Modern smartphones line Xiaomi, whether flagship Mi or popular Redmi, are equipped with high-quality displays, which, alas, are extremely vulnerable to mechanical damage. Even the strong glass Gorilla Glass can not withstand falling on the pavement or contact with keys in your pocket, so installing an additional protective layer becomes a necessity for every owner.
Many users mistakenly believe that the process of glass sticker requires sterile laboratory conditions and special tools available only in service centers. In fact, the protective glass can be installed yourself, if you follow the accuracy and the algorithm of actions described in this guide.
In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of surface preparation, ways to remove the smallest villi and methods of perfect alignment without distortion. You will learn how to avoid the appearance of irritating bubbles and why hydrogel film can be worse than tempered glass in certain conditions of use.
Choosing the right protective coating for the display
The first step is to choose the right accessory, as the market is oversaturated with goods of different quality. Xiaomi smartphones often produce glass labeled Full Glue, which means the presence of an adhesive layer throughout the area, not just along the contour, which provides better adhesion and no “rainbow effect” on the edges.
Pay attention to the hardness of the material, which is usually labeled as 9H, although this parameter indicates resistance to scratches rather than the ability to withstand impacts. It is also important to consider the presence of an oleophobic coating that repels greasy finger marks and ensures smooth sliding of the finger on the screen.
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When buying glass for Xiaomi with curved edges (2.5D), choose models with a black frame if you want to hide possible sticker defects around the perimeter of the screen.
There is also a difference between the usual transparent glass and the options with the Privacy effect (anti-spy), which darken the image when viewed from an angle. For game models of the Black Shark or Redmi K series, it is better to choose the thinnest glass, so as not to disturb the sensitivity of the touchscreen.
- 🛡️ Tempered glass is the best choice for protection from impacts and chips when falling.
- 💧 Hydrogel film - well hides small scratches, but worse protects against point impacts.
- 🌑 Privacy Glass – protects data privacy but reduces screen brightness.
- 🎮 Gaming glass – have increased sensitivity and special coating for gamers.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The quality of the result depends on the conditions in which the procedure will be performed. The ideal place is the bathroom, where you pre-include hot water for 10-15 minutes, so that the steam "nailed" all the dust flying in the air to the surfaces.
The standard set of most protective glasses for Xiaomi already includes a basic set: a wet wipe for degreasing, a dry microfiber cloth and a sticky sticker for removing dust. However, experienced craftsmen recommend additional preparation of a bright light source, such as a desk lamp, to see the smallest contamination.
⚠️ Note: Do not carry out the procedure on carpets, fluffy blankets or near open windows in windy weather, as villi and dust particles are the main enemies of the perfect sticker.
For more complex cases, when you need to remove old broken glass or remove stuck dust, you may need medical alcohol and a can of compressed air.
☑️ Preparation for glass sticker
Cleaning the screen from contamination
The most critical step, which depends on 90% of the success of the entire operation: Start by thoroughly wiping the screen with a wet wipe, paying special attention to the corners and dynamic grid speaker, where often accumulates fat and dirt.
After wet treatment, you need to dry the surface with microfiber circular motions, and it is important to achieve a state where you can not see any divorces, fingerprints or oily spots when you are sidelighted against the black background of the screen.
The final touch is to use a sticky sticker, which you can walk around the display area, gently gluing and peeling off to collect microscopic villi that you can't see but will create noticeable bubbles when you put the glass in.
| Cleaning phase | Tool. | Purpose of use | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degreasing | Wet wipe. | Fat and dirt removal | Don't rub too hard at the speakers |
| Polishing | Microfiber | Removal of divorces | Use only clean fabrics. |
| Dust removal | Sticky sticker | Microparticle collection | Touch only the working side |
| Controlling | Sidelight | Quality check | Looking at a sharp angle |
Sticking and alignment techniques
When the surface is perfectly clean, take the protective glass by the side edges, trying not to touch the adhesive layer with your fingers. Bring it to the smartphone screen and orient it through the holes for the speaker, front camera and proximity sensor.
There are two main methods: the classic one, where the glass is first placed on the screen for fitting, and the one-touch method, which is better for beginners, where you first carefully put the glass, check the alignment, and then, raising one edge, remove the protective film from the adhesive base.
After removing the bottom film, gently lower the glass onto the screen, starting at one edge, so that the air comes out gradually, and if you use high-quality glass with silicone adhesive, it will begin to "spread" around the screen, displacing the air.
What to do if the glass is crooked?
To make the edges fit, especially on Xiaomi's curved displays, you can slightly press the center with your fingers and swipe from center to edge. Don't be afraid of moderate pressure, modern glass is quite durable.
Removal of air bubbles and defects
Even with careful operation, small air pockets can remain, especially in the center or at the edges, most of which will disappear on their own within 24-48 hours, but large bubbles need to be removed mechanically.
Take a plastic card wrapped in a soft cloth, and force the bubble to the nearest edge of the screen. If the bubble contains a speck of dust, it should be gently moved to the edge, the glass should be pinned in that place, the villi removed with tweezers and glued again.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp metal objects (knives, pins) to directly squeeze out bubbles on the surface of the glass, as you can scratch the oleophobic layer or the display itself underneath it.
In some cases, it helps to use a drop of oil (for example, Vaseline) on the edge of the bladder, if it does not go away, but this method is only suitable for matte glasses or in extreme cases, as it can leave a greasy spot.
- 🌬️ Small bubbles – usually dissolve themselves in a couple of days.
- 👆 Extrusion – use a soft fabric and plastic card from center to edge.
- 📍 Dust inside – requires lifting the edge of the glass and using scotch/needle.
- ⏳ Time – complete gluing takes up to 2 days, do not wet your phone at this time.
Features of installation on Xiaomi model with curved screen
Xiaomi's flagship models, such as the Mi 11, Mi 12 or 13 Pro, often feature screens with heavily curved edges (2.5D or 3D) -- the regular flat glass on such devices either doesn't stick to the sides, forming a white bezel, or peels off over time.
For such smartphones, it is critically important to choose glass labeled Full Glue (full glue) or UV-The latter require special liquid glue and drying with an ultraviolet lamp, which ensures perfect fit throughout the bending area.
When installing a regular 2.5D glass on a curved screen Redmi Note or Xiaomi Mi series, often problems with touchscreen barriers (blind areas at the edges), in this case, helps the use of a special installation frame (frame), which fixes the glass strictly in the center.
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For screens with 3D-Use only specialized bends. UV-glass or hydrogel films, as ordinary tempered glass will not repeat the shape and will constantly move away at the edges.
It is also worth considering that phone cases can conflict with thick protective glass. If you are wearing a tight shockproof case, make sure that the glass chosen is a compatible size (Case Friendly) so that the case does not undercut the edge of the protection.