Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 9A deservedly considered one of the most affordable devices on the market, but its budget design involves the use of standard screen glass, which is quite easy to scratch with keys or coins in your pocket. Replacing the display can cost a significant part of the cost of the device itself, so installing a protective glass is not just a desirable, but a necessary procedure to extend the life of the gadget. Properly selected and installed protection is able to take the hit when falling, keeping the matrix intact.
Many users are afraid to take up this task on their own, fearing bubbles, dust under the glue layer or skewing that will spoil the appearance of the device. However, the process of sticking the protective glass on the Redmi 9A does not require professional skills if you strictly follow the algorithm of actions and prepare the workplace. In this article, we will discuss all the subtleties of preparation, choice of accessory and the installation process itself, so that the result is perfect the first time.
The quality of the final result depends on the conditions in which you perform the procedure. Even a microscopic villi trapped under the glass can become the center of the air cushion spreading, which eventually turns into a noticeable bubble. So before starting work, make sure that the room is free of drafts that can lift dust from the floor and the surface of the table is carefully rubbed with a wet cloth.
Choosing the right protective glass for the Redmi 9A
The Xiaomi accessories market is full of offerings, and it’s easy for a beginner to get confused about the variety of glass types. For the Redmi 9A model, which has a specific body shape and dynamic speaker layout, it’s important to pick up glass with precise perforations. Poor-quality copies often have offset holes, which makes the sound quiet and the proximity sensor may not work correctly without turning off the screen during a conversation.
Pay attention to the hardness of the material, which is usually labeled as 9H. This means that the surface of the glass will withstand contact with the knife blade or keys without scratching. Also important is the oleophobic coating - a special layer that repels fat and facilitates the slide of the finger on the screen. Cheap windows are often deprived of quality coating, which causes the screen to quickly get dirty and lose responsiveness.
There are two main types of screen coverage: Full Glue and Frame. For the Redmi 9A, it is better to choose the full adhesive layer option, as it provides better touchscreen sensitivity and prevents the appearance of iridescent effects ("grids") on the edges. Frame glass is glued only around the perimeter, leaving the center of the screen unprotected from direct impacts, which reduces their effectiveness.
⚠️ Note: When buying, pay attention to compatibility with the Redmi model. 9A, Not with other Redmi 9 models, as the size and location of the cameras may vary.
The quality of optical transparency also plays a role: Cheap glass can have a yellowish or bluish hue, distorting the color reproduction. IPS-A good glass should be virtually invisible on the screen, keeping the color saturation and brightness of the image at the original level.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The success of the operation depends on preparation, 90%. You don't need a sophisticated professional tool, but the basic set should be at hand.Combined with quality glass, often wet and dry wipes, as well as sticky tape to remove dust, but it is better to check in advance for their presence or prepare analogues.
You will need to:
- 🧹 Dry lilaless wipes made of microfiber (usually come with a kit).
- 💧 Alcohol-containing liquid or special wet wipe for degreasing.
- 🌬️ Sticky tape (scotch) or special dust collector for final cleaning.
- 💡 A powerful light source (a table lamp or bright sunlight) to see the smallest specks of dust.
- 📱 Plastic card or special spatula for smoothing (often not necessary if the glass is of high quality, but can be useful).
Pay special attention to lighting. Light must fall on the smartphone screen at an angle to create glare. In reflected light, even microscopic villi become visible, allowing them to be removed before the glass comes into contact with the display. Dim light in the room is the main reason for the appearance of "surprises" in the form of protected dust.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and wipe them dry. Fat fingers will leave marks on the edges of the screen and on the glass itself, which will be difficult to remove later, if you have long hair, you better remove it or put on a hat so that they do not accidentally fall on the adhesive surface.
☑️ Ready for gluing
Screen cleaning process: critical stage
Cleaning the Xiaomi Redmi 9A display is not just a rag wipe, but a multi-step process. First, use a wet wipe to remove major contamination, fingerprints and greasy plaque. Movements should be confident, but without strong pressure, especially if there are already cracks on the screen.
Then dry the screen with a dry microfiber wipe. It's important to remove all the smudges left by the wet cloth. Then the most important thing is to remove the dust. Take the sticky tape and apply it consistently to different parts of the screen. Don't rub the tape on the screen so as not to smear the possible dust, namely, "soak" the surface.
The adhesive backing of the protective glass is itself a dust magnet, so the final villi test should be done just before the protective film is removed from the glass, and even one small speck of dust caught at this point will ruin the work.
⚠️ Warning: Never use household chemicals containing ammonia or acetone to clean your screen, as they can damage the oleophobic coating of the smartphone matrix.
If you notice that there are static villi on the screen that are not removed by tape, you can slightly moisten the corner of the dry wipe (literally breathing) and gently walk through the problem area, then wipe dry again. Static electricity is often the reason why the dust "stick" to the screen and does not want to be removed.
