Modern smartphones are becoming more difficult to maintain, and the Xiaomi Mi 9T is no exception to this trend.This device, known for its frameless design and outgoing front camera, requires careful approach when carrying out repairs. If you plan to replace a broken glass, battery or camera module, you need to clearly understand the sequence of actions so as not to damage fragile plumes and mechanisms.
Before starting work, it is crucial to assess the risks and prepare the workplace. Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 9T requires a specialized tool and a certain amount of patience, as the body of the device is assembled using a large number of screws and glue. Wrong actions can damage the display or failure of the motor of the retractable camera, so follow each step carefully.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of removing the back cover, disabling the internal components and removing the main modules. You will learn which screws to unscrew first, how to safely warm the case and what to pay special attention to when working with the display plume. Proper preparation is 90% of success, so do not neglect safety tips.
Tools and workplace preparation required
A screwdriver is not enough to disassemble a smartphone properly; you need a specialized toolkit that allows you to work with small screws and fragile structural elements. Lack of the right tool often leads to licking of the screws or damage to the body, so assemble everything you need in advance.
First of all, you'll need a heating element, whether it's a professional separator or a regular hair dryer. The glue holding the back cover melts at about 80-90 degrees, and without prior warming up, it's almost impossible to tear the panel without cracking, you'll also need a suction cup to pull the glass off and thin plastic blades (mediators) to gently dissect the adhesive layer.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (mandatory bit type Phillips #00).
- 🔥 Hair dryer or heater plate for softening glue.
- 📱 Plastic mediators and a suction cup for opening the body.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat for sorting screws by disassembly stages.
⚠️ Note: Do not use metal blades to open the case unless you are an experienced craftsman.The metal can damage the graphite layer (cooling) or cut through plumes laid under the frame.
Organize the space so that all the screws are sorted. Xiaomi Mi 9T uses screws of different lengths, and if you mix them up when you build them, you can punch the motherboard or damage the thread. The most convenient way is to use a magnetic mat with markup or small containers with the signatures of the stages.
Removal of the back cover and dismantling of protective panels
The first step in the process of disassembly is to remove the tray for SIM-This is a standard procedure for all modern smartphones, which allows access to some internal screws and reduces internal pressure when heated.
Next, warm the perimeter of the back cover. Heat the ends of the smartphone evenly for 2-3 minutes, without holding the hair dryer too long at one point so as not to overheat the battery or display. Once the body becomes warm to the touch, attach a suction cup at the bottom of the back panel and pull up, creating a gap.
Insert a plastic mediator into the gap, and guide it along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer. Move slowly, feeling resistance; if the adhesive doesn't respond, add a little more heat. Don't try to force the lid off, because the glass can burst from uneven pressure.
☑️ Check before removing the lid
Once you remove the lid, you'll see an interior space that's covered by a black plastic or glass shield, and it's also attached to glue and a lot of screws, and you'll need to twist all the visible screws around the perimeter of that panel to access the battery and the plumes.
Disconnection of plumes and protection against static electricity
When you take off the main shield, you'll see the battery and the bottom board connected by plumes, and the most important thing you do at this point is to turn off the battery, which is the first thing you need to do to shut down the device and work safely with other components, such as the display or the cameras.
Use a plastic blade to snap the battery connector. Don't use excessive force, act with a confident but gentle movement. Once the battery is turned off, you can start detaching the main plume of the display and other peripherals.
Static electricity is the invisible enemy of electronics, and although the risk is high mainly in dry rooms in winter, safety rules should not be neglected, and touching the metal parts of the board with your fingers can lead to microscopic damage that will manifest later.
- ⚡ Before touching the board, touch the grounded metal object.
- 🧤 It is recommended to work in antistatic gloves or use a bracelet.
- 🚫 Avoid touching connectors with your fingers.
Pay special attention to the plume from the lower board to the motherboard. In the Mi 9T, it passes under the battery and other cells, requiring careful handling, damage to the tracks on the plume will lead to loss of signal or inoperability of the touch screen.
What to do if the connector is not broken?
