Replacement of the rear cover on Xiaomi Redmi 8: disassembly, glue, installation

The back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most vulnerable parts of the smartphone, and over time it gets scratched, cracked by falls, or moved away from the body due to wear and tear of the adhesive layer. Many users face the need to replace it, but are afraid of damaging the internal components. In fact, the procedure is not as difficult as it seems, if you act carefully and use the right tools.

In this article, we'll go into detail about the process, from the workspace to the final assembly, what materials you'll need, how to safely separate the lid from the body, and what to do if the glue doesn't hold, and we'll also talk about common mistakes that cause plumes or sensors to break so you don't repeat them.

If your Redmi 8 has crashed and cracks have broken on the lid, or you just want to redesign, this is the guide for you. The main rule: take your time and follow the steps consistently. Even without experience repairing smartphones, you can cope in 30-40 minutes.

Preparation for replacement: tools and materials

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need, and not even one tool can complicate the process or damage your phone.

• 🔧 Plastic blades (2-3 pieces) - for gently lashing the lid. Metal tools should not be used!
• 🔥 A hair dryer or a thermo-air station to soften the glue, and even a household hair dryer, but with temperature adjustment, will do.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Acetone or solvents are not suitable for cleaning glue residues!
• 📦 The new back cover is an original or quality version. M1908C3JG (Redmi 8 global version).
• 🧲 Double-sided tape or glue B-7000 — The original Xiaomi glue is hard to buy, but the analogues work just as well.
• 🔋 Suction cups (optional) – help lift the lid after heating, but not necessarily.

Also prepare your workspace: a table with good lighting, a soft substrate (like a silicone mat), and cog containers. Never disassemble your phone on a carpet or couch - static electricity can damage the board, and small parts are easily lost.

⚠️ Warning: If you replace the lid because of cracks, the nitrile gloves you wear will protect you from cutting on the sharp edges.

Step 1: Reheating and removing the old cover

The most important step is to separate the lid from the body, and it's glued around the perimeter, and if you pull it by force, you can tear the plumes or tear the antenna contacts off.

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-The battery doesn't need to be disconnected, but if it's swelling, it's strictly forbidden to replace the lid without first dismantling the battery.
2. Heat the edges of the body with a hairdryer (temperature 60–80)°C) for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm, constantly moving it so as not to overheat the plastic.
3. Put the lid on a plastic blade from any angle (better start at the power button side). If it doesn't respond, warm up for another 1 minute.
4. Carefully swipe the perimeter, separating the glue. Don't try to rip the lid off sharply - the plumes of the fingerprint scanner and the camera pass under it!

If the lid is lifted but not removed completely, check if there are any remaining undetached glue areas. NFC-antennas (top left corner) and dynamics (bottom part).

Warm up the problem area with a hair dryer for another 30 seconds|

Try to poke around from the other corner.|

Use the suction cup for uniform lifting|

Check if the fingerprint scanner plume is clinging.-->

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8, the fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the inside of the lid. If you pull it hard, it will break! Separate the lid slowly, holding the plume with the second hand.

Step 2: Removing old glue and surface preparation

Once the lid is removed, you'll see the glue residue on the phone frame and inside the lid, and you'll have to remove it completely, or the new part will fall off unevenly or quickly.

• 🧽 Soak the cotton-coated disc in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the phone frame. Don't use wet wipes - they leave the pile.
• 🧴 For persistent glue residues, a wooden stick (for example, from ice cream) can be used to tuck in dried lumps.
• 🔍 Check if there are any glue pieces left in the screw holes and around the connectors, and their presence may prevent the new cover from fitting tightly.

Pay special attention to the area around the camera and the fingerprint scanner, where dust and dirt often accumulate, which worsen the adhesion of the new glue. If there is corrosion on the metal frame (for example, from moisture), clean it with a stripe or fine sandpaper (grain content 1000).+).

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If after cleaning the frame remains sticky traces, wipe it with white spirit (only 1 time!) It evaporates without residue and does not damage the plastic, unlike acetone.

Step 3: Transfer components from the old cover

The new cover is without any small parts, so you need to carefully rearrange them from the old one. On Xiaomi Redmi 8, this is:

• 📸 Camera and flash are screwed up with two screws. Unscrew them with a cross screwdriver. PH00, so as not to tear the slime.
• 👆 Fingerprint scanner glued to the lid, separate it with a plastic blade, heating it with a hair dryer (temperature 50)°C).
• 🔊 The speaker is attached to a double-sided tape, and you can slap it on the edge and glue it to a new cover.
• 📶 NFC-An antenna is a thin film under the lid. If it breaks, you can buy a new one separately (article: XM-NFC-R8).

When you move the fingerprint scanner, be careful: its plume is very fragile. If it breaks off, you have to buy a new module (cost). ~1500–2000 ₽). Before peeling off, take a picture of the location of the parts on the old cover - this will help them correctly place on the new one.

Step 4: Install a new cover and fix with glue

Now, the most important thing is to stick a new lid, and how well you fit it, it's not just aesthetics that matter, it's also the performance of the buttons, the dynamics and the performance of the buttons. NFC. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Apply glue to the frame of the phone. If you use double-sided tape, cut it in strips 3-4 mm wide and stick around the perimeter, avoiding screw holes and connectors.
2. Line the lid on the charging socket and the buttons. It should lie down without gaps. If the lid is walking, the glue is not grasped yet, press it tightly.
3. Hold the lid around the perimeter, starting at the bottom, and use clamps or heavy books to ensure a uniform fit.
4. Check the buttons, they should be pressed clearly, without backlash, and if the button goes down, then the glue has entered the mechanism.

For glue fixation B-7000 or similarly:

1. Apply a thin layer of glue to the phone frame point-by-point (each 2-3 cm).
2. Put the lid on and press it for 1-2 minutes.
3. Place the phone under a press (for example, between two books) for 12-24 hours.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone does not turn on or work after assembly NFC, You probably forgot to connect the antenna or damaged it during cleaning. Take the phone apart and check the antenna circuit with a multimeter (resistance must be in place). ~0.5-1 ohm).

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Use only special glue for smartphones (for example, B-7000 or LOCA). Superglue or PVA are not suitable – they crystallize and move away over time, and can also damage plastic.

Step 5: Checking the performance and troubleshooting

Once assembled, you need to test all the functions of the phone.

• 🔋 Charging – connect the cable and make sure the phone detects the charger.
• 📶 Network and Wi-Fi -- check signal strength and Internet speed. If the network goes down, the antenna may have gone off.
• 🔊 Speaker and microphone -- call another phone and check the sound. A muffled sound may indicate a loose fit.
• 👆 Fingerprint scanner -- add a new print and check for unlock. If the scanner doesn't work, reconnect its plume.
• 📸 Camera and flash: Take a test shot with the flash on. Blurred photos can mean that the lens is contaminated or misaligned.

If you've had a lid change, you've got a little extraneous noise when you press the screen, it means that the lid doesn't fit tightly into the frame.

• Is there any glue under the lid?
• Are the latches on the sides properly installed?
• Is there a metal frame bent (this happens after heavy blows).

If the phone does not turn on after assembly, check:

1. Is the battery connected (sometimes the plume leaves when the lid is installed).
2. Are the contacts closed on the board (check for glue or metal shavings).
3. Does the power button work (sometimes it will be triggered due to improper installation of the cover).

Where to buy spare parts and how much it costs

The price of the new lid for Xiaomi Redmi 8 depends on the material and manufacturer. Here are the approximate prices (for 2026):

When buying, pay attention to:

• 📦 Set – ideally, the cover should go with new glue and cogs.
• 🎨 Color – check with the seller if the shade is the same as your model (Ocean Blue, Onyx Black, Ruby Red).
• 📏 Accuracy of cutouts – in the photo, check whether the camera holes, speaker and microphone match.

If you are not sure about the choice, look for reviews with photos on forums (for example, 4PDA Often users post comparisons between original and non-original caps.

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When ordering from AliExpress, choose sellers with the number of orders >1,000 and rated 97%+. The product description should be indicated "For Xiaomi Redmi 8". M1908C3JG" — This is a guarantee of compatibility with the global version.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing the lid, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

• 🔥 Overheating of the body with a hairdryer - if the temperature exceeds 90°C, plastic can deform. Use a thermometer or keep a hair dryer at a safe distance.
• 🧲 Using metal tools -- they scratch the frame and they can close the contacts on the board!
• 📱 Installation of the fingerprint scanner incorrectly - if the plume is bent or clamped with a lid, the scanner will stop working.
• 🔋 Forget to turn off the battery, if you short the circuit, the board can burn. Always disconnect the battery before work!
• 🎨 Wrong lid color selection - Onyx Black and Space Black shades are different.Clarify the article with the seller.

Another common mistake is not cleaning the surfaces properly enough, so if you have old glue or dust on the frame, the new lid will move out at the edges, and use alcohol and cotton swabs to clean thoroughly, especially in the corners.

If after replacing the cover, the phone became worse to catch the network, check:

• Integrity LTE-antennae (they are located on the sides of the body).
• Density of the cover – gaps can degrade the signal.
• The presence of metal particles under the cover (they shield the signal).

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If the volume or power buttons stop working after you've replaced the lid, chances are you've misaligned the lid when you're installing it. Take the phone apart and check if the button mechanisms are clamped.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions