Modern smartphones in the Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO line are equipped with high-quality displays, but the screen glass remains a vulnerable element of the design. Even the most durable materials, such as the Gorilla Glass Victus, do not guarantee protection from falls or contact with sharp objects in your pocket.
The process of sticking seems simple only at first glance, but it is the rush and ignoring the trifles that lead to bubbles, skewing or villi. A quality protective film or tempered glass can take the hit, preserving the integrity of the matrix and touchscreen. In this article, we will discuss in detail each stage of preparation and installation, to make the result please you.
And don't neglect workplace preparation, because it's the environment that hides the biggest enemies of the perfect sticker -- dust and static electricity. The right tool and clean hands solve ninety percent of the problems that beginners face. Let's look at what it takes for you to successfully complete this delicate task.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Before you start, you need to organize a space. The ideal would be a table with good lighting, located away from open windows, drafts and sources of pile, such as carpets or pets. Dust flying in the air instantly settles on the low-fat surface of the screen, creating defects that are extremely difficult to remove without removing protection.
You'll need a basic kit to work with, which often comes complete with quality accessories, but it's best to prepare it yourself. The main tools are microfibers for wiping, alcohol wipes for removing fat and sticky tape for the final removal of dust, and it's also worth having a plastic smoothing card, although many use a finger in a glove.
A light bulb will help you see the smallest particles of dust that you can't see in dim light. If you can, use a magnifier or macro shot on another phone to monitor the cleanliness of the surface before you press it.
- 🧼 Alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol for surface degreasing.
- 🧶 Microfiber fabric that leaves no villi after wiping.
- 📏 Scotch or special sticky tape to remove microdust.
- 💡 Powerful light source to detect defects on black background.
⚠️ Warning: Never use paper towels, cotton swabs or regular clothes to wipe the screen before the sticker.They leave microscopic villi that will turn into air bubbles.
Choice of protective coating: glass or hydrogel
The Xiaomi accessories market offers many protection options, and the choice between them depends on your priorities. Tempered Glass provides better shock protection due to its hardness and ability to extinguish the impact energy. However, such glasses can be thicker and sometimes conflict with some cases that have high sides.
Hydrogel films are an elastic polymer that perfectly fits the curved edges of screens characteristic of the flagship models of the Mi and Xiaomi 13/14 series. They are almost invisible on the screen and do not beat, but they are worse protected from point impacts with sharp objects. Hydrogel also has the property of self-healing small scratches.
When choosing glass, it is important to pay attention to the hardness of the Mohs scale and the oleophobic coating. Quality coating repels greasy spots and ensures smooth slipping of the finger. Cheap analogues quickly wear off, after which the screen begins to look blurry and reacts less to touch.
| Characteristics | Tempered glass | Hydrogel film | hydrogel glass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact protection | Tall. | Medium | Tall. |
| Scratching protection | Great. | Good. | Great. |
| Tactile sensations | Like a home screen. | A little softer. | Like a home screen. |
| Compatibility with covers | Requires selection | Universal. | Requires selection |
Screen cleaning process before sticker
The most critical step, which is responsible for 90% of success, is to prepare the display surface. Even if the screen appears visually clean, there are always microparticles of skin fat and dust on it. Start by thoroughly washing your hands with soap so you don't have to deal with new contaminants as you work.
Use a wet alcohol wipe for the initial processing. Movements should be confident, but without strong pressure, covering the entire screen area, including the edges. Don't be afraid to touch the dynamic conversational speaker or proximity sensor, modern Xiaomi smartphones are quite airtight in this area.
After the alcohol, make sure to wipe the screen with a dry microfiber, cleaning the stains. Then turn on the flashlight on the other phone and look at the surface at an angle in bright light. If you see the specks, remove them with sticky tape, gently pressing and tearing it off without driving on the screen.
☑️ Screen preparation checklist
If you accidentally touch the screen with your finger after cleaning, the degreasing process must be repeated completely, and the fatty traces disrupt the adhesion of the adhesive layer, which will lead to unpatched areas around the perimeter or in the center.
Sticker technology: step-by-step algorithm
There are two main sticker methods: dry and wet (using soap solution). For most protective glasses on the Redmi Note and Poco, a dry method is recommended, as it is easier for beginners and requires less manipulation. The wet method is good for aligning curved glass, but requires experience.
With the dry method, remove the bottom protective layer and gently apply the glass to the screen, focusing on the speaker and camera cutouts, as well as the black frame of the matrix. Don't press the glass right away! After making sure that you're perfectly positioned, slightly press the center to lock in the position.
Then, with a plastic card or a finger, smooth the glass from center to edge, driving out the air. The movement should be smooth. If the glass has a glue layer over the entire area, it will magnetize on its own, you just have to walk around the perimeter.
- 🎯 Combine the cutouts for the speaker and the front camera with high accuracy.
- 👆 Press the center of the glass to start the adhesive process.
- 💨 Smoothly smooth from center to edges, squeezing out air.
- 🔍 Check the edges for detachments and press them again.
What to do if the glass is crooked?
Removing defects: bubbles and dust under glass
Even in experienced craftsmen, sometimes dust gets under the glass, and if you notice a large speck of dust immediately after the sticker, you can try to remove it, and to do this, carefully lift the edge of the glass above the defect with tape pasted on the back of the glass, and blow the space or remove the villi.
Small air bubbles often disappear on their own within 24-48 hours. If the bubble is large and doesn't go away, try to move it to the edge by pressing your finger through the microfiber. In some cases, it helps to lightly warm up with a hair dryer at a minimum temperature, but with Xiaomi you need to be careful because of the possible impact on the oleophobic layer.
There's a myth that you can squeeze small bubbles out with a needle, and you shouldn't do that because you're going to damage the structure of the glass and you're going to put dirt in it, and it's better to leave a micro bubble that will eventually dissolve than to create a place of destruction.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to remove dust from under the glass if it is already tightly glued throughout the area.You risk breaking the glass or damaging the smartphone matrix carelessly moving.
Features for models with curved edges (Curved)
Owners of Xiaomi 13 Pro, Mi 11 or Mix series flagships face the problem of 2.5D and 3D glass. Normal flat glass will not stick to the edges due to the rounding of the display, forming a white iridescent border.
Black-framed glass (Full Glue) has a glue layer over the entire surface and painted edges that hide the transition. When you stick these glasses, it's important to perfectly match the frame, otherwise one side will be wider than the other. Use special helper frames if they come with a kit.
For curved screens, technology is also relevant UV-So this is a glue that puts liquid glue on the screen, and then you put glass on top and you put ultrafilene on it, and it's the most reliable, but it's also the most risky, method that requires you to protect your speakers and buttons from the glue leaking out.
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For curved screens Xiaomi best suited films of polyurethane, which are heated by a hair dryer and tighten the edges, or UV-liquid-glue.
Care for protective coating and frequent errors
After a successful sticker, let the adhesive layer be completely polymerized, and although you can use the phone right away, complete adhesion is achieved within a few hours, during which time, try not to put the phone down on hard surfaces.
It is a common mistake to use aggressive chemicals to wipe already pasted glass. Alcohol-containing products can gradually break down the oleophobic coating, making the screen dull. Use special sprays for screens or just a slightly damp microfiber.
Also, people often forget about covers. If you put a wide-framed glass on and the case has a narrow seat, the edges of the glass may start to peel off. Always check for accessories compatibility (Case Friendly marking).
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The quality of the sticker depends on the cleanliness of the room and the absence of dust more than on the skills of the master. Work in the bathroom after you get water in the bath - there is less flying dust.