Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred) remains a popular choice among users, despite the release of newer models, its reliable design and maintainability allow you to extend the life of the device by replacing the battery, speaker or even screen. However, disassembling the case is the first and most important step, where an error can lead to cracks in the rear panel, damage to the plumes or even failure of the power button.
Unlike today's flagships with adhesive joints, the Redmi Note 5 uses a combination of latches and minimal glue, which makes it easier to do. But even here, there are pitfalls: for example, the wrong positioning of the mediator at the opening can break plastic locks, and excessive effort can leave traces on an aluminum frame. In this article, we will analyze three officially approved methods of disassembly, compare them in safety and speed, and show how to avoid typical errors at each stage.
Before you start, consider that even a neat disassembly removes the warranty Xiaomi, if it is still valid. If your device is warranty service, you should contact the service center. For everyone else, our guide will help you save on repairs and learn how to disassemble your smartphone yourself.
Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures
To successfully open the Redmi Note 5, you'll need a minimal set of tools, but each one is critical, and the absence of at least one tool can turn a simple procedure into a nightmare with damaged parts.
Here is what you should definitely be at hand:
- π§ Plastic mediator (or guitar mediator) - to separate the body without scratching. Metal instruments are prohibited!
- π₯ Hair dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature not higher than 60)Β°C to avoid damaging the screen).
- 𧲠Suction cup (diameter 4-5 cm) - helps to lift the lid after heating. Alternative: wide scotch.
- β‘ Screwdriver. T3 and T5 β for spinning the screws of the attachment of the motherboard and the battery.
- π¦ The tray for screws - so as not to lose small parts (in Redmi Note 5 there are 12 pieces of them!).
Also, prepare the workplace: the desk should be clean, litter-free, and the lights bright. Be sure to turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-A memory card (the tray is on the left side) If the battery is swelling, don't take the phone apart yourself! Bloated batteries can ignite if damaged.
β οΈ Warning: Don't use a knife or other sharp objects to open!Even a small scratch on an aluminum frame can become a hotbed of corrosion, and plastic latches are easy to break.
Disassembly methods: which to choose for Redmi Note 5
There are three main ways to open the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 case, and each one is suitable for different situations. The choice of method depends on your experience, availability of tools and the purpose of disassembly (for example, replacing the battery or diagnosing the motherboard).
| Method | Difficulty | Time. | Risks. | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With a suction cup and a mediator. | Low. | 5-10 minutes | Minimum (suitable for beginners) | Battery replacement, dust cleaning |
| Thermo-air method | Medium | 10-15 minutes | Screen overheating, glue damage | Strongly glued cover, display replacement |
| Disassembly with complete delimitation | Tall. | 20+ mine | Broken latches, antenna damage | Deep repair (replacement of connectors, microphone) |
For most tasks (e.g., battery replacement), the first method is sufficient; the second is required if the lid does not respond due to old glue or previous unsuccessful attempts at disassembly; the third method is used only by experienced craftsmen, which involves the complete separation of the aluminum frame from the screen, which can damage the flexible plumes.
If you're a beginner, start with a suction cup and a mediator, which is the most gentle way to get your phone back to its original state if something goes wrong. The rule is, take your time. One mistake can cost more than saving money at a service center.
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Before disassembling, take a photo of the back cover of the phone - this will help to correctly position the latches during assembly.
Step-by-step instruction: disassembly with a suction cup and a mediator
This method is suitable for 90% of cases when you need to open the Redmi Note 5 without risking damage to the screen or frame.
- Heat the body. Turn the dryer on to the minimum power (or set the temperature of 50-60 Β° C) and evenly warm the back cover for 2-3 minutes. This will soften the adhesive around the perimeter. Don't direct hot air to the screen!
- Install a suction cup. Attach the suction cup closer to the bottom of the phone (where the USB-C connector is located). Make sure it fits tightly - there should be no air between the suction cup and the lid.
- First partition: Pull the suction cup gently over yourself, creating a small gap (1-2 mm), insert a plastic mediator into it, and slowly drive it along the side face, separating the latches, and the process begins with a characteristic click, which is normal.
- After the mediator has passed around the perimeter, the lid should be easily removed. If it is stuck, do not pull the force! Return to the heat with the hair dryer for another 1-2 minutes.
The important thing is that the Redmi Note 5 has two particularly stubborn latches, next to the power button and next to the top microphone, so if the lid doesn't respond to those spots, use the second mediator to press the latches simultaneously.
Suction cup is set straight.|Mediator inserted at an angle of 15-20Β°|All screws on the frame are checked (they are not)|The phone is turned off and cooled after heating-->
β οΈ Warning: If you see that the fingerprint scanner plume is off after you remove the cover, don't panic. You can solder it back, but it will require a soldering station and experience with microelectronics.
