How to gently open the lid of the Xiaomi phone: tools, risks and step-by-step analysis

Why Xiaomi owners decide to open the lid of the smartphone on their own

The back cover of Xiaomi is not just a decorative element, but a complex design that protects the internal components from dust, moisture and mechanical damage. However, sooner or later, many users face the need to remove it. The reasons can be different from the banal replacement of the battery to repair the charging plume or install additional memory in older models. For example, in the Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO X3 NFC, the cover is attached to latches and glue, and in the flagships of the Mi 11 series, also using waterproof gaskets.

But here's the problem: a wrong autopsy can cause the body to crack, damage the plumes, or even leakage. The manufacturer doesn't provide easy access -- unlike the removable lids on the old Samsung Galaxy, where you just had to nail it. In modern Xiaomi, you need special tools and knowledge of the mounting circuitry. Even if you plan to bring the phone to service, understanding the process of disassembly is useful to monitor the quality of the craftsmen.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔧 What tools will be needed for different Xiaomi models (from budget Redmi to premium) Mi/Mix)
• 📱 Step-by-step instructions taking into account the features of fastenings (glues, latches, screws)
• ⚠️ Typical errors that cause a display or motherboard to break
• 🔄 How to put your phone back together so there are no gaps and creaks

Preparation: Tools and Conditions for Safe Disassembly

Before you start an autopsy, make sure you have everything you need, and if you don't have one tool, you can break a glass or a plume, and here's the minimum set.

• 🔨 Plastic mediators (2-3 - for gently putting the lid on. Metal blades leave scratches!
• 🔧 Torx screwdriver T3/T4/T5 — for screws in certain models (for example, POCO F1 or Mi 9).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Removing residues of glue during reassembly.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or heat tile - to soften the glue (relevant for models with waterproofing).
• 📦 Container for screws – magnetic substrate or tray, so as not to lose small parts.

Also prepare the workplace:

• 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting – it is better to use a desk lamp.
• 🧹 Remove all foreign objects: one fallen screw can short the motherboard.
• 🔌 Turn off the phone from charging and take it out SIM-Memory card – static electricity can damage chips.

If you are disassembling a model with a waterproof body (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), note: after opening the leakage will be broken. To restore the protection will require replacing the adhesive layer and gaskets - this is a separate procedure that is better to trust the service.

⚠️ Note: In Xiaomi models with IP53/IP68 (Like Mi. 11 Ultra or POCO X5 Pro) after self-disassembly, the water protection warranty is cancelled. If you sink the phone later, even the official service will not cover the repair.

Step-by-step: how to remove the lid on different Xiaomi models

The parsing algorithm depends on the type of lid attachment, and we're going to look at three of the most common options:

The lid on the latches (budget models: Redmi 9/10, POCO M3/M4)

In these phones, the only thing that keeps the lid on is plastic latches, and the key is not to break them when you're undercoat.

1. Heat the edges of the body with a hair dryer (temperature ~60 ° C) for 1-2 minutes - this will make the plastic more elastic.
2. Insert the mediator into the gap between the lid and the middle frame (start with the lower right corner, where the notch is usually located).
3. Carefully drive the mediator along the edge, alternately snapping the locks. Don't try to tear the lid off right away, so you break the latches!

2.Adhesive cover (medium segment: Redmi Note 11/12, Mi 10T)

You'll need a hot tile or a hair dryer. The glue in Xiaomi is usually applied around the perimeter, so it's the edges that you need to warm up:

1. Put the phone on the heat tile (70-80 ° C) for 3-5 minutes or warm up with a hair dryer, driving them around.
2. Put the cover on the mediator in a place where there are no plumes (usually this is the bottom part next to the USB-C connector).
3. If the lid fails, repeat the heat. Do not force - there may be fragile components under the lid (for example, antenna modules).

