Removing the back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a challenge that owners face when replacing a battery, repairing a camera or cleaning up dust. The model, released in 2018, has adhesive mounting of the lid, which complicates the process compared to modern smartphones on latches. In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of necessary tools and critical nuances that the manufacturer does not advertise – for example, why you can not use metal mediators at the first opening.
It's important to understand that Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince) is not designed to be self-repaired. Xiaomi uses water-resistant adhesive around the perimeter of the body, and the display and battery plumes are fixed by fragile latches. One wrong move can cause contacts to break or damage the fingerprint sensor. If you've never taken your smartphones apart, you'd better go to the service center. But if you decide to act yourself, follow our recommendations.
This article is relevant for all Redmi modifications. 5 Plus, including versions of the 3/32 GB, 4/64 GB and Redmi Note 5 (Instructions are not suitable for Redmi 5A or Redmi 6 — They have a different body design!
Preparation: security tools and measures
Before you start disassembling, you need to assemble a set of tools, and without them, you risk damaging the plastic latches or leaving scratches on the aluminum frame.
- 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3 - thickness 0.2–0.3 Mmm, metals won't do!
- 🔥 Hair dryer or temperature-adjusted thermo-air station (max. 80)°C).
- 🧲 Suction cup with a diameter of 4-5 cm for the initial suction of the lid.
- 📦 Container for screws (magnetic mat or box with cells).
- 🔋 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ glue-residue.
- 🧴 Silicone glue B-7000 (If you plan to collect back).
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a household hair dryer at maximum power - it overheats the display and can melt the glue under the screen. The optimal temperature for softening the adhesive on the lid is 60-70°C. Also avoid heating the area near the chamber – there is a flexible plume, sensitive to high temperatures.
Before starting work, turn off the phone completely and remove it. SIM-If the battery is swelling, don't try to disassemble the device yourself. Bloated Li-ion batteries can ignite when mechanically exposed.
Step 1: Heating the glue layer
The glue that Xiaomi uses to fix the lid loses adhesion when it heats up, and your job is to heat the body evenly without overheating the individual areas.
- Set the dryer at a temperature of 60-70 ° C and air flow at a minimum speed.
- Direct hot air to the bottom of the phone (where the charging connector is) and slowly drive a hairdryer along the side faces.
- Warm up each side for 30-40 seconds, paying special attention to the corners.
- Check the temperature of the body with your hand - it should be warm, but not burning.
⚠️ Warning: Do not heat the area near the front camera and the speaker on top - there are thermal pastes that can melt and leak under the screen. Also avoid direct hot air on the camera glass - it can crack from temperature changes.
After warming up, try to pull the lid slightly on the bottom edge (where the USB-C connector is) if it doesn't respond, warm up for another 20 to 30 seconds. Don't force it, or you'll break the plastic latches!
Set the hair dryer at 60-70°C.
Heated up the bottom of the phone.
Heated up the side faces for 30 seconds.
Checked the body temperature with my hand.
Heated the front camera area.-->
Step 2: Separation of the cover by a mediator
When the glue softens, proceed to the tidy undercoat of the lid. Here it is important to observe the sequence so as not to damage the plumes:
- Apply a suction cup to the bottom of the phone (above the Redmi logo) and pull up slightly. There should be a slight gap.
- Insert a plastic mediator into the gap and slowly lead it along the side face, separating the lid from the frame.
- Once the mediator has passed half of the side, lock it and insert a second mediator on the opposite side.
- Carefully walk the mediators around the perimeter, increasing the gap, and the lid should come away with the characteristic snap of the latches.
🔹 Critical moments:
- 🛑 Do not insert the mediator deeper than 2-3 mm - plumes pass under the lid!
- 🔊 In the speaker area (lower left corner), be especially careful - there is a thin antenna cable.
- 📱 If the lid does not lend itself in some place - do not press harder, but warm up this area again.
When the lid is detached, don't remove it completely! It stays connected to the motherboard through the fingerprint scanner plume (if your model is equipped with one), gently lift the lid and unplug the plume by pulling the black tongue of the connector.
What to do if the lid does not move?
Step 3: Battery disconnection (required!)
When you remove the lid, the first thing you do is turn off the battery, even if the phone is off, and this will prevent short circuits from accidentally touching the components of the board with a screwdriver.
