How to open the phone Xiaomi Mi A1: step-by-step instructions

Many users face the need to intervene in the design of the smartphone when it comes to the Xiaomi Mi A1. This device, which is part of the Android One program, has proven itself as a reliable device, but time takes its toll. Screens break when they fall, batteries lose capacity, and charging connectors fail after thousands of connection cycles.

Before you start the process, it is important to understand that the Xiaomi Mi A1 has a monoblock design where the back cover is glued to the frame.The glue under the back cover of the Mi A1 is very durable and requires mandatory preheating to 80-90 degrees for safe removal.Without proper preparation, you can damage the glass or bend the metal frame, which will make further assembly impossible.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to properly and safely open the case, what tools you will need and what nuances you should pay special attention to. You will gain comprehensive knowledge of the internal structure of the device, which will help to avoid fatal errors during repairs.

Preparation of the workplace and the necessary tool

The quality repairs begin long before the first screw, you need to have a clean, well-lit workplace, lights fall evenly so that the small parts and screws are clearly visible, and the ideal solution is an antistatic mat that prevents the loss of small elements and protects electronics from static electricity.

The toolkit should be specialized. Don't try to use kitchen knives or sewing needles, because they're too soft or fragile. You'll need plastic blades, mediators and a suction cup. Use metal tools with extreme caution, only to unscrew screws, but not to tweak components.

• 🔧 A set of Torx bit screwdrivers (usually) T5 or T6 screw-on).
• 🔥 Hair dryer or heating pad for softening glue (temperature not higher than 100)°C).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws.
• 🧤 A thin plastic mediator or bank card.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to turn off the device. Attempting to open the phone with the battery connected can short circuit and the motherboard fails.

You should also prepare isopropyl alcohol or a special solvent to remove the glue residue, which will help to clean the frame before installing a new part. Have tweezers with curved ends at hand - it is indispensable when working with small plumes.

The process of heating and removing the back cover

The first and most important step is to soften the adhesive layer. Xiaomi Mi A1 is assembled on a quality two-way adhesive tape, which becomes even stronger over time. The heating should be uniform throughout the perimeter of the device. Don't keep the hair dryer at one point for too long so as not to overheat the display matrix or the battery itself.

The optimal heating time is 3-5 minutes at about 80 degrees. Periodically check the temperature of the back side with your hand - it should be hot, but not burning. If the body is cool and the lid does not respond, the heating procedure should be repeated.

After a careful warm-up, a suction cup comes in, attach it to the bottom of the back cover, closer to the center, but not to the very edge. Pull the suction cup upwards, creating a small gap between the glass and the frame. Insert a plastic mediator carefully into the resulting gap.

Don't try to force the lid off. Move the mediator or thin blade along the perimeter, gradually cutting through the adhesive layer. Pay special attention to the corners and areas around the camera module, which is usually the most glue. If you feel strong resistance, stop pulling and warm up the area again.

Dismantling the protective plate and disconnecting the plumes

When the back cover is successfully removed, you'll see the interior of the smartphone, and most of the space is occupied by the battery, and at the top is a motherboard covered by a metal safety plate, and this plate is attached with several screws that need to be twisted out.

Use a magnetic-tipped screwdriver to keep the screws from flying across the table. Remember or write down the location of each screw, as they may vary in length. A short screw screw screw screwed into a long hole can punch through the board and disable the device.

Once the metal shield is removed, the connectors are accessed, and the display, touchscreen, main and front cameras, and the button plume and charging connector are located here, and the switch should be done in a specific sequence using a plastic blade.

The first thing you need to do is turn off the battery, find the battery connector, and gently lift it with a plastic blade, and then you can disconnect the circuit board and the cameras, and that's a critical rule that will keep the power controller from surges.

Removal of the battery and access to the lower module

In the Xiaomi Mi A1, the battery is also planted on glue, but it is not fixed around the entire perimeter, but most often with two strips at the top and bottom. You can not use metal objects to extract the battery that can puncture a lithium polymer cell.

There is a proven method using a plastic card or a special hood. If you use a card, carefully poke the battery from below, trying not to damage the plume going to the board. The movements should be progressive and smooth. If the battery is sitting very tight, you can slightly warm the back of the case (if it is still in place) or the area under the battery through the screen (very carefully!).

⚠️ Warning: Never bend the battery and pierce it. Damage to the battery shell causes instantaneous fire or explosion. If the battery is swelling, it should be removed with extreme caution, avoiding pressure on the center of bloating.

Under the battery is a plume connecting the upper and lower motherboards, and this plume passes through a special window in the middle frame, and if you change the battery or the lower board, this plume must be disconnected from the lower board, and this will require removing the bottom plastic plug that is held on the latches.

The lower board contains a USB-C charging connector, microphone and antenna module. When replacing this part, make sure that the antenna contacts fit tightly with the response parts on the case or board. Poor antenna contact will lead to a deterioration in GSM and Wi-Fi reception.

Replacement of the display and assembly of the device

If your goal was to replace the display, then after turning off all the plumes and removing the protective plates, the old matrix is removed with the frame or separately, depending on the type of spare part. In the case of the Xiaomi Mi A1, the display module is often changed in the assembly with the frame, which greatly simplifies the process.

When installing a new module, make sure that all the screws and speakers are the same. Before the final assembly, it is recommended to run a test turn on, connect the display and touchscreen plumes, then the battery, turn on the phone and check the sensor, image and sound.

If everything is working correctly, turn off the battery again and proceed to the final assembly. Clean the old glue frame with alcohol. Apply a new adhesive tape (B-7000 or special pre-cat) around the perimeter. Set the back cover and press it with a load for 15-20 minutes to polymerize the adhesive.

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Use rubber harnesses or stationery gums wrapped around the phone to tightly press the lid while the glue is drying, which will ensure a uniform fit throughout the perimeter.

Twisting all the screws in reverse sequence. Don't tug the screws, especially in plastic bushings, as the thread may break. Assembly is complete and your smartphone is ready to go again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The key to successful disassembly is patience and high-quality glue heating, and rushing to remove the lid causes 90% of the time the glass to break or the plumes to break.