Xiaomi Mi 9T became a revolutionary smartphone thanks to a unique retractable front camera hidden under a mechanical curtain. However, over time, this mechanism wears out: the curtain begins to catch, creak or completely stop closing. If your Mi 9T faces a similar problem, do not rush to carry it to the service center - you can replace the curtain yourself, saving up to 70% of the cost of repair.
In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of necessary tools, tips for choosing original and analog parts, as well as common errors that lead to a breakdown of the new mechanism, we will figure out how to carefully remove the old curtain without damaging the flexible plume of the camera, and correctly install the new one so that it lasts longer than the factory one.
Warning: Repair requires precision and patience, if you've never taken your smartphones apart, practice on an unnecessary device or watch video demos before you start work.
Signs of malfunctioning curtains on Xiaomi Mi 9T
The retractable camera in the Mi 9T consists of plastic gears, metal guides and a micromotor, and over time, parts wear out and dust and dirt make the problem worse, and here are the main symptoms that indicate that replacement is needed:
- 🔊 Screaming or cracking when opening/closing the curtain is a signal that the gears are damaged or foreign particles are hit.
- 🐢 Slow operation: the curtain opens for longer than 1-2 seconds or sticks in the intermediate position.
- 🚫 Mechanism lock: camera is not pushed out and the camera is locked error appears on the screen.
- 💥 A spontaneous opening of the curtain when falling or vibrating is a sign of the springs weakening.
- 🔄 Cyclical opening/closing without user command (often associated with damage to the position sensor).
If the curtain is no longer responsive to commands, the problem may lie not only in the mechanism, but also in the power plume or control board, in which case a comprehensive diagnosis will be required.
Which curtain to choose for replacement: original vs analogues
There are three types of spare parts for Xiaomi Mi 9T:
| Type of spare part | Advantages | Deficiencies | Average price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original (OEM) | 100% compatibility, long service life, quality assurance | High cost, difficult to find on sale | 3 500–5 000 ₽ |
| Premium class analogue | Quality close to the original, more affordable | You may need a smaller resource, a smaller resource. | 1 800–2 500 ₽ |
| Budgetary analogue | Low price, fast delivery | Low reliability, possible backlashes and jamming | 800–1 500 ₽ |
When choosing, pay attention to:
- 📦 Set: The set must have a curtain, fasteners and sealing gum.
- 🔧 Compatibility: specify that the part is suitable for the M1903F10I model (global version of Mi 9T).
- 📝 Reviews: Check if there are any complaints of rapid wear or mismatches with the body.
⚠️ Warning: Cheap analogues are often made from brittle plastic that breaks when you first load, and if you plan to use your smartphone for a long time, you'd better pay more for a premium analog or the original.
Tools for replacing curtains: what you need
To disassemble the Xiaomi Mi 9T and replace the curtain mechanism, prepare the following set of tools:
Screen suction cup (∅ 5-7 cm)|Plastic blades (mediators) for disengaging the body|Screwdriver. T3 (Torx) for curtain screws|Phillips screwdriver #00 for attaching the motherboard|Tweezers with curved ends|Thermoclee or bilateral tape for fixing plumes|Hair dryer (to soften screen glue)|Antistatic bracelet (optional)-->
We also recommend:
- 🧲 Magnetic screw sorting mat (there are more than 20 screws in Mi 9T of different sizes!).
- 🔍 Loop or magnifying glass – small parts (such as curtain springs) are easy to lose.
- 📸 Smartphone to capture the process: Take pictures of each step so you don't confuse the assembly order.
Important: Do not use metal blades - they scratch the body and can damage the plumes. The best option is plastic mediators with a thickness of 0.2-0.3 mm.
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Before disassembling, completely discharge the battery (up to 0%) and leave the smartphone for 10-15 minutes. This minimizes the risk of short circuit when accidentally touching the contacts.
Step-by-step: how to remove the old curtain
Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 9T requires care. Follow the instructions strictly in order:
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM- card from the tray. Heat the screen edge dryer (60-70°C) for 2-3 minutes to soften the adhesive.
