Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: a complete guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, released in 2018. Despite the strength of the design, over time, owners face the need to disassemble: whether it is a battery replacement, a display repair or dust cleaning. However, it is not as easy to disassemble this device as it seems — there is no removable back cover, and the body is glued around the perimeter.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo guide that will help you carefully disassemble the Redmi Note 5 without damage. We will tell you what tools you need, how to properly unplug the plumes and avoid typical errors. We will focus on turning off the battery, a critical step that many people miss when they risk putting the phone out of action.

If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, don't worry: our guide is for beginners, but remember, any disassembly will void the warranty (if it still works), only if you're confident in your abilities or prepared for the consequences.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

Before you start, prepare everything you need, and without the right tools, you risk damaging the body, the plumes, or even the motherboard, and here's the minimum set you'll need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3 - for gently putting the lid on. Metal tools can leave scratches.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station to soften the adhesive around the perimeter of the body. Optimal temperature: 70-80°C.
• ⚙️ Screwdriver cross (PH00 or PH0) — The Redmi Note 5 uses small screws, so a regular screwdriver won't work.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – so as not to lose screws and small details.
• 📱 Suction (optional) – helps to lift the cover after heating, but is not mandatory.
• 🔌 Tweezers with thin ends - for working with plumes and connectors.

If you don't have a thermophen, you can use a regular hair dryer, but be careful: don't overheat the body above 80°C, otherwise you risk damaging the battery or display, and we recommend working on a clean, well-lit surface to avoid losing small parts.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a knife or other sharp metal objects to lid! this is almost guaranteed to result in scratches or cracks on the plastic case.

Preparing the smartphone for disassembly: important steps

Before you start, do a few preparatory steps to save you from unpleasant surprises and simplify the process:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-Even if the battery is off, the residual charge can cause a short circuit.
2. Remove the cover and protective film (if any) and they will interfere with heating and disassembly.
3. Discharge the battery to 30-50%, and a fully charged battery can swell when heated.
4. Back up the data. In rare cases, after disassembly, the settings may be lost or files may disappear.

We also recommend taking a picture of the original state of the phone from all sides, which will help with the assembly — you can remember exactly how the parts were located. If you are planning to replace the battery or display, buy original parts or quality analogs in advance. For the Redmi Note 5, 4,000 mAh batteries labeled BM47 will be suitable.

Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover

The most difficult step is to carefully separate the back cover, and in the Redmi Note 5, it is glued around the perimeter, so you can't do without heating.

1. Heat the body around the perimeter with a hairdryer for 2-3 minutes, keeping it at a distance of 5-7 cm. Move the hairdryer evenly so that the glue softens on all sides.
2. Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the lid and the body at the charging connector, carefully swipe it along the edge, gradually increasing the gap.
3. Lift the lid with a suction cup (if any) or puff up with a mediator. Don't put too much effort into it, it should come out with a little resistance.
4. Disconnect the fingerprint scanner plume (if you have one in your modification) and it is attached to the motherboard with a small connector.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, repeat the heat again. Don't try to pull it off by force, it will cause cracks. In some cases, the adhesive can be particularly strong, and it will take several approaches. The main thing is to take your time.

In Redmi Note 5, the fingerprint scanner plume is very fragile, easily damaged when the lid is not removed carefully. If you are not planning to replace this module, unplug the plume as carefully as possible.

Disconnection of the battery and work with the motherboard

When you take the lid off, you'll see the battery locked in black film, and the first thing you have to do is turn it off, or you risk closing the board as you disassemble it.

1. Find the battery connector – it is located next to the motherboard and marked with a white or red mark.
2. Carefully tuck the connector into a plastic pickup or tweezers and unplug it. Don't pull the wires!
3. Wait 1-2 minutes for the residual charge to dissipate.

Now we can start disassembling it further, and if you need to replace the battery, you have to take it out, and it's glued to the body.

• 🔥 Heat the battery with a hair dryer (not higher than 60)°C!).
• 🧴 Tap it with a plastic spatula, starting at the corner.
• ⚠️ Don’t use metal tools – they can puncture the battery!

If you're disassembling a phone to repair a motherboard or replace connectors, after you turn off the battery, unscrew all the screws holding the board. In the Redmi Note 5, they're of different lengths, so remember or photograph their location.

⚠️ Warning: After the battery is turned off, do not touch the motherboard contacts with your bare hands. Static electricity can disable it. Use an antistatic bracelet or periodically touch a grounded metal object.

Replacement of the display: nuances and possible problems

If you're taking apart the Redmi Note 5 to replace the screen, be prepared for the fact that this is one of the most time-consuming procedures, the display module is glued to the frame, and the plumes are very fragile.

• 🔥 Heat the display around the perimeter (as well as the back cover) to soften the glue.
• 📱 Use a suction cup to raise the screen after heating.
• ⚙️ Disconnect the display and sensor plumes - they are attached to the motherboard with small latches.
• 🔧 Check the new display before installing. Connect it to the board and make sure it works.

The most common mistake when replacing a display is to damage the sensor plume, which is thin and easily torn when pulled on it, and be careful with the flexible backlight cable, which can not be bent over.

If the display does not turn on or works with artifacts after replacing, check:

• Are all the sleeves properly connected?
• Is there any damage to the flexible cables?
• Whether the new display is well glued (gaps can cause sensor problems).

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If the new display doesn't respond to touch, but the image is likely a problem in the sensor plume. Try reconnecting it or replacing the plume separately (they are sold separately from the display).

Phone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes

Building a Redmi Note 5 after disassembly is as important as disassembling. Many problems (defunct buttons, no sound, overheating) are caused by improper assembly.

1. Check all plumes and connectors before final assembly. They should be tightly connected, but without skewing.
2. Make sure the screws are screwed into their seats, the wrong screw length could damage the board.
3. Apply new glue to the lid (if it's not coming off well) You can use double-sided tape or special glue for electronics.
4. Check the operation of all functions before the final assembly: camera, speakers, microphone, buttons.

If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic.

• 🔋 The battery is not connected or is not connected correctly;
• 📱 Display plume or power buttons not connected;
• ⚡ Short circuit on the board (check if you have forgotten some screw inside).

If you've replaced the battery, it can take up to 5 to 10 minutes to turn on the first battery -- that's fine. Give the phone time to initialize the new battery.

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After replacing the battery, be sure to complete 2-3 full charge/discharge cycles (0% to 100%) to help calibrate the power controller and extend the life of the new battery.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is a broken fingerprint scanner after assembly, which happens if:

• The scanner plume was damaged when the cover was removed;
• The connector on the board is not fully inserted;
• The scanner got dust or glue.

If the scanner stopped working, try to clean its contacts with alcohol and reconnect the plume. If this did not help, you may need to replace the module.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions