Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has become a legendary device in its price segment, offering users a great camera and a reliable case of glass and metal. However, like any electronics, it is not immune to breakdowns: a broken screen, a swollen battery or a dusty conversational speaker require immediate intervention. To perform quality repairs, you need to carefully dismantle the back cover, which is the most difficult step in the whole process.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to properly and safely open the device body without damaging fragile plumes and internal components. You will learn what tools you will need to work, how to soften the factory glue and what precautions should be taken to avoid turning minor repairs into buying a new gadget.
Before you start to physically affect the body, it is important to understand that the sealing of the factory assembly is permanently broken. The adhesive base holding the rear panel loses its properties after opening, so it will require a special B-7000 or E-8000 adhesive to be reassembled, or a pre-purchased new adhesive frame.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To perform a successful autopsy procedure, you will need not only a desire to fix the phone, but also a specialized set of tools. Using inappropriate items such as kitchen knives or needles can lead to scratches on the frame or, worse, damage to internal components. The standard master kit includes a suction cup to lift the glass, a plastic mediator (scapula) and a set of screwdrivers.
Special attention should be paid to the heating source. The factory glue that fixes the back cover of the Redmi Note 7 is very durable and requires heat treatment to soften. The optimal solution is a professional thermal paste or temperature-adjusted hair dryer, but at home, a regular household hair dryer will also work, although you will have to warm longer.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (mandatory presence of cross-shaped) P2 or P000).
- 🔥 Hair dryer or heating platform (heating temperature to 80-90 degree).
- 🧩 Plastic blade or mediator for snapping latches.
- 💧 Isopropyl alcohol and pipette (for dissolving glue residues).
- 🧲 Magnetic screw-sorting mat.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting work, be sure to turn off your smartphone. Attempting to open the device on can short-circuit and the motherboard will fail.
Prepare a clean, well-lit workplace. Light should fall evenly so you can see fine details and not lose tiny screws. Cover the desk with a soft cloth or silicone mat so that fallen parts don't scratch or roll into hard-to-reach places.
☑️ Preparation for autopsy
Primary heating and removal of the back cover
The most important thing is to separate the glass back from the metal frame. The process begins with a careful heating of the perimeter of the case. Warm up the ends of the smartphone evenly for 2-3 minutes, constantly moving the hair dryer so as not to overheat one point and damage the display matrix on the back side or internal plastic elements.
Once the case is warm enough, install a suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the Redmi logo. Pull the suction cup up, creating tension, and in the resulting micro-gap between the glass and the frame, carefully insert a plastic mediator. Do not use force if the lid does not lend itself - it is better to warm the device again than risk the integrity of the glass.
We use a mediator along the perimeter, cutting the softened adhesive layer. Move smoothly, trying not to dive deeper than 2-3 millimeters, so as not to touch the plumes or components located near the edges. Be especially careful in the upper part, where the cameras and communication modules are located.
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If you don't have a suction cup, you can use a thin but strong line or dental floss, and you can stretch it behind the back cover and smoothly cut the adhesive layer around the perimeter.
When all sides are passed, the back cover should be easily separated. Don't rush it out, as the inside of the glass may be glued to a fingerprint scanner plume (in some versions) or just sticky dust, creating tension. Carefully put the lid in a safe place.
Removal of the protective panel and disconnection of plumes
When you take the back cover off, you'll see a plastic shield that covers most of the interiors, and it's mounted on a lot of screws of different sizes and lengths, and your job is to unscrew all the visible screws that fix this patch using a cross screwdriver.
To avoid confusing them when you build them, lay out the screws in the same order you twisted them, or use a magnetic mat with markings, which will save you time and nerves in the final stage.
| Fixing zone | Type of screw | Number of | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perimeter of the board | Cross P000 | 12-14 pcs. | Different lengths, require labeling |
| Dynamic (vibrator) | Cross P000 | 2 pcs. | Located at the bottom. |
| Battery attachment | Cross P000 | 2 pcs. | Hidden under a decorative sticker |
| Antenna module | Cross P000 | 1-2 pcs. | Upper body |
Once the plastic lining is removed, you have access to the motherboard, the battery and the plumes, and the first thing you need to do is turn off the main camera module and the display plume, and you need to do this carefully, putting the connectors on with a plastic blade or nail, but not with metal tools.
The battery connector should also be disconnected, a critical step to ensure that the device is fully rigged before further manipulation, and that working with the battery increases the risk of short circuits when metal parts of the tools accidentally touch the board contacts.
nuances of connectors
Battery extraction and glue handling
The battery in the Redmi Note 7 is attached to double-sided tape, which over time becomes very durable. It's just impossible to pull the battery out, because there's a high risk of damaging the shell, which can cause fire or bloating. It's going to require a solvent of glue to safely extract it.
Use isopropyl alcohol or a special liquid to dissolve the glue (such as B-7000 remover). Wet the edges of the battery abundantly, putting them on a thin plastic card or shoulder blade. The liquid should leak under the battery and dissolve the glue layer. Act slowly and without sharp jerks.
- 🔋 Heat: Warm up the battery area slightly with a hair dryer (no more than 60 degrees) to soften the glue.
- 💧 Solvent: Insert liquid around the perimeter of the battery using a syringe or pipette.
- 🪪 Counterfeiting: Carefully enter the plastic card under the battery, moving from the center to the edges.
- 🚫 Prohibition: Never use metal tools to tamper with the battery!
⚠️ Attention: If you notice that the battery is swelling and has a barrel shape, be extremely careful.
After removing the old battery, clean the seat of the old glue. The surface should be perfectly smooth and clean so that the new battery will lie flat and securely fixed. Use special adhesive strips (strips) or high-quality glue B-7000 to fix the new battery.
Replacement of the display and camera module
If the purpose of the autopsy was to replace the broken display, then after removing the protective panel and turning off the plumes, you need to dismantle the old matrix. In the Redmi Note 7, the display is glued to the frame, so removing it also requires heating and using a suction cup.
Heat the front of the phone (carefully so that the oleophobic coating is not damaged by glue residues) and use a suction cup to break the glass. Push the display around the perimeter, trying not to damage the touchscreen if it is still functional, or the frame. After removing the old module, carefully clean the frame of glue and dust residue.
When you install a new display, first check its performance by plugging in the plumes and turning on the phone without permanently gluing the screen. Make sure the touch is working, the image is free of broken pixels, and the proximity sensor is functioning correctly. Only after successful verification can you apply glue and fix the module.
The main camera module is also subject to replacement in the event of mechanical damage or moisture, and is mounted with a screw and connected by a plume, and it is important to keep the small lens or rubber gasket that provides focus and dust protection when replaced.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The final step is to assemble the device in reverse order, install the battery, connect all the plumes (display, camera, battery) and make sure they snap to the characteristic easy click. Lay down the plastic safety panel and twist all the screws, keeping them in their original location.
Before you stick the back cover, be sure to turn on your phone and check all the functions: the sound of speakers and headphones, vibration, microphone, cameras, Wi-Fi and fingerprint sensor. If you assemble the phone and then find a broken module, you will have to disassemble it again, risking damage to new adhesive connections.
To fix the back cover, apply a thin layer of B-7000 glue around the perimeter of the frame or use a ready-made adhesive frame. Press the lid and lock the phone with stationery gums for 1-2 hours until the glue is completely dry. Do not turn the phone on in the charging hours after gluing, so that the glue fumes do not damage the internal components.
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The quality of repair depends on the cleanliness of the adhesive surfaces and the correct connection of the plumes.