Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its back cover made of glass or glossy plastic (depending on the modification) often suffers from bumps, scratches or cracks. If your device lost its presentable appearance or the lid cracked after falling, do not rush to contact the service center: you can replace it yourself, saving up to 70% of the cost of repair.
In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo and video instruction, a list of tools you need, and key nuances to avoid errors: we will discuss how to properly unplug an old lid without damaging the plumes, what adhesives to use to fix a new one, and what to do if after replacing you have problems with NFC or wireless charging, and we will separately focus on choosing a quality spare part, original or analog, and how not to run into a fake.
Important: The procedure requires care and patience: If you've never disassembled a smartphone, practice on an unnecessary device, or watch a training video to the end before you start work, the average replacement time for beginners is 1.5-2 hours, for experienced ones - 40-60 minutes.
Preparation for replacement: tools and materials
Before you start dismantling, make sure you have everything you need, and even one tool that is missing can damage the body or internal components, and here is the full list that you will need to do the job:
- 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (2-3 pieces) - for gently putting the lid. Metal tools should not be used!
- 🔥 Hair dryer or heat station - for softening the glue (optimum temperature 60-80)°C).
- 🧲 Suction cups (1-2 pcs) - will help to lift the cover after heating.
- 🛠️ Screwdriver. T3 and T4 — mid-frame.
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — to remove glue residues from the frame and body.
- 📦 The new back cover is the original (MDY10EEA version 4/64GB) or a quality analogue (for example, from Huaqin).
- 💧 Clay. B-7000 or T-7000 — for fixing a new cover (alternative - bilateral scotch) 3M 9448A).
- 📱 Tweezers and antistatic bracelet – for working with small details and protection from static electricity.
If you buy a lid separately, look at its article and compatibility. For example, a Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo) will fit a lid from the Redmi Note 8T (willow), but not from the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) — the latter has a different size and location of antenna lines. Also check whether the lid comes with a protective film for the camera and logo — it is often forgotten to stick, which eventually erases the paint.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a household hair dryer to heat the lid, it gives out an uneven flow of air and can overheat the display or battery. The best option is a temperature-adjusted construction dryer or a dedicated station for repairing smartphones.
Step 1: Remove the old back cover
Start by turning off your smartphone and retrieving SIM-cards and memory cards (if installed:
- Heat the cover. Warm up the back with a hair dryer evenly for 2-3 minutes, holding it at a distance of 5-7 cm. Start at the edges, then move to the center. The glue should become soft, but not melted.
- Suction cups. Stick the suction cup closer to the bottom edge (where the USB-C connector is located) and pull up. If the lid doesn't lend itself, warm up the area for another 30 seconds.
- Careful compartment with the mediator. Put the plastic mediator in the gap and slowly drive it along the edge, separating the glue. Don't push too hard, there are NFC plumes and antennas under the lid.
So, pay special attention to the top, which is where the camera plumes and the fingerprint sensor are, and if the lid is glued too much, you can slightly heat that section again. Don't pull the lid too hard, because the NFC plume often breaks off from the board when it's not neatly dismantled.
Is the smartphone off?|Whether extracted SIM-card?|Will the glue warm up all over the perimeter?|Are plastic mediators and suction cups ready?|Is there an isopropyl alcohol nearby for cleaning?-->
If the lid is cracked, be careful with the glass shards, put on gloves and work in a well-lit place, and for convenience, you can videotape the process, which will help you put the smartphone back together properly.
Step 2: Cleaning the frame and preparing to install a new cover
After removing the old cover, you have to remove the glue residue from the aluminum frame and the inside of the new cover.
- Moisten a cotton cotton cotton disc or microfibre wipe in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the frame. Don't use acetone or solvents - they can damage the coating!
- Remove the glue from the new lid (if any) and usually there are sticky traces of protective film on the factory parts.
- Check the integrity of the sealing gum around the camera and the fingerprint sensor. If it is damaged, replace it (Article XM-1028 for Redmi Note 8).
Notice the antenna contacts are thin metal strips around the perimeter of the lid, and they have to fit tightly to the frame, otherwise the Wi-Fi and 4G signal will deteriorate. If the contacts are bent, carefully align them with tweezers.
| Element | What to check. | Consequences of neglect |
|---|---|---|
| NFC plume | Integrity and density of adjoinance | Contactless payment will not work. |
| Antenna contacts | Cleanliness and evenness | Bad network signal or Wi-Fi |
| Camera sealer | No ruptures | Dust hitting the lens |
| The glue layer | Uniform application | The lid will move around the edges. |
⚠️ Warning: If you use double-sided tape instead of glue, cut it into strips 3-4 mm wide and stick around the perimeter of the lid, stepping 1-2 mm from the edges. Do not cover the speaker and microphone holes with tape!
