Xiaomi Redmi 5 mobile devices, released in early 2018, are still popular due to their reliability, but time takes its toll. Mechanical damage, broken displays or ballooning batteries require intervention, and the owner is faced with the question of how to carefully open the case without damaging the plumes. Self-repair saves a significant amount of money, but requires extreme care and understanding the internal architecture of the device.
The design of the smartphone does not imply easy access to the insides, since the back panel is glued around the perimeter, rather than screws, which makes the opening process more laborious than modern models with removable covers. You will need not only patience, but also a specialized tool to avoid damaging the glass panel or metal frame of the case.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the dismantling process, from the preparation of the workplace to the disconnection of internal modules. Compliance with technology will allow you to replace broken glass, clean the charging connector or install a new battery, returning the gadget to a second life.
Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tool
Before you start to physically affect the case, you need to organize a workspace. The ideal option is a table with good lighting and no foreign objects that can get lost among small screws. The safety of components depends on the statics, so it is recommended to use an antistatic mat or just work on a clean wooden surface.
To do a good job of disassembling, you'll need a toolkit that includes not only screwdrivers, but also heating elements. Because the back cover is glue-based, you have to warm it up to make it soften the adhesive layer. Using a hair dryer will not give you the right temperature, so you'd better get a professional thermophen or at least a quality heating pad.
☑️ The tools for opening Redmi 5
It is important to prepare the containers for sorting fasteners, as the screws in Xiaomi Redmi 5 can have different lengths and threads. If you confuse them during assembly, you risk damaging the thread in the plastic or even punching the motherboard with a too long screw. Also remember to turn off the device before starting any manipulations.
The process of heating and removing the back cover
The most critical step that requires care is to separate the back panel from the metal frame, and heat should be produced evenly, leading the heat source throughout the perimeter of the device during the course of the process. 3-5 Do not hold the hair dryer in one spot for too long so as not to overheat. OLED-the matrix or not damage the adhesive layer inside that can leak.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to unplug the lid immediately after the dryer is turned on. The glue must be heated to a state of plasticity, otherwise the glass will crack under the pressure of the tool.
After enough warming up, insert the suction cup into the bottom of the back cover, closer to the logo, and slightly pull up to create a gap. In the resulting gap, carefully insert a mediator or a thin plastic card and start to lead it along the faces, cutting the glue layer. Movements should be smooth, without jerking, so as not to damage the plume going to the camera module or sensors.
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If the lid doesn't lend itself, add another 30-60 seconds of heat. Don't use force, it's better to heat for longer than risk the integrity of the glass.
Pay special attention to the top of the smartphone, where the camera and flash unit is located. There the adhesive layer is often thicker, and more careful warming is required. Once the panel is separated, do not put it far - you have yet to work with the internal components, and the cover may be needed to fit or protect the screen in further operation.
Dismantling of metal protective screens
When you take the back off, you'll see a metal frame that covers the main nodes of the smartphone, and it's secured with a lot of screws of different sizes that you need to twist around the perimeter. Redmi 5 uses screws with a head under a star, so a regular cross screwdriver will not work here and can rip off the hats.
First, we unscrew the screws that lock the bottom and top press plates, the top plate protects the connectors of the display and battery plumes, as well as the main camera module. The bottom one closes the charging connector and speaker. Carefully fold the screws in the order of their removal, so that there is no confusion during the assembly.
| Location area | Type of screw | What protects | Features of withdrawal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper part | Torx T5 (8 pcs) | Camera, plumes. | Needs caution with the touchscreen plume |
| The bottom part | Torx T5 (6 units) | Battery, speaker | Connected to the antenna module |
| Side edges | Torx T5 (4 units) | Fixing the framework | Holding the basic structure |
After you unscrew all the visible screws, don't rush to pull the metal screens, they can stick on the glue residue or be fixed by latches, use a plastic blade to slightly tweak the edges of the plates and test their mobility, and only when you make sure that nothing interferes, you can remove the protection and access the motherboard.
Disabling the plumes and retrieving the battery
Now that access is open, the first thing you need to do is turn off the device, find the battery connector on the motherboard, and gently disconnect it, which is a critical step to prevent short circuits when working with other components, such as the display or cameras.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 has special process cutouts or tongues to extract the battery, but often the battery is held very tightly on double-sided tape. Do not use metal tools to tamper with the battery, as a puncture can cause a fire or explosion of the lithium polymer cell.
What to do if the battery is not removed?
In parallel with the battery, the plumes of the display module are disconnected, and they are fixed in the connectors quite tightly, so they need to be pulled vertically upwards, avoiding lateral bends, and after all communications are turned off, you can start the final stage of disassembling the case.
Replacement of the display module and touch screen
If your goal was to replace a broken screen, then after turning off the plumes, remove the glue residue from the frame or apply a new adhesive compound. In modern smartphones, including Redmi 5, the screens are often changed in a framed assembly, which makes it easier to do, but requires repositioning some small parts from the old module.
When installing a new module, make sure the plumes are stacked flat and not clamped by metal screens when reassembled.Clamped plume is a common cause of stripes on the screen or a broken touchscreen after repair.Check the integrity of the contacts before final fixation.
Check the new display before the back cover is finally sealed, plug the battery and the screen plume, then press the switch button, and if the image appears and the touch is working, you can proceed to the final assembly.
Assembly of the device and checking leakage
The assembly is done in reverse order: first, the internal metal screens are installed and the screws are screwed, then the battery is connected and the system is checked for start, and only after successful activation can a new glue be applied to the back cover and fixed to the case.
To restore the tightness (at least partial, since the factory is difficult to restore), use a special glue B-7000 or E-8000. Apply it with a thin strip along the perimeter of the frame, avoiding hitting the camera and speaker. After pressing the lid, it is better to leave the device under the press (for example, under a stack of books) for 1-2 hours.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on the device immediately after applying the glue if it could get to the contacts. Let solvents in the adhesive completely evaporate to avoid oxidation of the board.
The final test involves testing all the functions: calls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cameras and proximity sensors. If everything works correctly, the repair can be considered successful. Complete polymerization of the adhesive takes about 24 hours, so it is best to avoid moisture and impacts on the first day.
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The quality of repair 80% depends on the accuracy of work with plumes and the correctness of applying adhesive composition at the final stage.