Cover with screws (flagships: Mi 11/12/13, POCO F3/F4)

In premium models, the lid is often attached with screws under plugs, and they must be removed first:

1. Remove the two plugs at the bottom of the case (near the speaker and connector). USB-C). Underneath them are hidden Torx screws T3 or T4.
2. Unscrew the screws and put them in a container (they are magnetized, so easily lost).
3. Next, act as in the case of a glue cover: warm up the edges and tuck in the mediator.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra) may have an additional metal screen under the lid, which is also mounted with screws. Remember to photograph the location of each screw - they can vary in length!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that can be costly to repair, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔥 If you use a hair dryer at maximum temperature, you can melt plastic latches or damage the battery — 70-80°C, no higher.
• 🔧 Loss of screws. Xiaomi often uses screws of different lengths, and if you confuse them with places, you can puncture the motherboard or the screen.
• 📱 A sharp lid ripping, and there may be plumes underneath it (like a fingerprint scanner or antenna modules), always check if something is reaching behind the lid.
• 💦 Ignoring water protection. In models with IP68 after disassembly, you need to replace the glue layer and gaskets, otherwise the phone will lose protection from water.

⚠️ Note: In the phones Xiaomi with AMOLED-screens (e.g., Mi) 10 or POCO F3) The plume is extremely fragile, and if you damage it, it'll cost you to replace the screen. 30-50% Always disconnect the battery before working with the plumes!

Another common problem is creaking after assembly, and it happens when you:

• The lid is not fully up (check all the latches).
• There's garbage or old glue on the frame.
• The screws are pulled (curl them cross-curl like the wheels of a car).

1. whether the battery plume is connected (sometimes it falls out when rolling over).

2. is there no circuit on the motherboard (check it for foreign screws or debris).

3. Whether correctly established SIM-card (in some models without it, the phone does not load).-->

How to collect the phone back: tips for sealing and fixing

Building is often more difficult to parse, and here are the key points to avoid problems:

1. Remove the residues of old glue from the lid and frames with isopropyl alcohol. If there are sticky traces, use White Spirit (but not on amoled screens!).
2. For waterproof models (Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), use 3M 9448A double-sided adhesive tape or B-7000 liquid adhesive, and apply it with a thin layer around the perimeter, receding 1-2 mm from the edges.
3. Proper sequence: Connect all the plumes (battery last). Set the lid starting at the top (where the volume buttons are located). Rotate the screws cross-cross to avoid skewing.

To check the leakage after assembly:

• Blow into the USB-C connector - if you hear a whistle, the seal is broken.
• Put the phone down on a flat surface – it should not stagger.

If you have disassembled the model with IP68, after assembly, it is recommended to check the water resistance without immersion in water:

1. Apply the soap solution to the joints of the cover.
2. Connect the phone to charging - if bubbles appear, the tightness is broken.

💡

If the phone overheats or discharges quickly after assembly, you’ve probably damaged the heat paste on the processor, so you’ll need to re-disassemble the device and apply a new paste (such as the Arctic MX-4).

When it is better not to take risks: cases in which you should contact the service

Although many operations can be performed on your own, there are situations when it is better to trust professionals:

• 🔋 Bloated battery: If the phone body is deformed and the lid is bulging, the battery can explode when you try to retrieve it, and it will be removed in a special box.
• 📡 If the network or Wi-Fi signal is missing after the fall, the antenna plumes are likely to have broken off.
• 💧 Even if the phone is turned on after bathing, the corrosion on the board can show up later, and the service will wash it in an ultrasonic bath.
• 🔧 Complex models.For example, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 or Mi 13 Ultra have unique mechanisms (folding screen, retractable camera) that are easy to break without special tools.

The cost of parsing in the service is usually 500-1500 rubles (depending on the model), but it is cheaper than repairing after an unsuccessful self-attempt. For example, replacing the screen plume in the POCO F3 will cost 3-5 thousand, and the motherboard in the Mi 11 costs up to 20 thousand rubles.

⚠️ Note: If you are disassembling a phone to replace the battery, note: in official Xiaomi services after such an operation, the charging cycle counter is reset in the menu # # # #4636#. Self-replacement may not give this effect, and the phone will show a “worn” battery even after installing a new one.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the Xiaomi disassembly