How to glue glass to Xiaomi smartphone: from the choice of materials to the final polishing

Broken glass on Xiaomi is a problem that every third owner faces. Even microcracks eventually turn into a web of faults, and a full-fledged break of glass threatens to cut and idle touchscreen. 3-5 Cheaper repairs, but require accuracy and correct materials.

Many people are afraid to take up this process for fear of damaging the display or leaving bubbles under the new glass. In fact, you can glue glass on Xiaomi even without experience - the main thing is to follow the proven technology and avoid typical mistakes. In this article, we will discuss all the steps: from the removal of old glass to the final polishing, taking into account the features of popular models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others.).

You'll know:

• 🔧 What tools and glue to use for reliable fixation (spoiler: LOCA-glue vs bilateral scotch - which is better?)
• 📱 Why some Xiaomi models have glass glued to the display and others separately (and how it affects repairs)
• ⚠️ 5 critical mistakes that will cause the new glass to fall off in a week
• 💡 How to avoid bubbles and divorces when gluing (professional life hacks)

Training: tools and materials

The first step is to collect all the components you need, and without the right tools, you're at risk of damaging the plumes, leaving scratches on the frame, or misaligning the glue, and here's the minimum set you'll need:

• 🔨 Building hair dryer (1,600 to 2,000 watts) to soften old glue. Normal hair dryer is not suitable for hair dryer!
• 📏 Plastic mediators (or guitars) for finely smacking glass. Metal instruments scratch the frame.
• 🧴 LOCA-glue (recommended) B-7000 or T-7000) — For models with glass glued to the display, double-sided tape will do for individual glasses. 3M VHB.
• 🧼 99% isopropyl alcohol is used to degrease surfaces, but you can't use acetone or solvent, because it destroys the oleophobic coating.
• 🧻 Whipless wipes and sticky rollers - to remove dust and small fragments.

For models with OLED-Xiaomi 12 Pro, 13 Ultra will require an additional UV lamp (365 nm) for polymerization. LOCA-Without it, the glue will not solidify evenly, and the glass will walk when pressed.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner (Mi models) 10T, POCO F3), The glass should be glued only to the LOCA — Scotch will disrupt the sensor.

2. Dismantling of old glass: step-by-step instructions

The most important step is to remove broken glass, and the rule is, take your time. If the glass is broken into many pieces, start at the edges where the fragments hold tighter.

1. heat the smartphone with a hair dryer (temperature 60–80)°C, distance 5-7 cm)

2. to smear the glass with a plastic mediator from any angle

3. Slowly lead the mediator along the frame, separating the glass

4. Remove glue residues with alcohol and sticky roller

5. Check the integrity of the plumes (do not pull on them!)

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For models with glued glass and display (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) the process is more complicated:

1. Warm up your smartphone with a hairdryer to 90°C (but not higher – battery damage!).
2. Carefully cut through the old LOCA-glue with a thin string (guitar string 0.12 mm) or a scalpel.
3. Separate the glass from the display parallel to the surface without lifting sharply.

If the glass doesn't lend itself, don't force it, you'd better repeat the heat. AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) with strong heating, a “burn” of the matrix may appear - dark spots that will not disappear.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with infrared port (Redmi Note 8 Pro models, POCO X3 NFC) Do not point the hair dryer at the top of the body – this can damage the IR sensor.

3. Selection of new glass: original vs analogues

The quality of the glass is not only the look, but also the sensitivity of the touchscreen, the work of the fingerprint scanner and the durability of the repair.

• 🔍 Original Xiaomi glass – perfect in size, but cost 2-3 times more expensive than their counterparts. 10T, POCO F3).
• 💎 Oleophobic glass (e.g. Nillkin, Spigen) is cheaper than the originals but requires careful installation.
• 🛡️ Tempered glass 9H — Suitable for budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3), But they don't restore the fingerprint scanner.
• ❌ Glasses without oleophobic coating - quickly covered with greasy traces, worsen the slip of the finger.

For models with curved screens (Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Mix Fold) only flexible glass will fit 2.5D — They're repeating the curvature of the display. The normal flat glass will fall off in a few days.

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Before buying glass, check its thickness! For example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the original glass is 0.21 mm thick and cheap counterparts are 0.33 mm. A difference of 0.1 mm will lead to the fact that the glass will protrude above the frame and quickly break off.

