Why would you need to open the smartphone?
The back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is not just a decorative element, but part of the structure that protects the internal components from dust, moisture and mechanical damage. However, there are situations when it has to be removed: replacing broken glass, cleaning from dust, installing a new battery or repairing connectors. Unlike the flagship models with monolithic cases, the Redmi Note 9 Pro has a removable cover, but it is attached to latches and glue, which complicates the process.
Many users are afraid to damage the device when disassembling, and for good reason. Mistakes can lead to cracks in the glass, damage to the plumes, or even failure of the fingerprint sensor, which in this model is integrated into the power button. In this article, we will analyze the unique design features of the Redmi Note 9 Pro (codenamed joyeuse), select tools and show how to minimize the risks.
Before you start, ask yourself, do you really need a showdown? Maybe you can solve it in software or in a service center. If you're determined to do it yourself, read on.
Preparation: tools and modalities
To carefully remove the cover of the Redmi Note 9 Pro, you will need:
- 🔧 Plastic mediator or suction cup to separate the lid from the body. Metal tools can leave scratches!
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station to soften the glue. Optimal temperature: 60-80°C (not higher, otherwise damage the screen!).
- 📏 Thin plastic blade (0.2-0.4 mm) - for grazing latches.
- 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver. T3 — screw-off.
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-cleaner.
- 📦 Container for screws - so as not to lose small details.
Also prepare the workplace:
- 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting.
- 🧹 Remove carpets and fabrics – static electricity can damage the board.
- 📱 Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card.
- 🔋 Battery charge should be less than 25% – this will reduce the risk of fire when heated.
If you don't have experience, practice on an old phone or watch Redmi Note 9 Pro video disassembly on YouTube. Note that in this model, the fingerprint scanner plume is very fragile - it is easy to break when you carelessly move.
Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the cover
Follow the algorithm in strict order, and if you don't get a step, don't force it, just read the instructions or go to the video.
Phone turned off and cards removed|Heated edges with a hair dryer (60-80)°C, 2-3 minutes)|Fake the cover with a plastic mediator at the Type-C connector|Carefully drive the shoulder blade along the edge, snapping the clamps|Do not pull the lid by force - only a smooth compartment-->
Step 1: Heating the body
Turn the dryer on at medium power, and evenly warm the edges of the back cover for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm so as not to overheat the plastic. Pay special attention to the corners - there are the main latches. Do not direct hot air to the screen or camera!
Step 2: Separation of the cover
Place the suction cup to the bottom of the phone (near the Type-C connector). Pull up carefully, and there's a small gap. Put a plastic mediator in it, and slowly lead along the edge, snapping the clamps. If the lid doesn't lend itself, warm up for another 1 minute.
Important! Don't try to pull the lid off right away, because it's mounted on 12 or 15 latches around the perimeter, and work sequentially, starting at the bottom edge and moving up.
Step 3: Turn off the plumes
After removing the cover, you will see:
- 🔋 Black film battery.
- 📶 Antenna modules on the sides.
- 🔄 Fingerprint sensor plume (right, under the metal plate).
Before you continue, turn off the battery by putting a plastic shovel on the power supply, which will prevent short circuits. Don't touch the fingerprint sensor plume, it's glued to the lid and it can break!
What to do if the cover does not separate?
| Phase | Action. | Possible errors |
|---|---|---|
| Heating. | Hair dryer 60-80°C, 2-3 minutes | Overheating of the screen (spots will appear) |
| Cover compartment | Mediator + suction cup, movement along the perimeter | Cracks on the glass from jerks |
| Battery shutdown | Scapula to smack the power plume | Short circuit when touching the board |
| Working with plumes | Do not touch the fingerprint sensor. | Breaking of the plume (repair) ~3000₽) |
Frequent problems and how to avoid them
Even with a careful disassembly, there can be difficulties, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
⚠️ Warning: If the phone stops turning on after the lid is removed, check: Is the battery plume connected, is there any damage to the motherboard (blackened areas, smell of burns), the integrity of the flexible plumes (especially the display and power buttons). In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by reassembling with contact checks.
- 🔌 The lid is moving away, but it's not completely removed, so you missed the latches at the top (near the camera.
- 💥 Crackling when the lid is separated, it breaks the latches. Stop trying and call the service.
- 📱 Whether the screen is flashing or not, the touchscreen is probably gone, the display plume has moved.
- 🔋 Phone doesn’t charge after assembly – check if Type-C connector and cable integrity are bent.
If you damage the fingerprint sensor plume, it will cost 1,500-2,500 rubles (depending on the service), self-repair is not recommended here - a soldering station and experience with microelectronics are required.
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Before assembly, clean the insides of the phone from dust with compressed air (a balloon) and wipe the contacts of the battery with alcohol. This will improve the heat sink and prolong the life of the battery.
Remove: How to Reset the Cover Back
It's often harder to assemble a phone than to disassemble it.
- Check all the plumes, they must be securely fixed in the connectors.
- Clean the edges of the lid and body of the old glue. Use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.
- Apply a new glue (optional). You can use 3M 9448A double-sided tape or B-7000 glue for a secure fix, but don't overdo it, the excess can go on a board.
- Press the lid evenly. Start at the bottom edge and slowly snap it around the perimeter, pressing the corners.
After assembly, turn on the phone and check:
- 📶 Network operation (SIM-maps, Wi-Fi).
- 🔋 Charging (connect the cable).
- 📷 Camera and fingerprint scanner.
- 🔊 Speakers and microphone.
⚠️ Warning: If you're warmer than normal after assembly, you've over-betted or misplaced the heat paste on the processor. Disassemble the device and check its integrity. In the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the thermopaste is applied to the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. 720G — An excess or deficiency will cause overheating.
Alternatives: When the Disassembly is Not Needed
Sometimes users try to open the Redmi Note 9 Pro cover to solve problems that can be fixed without disassembly.
| Problem. | Undisassembled solution | When a Disassembly is Necessary |
|---|---|---|
| The battery goes down fast. | Calibration of the battery through Settings → Battery | If the capacity has fallen below 70% (checked by AccuBattery) |
| The fingerprint scanner is not working. | Re-registration of fingerprint in Settings → Blocking and protection | If the sensor is physically damaged (cracks, dents) |
| Bad network reception | Resetting network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks | If the antenna plume has moved away or damaged |
| Phone overheats | Cleaning from background processes, software update | If the heat paste is dried (checked by uneven heating) |
If your problem does not fall into the left column of the table, you may need to contact the service center. For example, replacing the battery in the official Xiaomi service will cost 2000-2500 rubles (taking into account the original battery), which is comparable to the cost of self-repair, but without risks.
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Self-disassembly of the Redmi Note 9 Pro is justified only in three cases: replacement of the glass cover, cleaning from dust or replacing the battery with experience.