The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, has long been the company’s flagship device, offering users the most advanced at the time, but the electronics are not spared: over time, the battery loses capacity, the screen gets cracked, and the charging connector ceases to contact, in such situations, the only solution is self-repair or deep cleaning of internal components.
The process of opening this smartphone requires accuracy and understanding of the architecture of modern gadgets. The back of the device is made of glass and glued around the perimeter, which makes the dismantling procedure more difficult than models with a metal body. Wrong actions can damage the plumes or the cover itself, so it is important to strictly follow the algorithm.
In this article, we will look at a detailed algorithm of actions that will allow you to safely open the case of Xiaomi Mi 8 and access the internal components. You will learn about the necessary tools, the specifics of turning off the plumes and the nuances of working with the adhesive base. A careful study of the material will help you avoid common errors and preserve the functionality of the device.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before disassembling, you need to organize a comfortable workspace with good lighting, the surface should be clean, flat and preferably covered with a special silicone mat that prevents the parts from slipping. The absence of small metal objects near the work area minimizes the risk of accidental short circuit board.
To do the job properly, you'll need a specialized toolkit, and using inappropriate items like kitchen knives or thick needles can cause permanent damage to the body and internal plumes.
- 🔥 A hair dryer or thermostole for heating the adhesive layer around the perimeter of the cover.
- 🔧 A set of Torx screwdrivers (stars) sizes T2, T3 and T5 screw-twisting.
- 🎴 Plastic mediators and blades for uncoupling the lid without damaging the glass.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws of different sizes.
- 🧤 Suction cup for gently lifting the back panel after heating.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to completely turn off the smartphone. Attempting to turn off the battery plume on the device on is guaranteed to cause the power controller on the motherboard to burn down.
Special attention should be paid to the state of the battery before disassembly begins. If you plan to replace the battery, its charge should be below 25%, which reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged, and if the battery is swollen, you need to work with the hair dryer extremely carefully, without heating the bloated cell itself.
The process of heating and dismantling the back cover
The most critical step is to separate the glass back from the frame. The glue used by the manufacturer is very strong at room temperature, so heating is a prerequisite for successful disassembly. The temperature should be around 80-90 degrees Celsius, exceeding this threshold is not recommended to avoid overheating of the internal components.
Heat the perimeter of the device evenly, paying more attention to the angles and faces. The process takes 3 to 5 minutes depending on the power of the heat source. Periodically check the temperature with your finger: the glass should be hot, but not burning. After sufficient warming up, you can start creating a gap.
☑️ Checklist before removing the cover
Use a suction cup to create a minimum gap between the glass and the frame at the bottom of the smartphone. Carefully insert a plastic blade into the resulting slit. Do not use metal tools at this stage, as there is a high risk of damaging the fingerprint scanner plume or wireless charging module, which are located close to the edges.
Move the shoulder blade along the perimeter, gradually cutting through the adhesive layer. The movements should be progressive, without sharp jerks. If the lid stops moving, the heating process must be repeated. Forced process can cause the glass to crack under the pressure of the tool.
Disabling the plumes and removing the protective plate
When you successfully remove the back cover, you'll see the interior of the device, and the centerpiece is a large metal plate covering the motherboard and the plume connectors, and it's secured by a lot of screws of different calibers that need to be twisted and laid out in a strict manner.
To access the connectors, you have to unscrew all the screws around the perimeter of the central plate, and screws that attach the lower down bar, and once you remove the metal, you see a complex system of plumes connecting the display, cameras, buttons and battery to the main board, and you need maximum concentration.
| Component | Location. | Type of connection | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | The bottom part | Wide plume | Requires caution when bending. |
| Display. | Upper part | Wide plume | The most fragile connector |
| Camera module | Upper end | Narrow plume | Located under a protective bar |
| Charging charges | The bottom part | Long plume | Goes through the whole body. |
The first thing you need to do is turn off the battery plume, and this will turn off the battery, and it will keep the rest of the components safe when you're working, and then you can use a plastic blade or a special antistatic tweezer to turn off the battery, and you can put the connector on the bottom, where there's a technological protrusion, so you can avoid the pressure on the connector itself.
Once powered down, you can disconnect the other plumes: the display, cameras, buttons and antennas. Some connectors may have additional locking plugs that need to be carefully bent. All unscrewed screws and removed metal screens should be folded separately so as not to confuse them during assembly.
Nuances of plume work
Removal of the battery and replacement of components
In the Mi 8, the battery is glued to the inside of the body using double-sided tape. The clutch force is quite large, so reheating the back of the device (without the lid already) or using special tools is often required to extract the battery.
There are several methods of extraction: the use of suction cups, plastic cards or special hoods, it is strictly forbidden to use metal objects that can pierce the lithium polymer cell, puncture of the battery causes instant ignition and the release of toxic substances.
- 🔥 Heat the bottom of the smartphone to 60-70 glue-softener.
- 🧵 Use a dental floss or special string to "resaw" the adhesive layer under the battery.
- 💳 Carefully smack the battery with a plastic card from different sides, without bending it.
- 🧼 After extraction, clean the seat from the remnants of old glue with alcohol.
When installing a new battery, make sure the plume connector matches the socket on the board. In some cases, it may be necessary to re-stick the plume from the old battery to the new one if they are not assembled, this requires jewelry precision and the use of thin tweezers.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to puncture or severely deform an old battery when removed, this can cause thermal reactions and fire. Dispose of damaged cells only in specialized locations.
Assembly of the device and checking leakage
The assembly process is reverse disassembly, but it has its own nuances: before installing the back cover, you need to remove the remnants of the old glue from the frame and the glass itself. The surface must be perfectly clean and fat-free, otherwise the new adhesive base will not lie flat, and dust and moisture will enter the body.
To restore tightness, use a special adhesive frame (B-7000 glue or ready-made bilateral tape around the perimeter). Apply the glue with a thin layer or stick a frame, then carefully align the lid with the body. Strongly press the edges around the perimeter for reliable fixation.
Once the lid is installed, it is recommended to lock the smartphone with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes for primary polymerization of the glue. Then you can install the screws of the central plate, observing the order and force of the tightening.
The final step is to test the performance of all the modules, turn on the device and check the touchscreen, cameras, speakers, microphones and communication modules, and pay special attention to the fingerprint scanner, because its plume is at risk during disassembly.
Common Errors and How to Resolve Them
Even experienced craftsmen make mistakes with modern electronics. One of the most common problems is that the display plume is damaged when the center plate is not neatly removed. If the screen does not work after assembly or has artifacts, the connector is likely to have been damaged or not fully inserted into the connector.
Another common mistake is losing screws or putting screws in the wrong place, screws of different lengths can penetrate the motherboard right through, causing a short circuit. To avoid this, use a magnetic mat with markings or take photos of each stage of disassembly.
💡
Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the plume contacts, and it evaporates quickly and leaves no conductive traces, unlike regular water or aggressive solvents.
If the smartphone does not turn on after assembly, but reacts to charging (vibration, sound), check the connection of the display plume and battery. Sometimes a complete reset of static voltage helps: turn off the battery, press the on button for 15 seconds, then plug the battery and try to turn on the device again.
⚠️ Warning: If the proximity sensor or autobrightness stops working after the screen is replaced, check if you have blocked the sensor area at the top of the screen with a protective film or glue.