Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with durable displays, but even tempered glass Gorilla Glass is not immune from chipping when falling or the appearance of microcracks from constant pressure in the pocket. Replacing the display module is expensive, so installing a protective glass is the most rational solution to extend the life of your gadget. Many users are afraid to take up this business on their own, but with the availability of quality consumables and compliance with technology, the process takes no more than 15 minutes.
In this article, we will discuss how to properly glue glass to Xiaomi smartphone to avoid bubbles, dust under the coating and detachment of the edges. You will learn how hydrogel film differs from classic tempered glass, how to prepare the working surface and what tools are really necessary for professional results. It is important to understand that the success of the operation depends on the cleanliness of the room and the thoroughness of degreasing the screen.
Before you start, make sure you have enough lighting and a flat surface. Don't try to stick the protection on your knee or in a dusty room, because any grain of sand that gets under the glue will stay there forever. Proper preparation is the guarantee that the oleophobic coating will lie flat and the touchscreen will work flawlessly.
Selection of protective coating and preparation of tools
The Xiaomi accessories market is full of offers, and choosing a quality product can be difficult. Classical glass is made of tempered silicate glass with thicknesses from 0.2 to 0.33 mm, whereas hydrogel films are polymeric material that self-heals when scratched (2.5D) It is better to choose a glass with a full glue layer or UV-glass that is fixed by a liquid polymer.
A high-quality security glass should have a 9H hardness on the Mohs scale, which provides protection from keys and coins. Cheap counterparts are often labeled as 9H, but in fact are ordinary plastic that becomes cloudy after a week of use. When buying, pay attention to the presence of a guide frame in the kit, which makes it much easier to center when you stick.
To successfully complete the task, you will need a standard set of tools, which often comes with expensive glass models, but it is better to prepare it separately:
- 🧼 Wet and dry wipes for screen cleaning (degreaser and microfibre).
- 💨 Sticky tape or special dust collector to remove the smallest particles.
- 📏 Installer frame (if not included, you can use paint scotch for fixation).
- 🔦 Powerful light source for visual control of surface cleanliness.
Make sure you purchase glass that is compatible with your model. Xiaomi Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi series screens often have different cutout shapes for the front camera and speaker. A 1-2 millimeter mismatch can cause the protective coating to touch the case or peel off at the edges.
Preparation of the working area and smartphone
The main enemy of the sticker is dust. Even a microscopic villi that is invisible to the eye will create an air cushion that will grow over time. The ideal place to do the procedure is in the bathroom, where you pre-include hot water so that the steam precipitates all the dust that is flying in the air. If you don't, just wipe the table with a damp cloth and remove all the pile items.
The first step is to turn off the smartphone completely, not only will it protect the electronics from static stress, but it will also allow you to see the contamination on the black screen. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap to defat your fingers, as fatty traces can remain on the edges of the glass or on the sticky side of the protective coating during the installation process.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Look at the screen in side lighting. If there are old glue or film residues on the surface, they should be carefully removed. Do not use metal objects or sharp blades to avoid damaging the oleophobic layer of the display itself. It is best to use a plastic card or nail, picking up the edge of the old protection.
⚠️ Warning: Never use household chemicals containing high concentration alcohol or acetone to clean the screen before the sticker unless you are sure of the persistence of your Xiaomi's oleophobic coating. Aggressive solvents can wash off the factory layer and the screen will become dull.
The process of cleaning and degreasing the display
The cleaning phase is critical. Even if the screen seems clean, it has microscopic particles of fat from the fingers that reduce adhesion of the adhesive. Take a wet wipe from the kit and make circular movements, without pressing hard, wipe the entire surface of the display. Pay special attention to the edges and the area of the speaker where the most contaminants accumulate.
After wet treatment, immediately wipe the screen with a dry microfiber wipe. Movements must be sure not to leave a dent. If there is visible contamination on the fabric, turn it over with a clean side or take a new napkin. The goal is to get a perfectly glossy, mirrored surface.
The final touch is to work with sticky tape. Hold your smartphone up to the light source and look at the surface at an angle. You'll see the smallest villi and dust particles. Carefully apply the sticky side of the tape (or a special sticker from the set) to the screen, "sealing" the dust. Don't rub the tape on the screen, otherwise you'll smear the fat.
What to do if dust gets caught during the sticker?
Check the cleanliness again. If the display shines, you can move to the final stage. Remember, after that moment, touching the screen with your fingers is strictly forbidden. Any touch will leave a trace that will be visible under the transparent glass.
Technology of the sticker: step-by-step instructions
There are two main sticker methods: the classic (with a protective film separation) and the method using a guide frame. If you have a plastic template frame in the kit, put it on the smartphone that is off. It has cutouts under the speaker and camera, which ensures perfect positioning. Put the glass in the frame, making sure that it fits tightly.
