Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, are designed to be monolithic, providing high strength and dust protection, but making it difficult to reach the internal components. The back is made of glass and planted on a durable adhesive layer, which requires the wizard to be careful and have specialized equipment.
Before starting dismantling, you need to clearly understand the risks: improper exposure to the body can lead to cracks in the glass or damage to the plumes connecting the back cover to the motherboard. In some cases, careless disassembly makes it impossible to seal the device without the use of professional materials.
The main challenge is to keep the body perimeter warm and the glue is neatly dissected. If you plan to replace broken glass, battery or just clean the device from dust, you will need patience. Further guidance describes the steps of safely opening the case, minimizing the likelihood of damage to expensive components.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of the case, be sure to disconnect the battery from the motherboard immediately after removing the first protective screen. Ignoring this rule can lead to short circuit and failure of the electronics.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Well-designed workplaces are the foundation of successful repairs, and you're going to need not only a toolkit, but also a space where nothing gets lost or falls. It's critical to have a smooth, non-slip surface covered with a soft mat to work with a glass back cover.
The main tool for softening the glue is a hair dryer. Household hair dryer may not give enough temperature, so it is better to use a professional temperature-adjusted thermophen or, in extreme cases, a powerful heating pad. The heating temperature should not exceed 80-90 degrees Celsius, so as not to damage the display on the back side or melt plastic frame elements.
The mechanical action will require thin metal blades and plastic mediators, metal for the primary cutting of the adhesive layer, and plastic for the safe sliding inside the case without scratching the aluminum frame, and (indispensable) suction cups that will help create an initial gap between the glass and the frame.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers with interchangeable bits, including cross P2 and P000 small-caliber screw.
- 🌡️ Thermostole or industrial dryer for uniform heating of the perimeter of the body.
- 💳 Plastic cards or special blades for layering glue without damage.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat for sorting and fixing screws of different sizes.
Special attention should be paid to lighting. Working with small details requires good light to see microscopic cracks or traces of glue. Using a magnifying glass or lamp with a magnification will greatly facilitate the process of detaching the plumes, which in the model of the Redmi Note 8 Pro are located quite tightly.
The procedure for heating the case for softening the glue
The first and most important step is heating. The adhesive composition used by Xiaomi is highly adhesive at room temperature, but becomes plastic when heated. The uniformity of warming is a key success factor. If you warm only one side, the glass can burst due to thermal expansion.
Heat the phone around the perimeter, paying special attention to the corners and long sides. Movements should be smooth and constant. Do not keep the flow of hot air at one point for longer than 2-3 seconds. The optimal warming time is about 3-5 minutes, after which the device should become warm, but not burning hot to the touch.
You can check the readiness by pulling the suction cup a little bit, and if you feel like the glue has floated and there's a minimal backlash, you can move on to the next step, and if the lid is dead, you have to repeat the heating procedure, and patience is more important than strength: it's better to reheat than to break the glass with a jerk.
Temperature regimes
Technique for Safe Rear Disconnection
After sufficient warming, place the suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the edge, but not at the very corner. Pull the suction cup up, creating tension, and simultaneously insert a thin metal blade or scalpel blade into the resulting gap. The movement should be sliding, parallel to the plane of the screen.
Once the blade has entered 2-3 millimeters, replace it with a plastic mediator or a bank card. Move along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer. Don't try to bend the lid right away. Move around, gradually increasing the depth of penetration of the tool. Be especially careful around the camera module and fingerprint scanner.
In the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the inside of the lid, which means that it is impossible to completely remove the glass without disconnecting the plume. Once you reach the scanner area, gently lift the edge of the lid, find the connector and disconnect it using a plastic blade.
- 📱 Enter the tool at a minimal angle so as not to damage the internal components.
- ✂️ Move the blade with cutting movements, not growls, so as not to break the glass.
- 🔌 Disable the scanner plume as soon as access appears without pulling the wires.
