How to open the cover Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X: safe disassembly of the smartphone with your own hands

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is one of the most popular smartphones of 2017, and is still in high demand for its reliability and performance. However, over time, even such a long-lived person may need repairs: replacing the battery, cleaning up the dust, restoring the connectors or installing a new camera module. The first step in any repair is to remove the back cover, an operation that seems simple only at first glance.

Unlike today’s flagships with adhesive bodies, the Redmi Note 4X (codenamed mido) has a removable plastic cover, but with pitfalls: brittle latches, hidden screws under stickers and the risk of damage to the fingerprint scanner plume. This article will help avoid the typical errors that lead to cracks in the case, break contacts or even break the display. We will break down three methods of disassembly – from the safest to the emergency when there are no specialized tools at hand.

Before you start, answer the key question: why do you open the lid? If the goal is to replace the battery, it may be enough to use the service center (the cost of work rarely exceeds 500-800 rubles). If you decide to do it yourself, follow the instructions carefully, as improper removal of the lid increases the risk of damage to the fingerprint plume by 80% (according to statistics from Xiaomi service centers for 2023).

Preparation for disassembly: tools and precautions

Before you take on the screwdriver, make sure you have everything you need. The Redmi Note 4X doesn't require a soldering iron or a thermophen, but without the right tools, you run the risk of breaking the latches or scratching the body. Here's the minimum set:

• 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) to disengage latches. Metal tools will leave scratches!
• ⚙️ Cross screwdriver PH00 (magnetic plus) for screws under the lid.
• 🧲 Suction cup (optional) - will help to lift the lid if the latches are "rigged".
• 📸 Smartphone for shooting the process - fix the location of screws and plumes, so as not to confuse the assembly.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ - for cleaning contacts if you plan to replace the battery.

Pay special attention to the workplace: it should be clean, well-lit and without carpeting (screws are easily lost in the pile). Put white paper or a napkin on the table so you don't miss out on the parts that have fallen out. If you work in the kitchen, make sure there is no open water or food nearby: moisture on the board can cause a short circuit even a few days after dismantling.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to open the lid if the smartphone has been recently in the cold or in the rain. Condensation inside the case can lead to oxidation of contacts. Let the device dry in a warm place for at least 12 hours.

Make sure your smartphone is off and your battery is discharged to 20–30% |

Remove the SIM- card and memory card (if any)|

Prepare a screw container (e.g., magnetic substrate)|

Check if there are cracks on the body - they can complicate the disassembly |

Make a backup of the data (in case of unforeseen failures)

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Method 1: Classic lid removal with a shoulder blade (recommended)

This is a good way to do it for most users, and it's a little bit risky. The rule is, don't use too much force. The Redmi Note 4X covers are mounted on 12 plastic latches that break easily when you press it sloppy. Start by heating the case, and it makes the plastic more elastic.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn on the dryer at the minimum temperature (or use a warm battery) and warm up the edges of the smartphone for 1-2 minutes.
2. Insert the plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the middle frame, starting at the lower right corner (there is a notch for the SIM- card, which facilitates access).
3. Carefully swipe along the edge, alternately clicking clips. You will hear the characteristic clicks.
4. When all the latches open, lift the lid, but don’t remove it completely – it’s connected to the fingerprint scanner plume!

Now you have to disconnect the plume, and it's attached to the motherboard with a small latch connector, so that you don't damage the contacts.

• 🔍 Use a magnifying glass or macro shot on another smartphone to see the mounting mechanism.
• 🖐️ Carefully tuck the connector on the side (not up!) with a plastic shoulder blade or nail.
• ⚡ Do not pull the plume - it is fragile and can break under strong tension.

If the plume does not detach, check if it is not on the tape fixing (sometimes glued in the factory), in this case, gently tuck the tape with a nail or tweezers.

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If the latches don't lend themselves, try using two blades at the same time: one to fix the already open area, the other to move on, which will reduce the load on the plastic.

Method 2: Untooling (emergency version)

There are different situations: you may not have a shoulder blade at hand, but you need to remove the lid urgently, in which case you can do with improvised means, but the risk of damage increases 3-4 times, this method is suitable only for experienced users or when there are no other options.

You'll need:

• 💳 Plastic card (bank or discount) - replace the shoulder blade.
• 🧊 Ice (optional) – If the lid is boiled from heating, cooling will help separate it.
• 🧷 Paperclip - to press the latches from the inside (if the lid is raised, but not removed).

