Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (also known as Redmi Note 5 Pro in India or Redmi Note 5 AI Dual Camera in China) has proven to be a reliable device with excellent camera and performance. However, over time, even the most durable gadgets require maintenance. Often users face the need to replace a worn battery, a broken display or a damaged charging plume. Self-disassembly of a smartphone can save a significant amount on the services of the service center, if you perform all the actions carefully and consistently.
The process of opening the case requires some preparation and understanding of the design of the device. Redmi Note 5 has a metal back cover that is glued to the frame, which makes the opening procedure more difficult compared to models that have plastic panels. Wrong actions can lead to damage to internal components or loss of warranty if it is still valid. In this article, we will look in detail at each step necessary to safely access the insides of your gadget.
Before you start, you need to make sure you have sufficient skills with small electronics. If you have never taken a phone apart before, it is recommended to carefully study each step and act without haste. Accuracy of movements is more important than force. Incorrect application of effort can lead to cracks in the frame or damage to the plumes, which are located in this device quite tightly.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to completely turn off the device. Attempting to disassemble the included smartphone is guaranteed to short circuit and irreversible failure of the board.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Good workplace preparation is key to successful disassembly. You will need a clean, well-lit surface, preferably with antistatic coating or just a clean desk without a pile. Small details are easily lost, so it is recommended to use a magnetic mat or organizer with screw cells. For Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 you will need a specific set of tools that is not always in a standard home medicine cabinet.
The main tool for heating the glue will be a hair dryer. A normal household hair dryer will also work, but a building hair dryer will cope faster, although you need to be careful not to overheat the plastic. Also, an indispensable assistant will be a suction cup, which will create a primary gap between the screen and the body, without it, it is almost impossible to gently tamper the glass without the risk of chipping.
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers: mandatory presence of a cross screwdriver PH000 or PH00 hull-rotor.
- 🔥 Heat source: building hair dryer or powerful household hair dryer for softening glue.
- 🎻 Mediators and shoulder blades: plastic tools for opening the case without scratches.
- 🧲 Tweezers: preferably with curved ends and antistatic coating for working with plumes.
Special attention should be paid to mediators. Metal tools are best not to use for tampering with the screen, as they easily leave traces on the aluminum frame and can damage the touchscreen. Plastic blades or special suction cups will be perfect. Also remember to prepare isopropyl alcohol, which will help dissolve the residue of glue during the subsequent assembly or cleaning of the frame.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
The process of heating and removing the back cover
The most critical step in the integrity of the case is heating the back, the adhesive layer that holds the glass to the metal frame is quite strong, you need to warm up the perimeter of the device evenly, and don't keep the hair dryer at one point for too long, so as not to damage the display matrix on the back or overheat the battery.
The optimum heating temperature is about 80-90 degrees Celsius. To the touch, the body should become hot, but not burning. After 2-3 minutes of warming, try to gently pull the suction cup upwards, creating a vacuum. If the lid does not respond, add a little more heat. Don't try to force the glass to break it.
Nuances of the glue layer
Once you have a little gap, insert a thin plastic mediator. Don't take it out immediately. Drive the instrument along the perimeter, gradually cutting through the adhesive layer. Move slowly, controlling the depth of the blade so that you don't touch the internal plumes that may be close to the edges. Be especially careful around the main camera module.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi Note 5's rear window is very fragile, and if it's heated or suctioned, it bursts radially from the center, and if the lid cracks, you'll have to buy a replacement separately.
Disconnection of plumes and dismantling of internal components
When you successfully remove the back cover, you open up the inside of the smartphone, and the first thing you do is turn off the battery, which is the golden rule of electronics repair, and even if the phone is off, there's still a voltage on the board, and an accidental circuit of the connector can cause the power controller to fail, and the battery connector is located below the metal plate.
To access the main components, you need to remove the metal protective plate covering the bottom of the board and connectors, which is secured by several screws of different sizes. Remember or photograph the location of each screw, as their lengths may vary. After removing the plate, gently disconnect the battery plume, putting a plastic blade or nail on it.
| Component | Location. | Features of withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | The bottom part, under the plate. | First off, pull the tongue. |
| Main plume | Central charge | Latch-type clamp requires caution |
| Camera. | Upper part, next to the module | It can be glued, warmed carefully. |
| Charging charges | Lower end | Requires removal of speaker for access |
Then you can start to dismantle the other modules. The display and touchscreen plume is usually connected to the top of the motherboard. It can also be covered with a metal bracket. When you turn off the plumes, never pull them by the wires, just by the hard connector. If the plume is not going, check if there is a latch that you need to bend up.
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When you unscrew the screws inside the case, put them in the same order that you twisted them, or paste them on a piece of paper marked with the zone. Rotors from different zones can have different lengths and threads, and their entanglement can lead to a breakdown of the board.
Replacement of the battery and work with the glue layer
In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, the battery is mounted on a double-sided tape around the perimeter and has two stretching tongues to dismantle. However, over time, the glue dries out, and the tongues can break when you try to pull out. In this case, you have to be smart. Heating the back of the phone (already without the lid) will help soften the glue under the battery.
Using a credit card or a thin plastic blade allows you to gently tamper with the battery. Move the tool under the battery, trying not to damage the shell. Puncture or severe deformation of the lithium polymer battery can cause fire. If the battery is swelling, be extremely careful - any pressure can become critical.
When installing a new battery, you need to clear the frame of the old glue. Use isopropyl alcohol and soft fabric. To fix the new battery, it is best to use special adhesive tapes (B-7000 or ready-made stickers) rather than superglue, which can evaporate and damage the screen or the battery itself.
- 🔋 Heat the case to 60-70 degrees to facilitate the removal of the old battery.
- 🧴 Degrease the seat with alcohol before gluing the new element.
- 🚫 Never use metal tools to smack the battery.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The assembly is done in reverse order, but it requires no less care. Before you finally glue the back cover, you need to check the health of all systems. Connect the battery, the display plume, and try to turn on the smartphone. Check the touchscreen, cameras, speakers, microphone and vibration.
If everything is working correctly, you can proceed to final sealing. Apply a thin layer of B-7000 glue or use a ready-made adhesive frame on the low-fat surfaces of the case and the lid. Let the glue dry a little (1-2 minutes), then carefully combine the lid and press it tightly around the perimeter. For better adhesion, you can use rubber harnesses or stationery gums, stretching them across the body for 15-20 minutes.
Don't forget to twist all the screws into your seats. Not even one screw can lead to a backlash of the board and eventual damage when you fall. After you build, do the final test: take a few photos, record a voice message, check the charging.
⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on your smartphone if the display plume is connected and the back cover is not yet installed unless you are sure of insulation.
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Control start of the system before the final gluing of the case is a mandatory step that will save you from re-disassembly in case of a malfunction.