If you don't have a frame, use a sandwich or neat positioning method. Remove the bottom protective film from the adhesive layer. Hold the glass by the ends, align it relative to the edges of the screen and the speakers' holes. Once you're sure of accuracy, smoothly lower the glass onto the screen starting on one side (usually the charging socket or speaker) so that the air comes out gradually.
Once the glass has touched the screen, the glue will begin to spread. Don't push hard into the center at once. It's better to wait a few seconds for the glue to occupy most of the area on its own. Then, with light movements from center to edge, smooth the surface out, expelling the remaining air pockets.
To remove large bubbles, use a plastic card wrapped in soft cloth. The movements should be push-out, directed to the nearest edge. If the bubble does not go away, perhaps there is a speck of dust underneath, in which case you will have to lift the edge and remove the contamination with the sticky tape.
| Type of problem | Probable cause | Elimination |
|---|---|---|
| Rainbow divorces | Bad glue fit | Hold your finger tighter, wait 24 hours |
| White dots | Dust under glass | Raise the edge, dust off with scotch |
| Peeling off the edges | Incompatibility with the cover | Remove the cover or choose glass with a smaller coating |
| Turbid stripes | The leftover fat on the screen | Re-glue, carefully degreasing the surface |
💡
The main secret of the perfect sticker is not to rush to remove the bottom film until the final alignment of the glass above the screen.
Removing defects and dealing with bubbles
Even skilled craftsmen sometimes have small air pockets, and small bubbles tend to disappear on their own within a few hours. 24-48 It's a very long time, because the glue continues to polymerize and fill the voids, and you don't have to push them out with excessive force right after you stick them out, and it can cause you to have lenses or distort the image.
If the bubble is large and has a visible villi, you can do this by taking two pieces of tape, one sticking to the bottom corner of the protective glass to lift it up like a lever, and the second piece of tape (sticky side to the outside, making a loop) use to remove the dust from the adhesive layer of glass or the screen itself.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using UV-glass (liquid glue), do not attempt to remove the bubbles before polymerizing under the lamp. The liquid glue must spread on its own under the action of gravity and capillary effect.
In cases where the dust is deep and you can't remove it without damaging the glue layer, leave it as it is. Trying to get a deep motley can cause more dirt to fall under the glass and things to get worse. Sometimes it's easier to accept one dot than to get a murky spot.
Once the defects are successfully removed, walk the soft cloth over the entire surface, ensuring that edges are firmly pressed. 3D-bending (if any), as there the glue dries longer and requires a tighter pressing.
Features of the sticker on the model with cutouts and 3D-bending
Xiaomi smartphones often have screens with rounded edges (2.5D) full-fledged 3D-These are not the kind of devices that you'd normally use with flat glass, which either won't stick around the edges to form a rainbow, or will peel off when you wear it in a case. There are some kind of curved glass that has glue all over the area (Full Glue) or silicone-based glass.
When installing glass on a screen with a cutout for the camera (a drop, a hole in the corner or a bang), it is critically important to precisely match the holes. If the glass cutout overlaps the camera or the proximity sensor, the functionality of the smartphone will be disrupted. Before removing the film, try on the glass on the device that is off, turn on the screen and check if the glass does not overlap important interface elements or sensors.
For models with a side fingerprint scanner (in the on button), the thickness of the glass matters. Too thick glass (more than 0.33 mm) can reduce the sensitivity of the scanner or make it impossible to work. In such cases, it is recommended to choose thin hydrogel films or special glasses with a neckline under the finger.
💡
Use a toothpick to gently tuck the edge of the protective film on the glass itself before you remove it, which will help you avoid touching the sticky layer with your fingers unless you have special grippers.
Care for the protective glass and frequent mistakes
After successful installation, it is important to properly care for the new protective layer. On the first day, it is not recommended to expose the smartphone to extreme loads, wet it or put it in a narrow pocket with keys to give the glue finally fixed. Oleophobic coating is a thin layer that is easily damaged by aggressive chemistry.
A common mistake is to wipe the screen with alcohol-containing wipes for monitors or household chemicals. This destroys the fat layer, and the finger begins to slide worse, and more fingerprints remain on the screen. Use only a slightly damp microfiber or special sprays for smartphone screens.
If you wear a smartphone in a case, make sure it is compatible with the glued glass. Some cases have high sides that press on the edges of the protection, causing it to move away, in which case the glass is better replaced with a model with a smaller coating or change the case.
How often should I change the protective glass?
Can I put a new glass on the old one?
Why did the screen sensitivity disappear after the sticker?
What to do if the glass is cracked, but it holds?
Compliance with these simple rules and guidelines will allow you to protect your screen Xiaomi is no worse than in the service center, the main thing is not to be afraid, have a good light at hand and take your time during the cleaning process.