The back cover of Xiaomi is not just a decorative element, but part of a design that protects the internal components from dust, moisture and mechanical damage. But sooner or later, you have to remove it: to replace the battery, clean the dust, repair plumes or even replace the sticker. The manufacturer assumes that you will use a plastic blade (mediator), but what if it is not at hand?
In this article, we will discuss 7 Alternative ways to open a Xiaomi lid without a dedicated tool, from improvised tools to non-obvious life hacks, it is important to understand that each method has its own risks, from scratching the body to damaging the latches or battery plume. We will describe in detail which Xiaomi models are most vulnerable to disassembly (for example, the Redmi Note series). 10/11 with fragile clips) and how to minimize damage.
Why not just put a knife or screwdriver on the lid
The first thing that comes to mind is to take a sharp object like a knife, a screwdriver, or even a nail, and that's the most dangerous approach, and here's why:
- 🔪 Metal tools (knives, screwdrivers) leave deep scratches on an aluminum or plastic frame, which can not be eliminated.
- 💥 Risk of damage to latches: Xiaomi's lid is based on plastic clips that break under uneven pressure. X3 Pros of everything. 8, break down 2-3, You'll get a back cover.
- ⚡ Short circuit: if you put the lid near the battery with a metal object, you can break through the insulation and close contacts.
- 📱 Damage to the display plume: in models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Mi 11) the plume passes close to the edge of the body.
Even if you are lucky and the lid is damaged without any visible damage, microcracks on clips can appear later, for example, after a phone drop or when you replace the battery. In service centers, such cases are classified as “non-warranty” and repairs cost 1.5-2 times more expensive.
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is still warranty, disassembling the case automatically cancels it. the manufacturer uses special warranty seals (for example, on screws or under the lid), which are destroyed when opened.
Suitable tools that can be used instead of a shoulder blade
If you don't have a mediator, and you need to take your phone apart, you can use one of these items, and we've put them from the safest to the risky.
| Subject matter | Pluses | Cons | Suitable for models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic card (bank, discount) | Soft plastic does not scratch the body, uniform pressure distribution | A thickness of 0.7-1 mm may not fit into the cracks in some models | Redmi 9/10, Poco M3, Mi A3 |
| Guitar mediator (plastic, 0.5–0.8 mm thick) | Perfect thickness, rounded edges, often at hand musicians | It may be too flexible for a hard clip. | Redmi Note 8/9, Mi 10 Lite |
| SIM card (or micro-SIM) | Thin (0.76 mm), rigid, not bend | Sharp corners can scratch the frame, it is difficult to grasp | Poco X3, Redmi 8A |
| Toothbrush (plastic pen) | You can cut to the right size, soft plastic | Too thick for most of the cracks, you need to sharpen | Older models (Redmi 4X, Mi 5) |
| Clips (plastic, without metal parts) | You can disassemble and use the “language” as a spatula | Unreliable fixation, can slip | Budget models with plastic case |
Before using any of these items, it is mandatory to:
- Turn off the phone and remove the SIM- memory card.
- Warm up the body with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 50)°C) for 2-3 minutes – this will soften the glue (if any).
- Wrap the tool with paint tape or tape to avoid scratches.
Step-by-step: how to open the lid Xiaomi plastic card
This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models with plastic or glass body (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco). F3). The main thing is to act carefully and slowly.
Turn off the phone and take out the tray. SIM-map
Warm up the body with a hair dryer (not higher than 50).°C) 2-3 minutes
Wrap the card with tape, leaving the working edge (1-1.5 cm)
Prepare a suction cup (can be from an old phone) to fix the lid-->
Step 1. Find the entry point.
Most Xiaomi have a weak spot, the gap between the lid and the body near the charging connector or volume button. Carefully swipe your nail around the perimeter to feel the gap. If the phone is new, there may be no gaps, in which case warming up is mandatory.
Step 2. Put the map in.
Insert the edge of the map into the slot at an angle ~30° And you can steer smoothly along the body without trying to tear the lid. If you feel resistance, don't push harder, you better try the other side. Redmi Note 9 models have clips closer to the top, so start at the bottom.
Step 3. Click the clips.
When the map is 2-3 cm, you'll hear the characteristic clicks -- these are plastic clips that are snapping away. Don't try to remove the lid right away: walk the map around the perimeter to release all the clips. X3 NFC, For example, there are 12 of them, and if you miss at least one, the cover may crack when removed.
Step 4. Remove the lid.
When all clips are snapped, gently lift the lid with a suction cup (if any) or fingers. Don't pull it up - it's better to "slip" to the side so as not to damage the fingerprint plume (in models with a sensor on the lid, for example, Mi Mi). 9T).