What to do if the lid is not removed: solutions to problems
Even with proper preparation, the Redmi Note 5 can stick to dry glue or latch deformity, and these are typical problems and ways to solve them:
- π₯ The lid doesn't respond when heated. Increase the dryer temperature to 70.Β°C (no higher!) and warm up the case for another 3-4 minutes. Use two mediators simultaneously, inserting them on opposite sides.
- π§ You hear cod, but the lid doesn't open. It breaks the plastic latches. Stop trying and call the service, further disassembly will damage the frame.
- β‘ The screen started peeling off with the lid. Stop the process immediately! That means the glue between the screen and the frame has softened. Let the phone cool for 10 minutes and try again by reducing the temperature of the hair dryer.
- π± The lid is removed, but there's still a glue on it, and you need to carefully put a plastic card or a mediator on it, and if the glue is too strong, use isopropyl alcohol (not acetone!) to dissolve it.
If none of these methods worked, itβs possible that your phone has been repaired using heavy-duty glue (like the B-7000), in which case the only way out is to heat the case to 80Β°C (risk of screen damage!) or contact a wizard with an ultrasonic bath to remove the glue.
What happens if you force the lid off?
Disassembly for battery replacement: nuances and warnings
If you're looking to replace your battery, when you remove the lid, you'll have a motherboard that's locked in a metal screen, and it's important to follow a sequence of steps to keep the plumes from getting damaged and closing contacts.
First, disconnect the battery from the charge:
- Find a black connector with the label BATTERY (located at the top of the board, next to the camera).
- Carefully tuck it in with plastic tweezers or a mediator. Don't use metal tools!
- Make sure that the connector is completely out of the nest - if it is stuck, do not pull by force, but slightly sway from side to side.
Now you can unscrew the battery mount screws (there are 4 of them, all under a T3 screwdriver). Then you can put the battery in a plastic blade. Don't use metal - even a small circuit can burn the power controller!
β οΈ Attention: If the battery is swelling, it is absolutely not allowed to be pierced or bent! Bloated cells contain lithium, which can ignite when in contact with air. In this case, immediately wrap the battery in plastic and take it to the recycling point.
The new battery is set in reverse sequence. Before connecting the connector, make sure it is clean (wipe with an alcohol tampon if necessary). After assembly, turn on the phone and check the charge: if it shows 0%, let the battery βswingβ (full charge-discharge cycle).
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After replacing the battery, be sure to calibrate: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruption.
Phone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes
It seems easier to assemble a Redmi Note 5 after disassembly than to make out, but this is where most of the mistakes are, and the main problem is that the latches are not properly installed, which cause the lid to not fit tightly or cause creaks.
Follow this algorithm:
- Make sure all plumes (fingerprint scanners, speaker, cameras) are connected and not twisted.In the Redmi Note 5, the scanner plume is particularly brittle - it is easy to damage when assembled.
- Check the sealing gum around the perimeter of the lid. If it is torn or deformed, replace it (you can cut from thin foam).
- Start the assembly from the top of the lid (where the camera is located), then click the side faces, and lastly - the bottom part with a USB-C connector.
- After assembly, check all functions: πΆ Network signal (antennae undamaged). π Sound in the speaker and microphone. π Charging (the cable must fit tightly into the connector). π· The operation of the camera and fingerprint scanner.
If the phone does not turn on after assembly, check:
- Is the battery connector connected (frequent error!)
- Are the contacts closed on the motherboard (look for foreign objects).
- Is the switch on broken (it is easy to disassemble it).
If everything is connected correctly but the phone is not responding, try pressing the power button for 20-30 seconds β sometimes this will reset the getting stuck firmware.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of metal tools | Scratches on the frame, closing contacts | Use only plastic mediators |
| Overheating by a hairdryer (>80Β°C) | Screen detachment, glue damage | Hold the hair dryer at a distance of 10 cm, temperature β€ 60 Β° C |
| Force in lid separation | Broken latches, cracks in the glass. | Use two mediators at the same time |
| Undisconnected battery during repair | Short circuit, burnt-out fee | Turn off the battery connector first. |
| Loss of screws | The lid's loose, creaking. | Use a magnetic tray for screws |
Another common problem is that the fingerprint scanner plume is damaged, and it goes from the switch button to the motherboard, and it often sticks on double-sided tape, and when you separate the lid, don't pull the plume by force, you better cut the tape with scissors.
If you're in doubt, check out the Redmi Note 5 demo guides on YouTube, and pay attention to the channels with detailed comments (like Repair Universe or JerryRigEverything).