Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 8 are designed with maximum tightness and aesthetics, which often makes their maintenance difficult for the untrained user. When you need to open the case — whether it is replacing a broken screen, swollen battery or cleaning the speaker from dust — it is important to understand that you are violating the factory assembly. Any careless movement can damage the internal plumes, which in this model are located quite tightly.
The main challenge is that the back panel is glued to a special adhesive layer, rather than being fixed by screws like in older phones, which requires the use of heating tools and suction cups to safely separate the lid. In this article, we will go through each step, from the preparation of the workplace to the final assembly, paying special attention to the nuances of working with fragile components.
Before you start a physical intervention, you need to assess the risks and prepare a specialized tool. If you do not have experience with electronics, it is better to weigh the pros and cons several times. However, if you are determined to do the repair yourself, follow our recommendations to minimize the likelihood of damage to the motherboard or other critical nodes.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
Well-trained is half the success of the whole event. You need not just a table, but a well-lit space where you will not be disturbed. Small cogs and plastic latches tend to fly away in an unknown direction, so make sure that the surface is flat and clean. The light should fall evenly so that you can distinguish between the colors of the wires and the condition of the connectors.
To work with Redmi 8, you will need a hair dryer (construction or household at maximum power), a plastic card or mediator, a set of screwdrivers (usually cross PH00 or Pentalobe), a suction cup and tweezers. It is also highly recommended to have isopropyl alcohol and B-7000 glue or similar adhesive for reverse assembly. Without these materials, you will not be able to restore tightness.
Keep in mind safety. Although battery voltage is low, short circuits can cause the device to fail permanently or cause a fire. Be sure to turn off the phone before work begins. If possible, discharge the battery to 20-25%, as a fully charged lithium-ion battery is more dangerous if mechanically damaged.
☑️ Disassembly tools
⚠️ Note: Using a metal blade instead of a plastic card to snap the lid can damage antenna plumes that often run around the perimeter of the housing.
Removal process of the back cover
The most important step is to separate the back panel. In the Xiaomi Redmi 8, it's made of plastic, but it's glued very securely. Turn on the hair dryer and start warming the perimeter of the phone. Keep the heat source 2-3 cm away from the surface, constantly moving it so that the plastic or the matrix of the screen on the back side does not melt.
The optimum heating temperature is about 80-90 degrees Celsius. Touch the body with your hand - it should become hot, but not burning. The heating process usually takes 2-3 minutes. Then quickly but gently apply a suction cup at the bottom of the back cover and pull up, creating a small gap.
Once you have a gap, put a mediator or a plastic card in there. Don't try to pull the lid out, drive the tool along the perimeter, gradually cutting the adhesive layer. Pay special attention to the corners, because the glue is often the strongest there. If the lid doesn't lend itself, heat the problem area again with a hairdryer.
The secret of success when removing the lid
Disabling the plumes and removing the protective panel
When you successfully remove the back cover, you'll see the inside of the smartphone, and you'll see a large black plate covering the main components, and this is a safety panel that's attached to a lot of screws of different sizes, and it's important not to confuse them when you build them back, so use a magnetic mat or draw a screw layout.
First of all, you need to turn off the battery. This is a critical step that you can't ignore: Find the battery connector (usually located in the bottom or middle of the board) and carefully bend the plume with a plastic tool, only after the power out can the plumes of the display, cameras and other modules be safely disconnected.
Next, unscrew all the visible screws that hold the protective plate. The number can vary depending on the revision of the board, but usually there are about 10-15 pieces. Once you remove the plate, you will access the main connectors. Be extremely careful: the plumes in Redmi 8 are quite thin and easily break when you carelessly handle.
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Take a picture of all the screws and plumes before they are removed. Visual memory can let you down, and the photo will help you restore the original configuration without errors.
Replacement of battery and other components
If your goal was to replace the battery, you see it in all its glory, and the battery in this model is also glued to the body with double-sided tape, to extract it, gently tuck the edge of the battery with a plastic blade, and do not use metal tools to avoid piercing the battery cells.
If you replace the display, after you turn off all the plumes and remove the protective frame, the screen can be dismantled. Often in budget models like the Redmi 8, the display is sold along with the frame, which greatly simplifies the process, you just have to move some small elements, such as the speaker or sensors, from the old module to the new one.
When installing new components, make sure the connectors are inserted before the characteristic click. An unpressed connector is a common cause of a broken touchscreen or microphone after assembly. Check the density of all the plumes before you start testing the device.
Typical errors in disassembly
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the heating of the case: trying to tear the lid "cold" is almost guaranteed to break the lid or damage the side faces, the plastic becomes brittle when subjected to abrupt mechanical action if the adhesive layer is not heated.
Another mistake is to use excessive force to break plumes, and the connectors in modern smartphones are tightly designed, but they're not designed to jerk. Use side-to-side sways, gradually lifting the connector up.
Also, beginners often forget about static electricity, and although the risk is small, it is recommended to touch a grounded metal object before work or use an antistatic bracelet, which is especially important when working with the motherboard in dry rooms.
| Component | Difficulty replacing | Risk of damage | The necessary tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back cover. | Low. | Medium (cracks) | Fryer, sucker. |
| Battery | Medium | High (puncture) | Plastic spatula |
| Display. | Tall. | Very tall. | Sets of screwdrivers, tweezers |
| Dynamician | Low. | Low. | Screwdriver. |
Assembly and performance check
The assembly is done in reverse order. Before you twist the screws and stick the lid, you have to do an initial check. Connect the battery and the display plume, then press the switch on. If the phone vibrates and the image appears on the screen, you're on the right track.
Check the touchscreen, the cameras, the speakers and the microphone, make sure that all the functions are working correctly, and if you find a fault now, you can fix it by simply turning off the plume, rather than disassembling the entire phone.
To finalize the back cover, apply a thin layer of B-7000 glue around the body's perimeter. Don't overdo it, otherwise excess glue can leak out or get inside the components. Press the lid and lock the phone with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes before the initial grip.
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The main criterion for successful assembly is not only the appearance, but also the absence of creaks of the body and backlashes, which can lead to moisture in the future.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on your phone immediately after applying the glue if it hits the contacts of the charging connector. wait for full drying to avoid short circuit.