Replacement of the back cover on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a detailed guide with nuances

The back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is one of the most vulnerable parts of the smartphone. Over time, it gets scratched, cracks when falling or simply loses its presentable appearance. Many users are afraid to change it themselves for fear of damaging the internal components or breaking the tightness. However, with the right approach, the replacement procedure is no more difficult than replacing the battery – the main thing is to know the key points and use quality materials.

In this article, we will analyze the entire process from tool preparation to final assembly, take into account typical beginner errors (for example, improper heating or glue selection) and give recommendations for the choice of spare parts. Special attention will be paid to the preservation of water protection – after all, Redmi Note 8 Pro, despite the lack of official protection. IP-It's a certificate, it's partially moisture-protected, because it's sluggish. If you've never taken a smartphone apart, don't worry, our guide is designed for users with no experience.

Whether to change the cover yourself or better to contact the service? It depends on your confidence and the availability of tools. In the service for the replacement will take from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (depending on the region), while a self-replacement will cost 300-800 rubles (cost of the cover + glue).

Training: tools and materials

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need, and even one tool that you don't have can cause damage to the plumes or chips on the body.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (2-3 pieces) - for careful putting of the cover. Metal will not work!
• 🔥 A hair dryer or a thermo-air station to soften the glue, the hair dryer's power must be at least 1,600 watts.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Acetone or solvent can't be used, because they'll damage the plastic.
• 📦 New back cover - original or high-quality analogue (more on this below).
• 🧲 Double-sided tape or glue B-7000 — The original Xiaomi glue is hard to buy, but the analogues work just as well.
• 🔍 Lump or magnifying glass - will help to see small latches and contacts.
• 📱 Suction cups (optional) – will simplify the removal of the lid, but are not mandatory.

Pay special attention to the choice of glue, cheap superglue or instant glue will cause the next repair will have to break the lid.

• 🟢 B-7000 — elastic, does not damage plastic, is easily removed with alcohol.
• 🟢 3M VHB — double-sided tape for electronics, securely fixing, but more difficult to install.
• 🔴 Superglue (cyanacrylate) - fragile, can damage plumes during dismantling.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a dryer, keep it 10-15 cm away from the body and move constantly to avoid overheating the battery.°C.

Selection of the back cover: original vs analogues

There are three types of covers available on the market for the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Original (OEM) - removed from new or used smartphones, have a Xiaomi logo and an accurate fit. minus - high price (from 1,200 rubles) and the risk of running into a fake.
2. Quality analogues are produced in the same factories as the originals, but without branding. They cost less (500-800 rubles), but may have minor differences in shade or texture.
3. Cheap replicas — often with a curved logo, inaccurate fitting to the buttons and the camera — priced from 300 rubles, but the risk of the lid creaking or going away is very high.

How to distinguish a quality cover from a fake?

• 🔍 Check the accuracy of the camera and flash cutouts – they should match the original perfectly.
• 🎨 Compare the shade of color to your smartphone in natural light (in the photo, the colors are often distorted).
• 📏 Measure the thickness of plastic – cheap replicas often thinner by 0.1–0.3 mm, which leads to backlash.
• 🔊 Knock on the lid with your nail - the original makes a deaf sound, a fake - a ringing (hollow).

If you choose a similar, give preference to trusted sellers on AliExpress or Beru with a rating above 98%. Pay attention to the reviews with photos - there is often real quality.

Step-by-step: Removing the old cover

Now, to the most critical stage, turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-This will prevent short circuits from accidentally coming into contact with the board:

Turn off your smartphone and wait for it to cool down completely.|Take off the cover and film (if any)|Prepare the workplace: flat surface, good lighting|Check for all the tools in the list above-->

1. Turn on the dryer at medium power and evenly warm the back cover for 2-3 minutes, paying special attention to the edges. The glue softens at a temperature of 60-80 ° C. To check readiness, slightly press the lid near the seam - if it is a little "plays", you can proceed to remove.
2. Put a plastic mediator in the gap between the lid and the housing at the charging connector (this is the most vulnerable place). Carefully drive the mediator along the seam, gradually detaching the lid. If you feel resistance, do not push harder, you better warm up the problem area again.
3. When the lid is 2 to 3 mm apart, gently lift it from the bottom corner, and be careful, you have fingerprint scanner plumes and antenna contacts glued to the lid, and if they break, you have to change the board.

⚠️ Warning: If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't use metal tools or try to pull it off by force. Most likely, the glue hasn't warmed up enough. Reheat for another 1-2 minutes, focusing on the "hard" areas.

When you take the lid off, you'll see the inside of the smartphone, and don't touch the battery, motherboard, or plumes with your fingers, because static electricity can damage them, and if there's glue left on the board or battery, remove it with alcohol and cotton swab.

💡

If the lid is particularly hard on (for example, after previous repairs), use a thin guitar string or fishing line. Run it along the seam like a knife to cut the glue. This method requires skill, but is guaranteed to keep the body intact.

Cleaning the case and preparing for the installation of a new cover

Before installing a new lid, you must carefully clean the case of old glue and dust, which will ensure maximum adhesion and prevent detachment in the future.

• 🧹 Remove large pieces of glue with a plastic scraper or mediator. Do not use metal!
• 🧴 Wet the cotton disc in isopropyl alcohol and wipe the entire perimeter of the body, including the slots under the latches.
• 🔍 Check the integrity of the sealing gum around the buttons and the speaker. If it is torn, replace it (you can cut it from thin foam).
• 🧲 Apply a new glue with a thin layer on the body, retreating 1-2 mm from the edges (so that the excess does not get inside).

Pay special attention to the areas around:

• Type-C connector - dust often accumulates here, which interferes with the tight fit.
• Volume and power buttons – if the glue gets into the mechanism, the buttons can stick.
• Antenna lines (metal stripes on the sides) – they can not be scratched or bent.

If you use double-sided tape (e.g. 3M VHB), cut it into strips 3-5 mm wide and stick them in 1-1.5 cm increments around the perimeter, which will ensure a uniform fit without bubbles.

Installation of a new cover and assembly

Now, to the final stage, make sure that the new cover does not have a protective film (if you have one, remove it).

1. Place the lid on the body, combining the camera cutouts, flash and fingerprint scanner. Make sure all the holes match perfectly - even a minimal shift will lead to backlash.
2. If you use B-7000 glue, press the perimeter gently, starting at the center. To evenly distribute the pressure, use a heavy book or a special press (you can make a stack of books weighing 1-2 kg).
3. Check after the check-up: 🔊 Operating capacity of the speaker and microphone (no muted sounds should be made). 📶 Wi-Fi signal quality and cellular network (antenna lines must not be damaged). 🔋 Lack of backlash when pressing the cover.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on your smartphone immediately after gluing! Let the glue dry for at least 4-6 hours (for the first time). B-7000) or 1-2 hours (for the 3M VHB). Including ahead of schedule can lead to detachment of the cover due to battery heating.

If you notice that the lid is creaking when you press it, it means that the glue is unevenly applied or the lid is deformed, in which case you will have to repeat the procedure, clearing the case of old glue.

💡

The most common mistake when replacing the lid is insufficient heating, which prevents the glue from softening and users from breaking the latches. Always heat the lid longer than it seems necessary, and use a low temperature (no more than 90°C).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing the lid.-5 Problems and ways to prevent them:

• 🔥 Overheating of the battery causes it to bloat. Always keep the hair dryer at a distance and do not heat one point longer than 10 seconds.
• 🧲 If you get glue on the plumes, you can knock out your fingerprint scanner or your speaker, and you can only put glue on the body, not the lid.
• 📱 Hole mismatch -- if the lid doesn't sit flat, don't press it. Go back to the heating step and check if there are any unconnected areas.
• 🔊 Damage to antenna lines will cause a bad signal. Use a polycarbonate mediator, not a metal.
• 💧 Water protection failure: If you don't restore the sealing gum, your smartphone will become vulnerable to moisture.

If after replacing the cover, the smartphone stopped charging or does not turn on, the probable reasons are:

• The battery plume is damaged (check if it is not detached).
• Hide the Type-C contact (take it up with tweezers).
• Short circuit due to the hit of metal shavings (complete dismantling and cleaning is necessary).

💡

If after replacing the cover, the smartphone became worse to catch the network, try restarting it or resetting the network settings in Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting. Often this helps to restore communication without redisassembling.

Restoring water protection: myths and reality

The Redmi Note 8 Pro doesn't have an official water protection certificate (IP67/IP68), but its body is glued around the perimeter, which gives basic spray protection. Once the lid is replaced, this protection is broken, and the smartphone becomes vulnerable to moisture. Can it be restored?

There are several methods:

• 🛡️ Electronic sealant (e.g. Loctite 5699) - is applied in a thin layer at the joints. It does not block buttons, but requires accuracy.
• 🧴 Silicone lubricant -- treat sealing gum with it before assembly. It improves tightness, but it doesn't give you 100% protection.
• 📦 Hydrophobic coatings (like Nano-Coating) sprayed onto a board, protect against condensation, but not against direct water intake.

It's important to understand that you can't restore a full-fledged water protection system like flagships, the most you'll get is rain protection or accidental splash protection, and if you need reliable water protection, consider buying an IP68-certified sealed case.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions