The Xiaomi Mi5, launched back in 2016, is still in service for many users thanks to its compact form factor and performance. However, time is running out on lithium-polymer batteries, and after a few years of active use, battery capacity inevitably drops. If your phone stops holding charge, turns off 20-30% or swells up, it's time to think about replacing the power source.
Self-repairing is a real opportunity to save a significant amount of money and restore the device to its former autonomy. The replacement process is not very complex, but requires accuracy, the presence of special tools and understanding the sequence of actions. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely remove the old battery and install a new one, avoiding common errors.
Before you start, it is important to realize that opening the case automatically deprives the device of warranty if it has not expired by the statute of limitations. In addition, a poorly performed procedure can damage the plumes or display. Careful preparation of the workplace and tools is the key to the successful completion of the restoration operation of your gadget.
Diagnostics and selection of a new battery
Before starting disassembly, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the physical wear of the battery, and not in software failures or malfunction of the charge controller. Visual examination can reveal bloating, which often leads to detachment of the screen or the appearance of a characteristic back cover. Software methods, such as viewing statistics in Settings → Battery, can also indicate an abnormally fast discharge.
When choosing a new battery for Xiaomi Mi5 should be extremely careful, as the market is oversaturated with fakes. the original model is marked BM32 and a capacity of 3000 mAh. Cheap counterparts often have a real capacity of half the declared and can fail in a few months.
- 🔍 Visual check: pay attention to the quality of logo printing and the presence of holograms on the package.
- 📏 Dimensions: the battery should fit perfectly into the compartment without dangling and requiring no effort to install.
- 🔋 Voltage: the standard rated voltage shall be 3.85V, a maximum — 4.4V.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy batteries without a protective charge (BMS) The absence of this chip can cause the device to overcharge and even fire.
It's also worth considering that some "reinforced" batteries may have increased thickness. In the case of the Mi5, which has a glass back and a metal frame, this can cause the phone to stop closing or the screen to be squeezed outwards.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To do a good job, you'll need a specific toolkit that's different from the standard screw kit. The main challenge of disassembling the Xiaomi Mi5 is to use glue to fix the back panel, not screws. So heating and suction cups are critical.
The workplace should be well lit and not have metal surfaces that can cause accidental components to short circuit. It is recommended to use an antistatic mat or at least a clean wooden surface. All screws are better folded into a magnetic organizer, since they have different lengths and threads.
☑️ Replacement tools
Pay special attention to the heating element. A normal household hair dryer may not give enough temperature, so it is better to use a temperature-adjusted building hair dryer or a special heating pad for smartphones. Overheating can damage the oleophobic screen covering or deform plastic elements of the case.
The process of disassembling the body Xiaomi Mi5
The first step is always to remove the tray. SIM-Not only does this free up the interior space, it also prevents the contacts from accidentally damaging themselves when the body is pressurized, and then you have to turn off the device, although in most cases it will be discharged.
Heating the back cover is the most important thing. You need to warm the perimeter of the device evenly, lingering at the corners where the glue freezes more strongly. The temperature should not exceed 80-90 degrees Celsius, so as not to damage the display matrix on the back side.
How do you know if the glue is heated?
After warming up, stick a suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the edge, and gently pull up while inserting a plastic mediator into the gap. Lead the instrument around the perimeter, trying not to touch the center part where the plumes and components are located. Act slowly so that the glass does not crack.
Dismantling an old battery and connecting a new one
When you remove the back cover, you'll see the inside of the smartphone, and the battery in the Xiaomi Mi5 is mounted on a double-sided tape and covered with a plastic cover that's also glued, and you'll first have to unscrew the screws that hold the protective plate over the battery connector.
Turning off the plume is a delicate operation. Use a plastic blade to plug the connector up. Metal tools are strictly forbidden here, as you can damage the contacts on the board or cause a short circuit if the battery is still charged.
Removing the battery itself often requires a solvent, so you can drop a little isopropyl alcohol or a special adhesive solvent (B-7000) under the edges of the battery and wait a few minutes to soften the adhesive layer, and you can tweak the battery from the connector side using a plastic card or a shoulder blade.
| Phase | Action. | Risks. | Tool. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Removal of the protective plate | Breaking screw thread | Screwdriver 0.8 mm |
| 2 | Shutting down the plume | By contact | Plastic spatula |
| 3 | Dissolving glue | Liquid entering the speaker | Syringe, alcohol |
| 4 | Battery extraction | Puncture of the battery body | Plastic card |
⚠️ Warning: If the new battery case is swelling or has insulation damage, do not connect it to the board in any case.
The new battery is installed in reverse order. Before sticking it, make sure to check the operability: plug the plume, turn on the phone and make sure it responds to charging. Only after a successful test, apply a new layer of glue or double-sided tape.
Assembly of the device and checking leakage
The final assembly requires removing all residues of the old adhesive from the frame of the body and the back cover. The surface must be perfectly clean and fat-free to ensure reliable adhesion of the new adhesive. Apply the adhesive in a thin layer around the perimeter, avoiding camera and dynamics.
Once the back cover is installed, the phone needs to be fixed, using special clamps or tight bands that press the glass against the frame while the glue is drying (usually for 1-2 hours).
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Use a stationery gum wrapped around the phone in two directions (cross-cross) to evenly press the lid while the glue is drying.
After drying, wipe the body and check the density of the elements. There should be no gaps. Turn on your smartphone and run a primary diagnostic: check the response of the touchscreen, vibration and the correct display of the percentage of charge.
Calibration and first launch
After the battery is replaced, the power controller may not display the charge level correctly. To calibrate the new battery in the Android system, it is recommended to perform a full charge-discharge cycle, which will help the system correctly determine the capacity and disconnection points.
Discharge the phone until it is completely turned off (0%). Then, without turning the screen on, charge it to 100%. After reaching full charge, leave it on the charger for another hour. Then perform a forced reboot by pressing the Volume Up + Power buttons.
Repeat the full cycle procedure 2-3 times. In modern smartphones with Xiaomi controllers, this process often occurs automatically in the background, but manual calibration ensures more accurate operation of the indicator in the first weeks of operation.
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Proper battery calibration after replacement avoids situations where the phone turns off at 20% charge or shows 100% immediately after disconnection from the network.