How to open the back cover of the Xiaomi phone: parsing 15+ photo-and-warning models

Disassembly of the Xiaomi smartphone for battery replacement, camera repair or dust cleaning begins with the most important stage - removing the back cover. Mistakes in this step can lead to cracks in the case, damage to the plumes or even break the fingerprint sensor integrated into some models. In this article, we will learn how to properly open the back cover on Xiaomi, Redmi and other phones. POCO Different generations – from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

It is important to consider that the design of the lids Xiaomi has changed significantly over the past 5 years: if in older models (until 2019) the lid was often attached to latches and removed by a sucker, then in new smartphones the manufacturer actively uses glue and screws under the pentalabe. We will describe in detail the tools that will be needed for each category of devices, and also warn against typical errors, because of which 70% of self-repairs end with a visit to the service center.

If your phone is warranty-free, opening the case will automatically cancel it, in some cases (for example, when you replace the battery in Xiaomi). 13T Pro) it is better to contact an authorized service - there are special heating stations for the safe separation of the adhesive layer.

1. What tools are needed to remove the cover Xiaomi

The tool list depends on the phone model and the type of lid mount, and here's a basic set that's going to be useful 90 percent of the time:

• 🔧 Pentalobe screwdriver P2 — for screws in Xiaomi models 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12 newer.
• 🔧 Phillips screwdriver PH00 — For older models (Redmi 9, Mi) A3) and some budget lines.
• 🧲 Suction cup (diameter 4-6 cm) - helps to lift the cover after heating the glue.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or heating plate - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C).
• 📏 Plastic mediators (0.1–0.2 mm) – to gently separate the body.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-residue.
• 🛡️ Protective gloves – glue can be toxic when heated.

For models with an aluminum frame (for example, Xiaomi Mix) 4 or black shark 5) And you'll need a metal transmitter, and plastic can't handle a dense landing. POCO X3/X4 enough and the basic set, as their covers are fastened mostly on the latches.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a knife or screwdriver to jack the lid, which is almost guaranteed to cause cracks near the camera lens or chips on an aluminum frame. Even if the lid is "not amenable," it is better to warm up the glue again than use force.

2.Preparation of the phone for disassembly: 5 mandatory steps

Before you start removing the lid, follow these steps to avoid damage and data loss:

Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-memory-card

Charge the battery by at least 30% (to avoid short circuits)

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Remove the cover and protective film (they may interfere)

Prepare the workplace: a clean desk, good lighting, antistatic mat (if possible)-->

Pay special attention to the battery. If it swells (which is often the case in old Redmis). 5/6/7), It's better to trust the professionals to disassemble the device, because the risk of fire if the battery is damaged is extremely high. You can check the bloating by putting the phone on a flat surface: if it swings like a boat, this is a sure sign of a problem.

We also recommend taking photos of the original state of the phone from all sides, which will help with the assembly – sometimes after repairs, users forget how the lid was installed (for example, in the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite, the fingerprint scanner plume is easily confused with the plume). NFC).

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If you disassemble the phone to replace the battery, pre-order adhesive tape to fix the new battery - complete with the battery it often does not go, and without it the battery will "hang" inside the case.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the lid on different Xiaomi models

The technology of removing the lid depends on the material of the case and the method of attachment. We will discuss three main types:

3.1. The lid on the latches (budget models: Redmi) 9/10, POCO M3/M4)

These models are the easiest to disassemble, because the lid is only held on plastic latches.

1. Heat the edges of the phone with a hair dryer (30–40 seconds) – this will make the plastic more elastic.
2. Place the suction cup closer to the lower edge (where the charging connector is) and pull slightly.
3. Insert a plastic mediator into the resulting gap and carefully guide it around the perimeter.
4. When all the latches are snapped, remove the lid. Be careful, it may be connected to the fingerprint scanner plume!

⚠️ Attention: B POCO X3 NFC And the Redmi Note 10, the fingerprint scanner's plume is very short, and if you pull the lid sharply, it will break, and you'd better raise it 1-2 mm first and see if there's any resistance.

3.2. Cover on glue + screws (Xiaomi) 11/12/13, Redmi Note 11/12 Pro)

And the more complicated case is that the lid is glued around the perimeter and is additionally fixed by screws.

1. Unscrew two Pentalobe screws P2 at the bottom of the phone (near the connector) USB-C).
2. Warm up the edges of the body with a hairdryer (temperature 70-80)°C) for 1-2 minutes. Do not overheat - it may damage OLED-screen!
3. With a suction cup, lift the lid at the charging socket. If it doesn't respond, warm it up for another 30 seconds.
4. With the mediator, gently disconnect the body, moving from the lower edge to the upper, and in the corners of the lid is held stronger - there is more glue.
5. When the lid is removed, disconnect the battery plume (it is usually covered with black tape).

In the Xiaomi 12 Pro and 13 Ultra models, there can be an additional metal screen under the lid, which also attaches to the screws. It must be removed to get to the battery or motherboard.

Glass cover (Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Mix 4, Black Shark)

Glass covers are the most capricious. They're fragile, often cracked when taken carelessly, and are harder to warm up because of the high thermal conductivity of the glass.