Sticking new glass: technology LOCA scotch

The way you bond it depends on the type of glass and the model of the smartphone, and let's look at both in detail.

Method 1: LOCA-glue (for glued glass)

Used for models where glass and display are a single unit (POCO X5, Xiaomi 12) Procedures for action:

1. Put it on. LOCA-A thin layer of glue on the display (use a plastic spatula!
2. Carefully apply the glass, starting at one edge, and gradually lower it, squeezing out the bubbles.
3. Place the smartphone under the UV lamp for 5-10 minutes for pre-polymerization.
4. After the glue has hardened, remove the excess with a scalpel and polish the edges.

Method 2: Double-sided Scotch (for individual glasses)

Suitable for Redmi Note 10, POCO M4 Pro and other models where the glass is not glued to the display:

1. Cut the tape to the shape of the glass (use old glass as a template).
2. Stick the tape to the frame of the case, removing the protective film only on one side.
3. Apply the new glass carefully, starting at the top (where the sensors are located).
4. Roll the glass with a rubber roller to remove the bubbles.

For models with camera cutouts (for example, Xiaomi Civi 2) use laser sharp tape – it exactly repeats the shape of the cutouts.

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LOCA-The adhesive provides 30 percent stronger attachment than Scotch, but requires a UV lamp to polymerize. Scotch is easier to use, but can fall off when temperatures drop (for example, if you leave your phone in the sun in your car).

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with careful operation, you can make mistakes that will lead to poor fixation of the glass or damage to the display. TOP-5 blunder:

• 🔥 Overheating of the case – if you heat your smartphone with a hairdryer for longer than 2 minutes in one place, you can melt the plumes or damage the battery. Solution: keep the hairdryer at a distance of 5-7 cm and constantly move it.
• 💦 Moisture getting under the glass - even drops of sweat on your fingers can cause the glue to detach.Solution: work with gloves and use a degreaser.
• 🌀 Uneven gluing — if the glass is curved, it can't be fixed without consequences. Solution: use magnetic guides or paint tape to fix it.
• ☀️ Inadequate polymerization LOCA — If you don't light up the glue with a UV lamp, the glass will float. Solution: light the lamp for 10-15 minutes, not 2-3 minutes.
• 📱 Train damage - when removing glass, flexible cables are easily hooked. Solution: take a picture of the plume's location before you work.

⚠️ Note: Do not use Xiaomi models with a subscreen front camera (Mi Mix 4, Civi 3) LOCA-High-viscosity glue, which can leak under the camera and damage its transparency. T-7000 (low-viscosity).

Final processing: polishing and inspection

Once the glass is glued, the work is not finished.

1. Remove the excess glue, use a scalpel or a plastic knife. Don't scratch the frame!
2. To polish the edges - pasta is suitable for this GOI Or a regular toothpaste with microdioxide.
3. Check the touchscreen – test all areas of the screen with the Touch Screen Test app.
4. Set up a fingerprint scanner – if it’s built into the screen, you may need to re-register the fingerprints.

For models with oleophobic coating (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5) After polishing, apply an oleophobic layer reducing agent (e.g. Liquid Glass Screen Protector) to extend the life of the glass by 3-6 months.

If after replacement the glass "goes away" at the edges, the reasons may be as follows:

• Inadequate cleaning of the surface before gluing.
• Use of cheap glue (for example, the moment crystal instead of the LOCA).
• Temperature changes (for example, if the phone was lying in the cold, and then got warm).

7.Alternative methods: when self-repair is not suitable

It is not always reasonable to replace glass at home, and in some cases it is better to contact the service:

• 🔧 If not only the glass is broken, but also the display (vertical stripes appeared, flickering).
• 📱 If the model has a complex design (for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 with a flexible screen).
• 💸 If the price of the original glass exceeds 50% of the price of the phone (for example, for Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

The average cost of glass replacement in the service:

If you still decide to repair the phone yourself, but are afraid to damage it, try first on a used device (for example, on an old model Redmi). 4X or POCO F1). This will help to fill your hand before working with the main smartphone.

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Self-replacement of glass on Xiaomi costs 3-5 times cheaper than the service, but requires patience. The main thing is not to save on glue and tools. LOCA Low quality will cause the glass to fall off after 1-2 weeks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing glass with Xiaomi