The process of opening the case of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus smartphone (also known globally as the Redmi Note 5) is a critical step in repairing or deep cleaning the device. Despite the fact that modern gadgets are designed with the expectation of monolithicity, engineers have provided the ability to access internal components, although this requires some skill. The main difficulty is the design of the rear cover, which is attached to a powerful layer of glue, rather than screws, as in older models.
Before any manipulations are initiated, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with damage to the fragile elements. Careful removal of the back panel determines the success of the entire operation, since inept use of tools often leads to cracks in the glass or damage to the plumes. It is important to prepare the workplace with good lighting and no static electricity that can disable the motherboard.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at every step, from heating the case to turning off the connectors, so you can safely open your Redmi 5 Plus, learn which tools are really needed and which can be harmful, and get answers to frequently asked questions during the dismantling process.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Quality training is key to successful disassembly, and to work with the Redmi 5 Plus you will need a specific set of tools that differs from the standard set for PC. First of all, you will need a hair dryer (construction or household with a narrow nozzle) to soften the adhesive layer that holds the back cover. Without preheating, trying to tamper with the panel will lead to its destruction, as the plastic sticks to the frame dead.
Working with screws and internal components will require a set of precision screwdrivers, including the cross PH000 and PH00. Also indispensable assistants will be plastic mediators (scapula), a suction cup for lifting glass and tweezers with curved ends to work in hard-to-reach places. Metal tools inside the case are extremely undesirable, as there is a high risk of accidentally closing contacts on the board.
- 🔥 Dryer or heat pad for uniform heating of the housing to 80-90 degree.
- 🔧 A set of screwdrivers with magnetic tips and different sizes of slats.
- 🧩 Plastic blades and mediators for safe latching.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws of different caliber.
Pay special attention to the organization of space: screws in Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus have different lengths, and if you confuse them during assembly, you can damage the thread or punch through the body. It is recommended to use a magnetic mat with markings or just a sheet of paper on which you will unfold the fastener in the order of dismantling, this will save you a lot of time and nerves when you reassemble the device.
Safety Techniques and Precautions
Working with electronics requires strict safety rules to avoid harming yourself or the device. The most important rule is to turn off power before starting any work, but in the case of smartphones, this means discharging the battery to a minimum or, ideally, neatly turning off the battery plume immediately after opening the case.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to bend the battery or pierce it with sharp objects - this can lead to an instant fire or explosion of the battery.
And you also have to remember static electricity, which is invisible to the eye, but it's destructive to the chips. Before you touch the internal components, especially the motherboard and the plumes, you have to neutralize the static charge, so you just touch a grounded metal object or use an antistatic bracelet if you plan to do the repair professionally.
Another important aspect is working with adhesives. When heating the back cover with a hairdryer, it is important not to overheat the display on the back side, since excessive heat can damage the matrix or peel off the oleophobic coating. Keep the hairdryer 3-5 cm away from the body and constantly move it, warming the perimeter evenly, rather than one point.
Removal of the Redmi 5 Plus Rear Cover
The beginning of the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus always starts with the extraction of the tray for the game. SIM-We're going to start a little bit of a map, which allows you to de-stress the body and make it easier to access the insides, and then we turn on the hair dryer and start warming up the perimeter of the back, paying special attention to the corners and edges where the glue usually holds the strongest. The heating process takes from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the power of the hair dryer, and you should not rush here.
Once the body warms up, we take a suction cup, we attach it to the bottom of the back cover, and we gently pull it upwards, creating a small gap, and we immediately insert a thin plastic blade or mediator into the resulting gap, trying not to dive deeper than 3-4 mm so as not to damage the fingerprint scanner plume or other components located at the edges. As we move the blade along the perimeter, we gradually release the latches and cut the adhes layer.
☑️ Check before removing the lid
When all the latches around the perimeter are snapped, take your time to pull the lid off abruptly. Lift it gently like a book and inspect the inside for the glued plumes. In the Redmi 5 Plus, the fingerprint scanner plume can be glued to the lid, and it needs to be very carefully detached from the motherboard before completely removing the back panel to the side.