Removal of the battery and work with the glue layer
The battery in the Xiaomi Mi 9T is mounted on two strips of double-sided tape. Over time, the glue becomes polymerized and becomes very durable, so trying to just pull the battery out can cause it to deform or catch fire. Never use metal tools to tamper with the battery.
There are several safe ways to extract, the most common is to use a special hood or plastic cards, if there are special tongues under the battery (pull-tabs), carefully pull them, if they are not, you will have to carefully enter a plastic card or fishing line under the battery and smoothly "make" the adhesive layer.
When working with lithium polymer batteries, it is strictly forbidden to damage their shell. A puncture of the battery will lead to instant ignition of the electrolyte and the release of toxic smoke. If you notice a bloating battery, you need to work with it with extreme caution, minimizing mechanical pressure.
| Parameter | Meaning/Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Type of battery | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Tall. |
| Heating temperature | 80-90 °C | Critically. |
| Risk of damage | High (in puncture) | Critically. |
| Tool. | Plastic/Lesca | Tall. |
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Remains of old glue from the frame of the case should be removed with a plastic card or a finger dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Do not use metal scrapers so as not to scratch the frame and damage the graphite pad.
Dismantling the main and front camera
One of the unique features of the Xiaomi Mi 9T is its mechanical retractable camera, which requires a special approach, since it has a complex mechanism with a motor and gears inside, and if you want to replace this module, be prepared for painstaking work.
To access the main triple camera, you need to remove additional shields and disable the module plumes. The cameras are secured in their seats fairly tightly, sometimes using a small amount of glue or locking frames. Carefully remove the modules, holding on to their bases rather than the lenses.
The retractable chamber mechanism is located at the top of the body, and it often requires removing the motherboard or the top of the frame to dismantle it, and when you assemble it, make sure that the camera plume is properly stacked in the guides, or the machine can jam or damage the plume when you extend it.
⚠️ Attention: The mechanism of the retractable chamber is not protected from dust and moisture. When the structure is open, dust can get on the lenses or in the gears, which will lead to jamming.
When you reset the cameras, make sure the security windows are clean.Dust or fingerprints on the inside of the glass will be visible in all photos and video recordings.Direct the optics with microfiber before final assembly.
Withdrawal of motherboard and lower plume
The motherboard is the heart of the smartphone, and its removal is the final stage of complete disassembly. In the Xiaomi Mi 9T, the board is located at the top and closed with a metal screen, which also acts as a radiator. This screen is often soldered around the perimeter, but you can carefully remove it to replace components.
Before removing the board, you need to turn off all the remaining plumes: antenna cables (usually white or black, snapped with a characteristic click), vibrator and lower board plume. Antenna cables are very thin and easily break, so snap them carefully, putting on the tip of the connector.
Once all the screws have been unscrewed, the board should come out freely. If it's stuck, make sure you've forgotten to turn off any connector or unscrew a hidden screw under the stickers. Sharp movements can break the antenna soldering or damage the connectors.
- 📡 Antenna cables require precise hitting the connector during assembly.
- 🔊 The speaker module is often integrated into the lower part of the frame.
- 🔋 The charging plume passes under the battery and requires careful stacking.
The lower board, where the USB Type-C connector is located, is attached to several screws. When replacing this module, it is important to make sure that the new connector has a quality mic soldering, since in this model it is often soldered directly on the charging board.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The assembly is done in reverse sequence, but there are nuances: new adhesive strips for the battery and the back cover should be glued smoothly, without distortion, and excess glue can squeeze out and stain the body or get into connectors.
Before the final screws are twisted and the back cover is glued, it is recommended to temporarily connect the battery and start the device. Check the touchscreen, display image, camera operation (including retractable), microphone and speaker, this will save time if you forgot to connect some plume.
Make sure all screws are twisted. The absence of even one small screw can lead to backlashes, creaks when the vibrator is working, or dust entering the body. Pay special attention to the screws around the plume connectors.
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The basic principle of assembly is not to use force, and if the part doesn't fit, you've either got the screws mixed up, you forgot to snap the lock, or you've got the plume stacked incorrectly.
The final step is to warm up the body perimeter and press the back cover with rubber harnesses for 15-20 minutes to securely fix the adhesive, and then wipe the screen and the case from the fingerprints.