Disassembling Xiaomi is a challenge that owners face when replacing a battery, repairing a display or cleaning up dust. However, improperly removing the back cover can damage plumes, cracking the case or even breaking sensors. In this article, we will learn how to open the lid on different Xiaomi models – from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO – without risk to the device.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s case design has changed over the years: early models (before 2018) often had removable covers, while modern ones (after 2020) had glue covers, with additional latches. We’ll look at both options, and also tell you what tools you need to avoid spoiling your smartphone. If you’ve never taken the technology apart, don’t worry: our instructions are adapted even for beginners.
Preparation: What to Know Before Disassembly
Before you start the screwdriver, answer three key questions:
- 🔋 If the goal is to replace the battery or clean it, you may need to contact a service center (especially for models with warranties).
- 🛠️ Modern Xiaomi (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) have fragile plumes - one wrong movement can cost 5-10 thousand rubles in repairs.
- 📱 What's your smartphone model? POCO X3 Mi 11 Lite is very different – there is no universal instruction manual.
If you're determined to disassemble the device yourself, prepare the workplace.
- 💡 Good lighting (better to use a table lamp).
- 🧲 Clean surface without crumbs and dust (plug soft cloth).
- ⚡ A spare battery or power supply (if you plan to work for a long time).
- 📸 Phone camera to fix each step (useful when reassembling).
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with IP53/IP68 (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra or Redmi Note 11 Pro) after disassembly, water resistance is lost. Even if you close the lid carefully, the factory protection will not recover.
Tools for removing the lid: what to buy and where
Without the right tools, it's almost impossible to open the Xiaomi lid -- you'll either damage the case or break the latches. Here's the minimum set you'll need:
| Tool. | What do you need? | Where to buy | Price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic spatula (mediator) | Unscratched latch disconnection | AliExpress, "Chip and Deep" | 50–150 ₽ |
| Suction cup (∅ 5-7 cm) | Initial separation of the lid from the body | Phone repair shops | 100–300 ₽ |
| Thin screwdriver (T3, T5) | Spinning screws (if any) | "Leroy Merlin," Ozon | 200–500 ₽ |
| Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) | Removal of glue residue | Pharmacies, radio shops | 150–400 ₽ |
| Fen (or thermo-air station) | Softening of glue (for models after 2020) | Household appliances | 1,000 ₽ |
For models with a glued lid (for example, Xiaomi 12T or POCO F4 GT) a hair dryer is required - the glue softens at a temperature of 60-80 ° C. Do not use a building hair dryer: it overheats the body and can damage the battery. The best option is a temperature-adjusted thermal air station.
If you're going through an old model (like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1) that has a lid on the latches, you'll need a plastic spatula and suction cups, but be careful: these smartphones often break clips on the sides.
💡
Before buying tools, check if you have any home counterparts, for example, instead of a mediator, you can use a guitar mediator or a plastic card (but the risk of scratching is higher).
Step-by-step: how to open the lid on different Xiaomi models
The disassembly process depends on the type of lid attachment, and we'll look at three basic options:
- Removable cover (old models until 2018).
- Latches + glue (popular models of 2018-2021).
- Fully glued cover (modern flagships after 2021).
Removable cover (Redmi 3/4/5, Mi A1, POCO F1)
These models have a plastic cover that can be removed without tools.
Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-map|With a nail or plastic card, pull the lid from the lower corner.|Carefully drive the shoulder blade around the perimeter, snapping clips|Do not apply force - if the lid does not lend itself, check if all clips are snapped.-->
On POCO F1 and Redmi Note 5, the lid is removed from the bottom up, and the main challenge is not to break the plastic latches near the volume buttons, and if you hear the crunch, you'll have to glue or replace the lid.
2. Latches + glue 8/9/10, POCO X3, Mi 9/10)
Here, the lid is held on 10 to 15 latches and a thin layer of glue.
- Heat the edge of the cover with a hair dryer (30–40 seconds on each side).
- With a suction cup, lift the lid from the bottom edge (near the USB-C connector).
- Insert the mediator into the resulting gap and carefully lead along the body, snapping clips.
- If the cover does not lend itself, reheat the problem area.
On the Redmi Note 9 Pro and POCO X3 NFC, the fingerprint scanner plume is hidden under the lid, which is easy to damage if you're not taking it carefully. If you feel resistance, stop and check if you're hitting the plume.
Fully glued cap (Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/F5)
The hardest part is that you apply the glue all over the perimeter, and the lid often has extra mounts around the camera and the speakers.
- Heat the hair dryer cover in a circle (temperature 70-80 ° C, time 1-2 minutes).
- Suction lift the lid from the lower corner (do not pull too much - you can tear off the battery plume!).
- With a mediator, carefully separate the lid as you move clockwise. Be especially careful at the corners, as there are antenna wires passing through.
- If the glue is too strong, use isopropyl alcohol to dissolve it (apply drops along the edge).
On the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Redmi Note 12 Pro+, there is a metal frame under the lid that is attached to the screws. Without twisting the lid, you can't remove the screws! The screws are usually hidden under the stickers - don't lose them.
What to do if the lid does not lend itself?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi.
- 🔥 Overheating of the body - if you hold the hair dryer too long, you can melt the plastic or damage the battery. The optimal heating time is 30-60 seconds per site.
- ⚡ Sharp lid removal – on models with a fingerprint scanner plume (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) this leads to a break in contacts.
- 🔧 Loss of screws – Xiaomi often uses screws of different sizes.Photograph their location before twisting.
- 🧴 Using superglue in reverse assembly - it damages the plastic and makes the next repair impossible. Use only special glue for electronics (for example, use a special glue for the electronics, B-7000).
Another common problem is that antenna lines are damaged, and on metal-framed models like the Mi 11 Ultra, they run along the edges of the lid, and if you see thin copper tracks, don't press them with a mediator!
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (e.g., screens, POCO F4 or Redmi K50) When you disassemble, the proximity sensor might go off, and the screen will go out. That's okay, after assembly, everything will recover. But if the screen doesn't turn on after assembly, check the display plume.
What to do after removing the cover: further actions
When the lid is finally removed, you'll see the inside of the smartphone.
- 🔋 Replacing the battery is the most popular scenario. On Xiaomi models, the battery is usually glued, so it also needs to be heated with a hair dryer before being removed.
- 🧹 Dust cleansing - use a soft brush and a spray of compressed air. Don't blow with your mouth - saliva can get on the board!
- 🛠️ Replacement of the speaker or microphone with Redmi and POCO They're mounted on latches or screws.
- 📶 Check antenna contacts – if you have a bad network, the train may have gone.
If your goal is to replace your battery, remember:
- 🔌 On Xiaomi models after 2020, the battery is often connected via a battery. FPC-Don't pull the wires, unplug them carefully.
- 🔋 The new battery should be the same capacity. For example, for the Redmi Note 11 Pro, only a 5,000 mAh battery is suitable.
- 🔧 After replacement, check if the new battery is swelling (this is evident by the bulge on the lid).
If you're cleaning your smartphone from dust, look out for the vents near the speaker and microphone, which can be cleaned with a toothpick dipped in alcohol, don't use metal objects, they can damage the net.
💡
After any disassembly, check the tightness of the case. If the lid does not fit tightly, moisture and dust will quickly penetrate into the interior, which will lead to corrosion of the board.
Reverse Assembly: How to properly close the cover
Getting your smartphone back together is often harder than disassembling.
- Check all the plumes, they should be flat, without inflections. On the Xiaomi 12 and POCO F4, the fingerprint scanner plume often falls out of the connector.
- Apply new glue — if the lid was held on the glue, use the B-7000 or T-7000. Apply a thin layer around the perimeter, retreating 1-2 mm from the edges.
- Fix the latches – on models with clips (for example, Redmi 9) press the lid until a characteristic click.
- Check the functionality – before final assembly, turn on your smartphone and make sure the camera, speakers and sensors are working.
On models with a waterproof body (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) after assembly, check the tightness with a moisture resistance test:
- Immerse the smartphone in water for 1-2 cm for 5 minutes.
- If there is moisture under the lid, repeat the assembly with new glue.
If after assembly the smartphone does not turn on:
- 🔌 Check if the battery is connected.
- 🔧 Make sure all plumes are connected (especially the display and power).
- 📱 Try charging the device – sometimes after disassembly it takes 5-10 minutes to initialize the battery.
When is the best time to contact the service center
Despite the detailed instructions, there are situations when disassembling Xiaomi at home is unjustified:
- 🔧 Smartphone warranty - self-repair cancels it.
- 💥 Cracked body - when disassembling the fragments can damage the internal components.
- 🔥 A bloated battery is dangerous! The battery can ignite if damaged.
- 📱 The screen or touch screen does not work - the problem may be in the plume or motherboard, and without diagnosis it is impossible to do.
The cost of disassembly in the service center depends on the model:
| Model | Cost of disassembly (2026) | Cost of battery replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | 800–1 200 ₽ | 1 500–2 500 ₽ |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | 1 000–1 500 ₽ | 2 000–3 000 ₽ |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13 (flagships) | 1 500–2 500 ₽ | 3 000–5 000 ₽ |
If you doubt your abilities, it is better to overpay for professional repairs than risk the device. For example, replacing the camera plume with Xiaomi 13 Ultra in the service will cost 3-4 thousand rubles, and if you try yourself, you can damage the main fee, and repairs will cost 15-20 thousand.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi's official service centers may refuse warranty repairs after disassembly, even if you haven't broken anything. Always keep checks and packaging if the smartphone is still warranty.