- Find a black connector with red and black wires on the battery (usually located at the bottom).
- Carefully dent the connector with a plastic mediator and disconnect it from the motherboard.
- Wait 10-15 seconds – this is the time required for the full discharge of the capacitors.
⚠️ Attention: If the battery is blown up (as seen from the bulge of the lid), do not touch it with metal objects. Bloated Li-ion batteries contain gases under pressure and can ignite when punctured:
1. Carefully place the phone on a non-combustible surface (ceramic tiles, metal tray). 2. Do not try to remove the battery yourself. 3. Contact the service center marked "blown battery".
After the battery is turned off, you can start further disassembly (replace the camera, speaker, etc.) or clean the insides of the dust. Use a soft brush or a can of compressed air - do not blow with your mouth so that saliva does not get in!
💡
If you plan to reassemble the phone, take a picture of all the plumes and screws before you unscrew them.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi 5 Plus, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of a metal mediator | Scratches on the frame, damage to plumes | Use only plastic or nylon mediators |
| Overheating by a hairdryer (>80°C) | Deformation of plastic, detachment of the display | Control the temperature with a thermometer or hand |
| Strong pressure on the cover. | Plastic cracks, latch break | Warm up longer, but not pressurize |
| Forgot to turn off the battery. | Short circuit, board failure | First thing you do is disconnect the battery. |
| Dust hitting the camera lens | Dust lenses, deterioration of photo quality | Working in a clean room, using gloves |
One of the most frustrating mistakes is that the fingerprint scanner plume is damaged, and it goes from the power button to the motherboard, and it often breaks off when the lid is not properly removed.
- 🔍 Integrity of the plume (are there any breaks).
- 🔌 Is the card correctly connected.
- 🛠️ Whether the plume under the battery is bent.
If the plume is broken, it can be replaced, but it requires soldering with a microscope. In most cases, it is cheaper to buy a new power button with a plume (article: Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Power Button Flex Cable).
💡
The most vulnerable part of the Redmi 5 Plus disassembly is the fingerprint scanner plume, which causes the power button and sensor to lose functionality. Always unplug the plume before the lid is completely removed!
Assembly of the phone: nuances and tips
Putting the Redmi 5 Plus back together is often harder than disassembling, and here are the key points to avoiding problems:
- Contact cleaning: Before assembly, wipe all connectors (battery, cameras, display) with isopropyl alcohol. This will remove oxides and improve contact.
- Applying glue: If the old glue is lost, apply a thin layer of B-7000 around the perimeter of the lid. Don't overdo it - excess glue can leak under the screen.
- Closing latches: Start pressing the lid from the area around the camera, then gradually snapping the side faces. You should hear the characteristic clicks.
- Functional check: After assembly, turn on the phone and check: 📞 Does the sensor work. 🔋 Is the battery charging. 📷 Is the camera functioning. 🔊 Is there a sound in the speaker.
If the phone does not turn on after assembly:
1. Check if the battery is connected. 2. Make sure that all the plumes sit tightly in the connectors. 3. Try to pinch the power button for 20-30 seconds (sometimes helps with "sticking" contacts). 4. If nothing works, the motherboard may have been damaged (you need a diagnosis in the service).
⚠️ Warning: Don't turn the phone on immediately after assembly. Let the glue hold for 10-15 minutes. This will prevent dust from getting in and improve leakage.
When should I contact the service?
Not all breakdowns can be repaired on their own, but here are some cases where you can trust the professionals:
- 💥 Bloated battery – the risk of fire if improperly removed.
- 📱 Cracked display – glass replacement requires special equipment.
- 🔧 Problems with the motherboard (not turned on, not charged, overheating).
- 📡 Problems with antenna (no network, poor catch Wi-Fi).
- 💧 Liquid intake - ultrasonic cleaning is necessary.
The cost of dismantling the Redmi 5 Plus in the service center is 800-1,500 rubles (depending on the region), replacing the battery will cost 1500-2,500 rubles (with work). If you are not sure of your skills, it is sometimes cheaper to pay the master than risk expensive repairs.
Remember, Xiaomi warranty does not cover damage caused by self-repair, and if the phone is warranty, you should contact an authorized service center.