Dismantling of the protective plastic panel and battery
When you remove the back glass or plastic panel, you will see a black cover covering the bulk of the electronics, which is fixed by a set of perimeter and central screws that you need to unscrew using a PH000 screwdriver.
The next critical step is to turn off the battery. In the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus, the battery connector is located at the bottom of the board and is often closed with a metal plate or stub. Using a plastic blade or nail, gently squeeze the connector upwards, disconnecting the power, which will de-energize the device and allow you to safely continue working with other components.
If your goal is to replace the battery, you have to remove the old element after you turn off the plume, and it's put on double-sided tape, so you might need to reheat the case a little bit, or use special hoods with suction cups, and it's strictly forbidden to pull the battery behind the wires, which will lead to the break of contacts and the inability to charge the device.
What to do if the battery is swelling?
Access to motherboard and camera module
To access the motherboard, camera module and charging connector, you need to remove additional plastic protection that is under the main black cover. In the Redmi 5 Plus, the design involves multi-stage disassembly, where each layer of screws gives access to the next level of components. Beware: screws can be of different lengths, and twisting a long screw into a short hole can damage the board.
The main camera module in this model is quite large and is mounted with a screw to the body. Before removing the camera, be sure to disconnect its plume from the board, smack the connector with a plastic blade. The camera is a sensitive optical element, and touching the lens with your fingers will leave fat marks, which are difficult to remove, so hold the module only by the metal edges.
Xiaomi's motherboard is fixed with multiple screws and connected to a sub-board that goes to the charging connector and microphone.This bottom plume is often glued to the body and its replacement requires careful unplugging. When removing the board, make sure all plumes (screens, buttons, cameras) are turned off, or you risk tearing thin conductors.
| Component | Location. | Firming | Features of dismantling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back cover. | Outer hull | Glue + latches | Requires heat with a hair dryer |
| Battery | The bottom part | Double-sided scotch | Dangerous to damage the shell |
| Main camera. | Center-top pay | Screw + connector | Don't touch the lens. |
| Maternity fee | Upper part | Screws + plumes | Lots of small connectors |
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The Redmi 5 Plus assembly process is in reverse order, but it has its own nuances related to restoring tightness and aesthetics. Before installing the back cover, it is strongly recommended to remove the remnants of the old adhesive from the frame of the case and the cover itself, using isopropyl alcohol and a plastic card. The clean surface will provide better adhesion for the new adhesive layer.
To fix the lid, use a special B-7000 glue or pre-prepared adhesive frames that are sold in parts stores. Apply a thin, uniform layer of glue around the perimeter, set the lid in place and press the edges tightly. For better fixation, you can use stationery gums, stretching them across and along the body, and leave the device to dry for 1-2 hours.
Once the glue has been completely dryed and all the screws have been twisted, you can start the first switch, and if the screen catches fire, the touchscreen, the cameras and the sound are running, you've done a good job. If you don't react, recheck all the connectors, especially the display plume and the batteries, because they might have left during the lid installation.
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Use isopropyl alcohol to clean contacts and remove old glue – it evaporates quickly and does not conduct current, unlike water or solvents.
Common Mistakes in Disassembly and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes when working with Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is neglecting the heating of the case. Trying to remove the lid "on the cold" almost guaranteed to lead to cracks in the glass or break plastic latches that become brittle at low temperatures. Patience during the heating stage is the key to the whole body.
Another common problem is the loss or tangle of screws. As mentioned earlier, the design of the smartphone uses screws of different lengths. Swirling a long screw into the hole for a short one can cause the screw to rest in the motherboard and damage the tracks on the back of the board, which is fraught with complex and expensive repairs.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use force if the component is not removed. If something is stuck, you forgot to unscrew the screw or unstick the plume.
Also, beginners often forget to turn off the battery before disconnecting other plumes (screen, cameras). Although modern boards are protected, the risk of short circuit with the battery connected still exists, especially if you use metal tools.
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The main secret of success is to take your time and check every step: whether the screw is unscrewed, whether the plume is turned off, whether the glue warms up.