How to change the display Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite: instructions

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite smartphone, released in 2018, still pleases users with its design and performance, but the glass rear panel and thin screen bezels make it vulnerable to falls. Broken glass or spots on the matrix are common problems faced by owners of this model. Self-replacement of the display allows you to save a significant amount, since service centers often account for up to 70% of the cost of the device.

The replacement process requires precision and a basic set of tools, but it is not very difficult for a person who knows how to work with his hands. The key here is to properly unplug the plumes and work carefully with the adhesive base so as not to damage the case. In this article, we will discuss in detail each step, from the preparation of the workplace to the final check of the health of the assembled machine.

Before you start dismantling, you need to make sure you get a quality component. The market is full of copies, so it's important to distinguish the original or high-quality copy of the LCD + Touch class from cheap counterparts with poor color reproduction. Be sure to check the touchscreen and the presence of protective film on the matrix before you start assembling the case. Take your time, prepare the place and read the instructions carefully each step.

Tools and workplace preparation

The success of a display replacement operation depends 90 percent on preparation. You don't need a professional engineer's desk, but a clean, well-lit space is essential. Trying to repair on the carpet or in the dark often results in the loss of small screws or dust under the screen, which is especially critical for thin-framed models.

The Mi 8 Lite will require a specific set of tools, because the design of the smartphone involves the use of glue and hidden screws. A standard screwdriver will not be enough, you need a precision set. Lack of the right tool can lead to torn screw hats or damage to plastic latches of the case.

  • πŸ”§ Set of screwdrivers: mandatory presence of cross PH000 and flat screwdriver.
  • πŸ”₯ Dryer or thermal pack: to soften the glue holding the back cover and display.
  • 🎴 Plastic mediators and sucker: for safe opening of the body without scratches.
  • πŸ§ͺ Isopropyl alcohol and glue B-7000 or T-7000: for cleaning the residues of adhesive and fixing new parts.

Special attention is paid to the organization of space for screws. In a smartphone, screws of different lengths are used, and if you confuse them when you build, you can damage the motherboard or battery. It is recommended to use a magnetic mat or ordinary white paper, on which you can schematically draw the location of the screws and put them in the appropriate places.

Diagnosis and selection of components

Before disassembling the device, it is important to determine the nature of the malfunction. If the glass is broken, but the image is clear and the touchscreen reacts, you can only replace the glass (which requires special equipment for repainting) or the module assembled. For home repairs, the optimal option is to replace the LCD + Touch module assembled with or without a frame.

When buying a new part for Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, pay attention to the type of matrix. The original screens are made using IPS technology, which provides excellent viewing angles. Cheap counterparts often have color inversion or β€œdead” zones at the edges. It is also worth checking the package: the presence of adhesive base greatly simplifies the assembly process.

πŸ“Š What's your problem with the screen?
The glass is broken, but the touch is working.
Totally smashed screen and touch
Spots or stripes appeared.
Screen goes out or flickers

There are two main types of spare parts: framed and non-framed. A framed module costs more, but eliminates the need to reglue an old display, risking damage. For beginners, we strongly advise buying a framed module as it reduces repair time and minimizes risks.

Disassembly of the body and battery disconnection

Starting the disassembly process by turning off the smartphone, which is critical to preventing short circuits when the plumes are disconnected, the Mi 8 Lite rear panel is glued around the perimeter, so you can't open it without heating it up.

Heat the back cover with a hair dryer around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. Don't hold the hair dryer too close to avoid overheating the battery or the display itself. After heating, use a suction cup to create a small gap at the bottom, and gently insert a plastic mediator.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal blades or knives to open the back cover.You can damage the plume (fingerprint scanner) that runs near the edges, or break through the battery, which will cause a fire.

Swipe the mediator around the perimeter, snapping the adhesive layer. When the lid is free, remove it. Immediately, without waiting for other actions, find the battery connector and disconnect it from the motherboard. To do this, gently slap the connector with a plastic blade.

β˜‘οΈ Checking before disassembly

Done: 0 / 4

Once the power is turned off, you can start removing the protective metal plate that covers the main connectors, and it's attached with several screws that you need to unscrew and fold into a separate container, and now access to the display plumes is open.

Dismantling the old display

If you bought a bezel-free module, the dismantling process will be more time-consuming. You will need to remove the dynamic conversational speaker, which is often glued to the old frame, and carefully separate the display itself. In the case of the Mi 8 Lite, the screen is also glued to the front of the body, so you will need to reheat the front panel.

Heat the front of your smartphone. Be careful: the heat goes directly to the matrix that you may be planning to throw away, but it's important not to overheat the body until the plastic deforms. Use a suction cup and mediators to separate the display module from the body as you move around the perimeter.

PhaseTool.Heat timeRisks.
Removal of the back coverFryer, sucker.2-3 minutesDamage to the scanner plume
Plugging off the displayFryer, line/med. map3-5 minutesBreaking of the backlight plume
Cleaning the frameAlcohol, blade.-Scratches on metal

Once the module is physically separated, you need to disconnect the plume from the display board itself (if the module is without a frame), or simply remove the entire unit. Clean the frame of the old glue. This can be done with your fingers by rolling the glue into the coils, or using isopropyl alcohol to dissolve the residue.

What to do if the plume is broken?
If you've damaged the main display plume in the dismantling, it's almost impossible to re-seal it at home with soldering, you'll need to buy a new module, but if the fingerprint scanner plume has broken off, you can gently glue it with conductive glue, but that's a temporary solution.

Installation of a new module and assembly

Before you finally lock the new screen, make sure to test the connection, connect the display plume and the touchscreen plume to the motherboard, connect the battery and turn on the smartphone. Check the image for broken pixels, touch layer operation and brightness.

If everything works correctly, turn off the phone, turn off the battery and apply a new glue. For the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, the B-7000 or T-7000 adhesive is best. Apply it with a thin strip along the perimeter of the frame, avoiding getting into the camera or on the speaker.

  • πŸ§ͺ Apply the glue in a thin layer on a low-fat frame.
  • πŸ“± Carefully install the display starting at the top (where the speaker is located).
  • ⏱ Press the screen and fix it with rubber bands on 15-20 minutes for primary polymerization.

Once the display is installed, put everything back together: plug the battery, install metal protection, screw the screws. The back cover also needs to be cleaned of the old glue and a new layer of adhesive applied before the final close.

πŸ’‘

Use a stationery gum or a special press clip to lock the screen during the drying of the glue, which will ensure uniform fit and no gaps at the edges.

Frequent errors and troubleshooting

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get nuanced. One of the most common mistakes is that the connector fits poorly. If the screen doesn't light up after assembly, don't panic. Most likely, the plume is not fully inserted or skewed. Take it apart again and reconnect with a characteristic click.

Another problem is touchscreen dead zones or phantom presses, which can be caused by static electricity or poor grounding. Make sure all screws are twisted, as they often serve as ground contacts for shielding plates.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has stopped seeing after the screen has been replaced SIM-Check the antenna plume, if it's not sloppy, it's easy to touch or disconnect, and make sure the antenna connector sits tightly in place.

In some cases, users find that the proximity sensor stops working correctly after replacement, often due to the thickness of the protective glass or the quality of the copy, in the settings you can try to calibrate the sensor or turn on the β€œin-pocket” mode.

πŸ’‘

The main cause of problems after replacement is inattention when connecting the plumes. Always check the density of the connection before you twist the screws.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

Do I need to remove the battery to replace the screen?
You don't have to take the battery completely off, but you have to take the plume off the motherboard at the beginning, and that will turn it off and prevent short circuits, and you only have to take it off if it's interfering with the bottom screws or if you're planning to change it.
Can you replace the glass by leaving the old LCD?
Theoretically, you can, but it requires special equipment: a separator to separate the glass and a laminator to stick new. At home, without experience and tools, you have a 99% chance of crushing the matrix. It is easier and more reliable to buy a module assembled.
Why does the screen turn yellow or have a different shade after replacement?
This is a hallmark of a poor-quality, non-original matrix. Xiaomi's original screens have great color reproduction. If the shade is very different, you may have been sold a cheap copy. You can also adjust the color reproduction a little bit on the engineering menu or through screen calibration apps, but that won't change that radically.
How long does the B-7000 glue dry?
The primary grip occurs in 3-5 minutes, but the glue gains full strength within 24 hours. Therefore, on the first day after repair, try not to drop the phone or put it under stress, so as not to disturb the tightness of the case.