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If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't force it -- you've probably missed the clip. Repeat the process on the other side or warm up the hull again.
What to do if the cover is glued (models with waterproof)
Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G, Xiaomi 12) have an additional adhesive pad for protection from moisture (standard IP53). In this case, a plastic card is not enough - you will need a more radical approach.
Importantly, it's almost impossible to remove a lid that's glued to it without damage, and even in service centers, it's often cut with a special string and then put a new one in, and if you do, follow this instruction:
- Warming up: use a hair dryer at a temperature of 60-70°C (no higher!) for 5-7 minutes. Heat the edges first, then the center. The glue becomes elastic at temperature. ~50°C.
- Separation: Take a thin guitar string (0.2-0.3 mm) or fishing line, put it between the lid and the body and carefully saw back and forth, gradually deepening.
- Separation: When the line goes 2-3 mm deep, try to cover the lid with a plastic card. If the glue does not lend itself, repeat the warming up.
After removing the cover, you will have to:
- 🧹 Clean the glue residues from the case and cover (use isopropyl alcohol).
- 🛠️ Replace the glue pad with a new one (you can buy a remake for IP-certification).
- 🔥 Check the leakproofness after assembly (for example, by lowering the phone in water for 10 seconds – but it is risky!).
⚠️ Warning: Wireless charging models (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) have a coil under the lid that is glued to the glass, which can be removed in a careless manner, and then wireless charging will stop working.
Xiaomi models that are the hardest to understand (and why)
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally disassemblable. Some models are designed to remove the lid without damage is almost impossible.-5 The most "disruptive" devices and their features:
| Model | Difficulty of disassembly (1-10) | Reason. | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra | 9/10 | Clay. + 16 clips + glass-plate | Just the string. + warming up to 70°C |
| Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | 8/10 | Water protection (IP53) + perimeter | Leska + hair dryer, mandatory gasket replacement |
| Poco F4 GT | 8/10 | metal frame + lens | Use two cards simultaneously from opposite sides |
| Mi 11 Lite 5G NE | 7/10 | Thin glass (2.8 mm) + battery-powered | Minimum effort, warming up is mandatory |
| Black Shark 4/5 | 9/10 | Playing case with reinforced latches | Professional instrument (string) required + sucker) |
If your model is on this list, it is better to contact the service. 12S Ultra at home in 80% of cases ends in a crack in the glass or damage to the camera. the cost of repair in this case can reach 15-20 thousand rubles.
What happens if you break the clips when you disassemble?
How to Close the Cover Back: 3 Critical Mistakes
Many users successfully remove the lid, but face problems with reverse assembly, and here are three common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Mistake 1: Incorrect position of the clip
If the clips don't get into the slots, the lid won't snap completely.
- Make sure all clips are in place and not deformed.
- Start to snap the lid from the top (where the display connector is located), then smoothly press on the other sides.
- You should hear a series of clicks - it means that the clips have stood in place.
Mistake 2: Distortion of the cover
If the lid is crooked, don't push it harder, you'll break the clips.
- 🔄 Remove the cover and try again, aligning it on the charging connector.
- 📏 Use the ruler to check the gaps around the perimeter.
Error 3: Forgot to connect the plumes
In models with a fingerprint sensor on the cover (for example, Mi). 9T) or NFC-With an antenna (e.g., Redmi Note 10), the plumes can detach when disassembled:
- Remove the cover and check if all plumes are connected.
- Make sure they are not bent or clamped with a lid.
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If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic -- most likely, the battery plume has gone away. Remove the lid and check the battery connection.
When it is better not to take risks: signs that it is worth contacting the service
Even if you are confident in your abilities, there are situations when self-disassembly is unnecessarily risky.
- 🔧 Your Xiaomi is still under warranty (disassembly will cancel it).
- 💦 The model has water protection (IP53/IP68), You are not ready to change the glue pad.
- 🔋 Battery swollen (risk of damage to plumes or even fire!).
- 📱 The lid is cracked or there are chips on it (when disassembled, they may increase).
- 🛠️ You haven’t been smart before and aren’t sure about your skills.
The cost of dismantling in the service is usually 500-1500 rubles, but you will get:
- 🔒 Guarantee for work performed (3-12 months).
- 🛡️ Safeguarding all clips and plumes.
- 📋 Diagnostics of internal components (e.g. battery checks).
If you do decide to disassemble the phone yourself, take a picture of each step, which will help you put it back together. AMOLED-screens (e.g. Mi 11, Poco) F3) The plume of the display is extremely fragile - its damage will cost 5-8 thousand rubles.