- With a suction cup, lift the screen from the bottom edge (near the USB-C connector). Put a plastic blade into the resulting gap and gently swipe it around the perimeter, separating the screen from the body. Don't prick too deep - plumes pass under the screen!
- Open the screen 90° and disconnect the battery, display and fingerprint sensor plumes (use a blade or tweezers). The plumes are fixed with latches - lift them up before extraction.
- Unscrew the 4 T3 screws holding the metal plate above the curtain. Remove the plate and gently disconnect the engine plume of the curtain (it is short - don't pull too much!).
- Unscrew the 2 T3 screws that lock the curtain mechanism. Remove the old module by pulling it upwards. Don't lose the spring that's under the curtain!
The critical point is that the camera plume is running under the motherboard, and if you accidentally pull it, the contact pad may come off, and the front camera will be inoperable!
What to do if the curtain is not removed?
Installation of a new curtain and assembly of a smartphone
Before installing the new curtain:
- 🧹 Clean the seat of dust and glue residue (use a lilac-free napkin and alcohol).
- 🔄 Check the spring: If it is deformed, replace it (comes complete with a new curtain).
- 🔌 Connect the motor plume to the board and make sure the contacts are not bent.
Installation procedure:
- Insert a new curtain into the grooves of the case and fix it with two T3 screws (do not tighten too much!).
- Install a metal plate and twist 4 screws.
- Connect the display plumes, the battery and the fingerprint sensor, and check the latches fix, and they should click.
- Apply a new layer of glue to the screen frame (or use double-sided tape) and gently press the display, starting at the top.
After assembly:
- ⚡ Connect the charging and check if the smartphone is turned on.
- 📸 Launch the front camera and open/close the curtain 3-5 times to make sure the ride is smooth.
- 🔊 Listen to any foreign sounds (squeaking, knocking).
⚠️ Warning: If the curtain is snatched after the curtain is replaced, the likely cause is a misalignment of the spring or a skewed mechanism. Take the smartphone apart and check the symmetry of the mount.
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The most common assembly error is pulling the screws of the curtain, which leads to deformation of the plastic gears and re-breaking after 1-2 months. Twisting the screws with a force of no more than 0.5 Nm (use a dynamometer screwdriver, if any).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen make mistakes when replacing the curtain Xiaomi Mi 9T. Here are the TOP-5 misses and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of an inappropriate screwdriver (e.g. T2 instead of T3) | The screws break, they cannot be unscrewed. | Check the marking of the screwdriver before work |
| Disconnection of the battery plume after screen removal | Short circuit when touching the board, failure of the power controller | Turn off the battery first thing after opening the case |
| Installation of curtain without cleaning the seat | Dust enters the mechanism, accelerates the wear of the gears | Use compressed air and alcohol to clean |
| Sticking the screen without alignment | Uneven gaps, dust ingress under the display | Use fixtures for centering (for example, a fixing frame) |
| Ignoring the curtain test before final assembly | You have to disassemble the smartphone again, the risk of damage to the plumes | Check the camera after connecting the plume, but before gluing the screen |
If the curtain does not close until the end after replacement, check:
- 🔧 Position sensor installation (small black part next to motor)
- 📏 The gap between the curtain and the body must be the same throughout the perimeter.
- 🔄 Software settings: Sometimes a firmware failure blocks the mechanism. Try resetting the camera settings to Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Reset.
Software setting after changing the curtain
In some cases, after replacing the curtain Xiaomi Mi 9T requires calibration of the mechanism through the engineering menu.
- The curtain doesn't open until the end.
- The camera gives a mechanical malfunction error.
- The mechanism works in jerks.
Calibration instructions:
- Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
- Go to the section Testing equipment → Front camera.
- Press the calibration mechanism and follow the instructions on the screen.
- After completion, restart the smartphone.
If the engineering menu is not available (for example, on custom firmware), use an alternative method:
- Install the CIT (Camera IT) app from Google Play.
- Run a front-facing camera test.
- In the test menu, find the Reset Motor option and activate it.
⚠️ Warning: Calibration resets the mechanism to factory settings. If the curtain becomes worse after the procedure, return the old settings through a backup (if it was created before the repair).