Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 5A: step-by-step guide with photos and nuances

The Xiaomi Mi 5A is a compact and reliable smartphone Released in 2017, but still in demand due to its balanced performance and maintainability. However, disassembling this device has its own characteristics: a fragile battery plume, adhesive mounting of the rear cover and the risk of damage to flexible cables if you are planning to replace the screen, battery or speaker, it is important to know not only the sequence of steps, but also the key points that will protect the parts from failure.

In this article, we will go through the entire process, from tool preparation to reassembly, with a focus on common errors and ways to avoid them. You will learn what screwdrivers will be needed for screws of different types, how to properly lash the lid so as not to damage the latches, and what to do if the smartphone does not turn on after dismantling.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start disassembling the Mi 5A, make sure you have everything you need, and even one tool can damage the body or internal components, and here is the minimum set you'll need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3 (S) for the purpose of sliding the lid and sliding the lids.
• 🔩 Screwdriver cross PH00 — for most of the screws in a smartphone.
• 🔧 Torx screwdriver T3 — for some screws on the motherboard.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or tray – so as not to lose small details.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermoplatform - for softening the glue (optional, but recommended).
• 📱 Screen suction cup – will help remove the front panel if you need to replace the display.

Also, prepare the workspace: it should be well lit, without dust and static electricity. Use an antistatic bracelet, if you have one, it will save the motherboard from damage. The screws in the Xiaomi Mi 5A are of different lengths: if you confuse them with places during assembly, you risk damaging the board or screen, so we recommend that you arrange them in groups on the mat.

⚠️ Note: If you disassemble a smartphone with a broken screen, be sure to stick tape on it so that the shards do not hurt your hands and do not get inside the case. Also note that when the display is damaged, the plume can be partially severed - in this case, it is better to entrust the disassembly to a specialist.

Step 1: Removing the back cover

Mi back cover 5A It's attached to the latches and glue, so you can only remove it without damage with the right approach. Start with power out, turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-Then you do the following:

1. Heat the glue. If you have a hair dryer, heat the edges of the cover during 1-2 minutes (temperature) ~60°C. This will soften the glue and make it easier. You can do without the hair dryer, but the risk of damage to the latches will increase.
2. Push the mediator. Put the plastic mediator in the gap between the lid and the body (start at the bottom edge where the charging connector is located). Carefully drive the tool along the perimeter, alternately snapping the locks.
3. Remove the lid. When all the latches open, remove the lid, but don't pull it sharply - it may have a fingerprint scanner plume attached to it (if you have one in your modification).

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't use too much force. You better warm up the problem area with a hair dryer again. A typical mistake is trying to put the lid on with a metal object (knife, screwdriver), which leads to scratches or chips of plastic.

Step 2: Shutting off the battery

When the lid is removed, the first thing you need to do is disconnect the battery, which will prevent short circuits from further disassembly, and in the Mi 5A, the battery is glued and connected to the motherboard via a JST 1.0 connector plume.

Carefully put the battery connector with a plastic mediator or tweezers. Don't pull the plume - it can come off the board! If the connector is "stuck", slightly swing it left-right, without applying vertical force. After turning off the battery, check with a multimeter that there is no voltage on the board contacts (optional, but recommended for safety).

⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the battery is swelling (lid is raised, body is deformed), do not continue disassembling! the bloated battery may ignite if damaged.

Step 3: Dismantling the motherboard

The Mi 5A motherboard is mounted on multiple screws and connected to other components through plumes, and to remove it, follow the following steps:

1. Unscrew all the screws. The smartphone uses two types of screws: PH00 (cross) and T3 (torx) and spread them separately so as not to confuse the assembly.
2. Disconnect the plumes. Carefully tuck the display connectors, the cameras and the buttons. Don't pull the plumes -- they're fragile!
3. Take the board off. Lift it over the edge, holding it by the metal screen (it serves as a heat sink). Don't touch the chips with your fingers.

If the board fails, check if all the screws are twisted. Sometimes a single screw lost can block the dismantling. Importantly, the board has an NFC chip on it (if your model supports it) - don't touch it with metal tools so as not to damage the antenna.

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If the screws are "stiff" and do not twist, drop a little alcohol on them or WD-40. Wait. 1-2 Just a minute and try again. Don't use too much force, because the threads that are broken will make it harder to assemble.

Step 4: Replace the battery (Step-by-step)

The battery in the Xiaomi Mi 5A has a capacity of 3080 mAh and eventually loses capacity. If the smartphone quickly discharges or turns off at 20-30% charge, it is time to replace the battery.

1. Take the old battery off. It's glued to the body with double-sided tape. Put it on a plastic mediator and pull it up gently. If the glue is too strong, use isopropyl alcohol to dissolve.
2. Clear the seat. Remove the glue residue from the case and contacts. Check if the board has any traces of oxidation (green plaque) -- if any, erase them.
3. Install a new battery. Connect the plume to the socket on the board, then glue the battery to a new two-way tape (e.g., 3M 9448A).

After replacing the battery, be sure to calibrate the charge controller.

1. Charge your smartphone to 100%.
2. Turn off the charging and use until full discharge.
3. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

Step 5: Disassemble the front panel and replace the screen

Replacing the display with the Mi 5A is one of the most difficult procedures due to fragile plumes and glue attachment. If the screen crashes but the sensor is working, you can limit the replacement of glass (if there is lamination equipment), if the display does not respond to touch or displays artifacts, you will need a complete replacement of the module.

For the removal of the front panel:

1. Remove the motherboard (as described above).
2. Heat the screen with a hair dryer (~70°C) around the perimeter to soften the glue.
3. Use a suction cup to gently lift the display, insert the mediators into the resulting slit, and gradually separate the panel from the body.
4. Disconnect the display and sensor plumes from the board.

Critical moments:

• 🔧 Don’t heat the screen too much – it can damage the liquid crystal layer.
• 📱 Sensor plume is thinner than paper – don’t overflex it.
• 🧲 The new screen must be compatible with the Mi model. 5A (Check the article before buying.

Assembly of a smartphone and checking the performance

The Xiaomi Mi 5A is assembled in reverse order, but with a few nuances in mind:

1. Check all the plumes. They should be tightly inserted into the connectors, without any distortion.
2. Tighten the screws. Don't pull them over -- effort is light enough not to break the thread.
3. Stick the back cover. Use a new double-sided scotch or B-7000 glue for a secure fixation.
4. Test. Turn on your smartphone and check: 📶 Network operation (SIM-maps, Wi-Fi). 🔊 Sound in the speaker and microphone. 📷 Cameras (main and front). 🔋 Charging (connect the cable and make sure the charge is coming).

If something doesn't work after assembly, don't panic. Go back to the disassembly and check:

• 🔌 Connecting plumes (a frequent problem is not fully inserted battery connector).
• 🔧 Tightening of screws (for example, an untwisted antenna screw can lead to a lack of network).
• 📱 Integrity of flexible cables (replacement will be required if damaged).

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If the battery doesn’t turn on after you replace it, check if the power plume is connected correctly. Then try charging it when it’s off for 10-15 minutes — sometimes the controller needs time to initialize the new battery.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

Another common problem is that the sensor is broken after the screen is replaced, and this can be caused by:

• 📱 Incompatibility of the new display (check the article).
• 🔌 Damage to the sensor plume during disassembly.
• 🔧 Incorrect connection of connectors (muttled loops of the display and touch screen).

If you encounter this problem, try reconnecting the plumes or testing the screen on another device (if possible).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions