The Xiaomi Redmi 4X, which came to market as an affordable metal case solution, is still popular with users who value reliability and autonomy. However, the strong aluminum alloy that gives the device a premium look becomes a serious obstacle when trying to repair itself. Unlike plastic counterparts, where you can simply nail the lid, it requires the use of specific tools and knowledge of design.
The most common way to open the case is to replace a battery that loses capacity over time or to repair the charging connectors, and users often find themselves in a situation where the glass is broken and a complete module replacement is required. Understanding how the assembly mechanism of this particular model works will help to avoid fatal errors that can turn a simple repair into a complete replacement of the device.
It's worth noting that the dismantling process is not trivial and requires patience. Modern gadget makers don't expect the owner to disassemble the phone on their own, so they use reliable adhesives and hidden screws. Your task is to act methodically without using excessive physical force where accuracy is required.
Workplace preparation and necessary tools
Before we start to disassemble the Redmi 4X directly, we need to organize the space. The work surface must be clean, well-lit and preferably antistatic or wooden. Metal tables or surfaces with synthetic clothing can generate static electricity, dangerous to electronics.
You'll need a specialized toolkit that you can buy from radio parts stores or online. The key element is the heater, because the adhesive base that holds the lid only softens at high temperatures. A regular hair dryer won't work here, as it doesn't give the desired concentration of heat at the point.
- 🔧 Thermo-air station or professional dryer with temperature control (optimum) 80-100°C).
- 💳 Plastic card, mediator or thin metal scalpel (for neat tweaking).
- 🔩 A set of cross-sting screwdrivers PH00 or PH000 screw-twisting.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws of different sizes.
Pay special attention to the choice of suction cups. For Xiaomi with a metal body, a standard suction cup may not work if there is no smooth patch of glass on the lid. In the case of the Redmi 4X, the back panel is completely metal, so the suction cup is often useless, and the emphasis is on heating and thin blades.
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Use isopropyl alcohol or a special adhesive solvent (B-7000) to soften the residues of the adhesive after the lid is removed, but do not pour the liquid inside the case!
Analysis of the design of the Redmi 4X body
The Redmi 4X is a sandwich, where the metal frame is the load-bearing element, and the back cover is not removable in the classical sense, like in older phones with a removable battery, but is glued around the perimeter to the metal middle (frame).
Inside, underneath the decorative panel, there's a main board, a battery, and other components, all covered by another metal protective plate, which means that removing the back cover is just the first step, and accessing the motherboard or charging connector requires unscrewing a lot of screws and removing the intermediate screens.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi metal body 4X When you heat it with a hair dryer, keep an eye on the temperature throughout the area so you don't burn yourself and overheat the internal components, especially the battery.
It's important to understand the location of the plumes. In this model, the plumes of the display and other modules can pass under the protective plates, and if you flex the lid roughly without completely freeing the perimeter, you're guaranteed to break the thin conductors.
Features of the glue layer
Heating and primary dismantling process
Start heating the back evenly around the perimeter.Do not hold the hair dryer at one point for longer than 3-5 seconds to avoid local overheating, which can damage the display on the back side or warp the plastic of the internal elements.
After 2-3 minutes of warming up, try to gently apply the cover with a mediator or a thin blade in the lower corner, next to the charging connector. If the tool comes in with great difficulty, the heating should continue. Do not try to force the panel torn off if it does not respond.
☑️ Checklist before removing the cover
Move around the perimeter, gradually introducing the blade deeper, your goal is to cut the adhesive layer, the characteristic sound of the glue being cut will tell you that you are moving in the right direction, and in the corners of the device, the adhesive layer is often thicker, and it will take longer to warm up.
Technique of safe opening of the perimeter
Use a thin line or a special string to open if the mediator is not able to cope. Pass the string around the corner of the cover and "sawing" movements cut the glue along the side faces. This method is less traumatic to the body than using metal blades.
When the side faces are free, move to the top, and you have to be very careful, because there may be antenna inserts or button controls nearby, and mechanical damage to the antenna module will lead to a deterioration in signal reception.
Once the lid is removed, don't put it far away. You'll need to apply a new layer of glue or use double-sided tape before reassembling. The old adhesive layer needs to be completely removed from the frame with alcohol.
⚠️ Warning: When working with metal tools, there is a high risk of short circuit if the contact plates are hit with a residual charge. Always remove the battery plume immediately after accessing it.
Access to internal components and plumes
Under the back cover, you'll see a metal screen covering the main nodes, and it's also screwed up. The Redmi 4X's battery or bottom board often requires that shielding layer to be removed.
The screws can come in different lengths. It's critical to sort them in the order you twisted them, and screwing a long screw into a hole for a short one can break through the tracks on the board or damage the components on the back.
| Component | Location. | Feature of access | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Central part | Sticked to double-sided scotch | Puncture, fire. |
| Display plume | Top of the pay | Closed with a metal plate | Track break, crack. |
| Charging connector | Lower fees | Requires the lower cover removed | Increased contacts |
| Camera. | Upper left corner | Module inserted into the groove | Lens contamination |
When you disconnect the plumes, use a plastic blade. Metal tweezers can damage the connector contacts. First, the connector is snapped, then the plume is carefully pulled aside.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
Before the final assembly, be sure to check the operability of all modules without sticking the lid permanently. Connect the battery, turn on the phone and check the sound, vibration, touchscreen and camera performance, which will save time in the event of a malfunction.
Use a special B-7000 glue or a high-quality double-sided electronics tape to fix the lid, apply a thin strip of glue around the frame, avoiding cameras and speakers.
After applying the glue, press the lid tightly and lock the device with rubber rings or a load for 1-2 hours until the composition is fully polymerized. Don't turn the phone on immediately, let the glue grab.
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High-quality enclosure sealing after repair is critical to protecting internal electronics from dust and moisture, even if the device does not have official moisture protection.
The final check should include a test of proximity and light sensors, since loose lid fit or contamination of the speaker area can disrupt their operation.
Frequent errors and precautions
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the heat: Trying to remove the lid from the cold lid leads to deformation of the metal and the destruction of the plastic mounting elements inside the housing. Aluminum bends, but it is not elastic.
Another mistake is using aggressive solvents to remove old glue. Acetone or paint solvents can damage the factory coloration of the case and melt plastic button insulators.
⚠️ Attention: The billowing battery is strictly forbidden to pierce or compress strongly. It should be removed as carefully as possible, having previously unplugged the locking strips.
Remember static electricity. In winter, the risk of static discharge increases. Before touching the inner boards, touch a grounded metal object or use an antistatic bracelet.
Final service recommendations
Regular maintenance of the device prolongs its life. If you have already opened the phone to replace the battery, it makes sense to clean the dynamic grid of dust and check the density of the connectors.
Use only original or certified battery analogues with a safety board that meets Xiaomi specifications. Cheap batteries without a protection controller can cause a fire or a power controller to fail.
Adherence to disassembly technology will not only save you on the services of the service center, but also to better understand the device of your gadget.