Xiaomiβs current smartphones, whether the budget Redmi Note or the flagship Mi, feature Gorilla Glass displays. However, even the best materials are not immune to mechanical damage when falling or hitting hard objects. Replacing a broken screen is an expensive procedure that often accounts for a significant portion of the cost of the device itself, so prevention is the most rational approach.
Sticking the protective glass is the first and most important step in preserving the presentation and functionality of the gadget. A quality film or glass not only takes the hit when falling, but also protects the oleophobic coating from abrasion. A properly installed accessory has absolutely no effect on the sensitivity of the touchscreen and the brightness of the image, remaining invisible in everyday use.
In this guide, we will discuss the process of installing protection in detail, paying special attention to surface preparation, since this stage depends on 90% of the success of the entire operation, you will learn how to avoid bubbles, what to do if dust gets under the glass, and how to choose a quality accessory among the many offers in the market.
Choosing the Right Glass Protection for Xiaomi
Before you start the procedure, make sure you get a really good quality product.The accessories market is crowded with cheap copies that can degrade image quality or even unstuck after a week.For Xiaomi smartphones with their specific curved edges of the screen (2.5D), it is important to choose glasses labeled Full Glue or Full Cover.
Normal perimeter-framed silicone glasses often don't fit tightly to the edges of the display, leaving unprotected areas and creating a rainbow effect on the sides. In addition, these models can conflict with covers when they rise when they wear body protection.
Glass technology
When choosing, also pay attention to the hardness of the material, which is indicated by the indicator 9H. This means that the surface will withstand contact with keys, coins and other metal objects without scratching. Cheap counterparts often have a hardness of 3H-4H and scratch even with a nail, which negates the whole point of protection.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The quality of the sticker depends on the conditions in which you perform the procedure. Dust is the main enemy of any adhesive accessory, so you need to choose a room with a minimum number of flying particles. The ideal place is the bathroom, where you just showered and all the dust settled on wet surfaces, or the kitchen after wet cleaning.
A standard quality glass delivery kit usually includes a set to install, but its contents may not be enough for the ideal result.You will need special wipes, which are often labeled 1 (wet) and 2 (dry), as well as a sticky tape to remove microscopic villi.
- π§Ό Wet alcohol wipe to remove fat and fingerprints from the screen surface.
- π§» Dry lilaless fabric (microfibra) for polishing and removing moisture residues.
- π·οΈ Sticky tape (scotch) for the final removal of the smallest dust particles before gluing.
- π‘ Desktop lamp or bright light source to detect dust particles at different angles.
Pay special attention to lighting. Light should fall on the screen at an angle so that you can see even microscopic specks of dust that you wouldn't normally see, and if a large mote of dust were to fall under the glass, it would create an air cushion, so that the glass in that spot wouldn't stick around, forming a noticeable bubble.
Display cleaning steps before installation
Surface preparation is a critical step that should not be missed or performed carelessly. There are always microscopic particles of skin fat on the smartphone screen that reduce the adhesion of the adhesive layer. If left unexposed, the glass can eventually peel off at the edges or go in waves.
Start by scrubbing the screen thoroughly with a wet wipe. The movements should be confident, but not too strong, so as not to damage the matrix, especially if you have an AMOLED display that is sensitive to local pressure. Pay special attention to the speaker and the area of the front camera, where dirt often accumulates.
βοΈ Screen readiness check
After wet treatment, be sure to wipe the screen dry with a microfiber wipe. Do not use paper towels or toilet paper, as they leave a small pile, which will then have to be removed for a long time. The surface should be perfectly smooth and dry to the touch.
β οΈ Warning: Never use household chemicals such as window wipers or alcohol in its pure form (unless it is in a special wipe), as aggressive components can damage the oleophobic coating of the display itself.
Technology of the sticker: step-by-step instructions
Once the surface is fully prepared, you can move on to the basic process: take the protective glass behind the edges, trying not to touch the inner adhesive surface with your fingers, and even one touch can leave a greasy mark that will be noticeable after installation.
