How to disassemble Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite: a complete repair guide

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite model deservedly became one of the bestsellers of the company due to the successful combination of design and performance, but over time, even reliable devices require intervention. The need to disassemble the smartphone can arise for various reasons: the display cracked, the battery wore out or you need to clean the speakers from dust. Self-disassembly allows you to save significant money on the services of the service center, but requires accuracy and understanding of the internal structure of the gadget.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of dismantling the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, paying special attention to complex knots and hidden screws. Removing the back cover without damaging it is almost impossible without first heating, since it is glued to a powerful layer of glue.

Before you start, you need to prepare a good lighting and toolkit, and don't underestimate the importance of organizing the process: small screws are easy to lose, and messed up parts can make it impossible to put the device back together. Proper preparation is half the success of any electronics repair.

Tools and workplace preparation

A high-quality disassembly of a smartphone is impossible without a specialized set of tools that differ from the standard household. You will need a hair dryer (construction or household with a narrow nozzle) to soften the adhesive layer, as well as a suction cup to neatly detach the lid. The use of knives or sharp objects at the initial stage is highly undesirable, as this increases the risk of damaging the glass or cutting the finger.

Plastic mediators (scapulas) and tweezers with curved ends are indispensable for working with internal components. Metal tools should be used with the utmost care not to break the battery or damage the motherboard. You will also need a set of Phillips screwdrivers of different sizes, since screws in the design can vary in length and diameter.

• 🛠️ Hair dryer or heating platform for heating the body
• 💳 Plastic card or mediator for opening the perimeter
• 🔩 Precision screwdrivers (cross-hatched) PH000, PH00)
• 🧲 Magnetic screw-sorting mat

Pay special attention to safety when working with a lithium polymer battery. Damage to the battery shell can lead to fire or chemical burn, so any manipulation near it requires increased concentration. If you notice a bloating battery, you need to work with it even more carefully, trying not to press it.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to turn off the device. If the smartphone does not turn on due to damage to the screen, try to press the power button on the device. 10-15 Disable the battery plume immediately after accessing the insides.

Removal of the back cover and primary dismantling

The process of opening Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite begins with a uniform heating of the perimeter of the rear panel. Turn on the hair dryer and warm up the edges of the smartphone for 2-3 minutes, constantly moving the air flow so as not to overheat individual parts of the glass or display on the back. The temperature should not be extreme, it is enough to warm up the body to a state when it is comfortable, but hot to hold in your hand.

Once heated, attach a suction cup to the bottom of the back cover, closer to the logo, and gently pull up to create a small gap. Insert a plastic card or a thin mediator into the resulting gap and start leading it along the faces, cutting the glue layer. The movements must be progressive, without sharp jerks, so that the glass does not crack under pressure.

The top of the case, where the cameras and the flash are, is particularly challenging, and the glue can hold tighter, and the structure is more fragile. If the lid doesn't respond, repeat the heating procedure, take more time to the problem areas. Don't try to force the panel off if you feel strong resistance.

Once the lid is successfully removed, you will see the internal layout of the device, and immediately pay attention to the location of the plumes and how they are fixed. Often beginners forget to disconnect the battery in the first place, which can lead to a short circuit when the connectors are accidentally touched by a metal tool.

Dismantling of protective panels and disconnecting plumes

The interior of the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is covered with plastic pads that protect the plumes and press connectors against the board. At the bottom of the device is a long plate that covers the charging connector and speaker, and at the top is the protection of the motherboard. To remove them, you need to unscrew all the visible screws, their number can vary depending on the revision of the board.

Use a screwdriver with a precisely matching sting to keep the slime from licking the slime on the screw heads. If the screw does not lend itself, do not use excessive force, it is better to drip a little solvent or warm up the area around the screw carefully after removing the fastener, gently tuck the plastic panel with a mediator and remove it, trying not to damage the fragile latches.

Now you have to disconnect the plumes from the motherboard, and you have to do this with a special antistatic tool or nail, putting the connector upwards, and the display plume and the touchscreen plume are usually located next to each other, but they have different widths and number of contacts, so it's difficult to confuse them, but it's worth paying attention.

Once all connections are turned off, you can extract the motherboard. It can be held on extra screws or fixed in grooves. Carefully raise the board by controlling the position of the cameras, which can be glued or sit tightly in their nests. The main camera module often requires special attention when extracting.

⚠️ Attention: The plumes in the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite are very thin and sensitive to clamps. Any 90 degree inflection can damage the internal tracks, causing the module to fail.

Replacement of the battery and lower plume

The battery in Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite takes up a significant part of the volume and is glued to the frame of the case with double tape. For its safe extraction, it is recommended to warm up the back of the device again a little (if the lid is already removed, warm carefully around the perimeter of the battery area).

The best way to remove the battery is to use a suction cup or a special plastic blade, sticking it under the battery and slowly, in translational movements, separating it from the body. You can use a thread (like dental floss) by passing it under the battery and sawing the adhesive layer with sawing movements, this method is the most safe for the integrity of the battery.

The bottom plume, which combines the USB Type-C charging connector and microphone, also often requires replacement, is fixed by screws and set under the plastic elements of the case. When installing a new plume, make sure that the contact pads are clean and the connector is in the groove before the characteristic click.

When installing a new battery, be sure to check the voltage on the contacts with a multimeter, if possible. It is also important to degrease the surface of the case before sticking the new battery, using isopropyl alcohol to ensure reliable fixation.

Removal and replacement of the display module

Replacing the screen with the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is the most difficult step, as the display module here is glued to the frame of the case, and is not a separate easily removed element, as in some other models. However, unlike the flagships, the frame here is plastic, which is a little simplified, but requires patience.

To remove the module, you need to warm up the front of the phone. After heating, you need to carefully pull the glass around the perimeter, trying not to damage the side edges of the frame. If you change only the glass (performing the OCA procedure), the process requires special equipment and skills, so at home, you usually change the module assembled with a frame.

If you bought a frameless module, you'd have to reglue the old display unit. It's a time-consuming process that requires removing the old glue from the frame, which can be done by heating and scraping neatly. The surface has to be perfectly smooth, otherwise the new screen might burst when assembled or spots would be visible.

When installing a new module, make sure all screw struts are intact and the holes match.Swinging the screws when twisting can cause a crack in the new glass immediately after assembly.Use only original or quality analog screws of the right length.

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Before you finalize and twist all the screws, temporarily plug the plumes and turn on the phone. Check the touchscreen, the speaker sound and the vibration so you don't disassemble the device again.

Assembly of the device and verification of functionality

The Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is assembled in reverse disassembly order. Start by installing the motherboard and connecting all the plumes. Make sure each connector is snapped smoothly and tightly. A loosely inserted display plume is a common cause of stripes appearing on the screen or not being there at all.

Then you put the plastic panels in and you twist the screws, and it's important not to pull the screws, especially the ones that hold the board, because the plastic can crack, and the threads in the metal bushings can break, and twist them evenly, cross-cross, slightly pressing.

The final step is to glue the back cover, clean the perimeter of the case and the lid itself of the residues of old glue with alcohol, apply a thin layer of special glue (for example, B-7000) or use a ready-made adhesive frame. Press the lid and lock the device with rubber bands for 1-2 hours until completely dry.

Once assembled, be sure to test all the features: take a few photos on both cameras, check the operation of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and touch panel throughout the area.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic. Check if the battery connector is fully inserted into the connector on the board.

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Quality cleaning of surfaces from old glue and the correct sequence of connecting plumes are key factors for successful smartphone assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)