How to Open Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: The Complete Guide

Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 8, are designed with aesthetic appeal and protection from external influences. However, there comes a time when owners have to think about how to open a device to replace broken glass, worn-out battery or clean the speaker from dust. Self-disassembly gadget is a risky, but often the only possible solution to save money on services of the service center.

Before you start taking action, you need to realize that any interference with the design of your smartphone leads to the loss of the factory warranty. If your Redmi Note 8 is still in warranty service, you should contact an authorized specialist. But if the warranty has expired or the device has suffered mechanical damage that is not subject to free repair, you can act independently. The main thing is to follow the sequence of operations and not use excessive force where this is not required.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the stages of dismantling the case, from the preparation of the workplace to the unplugging of the plumes. You will learn about the nuances of the location of the fasteners and the features of the adhesive base that holds the rear panel. The right approach to the question of how to open Xiaomi minimizes the risk of damage to internal components and will allow you to successfully complete the repair.

Tools and workplace preparation

The qualitative disassembly of any electronic device begins with the organization of space. You need a clean, well-lit table, preferably with antistatic coating or ordinary clean fabric, so that small screws do not get lost. The light should fall evenly, without creating glare on the glossy surfaces of the smartphone. The absence of clutter on the table is the guarantee that no microscopic cog will fall on the floor and be lost forever.

You'll need a dedicated toolkit to work with the Redmi Note 8. Without it, the risk of damage to the body or internal plumes increases many times. A standard kitchen knife or stationery knife is absolutely not suitable, as they can easily cut through the battery or damage the display module. Use only gadget repair devices that can be purchased in radio products or ordered online.

The basic list of equipment required includes:

  • ๐Ÿ”ง A set of Phillips screwdrivers (cross) sizes PH000 and PH00 cock-wheel.
  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Thermostole or hair dryer to soften the glue under the back cover (a common hair dryer may not be able to handle it).
  • ๐ŸŽด Plastic blades (mediators) and a sucker for neat opening of the body without scratches.
  • ๐Ÿงฒ Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws of different sizes.

Special attention should be paid to safety. The Lithium polymer battery installed in the Redmi Note 8 is sensitive to puncture and high heat. If damaged, it can catch fire or swell. So when planning to open the phone, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or sand tank on hand for an emergency. It is also recommended to work in a well-ventilated room, as when the glue is heated, volatile substances can be released.

โ˜‘๏ธ Checking readiness for repair

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Removal process of the back cover

The most difficult step in how to open the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is the primary compartment of the rear panel, which is attached to a two-part glue that becomes even stronger over time. To ease the adhesion, you need to preheat the perimeter of the device. The optimal heating temperature is 80-90 degrees Celsius. You need to hold the hair dryer at a distance of 3-5 cm, constantly moving it along the edges of the case for 2-3 minutes.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Don't overheat the screen! Heating the front of the smartphone above 90 degrees can cause yellow spots on the matrix or detachment of the oleophobic coating.Great only the rear glass panel around the perimeter.

Once heated, the suction cup comes in. Stick it to the bottom of the back cover, closer to the center, but not too close to the camera module. Carefully pull the suction cup upwards, creating tension, and insert a thin plastic blade into the resulting microscopic gap. If there is no gap, repeat heating. Act slowly: the glass is fragile and can crack when a sharp jerk.

Swipe the mediator around the perimeter of the case, gradually snapping the glue. Don't try to open the phone from one side to the end, move in stages. Be especially careful in the area of the fingerprint scanner if it is located on the back (although in the Redmi Note 8 it is on the side, which simplifies the task). When the panel starts to move freely, do not remove it sharply, as it may be glued to the plume (in this model there is no plume, but the habit is necessary for other devices).

Once the lid has been successfully removed, put it in a safe place, preferably on a soft cloth, with the outside downwards to avoid scratching the glass. Now you'll see the inside of your smartphone protected by a plastic frame that hides the main board and battery, and the next step is to dismantle this protective plate.

What to do if the lid does not move?
If the lid is not amenable to heating and mediating, it may be that the glue is too old or that the phone has been opened and used aggressive glue before. Try applying a special adhesive solvent (e.g., B-7000) around the perimeter and wait 5-10 minutes. Don't use force to avoid crushing the glass.

Dismantling the protective plate and disconnecting the plumes

When you take the back glass panel off, you'll see a black plastic cover covering the motherboard and the top of the battery, and it's locked in a lot of screws of different calibers. 8 near- 12-15 screws, including those hidden under stickers or deep in the holes, are important to twist them out in sequence and sort them out, because long screws screwed into short holes can break through the paths on the board.

Once all the screws are removed, carefully remove the plastic pad. It can hold on the latches on the sides, so use a plastic blade to snap them off. Under the plate you will see the main board, the main camera module, the speaker and, most importantly, the plumes connecting the components. Before any physical impact on the board, you need to turn off the device.

First, turn off the battery plume. This is a critical safety step: Find the battery connector (usually located at the bottom of the board or on the side) and gently disconnect it by pulling a plastic tool, only then you can turn off the display, touchscreen and cameras, which eliminates the risk of short circuits when the tool accidentally touches the contacts.

To turn off the plumes, use a plastic spatula or tweezers with wide sponges. Metal tools can damage the connector contacts. Xiaomi plumes are often fixed with metal clipping slats that also need to be unscrewed before removing the connector. Act without sudden movements, since the plumes are very thin and easily break.

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The first step after the lid is removed is always to turn off the battery, which prevents short circuits and saves the motherboard from burning out.

Replacement of battery and other components

If your goal was to replace the battery, after turning off the plumes and removing the lower plastic frame (which covers the charging connector and speaker), you will get access to the battery. In the Redmi Note 8, the battery is glued to the body on double-sided tape. To extract it, you will need to heat it again. Heat the battery area with a hairdryer (not exceeding 60-70 degrees so as not to damage the battery itself), or use a special spray to dissolve the glue.

Never try to pull the battery out by putting metal objects on the top edge, which can cause a puncture and fire. Use plastic cards or special tapes that can be run under the battery below (if available) or carefully pulled from the edges, gradually separating the adhesive layer. 10-15 minute.

In addition to the battery, the following elements are often changed in this section of the body:

  • ๐Ÿ”‹ Battery - with a decrease in capacity and rapid discharge.
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Lower board with charging connector โ€“ if the phone has stopped seeing charging or is not keeping contact well.
  • ๐Ÿ”Š Speaker - with wheezing or no sound in the speakerphone.
  • ๐ŸŽค Microphones: If the person you are talking to cannot hear you.

When installing a new battery, make sure that the plume is not clamped and lies flat. Stick the new battery onto a special B-7000 glue or double-sided tape, before degreasing the body surface. Do not use superglue (cyanacrylate), as its vapors can settle on the cameras and make the photos cloudy, and the glue itself becomes too hard on the next disassembly.

๐Ÿ“Š What is most often broken in the Redmi Note 8?
Screen's broken
The battery sat down.
Charging problems
Back cover broke.

Removal and replacement of the display module

Replacing the screen with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is the most time-consuming operation, as the display here is attached to the frame of the case, not just inserted from the top. To open the phone to replace the screen, it often requires a complete dismantling of the "stuffing" and re-painting of the new module on the frame, or replacing the screen with the frame (which is easier for beginners).

If you only have a frameless touchscreen matrix, you need to first dismantle all the internal components (board, battery, cameras) on the old case, and then transfer them to the new one. To do this, after turning off all the plumes and twisting the screws that hold the board, carefully remove the motherboard. It can hold on the guides, so pull it vertically up.

Removing an old broken screen requires heating around the perimeter of the front. Use a hair dryer and suction cup to separate the broken glass from the plastic frame. Be careful: glass fragments may fly apart, so it is better to pre-paint the screen with tape. After removing the old module, carefully clean the frame of glue and dust residue.

The new display is installed in reverse order. Before the final build, be sure to check the health of the new screen by temporarily connecting the plumes to the board and turning on the phone. Make sure the touchscreen responds to touch, there are no broken pixels and autobrightness works. Only after a successful test can you apply a new glue and finally assemble the device.

ComponentDifficulty replacingRisk of damageThe necessary tool
Back cover.Low.Medium (glass)Hair dryer, sucker, mediator.
BatteryMediumTall (fire)Fen, plastic card
Screen (with frame)MediumMedium.Screwdrivers, hairdryer.
Maternity feeTall.Tall (trains)Full set, tweezers.

Assembly of the device and check of performance

The final step is to build the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8. It's done in the exact opposite order. Set the motherboard, fasten all the screws, but don't twist them to the point yet. Connect all the plumes: first the battery (without inserting it into the seat until the end), then the display, cameras and other modules. Make sure that each connector emits a characteristic click during installation.

Once all the components are connected, you can do a pre-test. Turn on your smartphone and check the basic functions: sound, vibration, camera performance, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and fingerprint sensor. If everything works correctly, turn off your phone, permanently glue the battery, put the plumes in place and press them with metal slats. Twirl all the screws of the protective plate.

Apply a new layer of glue (B-7000 or analog) around the perimeter of the case with a thin strip. Let the glue dry a little (2-3 minutes), then gently press the back cover. For better adhesion, you can put the phone under the press (for example, a stack of books) for 1-2 hours. Don't turn the device on immediately, let the glue grab.

โš ๏ธ Warning: Do not turn on your phone unless you are sure that all the plumes are connected correctly.Attempting to turn on with the display or camera loop incorrectly inserted can short-circuit and cause the board to fail.

Once the glue is fully assembled and dryed, wipe the case from the residues of adhesives and enjoy the refurbished device. Correctly done replacement of components extends the life of the smartphone for years, making it almost new.

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Use isopropyl alcohol to clean contacts and remove residues of old glue. It evaporates quickly and does not conduct current, making it an ideal means for electronics repair.

Can I open the Redmi Note 8 without a hair dryer?
Theoretically, you can use special chemical adhesive solvents that are injected with a syringe under the lid. However, this method is extremely risky for a beginner: the liquid can leak into the housing and damage the electronics or display. The dryer remains the safest and most softenable way of the adhesive.
What if the phone does not turn on after assembly?
Check if the battery is connected first. If the connection is all right, try charging the device for 15-20 minutes. If there is no reaction, the power train or the board itself may have been damaged. You will need to re-disassemble and check all connections.
Do I need to change the glue at each disassembly?
Yes, the old glue loses its properties and will not ensure tightness and reliable fixing of the lid.Using a new B-7000 glue or special adhesive bezels ensures that the phone does not fall apart in your pocket and will be protected from dust.
Is it difficult to replace the charging connector with the Redmi Note 8?
Replacing the lower board with a charging connector on this model is considered one