Combine the glass with the smartphone screen, focusing on the speaker and edges of the display. In modern Xiaomi models such as the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13, landing accuracy is key, as a millimeter offset can overlap part of the image or proximity sensor.
Once you've made sure that you're positioning correctly, you should carefully lower the glass onto the screen. It should stick itself, starting at the center. If the glass is of good quality and has a silicone layer all over the area, the adhesion process will happen automatically and quickly.
Algorithm of action:
1. Combine the holes.
2. Set the position.
3.Put down the center.
4. Smooth the edges.Once the glass is in the center, you have to smooth it from center to edge, expel possible air bubbles. Do this with a dry microfiber napkin, pressing hard enough, but evenly. The movements should be smooth, without jerking.
π‘
The key to a successful sticker is to take your time in the fitting phase, and it is better to spend 2-3 minutes on perfect positioning than to glue the glass at the risk of spoiling the adhesive layer.
Fixing defects: bubbles and dust
Even the most experienced users can't always stick the glass on the first time without a speck of dust. If you notice a small black or white dot under the glass, it's dust that gets in. Large air bubbles usually come out on their own. 24-48 The dust must be dealt with immediately.
To remove dust under the glass, you'll need a sticky tape (scotch). Carefully lift the edge of the protective glass over the problem area. Don't peel the glass off completely, just to the place where the mottle is located. Then, with tape placed under the glass, pull the motley from the adhesive layer or from the screen.
| Type of defect | Cause of the occurrence | Elimination | Time of extinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bubble | Air hit on the sticker | Squeeze to the edge | Right away or up to 48 hours. |
| White spot | It's villi or dust. | Remove the scotch | Only mechanically. |
| Rainbow divorces | Bad fit (not Full Glue) | Press or replace harder | It's not going away. |
| Fat spot. | Touching glue with your finger | Dry with alcohol (carefully) | After drying out |
If you get a villi under the glass that's hard to remove with tape, you can try to press it harder, sometimes the villi sticks into the adhesive layer and becomes less noticeable, but if the defect is very difficult to view or touch screen, the glass is better replaced.
β οΈ Warning: Do not attempt to remove dust using needles or metal objects under the glass β you are guaranteed to scratch the smartphone screen or damage the display itself, leading to black spots.
Compatibility with cases and features of 2.5D screens
Many users face the problem of having the protective glass peel off at the edges after putting on the cover, which is due to the fact that the edges of the glass are rounded (2.5D), and the cover has rigid sides that press on these edges, breaking the tightness of the fitting.
For Xiaomi phones with heavily curved screens, such as the Mi Curve series or some Redmi models with a high-end design. 3D-Glass, it is recommended to choose cases marked Case Friendly. These covers have raised edges or are made of softer silicone that does not press on the protective glass.
π‘
If you carry your phone in your pocket with your keys, use a high-sided shock-proof case that will protect the glass from chipping when you fall flat, taking the hit on yourself.
It is also worth considering that some thick glasses may not work properly with optical fingerprint scanners built into the screen. In such cases, the phone may stop recognizing the finger or work slowly, the solution is one β replace the glass with a thinner one (0.2-0.3 mm) or with a special cutout for the scanner.
Care for protective glass and service life
The protective glass is a consumable that takes over the main wear, and over time, it gets micro-scratches and thins the oleophobic coating, which causes the finger to slip worse and leaves more traces on the screen, and on average, the life of quality glass is 6 to 12 months of active use.
To extend the life of the screen, wipe the screen with only a soft cloth. Don't put the phone down on rough surfaces even if the glass is pasted - abrasive particles can scratch the protection itself. Regularly check the condition of the edges: if the glass has started to crack, it is better to replace it so that the fragments do not fall under the screen.
If you notice that the glass is cracked but holding, try to replace it as soon as possible. The crack can spread to the smartphone display on the next impact, as the integrity of the structure is broken.