Xiaomi Redmi 5A is no longer a flagship device, but its reliability and maintainability allow many owners to use the gadget for years. Sooner or later, the user faces the question: how to open the device body? The reasons can be many: replacing a swollen battery, repairing the charging port plume or simply wanting to clean the insides of dust. The process of opening a monolithic case requires accuracy and understanding of the design.
Unlike current models with hidden screws and waterproof slugs, the Redmi 5A is designed quite simply, but has its own nuances. The main feature of this model is a removable rear cover, which greatly simplifies initial access to the system. However, a deeper intervention will be required to fully repair the motherboard or replace the display. It is important to understand that any violation of the integrity of the case removes the warranty if it is still valid.
Before you start physically affecting the device, you need to assess the risks: mishandling plastic latches can lead to their failure, and careless use of tools can damage the plumes. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely open the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, what tools you will need and what hidden details should be paid special attention.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Well-designed workplaces are half the success of any repair operation, you'll need a clean, well-lit surface, preferably with antistatic coatings, and you don't have to start disassembling on carpets or villous fabrics, because the villi can get inside the case or onto the contacts.
To work with Xiaomi Redmi 5A does not need a complex professional set, but a basic set of tools is mandatory. Plastic mediators will help not scratch the glossy plastic of the case, and a thin metal blade will come in handy for tweaking rigid latches.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers: a cross is necessary PH00 and flat silk for slacking.
- 🗡️ Plastic mediator or card: to click clips around the perimeter of the body.
- 🔥 Dryer or heat pad: to soften the glue if the screen is glued to the frame.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat: to avoid losing tiny screws of different sizes.
⚠️ Warning: Use metal tools with extreme caution near the battery.Short circuit of the battery contacts can cause instant fire or explosion of the battery.
Pay special attention to lighting. The internal components of the smartphone are very small, and in poor light it is easy to miss a microscopic screw or misconnect the plume. If you have a magnifying glass or a magnifying glass, use them to inspect contacts.
Primary access: Removal of the back cover and battery
The process of how to open the Xiaomi Redmi 5A starts with the simplest action: dismantling the back panel. Unlike many modern smartphones, you don't have to heat the edges or use suction cups. The design provides for easy removal of the lid, which is a big plus for this model.
On the bottom end of the device, next to the charging connector, you'll find a small notch, which is designed for a nail or a flat object, and you'll gently slap the lid on that spot and swipe your finger along the side faces, and you'll hear the characteristic clicks -- that's the plastic fixtures snapping off.
When you take the lid off, you get a little bit of internal space, and the first thing you need to do before you touch the board or the plumes is to turn the device off, and even if the phone is software-enabled, you can get current to the battery contacts, and then you can find the battery connector on the motherboard and gently disconnect the plume.
☑️ Checking before disassembly
If the lid is difficult to remove, don't use force. Check the perimeter for residues of old glue or body deformities. Sometimes it helps to warm the hair dryer at a minimum temperature for 30 seconds, but for the Redmi 5A this is rarely required.
Dismantling of the protective plastic frame
Under the back cover is a black or gray plastic frame that covers the main part of the motherboard and is mounted with a lot of screws, which is the main barrier that you need to overcome to get to the motherboard and the bottom module.
You'll need a thin sting screwdriver. The screws in the Xiaomi Redmi 5A are located around the perimeter of the frame and in the center. Note that the screws can be of different lengths. It's critical to remember or fix on the circuit where each particular screw is twisted.
| Location of the screw | Type of screw | Function | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corners of the frame | Long ones. | Fixing to the hull | High (fare breakdown) |
| Central part | Short. | Pushing the pay | Medium (not holding a frame) |
| Near the camera | Average. | Locking of the module | Low. |
After you unscrew all the visible screws, don't rush to pull the frame, check if the screws are hiding under the stickers or in the recesses near the button connectors, and the frame can also hold on the latches, which need to be carefully squeezed by the mediator.
Secrets of screw marking
When you take the frame off, you get full access to the motherboard, and you can safely disconnect the plumes of the display, touchscreen, and other modules, and remember that the plumes are not only fixed by the connector, but sometimes by the metal plate on top.
Extraction of the motherboard and basic modules
The motherboard is the heart of the smartphone. In the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, it is located at the top of the case. Once the protective frame is removed and all the plumes (display, buttons, antennas) are turned off, the board can be retrieved.
Notice the antenna contacts. They are spring-loaded whiskers that must fit exactly into the back of the case or the board, and when assembled, they will have to be repositioned, otherwise the network signal will be very weak or disappear completely.
- 📷 Main camera module: located in the upper corner, connected by a wide plume.
- 🔊 Speaker and microphone: often integrated into the bottom plume or glued to a frame.
- 🔌 Charging connector: located on a separate board or connected by a long plume to the main board.
To retrieve the board, gently lift it on one side, making sure nothing is in the way. Don't pull sharply so as not to damage the fragile elements on the back of the board. If the board is sitting tight, there may be an untwisted screw or a latch that has not been snapped.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid static electricity when working with the motherboard, touch the metal parts of the case or use an antistatic bracelet to avoid burning the power controllers.
The charging plume is particularly noteworthy, and in this model it often fails due to mechanical stress, requiring careful removal of the bottom of the case or complete disassembly, depending on the design of the specific board revision.
Replacement of the battery and work with adhesive bases
The battery in the Redmi 5A is based on double-sided tape. Over time, the glue loses its properties, and the battery can hang around, or vice versa, sticks to the dead. Do not use metal objects to safely remove the old battery.
The best way to remove the battery is to use a thin line or a special plastic card, snag the line by the end of the battery and smoothly cut the adhesive layer. Don't try to poke the battery over the edge, it can damage the shell.
When installing a new battery, be sure to use a new glue or a special double-sided electronics tape (such as the B-7000 or striped analogues) to ensure tight fit and prevent the battery from shifting when falling.
It's important to keep the battery warm when you're using glue, so if you're using liquid glue, apply the minimum amount of glue and let it dry a little before you install it, and the glue can get squeezed out and into the contacts.
Device assembly and functional testing
The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is built in reverse order, but requires increased care. The main task is to properly stack all the plumes and not confuse the screws. First install the motherboard and connect the main plumes.
Make sure that no plume is squeezed or laid, especially the touchscreen plume and the display, and after all the modules are connected, but before the frame screws are twisted, do the initial testing.
- 🔌 Connect the battery plume to the board.
- 🔋 Press the on button and wait for the vibration or logo MI.
- 📱 Check the touchscreen, speaker and microphone.
If the phone is on and reacting to touch, you can continue building. Set a safety frame, twist all the screws according to the circuit. Make sure the screws are tightly twisted, but without undue effort, so as not to break the thread in the plastic.
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Use a magnetic screwdriver when twisting screws in deep wells of the case, which will prevent the screw from falling into the case, from which it will then have to be removed with tweezers.
The last step is to put the back cover in place, and you can combine the slots at the top and press until you click around the perimeter, and make sure there are no gaps and the cover sits tight.
Frequent errors in the dismantling of the Redmi 5A
Despite the simplicity of the design, beginners often make mistakes that can cause the device to break, one of the most common is trying to remove the screen without turning off the battery, which can short-circuit and cause the power controller to fail.
Another mistake is losing the screws or entanglement. A long screw twisted into a short hole can pierce the motherboard through, damaging the tracks. Always sort the fasteners as you go.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use superglue (cyanacrylate) to fix components inside your smartphone. Its vapors settle on camera lenses and sensors, causing them to become cloudy and fail.
They also forget to connect antenna contacts, and without that, the phone will work, but it won't catch the network, or Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth, and visually check that all the golden spring-loaded contacts are in their place.
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The main principle of successful disassembly is patience and organization of the workspace, and chaos on the table leads to loss of parts and errors in assembly.