Sticker technology: centering and fixing
The most exciting thing is to remove the bottom layer from the glass, and do this slowly, avoiding fingers touching the adhesive surface. Once the layer is removed, immediately bring the glass to the smartphone screen. The Redmi 9A features a wide cutout ("drop") at the top of the screen, which is a great reference for centering.
Combine the glass holes with the speaker and the camera, and make sure that the bottom edge of the glass is parallel to the end of the case. Modern high-quality glass often has a special silicone assistant frame that facilitates this process. If there is no such frame, you can use the "sandwich" method: apply the glass, make sure that the position is correct, and, without shifting it, carefully bend one of the long sides to remove the bottom film (if the design allows) or simply quickly and accurately put the glass on top.
Once the glass has touched the screen, it will stick on its own, spreading the adhesive layer from the center to the edges, a process called adhesion, and if the glass is good, you don't have to do much -- it will stick to the display.
What to do if the glass is crooked?
In some cases, especially with cheap glass, the adhesion process can be slow, in which case you can gently smooth the surface with your finger from center to edge, helping the air to escape, the main thing is not to push too hard in the center, so as not to squeeze the glue over the edges.
Blister removal and finishing
Even with perfect preparation, there are sometimes small air bubbles, most often closer to the edges of the Redmi 9A screen. Small bubbles usually disappear on their own within 24-48 hours, as the adhesive layer continues to spread out and fill the microvoids.
If the bubble is big and in the middle, you can try to push it to the edge, and you can use a plastic card wrapped in a soft cloth, or a finger, and you need to be confident and direct from the center of the bubble to the nearest free edge of the glass, and it's important not to overdo it, so as not to damage the matrix of the smartphone under the glass.
There's a popular method of dust control under glass, where if you see a villus, you can try to peel off the glass over that spot, remove the dust with sticky tape and glue it back again, but this method is risky and only suitable for advanced users, because repeated gluing reduces adhesion.
| Type of defect | Cause of the occurrence | Elimination method | Time to eliminate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bubbles | Residual air | Self-resorption | 24-48 hours |
| Big bubble. | Air caught on the sticker | Extrusion to the edge | Right away. |
| Dust under glass | Poor screen cleaning | Local peeling and cleaning | Right away. |
| Rainbow spots | Bad fit (cheap glass) | Replacement of glass with Full Glue | Not eliminated |
After removing all visible defects, wipe the surface of the glass with a final dry wipe, which will remove the fingerprints left during the work, and return the glass to crystal clarity.
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If there is a small villi under the glass, which is not visible to the eye, but it creates a bump, try to press your finger hard on it through the glass - sometimes this helps to "press" it into the glue layer, making it less noticeable.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes is rushing, and users often neglect to clean the screen thoroughly, thinking that “it will go away” and resulting in villi under the glass that spoil not only the look but also the tactile sensation of using the Xiaomi Redmi 9A.
Another mistake is using poor-quality wipes: paper towels or toilet paper leave a small pile on the screen and can even scratch the display if a solid particle is caught in them. Use only microfiber or special lilaless wipes that come with the kit.
Do not try to glue glass in a dusty room or on a draft. Open the window for airing in advance so that the dust settles, and then close it before work begins. The air conditioner or fan operating during the sticker is guaranteed to overtake dust on the adhesive surface.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a hair dryer or other heating appliances to accelerate the adhesion of glass unless recommended by the accessory manufacturer.Overheating can damage the adhesive layer or matrix of the smartphone.
It's also a mistake to ignite the case, and if you wear a tight, high-sided protective case, it can push the edges of the glass and eventually unplug them, and in these cases, you should choose a glass with a reduced coating area or a thinner case.
Care for protective glass and service life
The protective glass is a consumable that takes over the main wear. Over time, the oleophobic coating wears off and the finger starts to slide worse and the screen gets dirty faster. On average, the life of quality glass on the Redmi 9A is 6 months to a year of active use.
To extend the life of the accessory, regularly wipe the screen with a soft cloth. Avoid the use of harsh chemicals. If the glass has deep scratches that interfere with view, or chips around the edges, it is better to replace it. The cracked glass loses its protective properties and can fly at any time, leaving the screen unprotected.
Replacing the protective glass with the Redmi 9A is a simple procedure that can be done on your own every few months, which is significantly cheaper than replacing a broken display.Regularly changing the glass ensures that your smartphone always looks like new.
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Timely replacement of the protective glass is the most economical way to keep the screen of the smartphone in perfect condition throughout the life of the device.
Following these guidelines, you can independently and efficiently protect the screen of your Xiaomi Redmi 9A. The main thing is not to be afraid, prepare good lighting and act carefully.