How to safely open the lid of the Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways

Disassembling a Xiaomi smartphone is a challenge that owners face when replacing a battery, repairing a display or cleaning from dust. But even experienced users often make mistakes when removing the back cover, which leads to damage to latches, plumes or the body. This guide will help avoid typical problems: here you will find step-by-step schemes for different models, a list of necessary tools and ways to open without specialized equipment.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi's lid design has changed over the years, for example, older models like the Redmi Note 4X had a lid attached to latches and two screws, and new flagships like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra use glue and a complex fixation system. We'll look at universal methods and nuances for specific lines, from budget Redmi to premium Mix.

If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, start by getting ready: read the tool section and the safety precautions to keep the battery plume or power buttons intact. And for those who've tried to remove the lid but have problems, we've added a block with common bugs and ways to fix them.

Preparation: security tools and measures

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. The minimum set of tools includes:

• 🔧 Plastic blades (or mediators) - for gently putting the lid on. Metal tools can leave scratches!
• 🔩 Screwdriver. T3/T4/T5 — For screws (if you have them in your model) X3 Redmi Note 10 screw-driven T3, And Xiaomi. 12 Pro — T4.
• 🧲 Suction - helps to lift the cover after warming up (relevant for models on glue).
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature not higher than 80)°C!).
• 📦 Container for screws - so as not to lose small details.

Also, prepare the workplace: the desk should be clean and well lit, it is advisable to use an antistatic mat or at least work on a wooden surface, this will reduce the risk of damage to electronics by static electricity.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use sharp edged knives or screwdrivers to jack the lid! This almost always results in chipped plastic or damaged battery plume. If the lid fails, do not force, you better warm up the glue again.

Before disassembling, be sure to turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-If the battery is swelling, don't try to remove the lid yourself, go to the service center.

Method 1: Opening the lid on the latches (for older models)

This method is suitable for most budget and mid-budget Xiaomi smartphones 2016-2019 release, such as Redmi 4/4A/4X, Redmi Note 5/5A, Mi A1/A2. These models have a lid mounted on plastic latches around the perimeter, and it can be removed without warming up.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off your phone and take off the tray. SIM-map.
2. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the case (start with the lower right corner where the power button is located).
3. Carefully drive the shoulder blade along the edge, alternately snapping the locks, and you'll hear the characteristic clicks.
4. When all the latches open, remove the lid, holding it by the top (there is a fingerprint scanner plume).

Check the phone model for compatibility with the method

Prepare all tools

Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map

Start at the lower right corner

Do not use excessive force-->

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't try to pull it out -- you've probably missed one of the latches. Go back to the beginning and repeat the process. The Redmi Note 7/8 models have tighter latches, so it might take a little more effort, but the principle remains the same.

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If you have a Redmi Note 7 or Note 8, start at the corner next to the USB-C connector – there the latches are weaker and the cover will move away easier.

Method 2: Disassembly of models on glue (2020-2026)

Starting with the Xiaomi Mi 9 and Redmi Note 9, the company switched to adhesive lid-body connections, which made it harder to disassemble, but made the design more airtight, and for such models, you will need warm-up glue and suction cup.

Step-by-step:

1. Warm the back cover with a hair dryer (70-80°C) for 2-3 minutes, evenly driving on the surface. Do not direct hot air to one place - this can damage the battery.
2. Place the suction cup at the bottom of the lid (above the Xiaomi logo) and pull up slightly. If the lid is not moved, warm up for another 1 minute.
3. Insert a plastic blade into the gap and carefully guide it along the edge, separating the glue. At the corners, be especially careful - there are plumes.
4. When the cover is separated, do not remove it completely - first disconnect the fingerprint scanner plume (if any).

The Xiaomi 11T, 12 Pro and 13 Ultra models have a thicker layer of glue, so you may need isopropyl alcohol to dissolve it. Apply a few drops of alcohol into the slot and wait 1-2 minutes before continuing to separate the lid.

⚠️ Warning: If the lid does not separate after heating up, do not increase the temperature above 80°C — this can melt plastic or damage the battery. Instead, try applying isopropyl alcohol into the slot and wait 5 minutes.

Plastic spatula

Mediator.

Suction cup + hair dryer

Setting screwdrivers

Another option-->

Method 3: Alternative methods (without specialized tools)

If you don't have plastic blades or hair dryers on hand, you can use the tools at hand, but these methods are less safe and require extreme caution.

• 💳 A bank card will replace a plastic spatula, cut the corner of the card to make it thinner, and carefully guide the seam.
• 🧊 Hot water bottle is an alternative to a hair dryer. Put the phone in a bag and put a heating pad for 3-5 minutes (water temperature is not higher than 60).°C).
• 🧴 Hair polish contains alcohol that dissolves glue. Spray along the seam and wait 10 minutes.

When using a credit card, be very careful: its edges can be sharp and cut the plumes, and avoid moisture inside the case - this can cause corrosion of contacts.

For models with a glass back panel (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 or 11 Lite), improvised methods are not suitable - the glass is too fragile and can crack, in which case it is better to use professional tools or contact the service.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Damage to the battery plume occurs when you pull the lid up too hard. Always check if the plume is disturbing before you take it off completely.
• 🔩 Loss of screws – use a magnetic container or sticky tape to fix the screws in order of their extraction.
• 🔥 Overheating of the battery - do not point the hair dryer to one point for longer than 10 seconds.
• 📱 Frame chips -- they occur when you use metal tools. Use only plastic!

Another common problem is that the seal rubber is damaged in waterproof models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+).If you notice that the rubber seal has broken or deformed, you need to replace it before assembly, otherwise the phone will lose waterproof.

If the phone does not turn on after disassembly, check:

1. Connect the battery plume (it could have gone away).
2. Integrity of contacts on the motherboard (possibly they were bent by the tool).
3. Short circuit (if you smell burns).

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If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't try to plug in the charge immediately - this can aggravate the damage. First, visually inspect the board for damage.

Features of disassembling specific models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when disassembling.

Redmi Note 8/8 Pro

These models have a lid attached to the latches, but the fingerprint scanner's plume is very short, and when you take it off, it's easy to tear it, so:

1. Click all the latches around the perimeter.
2. Lift the cover by 1-2 mm and disconnect the plume of the fingerprint scanner until the cover is completely removed.

Xiaomi Mi 11 / 11 Ultra

The lid is glued all around the perimeter, and underneath it is a graphite heat pad.

• Warm up the cover with a hair dryer for 3-4 minutes.
• Use a suction cup and plastic spatula, but be careful - the glass is very thin.
• After removing the lid, carefully separate the heat pad and clean it from the glue residues with alcohol.

Poco X3 / X3 Pro

These models have a very fragile lid, and the latches are very tightly arranged so that they don't break it.

• Start at the corner next to the 3.5mm connector (there is thinner plastic).
• Do not use metal tools – even the mediator should be rounded edges.

Xiaomi 12S Ultra

One of the most difficult models to disassemble.

• High-strength glue.
• Glass back panel with aluminum frame.
• A camera plume that's easy to damage.

It is recommended to use a thermal air station with precise temperature control (75°C) and a special glue for reassembly (e.g. Tesa 61395).

What to do after the lid is removed?

When the lid is successfully removed, follow these recommendations:

1. Fix the lid in the raised position (for example, supporting it with a box) so as not to pull the plumes.
2. Take a picture of the location of the screws and plumes before removing them - this will help with the reverse assembly.
3. Check the integrity of the sealing rubber (if the model has water protection).
4. Clean the insides of the dust with a soft brush or compressed air (do not use wet wipes!).

If you've been removing the battery replacement lid, look out for the adhesive strips under the battery. They need to be carefully separated so as not to damage the battery itself. For new batteries, use fresh adhesive strips (they come with the original Xiaomi batteries).

When assembled back:

• Make sure all plumes are tightly connected (but without undue effort).
• Twisting the screws cross-cross to avoid skewing the cover.
• If the lid was held on adhesive, apply a new layer of B-7000 or similar adhesive around the perimeter.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone overheats or discharges quickly after assembly, chances are you forgot to plug in the battery plume or damaged the heat pad. Take the phone apart again and check all connections.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's disassembly