Step 3: Installation of a new cover and fixation
Before installing a new cover, check its compatibility:
- 🔍 The holes for the camera, fingerprint sensor and connectors must match the original.
- 📏 Sizes – compare with the old cover, attaching them to each other.
- 🎨 Color – shades may differ from party to party (especially the “green” and “blue” variants).
Then proceed with the algorithm:
- Apply glue. If you use the B-7000, squeeze a thin strip around the perimeter of the frame, step 2 mm away from the edges. For tape, remove the protective layer gradually as the lid is glued.
- Lay plumes. Carefully spread the NFC plume and antenna contacts so they don't get hushed up.
- Press the lid. Start at the top (camera side), then gradually press the side and bottom. Use a soft roller or fingers to evenly distribute the pressure.
- Fix: Place your smartphone under a load (such as a book) for 10 to 15 minutes or use soft-plated rods.
Critically, don't turn on your smartphone right after assembly! Let the glue dry for at least 1 hour (for the B-7000) or 30 minutes (for 3M Scotch) otherwise the lid may move away when heated during operation.
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Before you fix it, check if the glue is on the speaker or microphone, and then blow into the microphone hole, and the air must pass freely.
Step 4: Checking the performance after replacement
After drying the glue, turn on the smartphone and check all the functions that could have suffered when replacing the cover:
- 📶 Network and Wi-Fi. Make sure the signal is stable (check in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network signal).
- 💳 NFC And Google Pay. Try paying through the terminal or reading the tag.
- 🔊 Check the speaker and microphone (for example, by recording a voice message).
- 📸 Take test shots on the main and front cameras, turn on Portrait mode.
- 🔋 Wireless charging. If your model supports Qi, check charging at a wireless station.
If something doesn't work, don't panic, and 90 percent of the time, it's re-disassembly and contact checks.
- 🔌 NFC doesn't work → Check the plume (often it is simply not fully inserted into the connector).
- 📡 Bad signal from the network → Check the antenna contacts on the lid and frame.
- 🔊 Quiet sound in the dynamics → Remove the glue or dust from the hole.
What if the smartphone does not turn on after replacing the cover?
Selection of spare parts: original vs analog
When you buy a new lid, you'll have to choose between the original part and the original part.
| Parameter | The original cover | Quality analogue | Cheap analogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price, ₽ | 1 200–1 800 | 600–1 000 | 300–500 |
| Materials | Tempered glass (or matted plastic) | Glass or plastic with protective coating | Thin plastic without protection |
| Compatibility with NFC | 100% | 90–95% | 50–70% |
| Color rendering | A perfect match to the original | There may be minor differences | Noticeable differences in shade |
| Guarantee | Yes (when buying from official suppliers) | Sometimes (1-3 months) | No. |
If you choose an analogue, give preference to proven brands:
- 🏆 Huaqin is one of the best parts manufacturers for Xiaomi.
- 🥈 Shenzhen YTO — Good Price/Quality Relationship.
Avoid unlabeled or “For Xiaomi” parts – these are almost always fakes with a poor fit and NFC idle.
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Even the original cover may not work if it's designed for another version of the Redmi Note 8 (for example, for the version with and without NFC, the location of the antennas is different).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing the back cover. TOP-5 Problems and ways to prevent them:
- Damage to the plume NFC. ❌ Error: Abrupt removal of the lid without warming up or careless undermining by the mediator. ✅ Solution: Warm up the lid evenly and use two suction cups - one for lifting, the second for fixing.
- Bad network signal after replacement. ❌ Error: Antenna contacts on the lid do not touch the frame. ✅ Solution: Check the smoothness of the contacts with tweezers and, if necessary, bend them.
- The lid is moving out at the edges. ❌ Mistake: Insufficient glue or uneven pressing. ✅ Solution: Use rods or place your smartphone under load for 1-2 hours.
- Wireless charging is not working. ❌ Error: Cover without Qi support or incorrectly installed coil. ✅ Solution: Check the compatibility of the spare part and reinstall the coil (it is attached to a double-sided tape).
- Scratches on a new cover in a week. ❌ Error: Buying a cheap analogue without protective coating. ✅ Solution: Plug the protective film on the cover immediately after installation.
If you have damaged a plume or antenna, do not try to repair them yourself - this requires soldering work and special equipment, in which case it will be cheaper to buy a new lid with already installed plumes (they are often sold as a collection).