Disassembly Xiaomi Mi A1: step-by-step guide with photos and warnings

The Xiaomi Mi A1 is the iconic 2017 smartphone that is still in demand today thanks to its clean Android One, robust filling and upgrade capabilities. However, over time, even this “Chinese tank” may need repairs: battery replacement, dust cleaning, repair connectors or motherboard diagnostics. Disassembling the Mi A1 yourself is a difficult task, but it is doable with the right approach.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions with photos of each stage, a list of necessary tools, as well as unique tips for preventing damage to plumes and buttons, the most vulnerable part of the structure. We will also analyze the typical beginner errors that lead to a breakdown of the display or loss of leakage of the case. If you have never held a tweezer and a plastic blade, no problem: our guide is designed for users with zero experience.

Warning: Disassembling your smartphone will void the warranty (if it still works) and carry risks, but if you're willing to act carefully, go ahead!

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. The Xiaomi Mi A1 is built on latches and glue, so you can't do without specialized tools. Here's the minimum set:

• 🔧 Plastic blades (2-3 (a) - to separate the body without scratching.
• 🔨 Tweezers with thin ends - for working with plumes and small details.
• 🔋 Screwdriver. T3 and T5 — motherboard-mounting screw.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – so as not to lose screws.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermoair station - for softening the glue (optional, but recommended).
• 📱 Suction cup for display - will help separate the screen from the body.

Important: Don’t use metal tools to unplug plastic parts – they leave scratches and can damage antenna lines on the back cover, and prepare a clean, well-lit carpet-free workspace (screws are easily lost in the pile) and an antistatic bracelet if any (will protect the board from static discharge).

⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone battery is swelling, don't try to disassemble it yourself. The risk of fire or battery rupture is extremely high.

Step 1: Turn off and remove the back cover

The first stage is the most important. Xiaomi Mi A1 has a glue back cover, which is additionally fixed by latches around the perimeter, to remove it:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-cards (use a paper clip or special key).
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (~60°C) for 2-3 minutes, evenly leading around the edges. This will soften the glue.
3. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start with the lower left corner where the charging connector is located).
4. Carefully drive the shoulder blade along the edge, alternately snapping the clamps.

If the lid fails, reheat the problem area. Don't try to plug the lid in the middle, it will lead to cracks. Also avoid heating the area of the chamber (it may damage the module).

Heat the edges with a hairdryer|Use a plastic spatula|Start at the bottom left corner|Do not force the center of the cover|Disconnect the smartphone from the network-->

After removing the cover, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery with connector and plume.
• 📶 Antenna modules (do not touch them unnecessarily!).
• 🔧 Screw screws that fasten the motherboard (they need to be unscrewed at the next stage).

Step 2: Disconnect the battery and plumes

Before you continue, be sure to turn off the battery.

1. Put a plastic blade on the black battery plume (it is located to the right of the battery).
2. Carefully pull the plume upwards, the connector should come out of the nest.
3. Wait 1-2 minutes – this will discharge the residual current in the circuits.

Now we can start to disconnect the other plumes. The Mi A1 has three.

⚠️ Warning: If you accidentally tore the plume of the display or sensor, the smartphone will stop responding to touch or display artifacts on the screen. ~1500-2000 ruble.).

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Before disconnecting the plumes, take a picture of their location on the board - this will help to connect them back correctly.

Step 3: Withdrawal of the motherboard

Once the plumes are turned off, you can remove the motherboard.

1. Unscrew all screws (usually 8-10 pieces) with a screwdriver T3 or T5 (depending on the modification).
2. Carefully tuck the board with a plastic spatula on the left side (from the charging connector).
3. Raise the board at an angle of ~45° and extract it by holding it behind the edges.

Be careful: on the back of the board are:

• 🎤 Microphone (upper part).
• 📡 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module (right).
• 🔊 Dynamics (bottom).

If the board doesn't come out, check if all the plumes are off, and users often forget the vibrator plume, which is located under the battery.

Step 4: Disassemble the front panel (screen + frame)

This stage is the most difficult and risky. Xiaomi Mi A1 has a glued display module, which consists of:

• 📺 LCD matrix (responsible for the image).
• 👆 Touchscreen (sensory layer).
• 🖼️ Protective glass (unless it has been replaced before).

The separation of modules will require:

1. Heat the screen with a hair dryer (~70°C) for 5 minutes.
2. Finish the glass with a plastic blade from any corner.
3. Carefully separate the glass from the matrix using threads or guitar mediators (they help to cut the glue evenly).

⚠️ Warning: If you've never separated the glued screens, you'd better not take the risk. The mistake will cause the plumes to rupture or damage to the matrix (repair will cost you a lot of money). 5000-7000 In this case, it is more appropriate to replace the entire display module assembled.

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If the purpose of the disassembly is to replace the battery or speaker, you don't have to remove the screen, just disconnect the plumes and remove the motherboard.

Step 5: Diagnostics and replacement of components

Now that the smartphone is disassembled, we can start repairing it.

1. Battery replacement

The old battery in the Mi A1 often swells or loses capacity.

• 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume (if you haven’t already done so).
• 🔥 Heat the battery with a hairdryer (~60°C) - this will soften the glue underneath it.
• 🪛 Tap the battery with a plastic spatula and carefully remove it.
• 🧴 Apply a new double-sided Scotch to replace and install a new battery.

Tip: Buy a battery with a capacity of at least 3080 mAh (original capacity) and a JST 1.0 connector. Cheap analogues may not fit in size or cause charging problems.

Cleaning of the charging connector

If the smartphone is not charging, the problem may be oxidation of the contacts.

1. Soak the cotton swab in alcohol (90%+).
2. Gently wipe the contacts of the USB-C connector.
3. Blow the connector with compressed air (for example, a canister to clean the keyboard).

3. Replacement of speaker or microphone

The speaker and microphone in the Mi A1 are soldered to the motherboard, and they will require a soldering station and experience with microelectronics, and if you don't have experience, you'd better contact the service.

Step 6: Build a Smartphone

The assembly takes place in reverse order, but there are several nuances:

• 🔧 Twisting the screws cross-cross to avoid skewing the fee.
• 🧲 Check if all the plumes are connected to the end (they should click).
• 🔋 Stick the back cover onto a new double-sided scotch (old glue loses properties).
• 📱 Before the final assembly, turn on the smartphone and check the operability of all functions.

If the Mi A1 is not activated after assembly:

1. Check if the battery is connected.
2. Make sure the display plumes and buttons are not damaged.
3. Try charging your smartphone with another cable (possibly the problem is the connector).

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If the touchscreen doesn't work after assembly, but there's an image, the sensor plume probably has gone, take the smartphone apart and check its connection.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Mi A1.

Another common problem is that the flexible plume of the volume buttons is damaged, and it's located under a metal frame, and it breaks easily when you're not taking it off, and if the buttons stop working after you've taken them off, it's likely that the plume is torn.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)