not grasped. You need to glue the glass to clean the screen completely.
For an objective assessment, take a picture of a screen against a black background with the backlight on, and you'll see all the defects: dust, bubbles, uneven fit, and compare the result with the picture of the perfect setting at the end of the article.
Alternative installation methods
If the classic method seems complicated, try these options:
- 🎥 Video instruction: Play a video on YouTube to install glass on Redmi 9 and repeat the actions in real time.
- 🤖 Applicator use: Some kits (like Spigen Easy Install) come with a magnetic applicator that aligns the glass automatically.
- 🏠 Installation in the service center: costs 200-500 rubles, but guarantees the ideal result. 3D-glass-glass.
For experimenters, there's a gel adhesive method, like Loctite, that allows you to reglue the glass many times over, but requires you to do it. UV-It's suitable for people who change windows a lot.
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If you are afraid to glue the glass yourself, practice on old unnecessary equipment (for example, on a tablet) or buy cheap glass for a trial installation.
7. Care for a protective glass: how to prolong his life
Even perfectly installed glass will not last long if it is not properly cared for.
- 🧴 Cleaning: use only soft wipes made of microfiber. with water or alcohol, wipe no more than 1 time a week - they destroy the oleophobic coating.
- 📱 Storage: Don't put your phone down on hard surfaces with a screen. Even small grains of sand scratch the glass.
- 🔥 Temperature: Avoid overheating (e.g., don't leave your phone in the sun in your car) The glue may melt and the glass will move away.
- 💎 Replacement: Change the glass every 6-12 months. Over time, the glue loses its properties and the coating wears off.
If you have a deep scratch on the glass, don't try to polish it, it will spoil the oleophobic layer. You'd better replace the glass right away. You can use polyrene for glass (for example, Invisible Shield) to temporarily mask the scratches.