Step-by-step:

1. Cover your smartphone so that your thumbs are on the back cover and the rest are on the screen (but don’t press it!).
2. Start at the bottom right corner: try to move the lid up with your nail or map. The movements should be short and sharp (as when opening a can).
3. Once a gap appears, insert a map and run it along the edge, as in the first method.
4. If the lid does not lend itself, wrap the smartphone in a towel and put in the freezer for 5-7 minutes. A sharp temperature drop can weaken the grip of the latches.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a knife or metal objects! Even a small scratch on the middle frame can become a hotbed of corrosion, leading to oxidation of antenna contacts and deterioration of the network signal.

If the lid is still not removed, there may be a problem with the deformed latches (often after falls), in which case the only way out is to carefully drill holes above the screws under the stickers (see next section) and disassemble the smartphone through them.

Method 3: Complete disassembly through screws (for experienced)

This method requires removing all screws, including those hidden under stickers, which is used if the lid is damaged or the latches break, and the advantage of this method is that the plume of the fingerprints is minimally damaged, since the lid is removed after all mounts are disconnected.

In the Redmi Note 4X, the screws are located in the following places:

After all the screws are twisted:

1. Carefully apply the lid to the shoulder blade, starting at any angle. Now the latches must not resist.
2. Disconnect the fingerprint scanner plume (as in Method 1).
3. Remove the metal plate covering the battery (attached to 6 PH00 screws).

This method is ideal if you plan to completely disassemble (for example, to replace the speaker or camera). However, remember: each screw has its own length, and if you confuse them with places, you can damage the board when tightening.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi Note 4X. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Battery damage when you try to pull it out. Never pull the wires -- first unplug the plug from the board! The battery in the Redmi Note 4X is glued, so use a plastic card to pull it out, putting it on the edges.
• 📱 Cracks on the display due to pressure on the screen. Always put your smartphone on a soft surface (like a napkin) and don't press the glass when disassembling.
• 🔌 Charging plume break. The USB-Type C connector is attached to the board with two screws -- remember to unscrew them before you try to withdraw the board.
• 🔍 Loss of screws. Use a magnetic mat or stick tape on the table with the sticky side up to fix the details.

Another common problem is the missing fingerprint scanner after assembly.

• The plume is not fully inserted into the connector (check the click when fixing).
• Damaged contacts on the board (look at them under the magnifying glass - should be clean, without oxidation).
• The screws on the metal plate of the battery are mixed up (too long a screw can touch the plume).

If after the assembly of the smartphone does not turn on, check:

1. Is the battery connected (sometimes the connector leaves during transportation).
2. Are there any foreign objects under the board (screws, pieces of plastic).
3. Integrity of antenna contacts (they are located along the perimeter of the board).

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If you have a "glitch" after the disassembly (spontaneous reboots, lack of network), the problem is probably in the poor contact of the antennas. Try reconnecting them or cleaning them with alcohol.

What to do after a successful disassembly?

Congratulations, you've made it through the hardest part of the process, and now that the lid is off, you can start to do the basic thing: replace the battery, clean up the dust, or repair the components, but there are a few things that are often overlooked:

• 🧹 Clean the insides. Use a soft brush (for example, for drawing) or a compressed air balloon to remove dust from the board and connectors. Don't blow with your mouth - moisture from the breath can condense on the contacts.
• 🔧 Check mounts. Look at all screws and latches -- if they're deformed, replace them before assembly. At the very least, you can use screws from other devices (like the Redmi Note 3), but they should match in length.
• 🔋 Battery testing. If you don't change it, check the voltage with a multimeter. The norm for the Redmi Note 4X is 3.7-4.2 V. If the voltage is below 3.5 V, the battery needs to be replaced.

If you replace the battery, the first charging cycle should be complete (0% to 100%) - this calibrates the power controller.

Before the final assembly, make a test run:

1. Connect the battery and board (without the cover).
2. Press the power button – the smartphone should turn on.
3. Check the fingerprint scanner, camera and speakers.
4. If everything works, turn off the device and complete the assembly.

Build a smartphone: the reverse order of action

Putting the Redmi Note 4X back together is often harder than disassembling, and the rule of thumb is to do it in reverse, but with a few nuances in mind:

1. The print plume should be the last one connected before the lid is fixed, and make sure it lies flat and not twisted.
2. Screw the screws tighten the cross-cross (like a wheel in a car) to avoid skewing the board.
3. The lid latches should click all 12 pieces. If you hear fewer clicks, check if something is disturbing (for example, a protruding plume).
4. Stick the IMEIs in their place, and without them, you may have problems with the warranty (if it is still valid) or the identification of the device in the service center.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• 📶 Network signal (if there is no network, check the antenna contacts).
• 🔊 Speaker and microphone sound (record voice note).
• 📷 Camera (take a test shot from the front and main camera).
• 🔋 Charge (plug the cable, the battery icon should appear).

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone overheats or discharges quickly after assembly, chances are you've pulled the screws on the board. Disassemble it immediately and check if the board is warped.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 4X disassembly