1. Warm up the case on both sides (front and back) for 2-3 minutes. This will help to evenly soften the glue.
2. Use wide suction cups (diameter 5-6 cm) - they better distribute pressure.
3. Start at the bottom edge, where there's usually less glue, and move slowly, reheating the problem areas if necessary.
4. If the glass cracks, stop immediately! The fragments can damage the internal components.

In the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, there is a second protective film under the glass cover, which also needs to be carefully removed. It is often glued to the frame and easy to tear.

4.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔥 Overheating of the body - if the temperature exceeds 90°C, you can damage the screen or battery. Use an infrared thermometer to monitor.
• 💥 A sharp twitch of the lid - this leads to a break in the plumes (especially in the POCO X3 Move slowly, 1-2mm at a time.
• 🔧 Loss of screws – the Xiaomi 13 Pro uses 3 different types of screws. Store them in separate containers or take a picture of the location.
• 📱 Damage to waterproofing pads - once disassembled, the phone may lose water protection.
• 🔋 Short circuit -- if you don't disconnect the battery before you disassemble it, you can burn the motherboard!

In Xiaomi models with wireless charging (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or 13 Ultra), under the lid is a Qi coil, which is glued to glass. If you sloppy remove it, it is easy to tear off, which will lead to loss of wireless charging function.

⚠️ Warning: If you find that the battery is swelling (even slightly) after removing the lid, you should stop further disassembly. The bloated battery may ignite at the slightest damage.

5.How to glue the lid back: glue selection and technique

Once repaired, the lid must be re-fixed, and the quality of the glue will determine whether the phone will be dustproof and retain waterproof (if it was originally used), and the best glue options for different cases:

• 🧴 Double-sided scotch 3M 9448A — It is suitable for budget models (Redmi 9, POCO M3). It is easily removed at the next repair.
• 🧴 Clay. B-7000 — A versatile variant for most Xiaomi.Applied in a thin layer, dry 2-3 hours.
• 🧴 LOCTITE 406 - Professional adhesive for glass caps (Mi 11 Ultra) Provides high strength, but difficult to remove.
• 🧴 Original Xiaomi glue (article) MDY-11-EM) — Perfect for flagships, but expensive and hard to find.

Sticking technique:

1. Clean the edges of the case and cover of the old glue with isopropyl alcohol.
2. Apply a thin layer of glue (no more than 0.5 mm) around the perimeter of the case. Avoid hitting speakers and microphones!
3. Carefully press the lid, starting at the bottom edge, make sure all latches are in place.
4. Place the phone under a press (for example, between two books) for 1-2 hours.
5. Do not turn the phone on for 4-6 hours to make the glue fully polymerized.

If you use double-sided tape, cut it into strips 3-4 mm wide and stick with a indentation of 1-2 mm from the edge of the case, this will prevent scotching when heated.

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For models with official water protection (IP53/IP68) After you stick the lid, be sure to check the leakage. To do this, place the phone in a bag with silica gel on the top of the lid. 12 hours - if there is condensation inside, re-glue the joints.

6 Xiaomi models that are better not to disassemble yourself

Some Xiaomi smartphones are so complex that disassembling them without special equipment can cause permanent damage.

• 📱 Xiaomi 13 Ultra – glass cover + Leica camera with fragile lenses.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mix Fold 2/3 — folding screen, extremely sensitive to dust.
• 📱 Black Shark 5 Pro – Aluminum frame with internal stiffness ribs that are easy to bend.
• 📱 Xiaomi Civi 2/3 — thin-hull (6.5 mm) with a fragile structure.
• 📱 POCO F5 Pro - high-strength glue, requires a professional heating station.

In these models, even replacing the battery can be problematic. For example, in Xiaomi 13 Ultra battery is glued to the body with a heatpaste, and to remove it requires a temperature of 100.°C - at home, this is fraught with overheating of other components.

If you still need to disassemble one of these models, pay attention to specialized services that use:

• 🔥 Heating stations with precise temperature control.
• 🛠️ Ultrasonic baths for glue removal.
• 🔬 Microscopes for working with small details.

7. Alternatives to disassembly: when you can do without it

Sometimes the goal of disassembling a phone can be achieved in less risky ways.

• 🔋 Battery replacement → Some models (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3) The battery can be replaced through a separate process hole on the back cover (no complete disassembly is required).
• 📸 Cleaning the camera. → Dust from the lens is often removed with a spray of compressed air (without disassembling the phone).
• 🔊 Replacement of the speaker → Xiaomi. 11T Pro lower speaker is mounted on two screws - it can be replaced without removing the cover completely.
• 📶 Replacement of the antenna module → In models with a removable back panel (for example, Redmi). 9A) antennas are located under the cover, but their replacement does not require the disconnection of the plumes.

If your goal is to replace the display, you don't need to remove the lid in most cases. The screen in Xiaomi is attached separately, and it can be replaced by warming up the front of the phone.

To diagnose problems (such as overheating or rapid discharge), use the diagnostic codes:

#4636## - Battery and temperature information
#6484## - Sensor test
#64663## - Display and camera test

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's disassembly