Redmi series smartphones are known for their excellent value for money, but even reliable devices require maintenance over time. If your Xiaomi Redmi 5 stopped holding the charge, turns off in the cold or swells, it's time to think about replacing the power source. Self-replacing the battery is a real opportunity to save a significant amount and extend the life of the gadget for another couple of years of active operation.
But the process requires care and understanding of modern smartphones. The Redmi 5 design doesn't involve easy access to the insides of old push-button phones. You'll have to work with adhesives, plumes and fragile body elements. Wrong actions can damage the display or plume, so before you start, carefully study the theoretical part and prepare the workplace.
In this article, we will go into detail every step from matching a compatible battery to final calibration, learn what tools are really needed and what you can do without, and discuss common beginner mistakes and ways to avoid them so that after assembly you do not have extra screws.
Diagnostics and selection of a new battery
Before you start disassembling, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the physical wear of the battery. Software failures can also cause rapid discharge, so try resetting or analyzing consumption statistics in the Settings → Battery menu. If the discharge schedule shows sharp jumps in percentages or the phone turns off at 20-30%, this is a sure sign of degradation of chemical composition.
When choosing a new battery, it is important to pay attention not only to the capacity, but also to the manufacturer. the original Xiaomi BM3H batteries (model for Redmi 5) have overheating protection and a controller that works correctly with MIUI firmware. The market is full of cheap copies that can swell after a month of use or improperly display charge.
Pay attention to the date of production indicated on the package. Lithium polymer cells age even when lying on a shelf, so buying a battery that was released more than two years ago is not advisable. It is also worth checking the appearance: the contacts should not be oxides, and the body should be flat, without bloating.
You can use a special utility to determine the condition accurately, although on Android they often give approximate data. A more reliable method is a visual examination after opening. If the old battery is inflated and presses on the display or back cover, you need to change it immediately, because this creates a risk of fire.
Tools and training required
A good battery replacement is not possible without the appropriate tools. Attempting to open the body with a knife or (plastic card) often ends in chipping on the frame or damage to the touch screen. The minimum set of masters should include special suction cups, mediators and screwdrivers.
Pay special attention to heating equipment. The glue that holds the battery and the screen is very strong at room temperature. It needs to be heated to 80-90 degrees to safely separate the components. Use of household hair dryers is acceptable, but a building hair dryer or professional thermopanel will give a more controlled result.
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers: mandatory presence of cross PH000 for the board screws and possibly the star T2 or T3 for some internal anchorages.
- 🔥 Heat source: thermophene, hot water heater for phones or, in extreme cases, very careful use of household hair dryer.
- 🧩 Plastic blades and mediators: minimum 2-3 Things, as they can break or bend in the process of work.
- 💳 Suction: necessary to create an initial gap between the screen and the frame.
- 🧴 Clay. B-7000 or E-8000: for the final assembly, ordinary superglue cannot be used categorically.
Prepare the workspace: it should be well lit and free of unnecessary objects. Cover the table with a soft cloth or silicone mat so that small screws do not get lost and fallen parts do not get damaged. It is also recommended to use a magnetic mat or organizer with cells to sort the fastener by dismantling stages.
☑️ Ready for repair
The process of dismantling the Redmi 5 hull
The beginning of the work is marked by the extraction of the tray for SIM-It's standard, but it's important to keep the paper clip intact, and then you have to unscrew the two screws that are on the sides of the Micro-USB charger, and they hold the bottom of the case, and you can't move the lid without them.
Then comes the most important step: the detachment of the back cover. Heat the perimeter of the device, evenly passing the hair dryer around the edges. Do not keep the flow of hot air at one point for longer than 2-3 seconds, so as not to damage the display matrix on the back side. Once heated, the suction cup is attached to the bottom of the back panel, and tension is created.
⚠️ Warning: Do not force the lid off if it fails.This means that the glue is not sufficiently heated and a sudden movement will lead to a crack in the glass of the back panel.
Insert a plastic mediator into the gap and carefully guide it along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer. Be especially careful at the top of the smartphone, where the plumes can pass, although in Redmi 5 the main electronics are protected by a metal screen.
When you take off the back panel, you'll see a metal screen covering the mainboard, and it's mounted with several screws around the perimeter, and you have to unscrew them to access the plumes of the display and the battery, and remember to also remove the plastic plug that covers the connectors at the bottom if it interferes with access to the battery plume.