⚠️ Attention: The fingerprint scanner plume is very thin and fragile. When it is disconnected, hold the module with your finger so as not to damage soldering or break tracks.
☑️ Check before removing the lid
Dismantling protective screens and access to the battery
When you remove the back cover, you will see the inside of the smartphone, but the battery and the main modules are covered with protective plastic pads that are screwed. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro uses a system of screws of different lengths, and their entanglement can damage the motherboard.
The first thing you need to do is to unscrew all the visible screws on the black plastic covers. Pay attention to the screws hidden under the stickers or warranty seals, if they're present. Use a magnetic mat and spread the screws in the order you twisted them, which will help you avoid errors in the assembly.
Removing the top and bottom protective plates, you get access to the battery and the plumes. The top plate usually covers the main camera area and the display connectors, and the bottom one covers the charging connector and speaker. Carefully remove them by pulling a plastic blade if they are held on the latches.
| Component | Location. | Type of attachment | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper defense. | Around the cameras. | Screws + latches | Requires accuracy near plumes |
| Lower defense | Dynamic zone | Screws. | Hiding the antenna module |
| Side slats | Along the frame | Latchers | Fixing the plumes. |
Now that access is open, you can turn off the battery plume, which is a mandatory procedure before any further work, the battery connector is usually located in the lower or central part of the board and covered with a metal plate. When you remove the plate, carefully pull the plume up with a plastic blade.
Nuances of work with a fingerprint scanner and camera
The fingerprint scanner module in this model is integrated into the back cover, and when you remove the glass, it stays on the plume, and if you change the battery, you can gently pull the lid aside without completely disconnecting the scanner, but that's risky, and you'd better disconnect the connector from the motherboard so you can have complete freedom of action.
The main camera module also requires attention. It's large and can interfere with access to some screws. In some versions, the camera is mounted quite rigidly. Don't try to forcibly remove the camera module unnecessarily. This is usually not required to replace the battery.
When you put the scanner back in, make sure the contact pad is clean. Any dust or fat can disrupt the biometric sensor. Wipe the contacts with alcohol or a special cleaner before you plug in. The scanner plume in the Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn't have additional screw fixation, it only holds by tightly coupled (ZIF), so it's important to stick it all the way to the stop and snap the lock.
💡
If the fingerprint scanner plume is broken, you can try to clean the contacts carefully and solder them, but it is more reliable to replace the entire plume or scanner module entirely.
Assembly of the device and restoration of leakage
The assembly is done in reverse order, but with one important addition, the application of new glue. The old adhesive layer has lost its properties. To restore the tightness, use a special glue sealant (for example, the B-7000) or pre-cut adhesive, which are sold for this model.
Apply a thin strip of glue around the perimeter of the frame, avoid getting glue inside the body, on cameras, microphones and speakers, which can lead to deterioration of sound quality or sticking of buttons. After applying the glue, apply the lid and press it tightly around the perimeter.
For a secure fixation, it is recommended to use stationery gums, pulling them cross-to-cross on the body, or put the phone under a small press (for example, a stack of books) for 30-60 minutes. This will ensure uniform grasp of the glue. Do not turn the phone on immediately, let the sealant dry.
- 🧴 Degrease the frame and glass with alcohol before applying new glue.
- ⏳ Let the glue dry. 1-2 minutes before the final installation of the lid.
- 🔩 Twisting the screws of the protective plates cross-cross for a uniform pressing.
The final step is to test all the functions -- touchscreen, cameras, vibrator, and of course, fingerprint scanner -- if everything works properly and the lid sits tight and clear, the repair is a success.
⚠️ Warning: Don't use superglue (cyanacrylate) to stick the lid! it releases fumes that settle on the camera lenses and display, creating an indissoluble white film, and also making the glass brittle.
💡
Quality sealing is not only aesthetics, but also protection of internal electronics from moisture and dust, which prolongs the life of the smartphone.