Modern smartphones, despite the seemingly monolithic design, require periodic intervention in the “iron”. Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codename santoni), released in 2017, is still popular due to its reliability, but time takes its toll. The battery loses capacity, the screen gets cracked, or the user simply needs a deep cleaning of dust inside the case. Regardless of the reason, the owner is faced with the question of how to carefully and safely dismantle the rear panel.
The process of opening an aluminum case is different from working with plastic analogues or devices with a glass back cover. It is critical here not to damage the antenna inserts and not to bend the thin metal that is part of the structure. In this guide, we will discuss in detail each step, from tool preparation to the final connection of the plumes, so that you can perform the replacement of components without going to the service center.
It's worth noting that any self-disassembly of the Redmi 4X involves a loss of warranty if the warranty has not expired. However, for a device that is several years old, this is rarely a problem. The main thing is to follow the sequence of actions and not use brute force where accuracy and patience are required. Let's consider what it will take to successfully complete this task.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before you start dismantling, you need to organize space. Working with small parts requires good lighting and no distractions. You need a clean, flat surface covered with soft cloth or an antistatic mat so that screws and small parts do not get lost and scratched. Chaos on the table is the main enemy of the repairman, leading to the assembly of "extra" parts at the end of the process.
The Xiaomi Redmi 4X opener toolkit is standard on most modern smartphones, but has its own nuances. The main element is the heater, since the device's frame is planted on glue. Without prior warming up, there is a high risk of breaking plastic latches or deforming the metal frame when trying to tamper with it.
- 🔥 Hair dryer (construction or household at maximum temperature) or heating platform for softening glue.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers: mandatory presence of cross PH000 and a small flat screwdriver.
- 🗑️ Plastic mediators (scapula) and a sucker for careful detachment of the cover without scratches.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws of different sizes.
Special attention should be paid to mediators. Metal tools such as needles or blades are not recommended for snapping internal latches. Aluminum is soft, and the metal will easily leave traces or, worse, close contacts on the board if you accidentally touch working electronics. Plastic in this regard is safe and flexible.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to completely turn off the smartphone. Attempting to disconnect the plume of the display or battery when the device is on can lead to a short circuit and failure of the power controller.
The procedure of heating and removing the back cover
The key to the success of the entire operation is to heat the device's perimeter correctly.The glue that holds the Redmi 4X lid melts at around 80-90 degrees Celsius. Insufficient heating will cause you to tear the lid off along with pieces of plastic or bend the frame, and excessively can damage the display matrix or internal components.
Use a hair dryer, evenly warming the ends of the smartphone for 2-3 minutes. Keep the tool at a distance of 3-5 cm from the body, constantly moving it around the perimeter. Do not hold the flow of hot air at one point, especially in the center of the faces where the plastic antenna inserts are located - they can melt or change color.
After warming up, gently place the suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the edge, but not on the very end. Pull the suction cup up, creating a small gap between the lid and the frame. Insert a thin plastic mediator immediately into the resulting slit. Now, without removing the mediator, move it along the perimeter, feeling the resistance of the glue and the clicks of the plastic latches.
- 📱 Start the movement of the mediator from the bottom, then move to the side edges.
- 🛑 Move slowly, do not make sudden jerks, so as not to damage the plume of the fingerprint sensor.
- 🔊 A characteristic crackling of glue is normal, but a loud crunch of plastic signals the wrong angle of input tool.
You need to be very careful here. If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't use force, you better warm up the problem area again. Sharp movements can lead to chipping on the ends or damage to the internal structure of the body.
Dismantling internal components and protection of boards
Once the back cover is successfully detached, you'll see the inside of the smartphone, but it's too early to rush to retrieve the battery or unscrew the board. The Xiaomi Redmi 4X design involves a protective metal plate covering the main plumes and connectors, and this plate is attached with several screws of different sizes.
Look carefully at the location of the screws. They can vary in length and diameter of the thread. A reverse assembly error, where a long screw is screwed into the hole for a short one, can lead to a breakdown of the motherboard and fatal consequences for the device. It is recommended to lay the screws in the same order in which they were twisted, or use a magnetic mat with markings.
To access the main nodes, you need to unscrew all visible screws on the metal screen. Pay attention to the screws hidden under stickers or plugs, if any (although in 4X they usually do not exist, except for the screws on the lid itself). After removing the fastener, gently apply the metal plate with a mediator and remove it.
| Component | Type of attachment | Risks of withdrawal | Tool. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protective plate. | Screws (different) | Thread failure, plume damage | Screwdriver PH000 |
| Display plume | Clamp (connector) | Contact break, connector breakage | Plastic spatula |
| Battery | Adhesive tape | Battery puncture, fire. | Suction, hair dryer |
| Camera module | Grounding in the groove | Lens contamination, sensor damage | Tweezers (carefully) |
Underneath the safety plate are the connectors of the plumes, the most important of which is the display plume and the touchscreen plume, which can be covered with additional metal clipping slats, before disconnecting any plume, make sure that you understand the principle of the lock: some just stretch up, others require the lock to bend.
⚠️ Warning: Never pull the plume itself when you try to disconnect it, only the hard part of the connector or the special tongue, and excessive effort will cause the contact group to be separated, which is almost impossible to restore at home.
☑️ Check before disconnecting the plumes
Replacement of the battery and work with adhesive base
One of the most common reasons Redmi 4X disassembly is a battery replacement, which is glued to the bottom of the case with double-sided tape. Over time, the glue dries up, but often holds it tight enough to require force, which carries risks. The main rule of safety when working with Li-Ion batteries is never to pierce or deform the battery case, as this causes an instant chemical reaction and fire.
To safely extract the battery, it is recommended to preheat it. Direct the flow of warm air (not hot!) to the battery area through the open back cover or directly on the inside, if the lid is already removed, for 1-2 minutes. This will soften the adhesive base. After heating, you can use a suction cup or a thin plastic card to smack the battery.
Move the card or thread (if you use the guitar string method) under the battery with forward movements, trying not to damage the surrounding plumes. In the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, the battery plume runs under the cell itself, so you need to act extremely delicately at the bottom. A sharp jerk can lead to a break in the plume, which will require soldering a new connector.
- 🔋 If the old battery is swelling, treat it with extreme caution, without squeezing the edges.
- 🧹 Before installing a new battery, carefully clean the seat from the remnants of old glue with alcohol.
- 🧩 The new battery should be tightly fixed; use a new double-sided tape or special glue B-7000.
When you install a new battery, make sure that the connector sits tightly in the connector on the board. A slight finger tap across the connector area will help make sure you are in contact. After that, you can do an initial check by plugging in the display plume and turning on the device without fully assembling the case.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The Xiaomi Redmi 4X is assembled in reverse disassembly order, but requires no less care. Start by putting all the internal components in their places: speakers, vibrator, charging connectors. Make sure that all the plumes are packed into their channels and are not clamped with metal plates or screws.
Pay special attention to the fingerprint scanner plume. It's very thin and delicate. When you put the back cover in, make sure it's not screwed or broken. The wrong stacking of this plume is a common cause of a scanner that doesn't work after it's built, even if the module itself is in good shape.
Before you final screw and lid, test it. Connect the display and touchscreen plumes, press the switch. If the phone vibrates, the screen lights up and reacts to touch, the build is successful. If the screen doesn't light up, try reconnecting the plume to check for visible damage.
Now you can apply a new layer of glue. For the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, the best thing to do is use liquid glue in a tube (like the B-7000 or T-7000). Apply a thin, uniform strip along the perimeter of the frame, avoiding getting glue onto the camera and into the speaker holes. Press the lid and lock the device with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes before initial grasp.
⚠️ Warning: Excess glue from under the lid must be removed immediately before it freezes. Use a napkin lightly soaked in alcohol. Frozen glue is difficult to remove from the aluminum frame without using solvents that can damage the coating.