Xiaomi’s Redmi series has long proven to be reliable, with excellent value for money. However, over time, even the most reliable gadget may require intervention, whether it’s replacing a bloated battery, repairing a charging plume, or cleaning a speaker from dust. Redmi 3 is structurally different from many modern monoblocks, which often leaves inexperienced users baffled at the first attempt to access the insides.
Unlike modern machines, where the body is glued around the perimeter, in this device, the back panel is held on latches and screws under plugs. This greatly simplifies the process, but requires strict adherence to the sequence of actions. Incorrect effort or use of the wrong tool can lead to breakage of plastic mounts, which then have to be restored with glue.
Before any manipulations begin, it is critical to completely disable the device. Even if the screen is out, the system can be in sleep mode, and accidental closure of the contacts during opening can cause the power controller to fail. The back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi 3 is not a single frame, but is a removable plastic element fixed along the circuit. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the steps of safe dismantling.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Quality training is half the success of any repair. You don't need a professional lab, but you need a toolkit that's properly selected. Using a wide-sting knive or screwdriver often results in chipping on the edges of the body, which will be conspicuous later on.
You will need to work:
- 🔧 Thin plastic spatula (mediator) or old plastic card for snapping latches.
- 🪛 Cross-sized screwdriver PH00 or PH000 screw-twisting.
- 🌬 Suction (optional) to facilitate pulling the panel if it sits very tightly.
- 🧤 Antistatic gloves or dielectric-coated tweezers to work with internal components.
Organize the workspace so that all screws are not lost. Small parts can easily be rolled under furniture or into the crevices of the table. It is recommended to use a magnetic mat or simply spread the screws on a white sheet of paper in order of their extraction, which will avoid the situation when there are unnecessary parts after assembly.
Be sure to check the lighting. Shadows can hide small cracks in the case or hidden screws. If you have a desk lamp, direct the light directly to the work area. This will also help to notice small villi or dust that should not get inside the device when you open the assembly.
☑️ Preparation for the dismantling of Redmi 3
Analysis of design and fixation points
Understanding how the body works will keep you from getting damaged. Xiaomi Redmi 3 has a metal frame to which a plastic back cover is attached. The main difficulty is that the screws holding the panel are hidden under decorative plugs that are easy to mistake for part of the design or miss.
At the top of the back, closer to the camera module, there are two small round plugs, and underneath these are the main screws of the mount, and many users try to bend the lid by force without noticing these elements, which causes the plastic ears around the screw holes to break, so be careful and act carefully.
In addition to screws, the perimeter of the device is surrounded by plastic latches. They are large in number, and they are located in increments of about 1-1.5 centimeters. The mechanism of their operation is simple: they enter the slots of the metal frame. The task is to separate them evenly without breaking any of them. A sharp jerk at one point is almost guaranteed to break the adjacent fasteners.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to lid the corners of the device with metal objects. In these areas, antenna plumes often pass, and their damage will lead to a deterioration in signal reception or complete loss of communication.
It's also worth noting that the power button and the volume rocker can be integrated into the side frame or have separate plumes going to the board. Although, when you remove only the back cover, the risk of damage is minimal, excessive force when bending the faces can displace these elements.
The process of removing plugs and twisting screws
Starting the immediate dismantling by removing visible obstacles, flip the smartphone down onto a soft cloth to avoid scratching the display, take a close look at the top of the back around the camera lens, and you should see two small circular elements that can be slightly hollowed down or level with the surface.
To extract the plugs, use a thin needle, pin, or sharp tip of tweezers. Carefully tuck the edge of one of the plugs and pull up. They should come out easily, without crunch. If the plug doesn't lend themselves, don't push hard - it's probably glued and needs to be warmed up slightly with a hairdryer, although in the Redmi 3 model they usually sit on dry friction.
Once both holes are free, take a PH00 cross screwdriver. Put the stinger in the hole and make sure it sits tightly in the screw strands. Start twisting counterclockwise. Don't put too much effort into not breaking the thread or licking the screw cap. If the screw is tight, try pressing down slightly to get a better grip, and then twist.
Put the screws you've screwed right away in a prepared container. There are only two, but it's very easy to lose them in the carpet pile or on the floor. Once you remove the screws, the main mechanical fixation is removed, and now you can move on to perimeter latches.
What do I do if the screw is ripped off?