Replacement of the battery and connection of plumes
The battery in Xiaomi Redmi 5 is glued to the frame quite firmly. In no case do not try to tamper with metal tools - a puncture of the lithium polymer element will cause instant ignition. Use a plastic card or a special lever, putting the battery on the bottom, preheating its back side through the open space.
Many new batteries already have adhesive strips. If they don't, apply thin strips of double-sided tape or some B-7000 glue to the frame. The key is not to overdo it with the glue so it doesn't leak onto the board or into the connectors. Before installing the new cell, be sure to unplug the old battery's plume from the motherboard.
Disconnecting the display plume and touchscreen also requires care. They can be fixed with a metal clip bar. First, unscrew the screws of the bar, then gently lift the connectors with your nail or plastic blade. After installing a new battery and checking the connection, collect everything in reverse order.
What to do if the new battery is not turned on?
When you build, it's important to put the plumes right so they don't get twisted or clamped. Any stress on the plume can cause it to break after a while. Make sure the connectors are in place with a characteristic click, and the locking slats are tightly screwed.
Comparison of original and compatible batteries
Choosing between the original and the analogue often becomes a dilemma. Xiaomi's original batteries guarantee full compatibility and claimed capacity, but they're hard to find and the market is full of fakes. Compatible batteries from well-known brands (like Nohon, Deji) often offer even more capacity, but may have a less accurate charge controller.
| Characteristics | Original Xiaomi | Quality analogue | Cheap copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | The Real 3300mAh | Often 3,500+mAh | Claimed 4,000+, real 2,000 |
| Cycle resource | 500-800 cycles | 400-600 cycles | 100-200 cycles |
| Controller | The original chip | Compatible chip | Simple protection fee |
| Price. | Tall. | Medium | Low. |
It's important to understand that even a high-quality analog can display charge incorrectly in the first days of use, the MIUI system takes time to calibrate the new element, while cheap copies may not have protection against overcharging, which is dangerous for the device.
When buying, check the hologram and QR-However, remember that scammers have learned to fake and check sites, so it is better to buy from authorized partners or in specialized spare parts stores.
Calibration and post-replacement verification
After successful assembly and first turn on, don't wait for perfect work right away. The power controller needs time to understand the real capacity of the new cell. The first 2-3 charge-discharge cycles are spent in gentle mode: unload the phone before turning off (0%) and charge to 100% without interruptions.
You can use the Android engineering menu to calibrate more accurately. Enter the code ##6485## In the call app, in the menu that opens, find the parameters. MB_06 (battery health level; and MF_05 (This data will help to assess how the system perceives the new battery.
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For quick calibration after replacement, you can use the Battery Calibration application (root rights are required) or simply let the phone completely discharge and lie down turned off for 2-3 hours before charging.
If the phone continues to run out quickly after replacing, check the background. Perhaps the problem was not only in the battery, but also in the "heavy" application that prevents the processor from going to sleep. Also make sure that the back cover fits tightly - gaps can lead to dust and moisture.
⚠️ Note: If you have damaged the touchscreen plume during the work (the sensor stopped working in a certain area), it can be temporarily resuscitated, carefully pressing the damage site or sealing it with thin tape, but this is a temporary solution.
Frequent errors and security measures
The most common mistake is using a metal blade to lash the lid, which is guaranteed to short if the blade touches the battery contacts or the board. Always use only plastic or special non-conductive tools.
Another mistake is ignoring the heat. Trying to remove the lid from the cold one requires a lot of effort, which leads to the breakage of the plastic latches of the case. Redmi 5 has a plastic case that can crack under high pressure, especially in corners.
- 🚫 Do not use superglue (cyanacrylate) to fix the battery or the lid. its vapors can settle on the camera and sensors, disabling them, and the glue becomes brittle.
- 🚫 Don't puncture the ballooned battery, it will cause the caustic electrolyte to eject and possibly ignite.
- 🚫 Do not leave your phone unattended to charge immediately after you have been replaced.It is important to monitor the heating temperature of the case during the first hour.
And if you follow these simple rules, you'll avoid most of the trouble. Electronics repair requires patience, but the result of a live smartphone is worth it. If you're feeling insecure at some point, you better stop and talk to the professionals.
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The secret to success is to take your time heating and uncoupling components, and 90 percent of damage is caused by haste and force where heat is needed.