Perimeter latch snapping
Now, the most critical step is to take a plastic blade or a mediator, and start putting it in the junction between the back cover and the metal frame, and the best way to start is to start at the bottom end of the device or the side edges, avoiding the top speaker area where there's a lot of electronics.
The motions must be sliding. Put the tool in the gap, rotate it slightly to bend the plastic, and at the same time lead along the body. You will hear the characteristic click, which means that the latch is free. Don't try to snap everything from one side at once; walk around the perimeter, gradually increasing the gap.
If the lid is very tight, you can use a suction cup, stick it to the center of the back panel, pull it up slightly, create tension, and insert a blade into the gap, which will reduce the load on the plastic mounts and minimize the risk of their failure, and act methodically, moving from one latch to another.
Pay special attention to the corners. Here, plastic is often more fragile. Push the lid closer to the corner, but not in the corner, so as not to break the top of the mounting triangle. If you feel that the plastic is starting to whiten (strain), stop and try to release the next latch on the other side.
Disabling the plumes and the final removal of the cover
When all the latches on the perimeter click, don't rush to tear the lid off abruptly. There may be plumes inside that connect the back panel to the motherboard. In the Redmi 3 model, there are often a main speaker and antenna contacts on the back that can be connected to the board.
Carefully lift the bottom of the lid and look inside. If you see thin flat cables (plugs) going to the removed part, they must be turned off. Connectors have special locks. Bend the lock up (or move aside, depending on the type of connector) and smoothly remove the plume.
Don't pull the plume wire, it will break instantly, you just have to pull the hard plastic connector tip, and if the plume is glued to the body with double-sided tape, warm the area slightly or gently attach the place of glue with a spatula.
Once you've checked for connections, you can remove the back cover completely, put it in a safe place, preferably with a screen down on a soft surface so you don't scratch the glossy coating, and now you have full access to the battery, SIM cards and internal components.
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When reassembling, first connect all the plumes, make sure that they are correctly planted (until the snap of the lock), and only then apply the lid for snapping.
Table of common problems in disassembly
Users often face typical difficulties in dismantling, and the following table will help diagnose the problem and find a solution without making fatal mistakes.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The lid is not removed after the screws are twisted. | All latches on the perimeter are not cracked. | Walk the shoulder blade again around the circuit, listening to clicks |
| The plastic ear is broken under the screw. | Excessive bending force or attempt to remove without twisting the screws | Restore the plastic glue or replace the back cover entirely |
| The plume of the speaker broke. | Removing the cover without checking connections | Replacement of the plume with a new one or ration (requires skills) |
| There were cracks on the sides of the body | Using a metal tool instead of a plastic tool | Stick with a decorative pad or replace the frame |
As you can see from the table, most of the problems are caused by rushing or ignoring design features. The plastic in Redmi 3 is good enough, but it doesn't like spot bumps and skews. The even distribution of effort is the key to successful disassembly.
If you're in a situation where the lid has deformed, don't try to force it into place, it can cause the screen to be squeezed out or the internal boards to be damaged, and it's better to replace the damaged element, because the cost of new housings for this model remains affordable.
⚠️ Warning: After removing the lid, be sure to check the status of the battery. If it is swelling, do not in any case pierce it or mechanically affect it. The bloated battery is fire-prone and requires immediate disposal in a specialized point.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The assembly process is a mirror image of the disassembly, but requires even more care. First, make sure that all the internal components are installed in their places and the plumes are not compressed. Connect all the necessary connectors to the motherboard if they have been disconnected.
Put the back cover on the body and start snapping it around the perimeter. Start on the side where the least electronics are (usually the bottom or sides). Press your fingers along the edges until you hear a confident click of each latch. Don't use a hammer or a hard hit.
Once the lid is fixed, insert the screws into the top holes. Wrap them evenly, without fanaticism. Plastic cracks easily when you pull it over, just feel the moment of resistance and do another half-turn to fix it.
The final step is to put the plugs in and turn on the phone, put the decorative rounds in place, turn on the device and check the basic functions: the sound of the speakers (because you removed the lid next to them), the volume buttons and the presence of a network signal. If everything is working properly, the assembly can be considered successful.
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The key to successful assembly is to take your time to fasten the latches, and make sure that no wire is caught in the lid, otherwise it may rub and short when squeezed.