Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has proven to be a reliable “people’s” device, but even the most durable devices require maintenance over time. Broken glass, battery life or problems with the charging connector are typical scenarios that require opening the case. Self-disassembly saves a significant amount of money on services of the service center, if you act carefully and consistently.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at the process of dismantling the Redmi Note 7, focusing on hidden screws and fragile plumes. It is important to understand that opening the case automatically voids the warranty, so you should only start if you are fully confident. Modern smartphones are complex engineering designs where every screw and pinch plate play a role.
Before you pick up tools, you need to prepare your workspace. You need a good light to see the fine details, and a screw folding capacity to keep them from being lost in the process. The glue under the back cover of the Redmi Note 7 softens at about 80 degrees Celsius, so don't overheat the body above that value so as not to damage the display.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The success of the operation depends on 80% on the quality of the tool used. For the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, you will need a specific set, since standard household screwdrivers may not fit in size or type of stinger. Using the wrong tool often leads to licking the sides of the screws, which makes simple repairs a difficult task.
Pay special attention to the heating equipment. The back of the device is planted on double-sided tape, which holds very tight at room temperature. A hair dryer or heating pad is a mandatory element of preparation. Also remember to turn off the device and remove the tray. SIM-cards before any manipulation of the body.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (mandatory presence of cross-shaped) PH000 flat)
- 🔥 Hair dryer or professional thermohol (temperature up to 100)°C)
- 💳 Plastic card or mediator for clipping
- 🩹 Suction cup for lifting back cover
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol and new glue B-7000 assemble
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal blades or knives to jack up the lid in the display area.The Redmi Note 7 screen has no perimeter protective frame, and one awkward movement will cause the matrix to chip or stains to appear.
Organise the space so that all the tools are at hand. Magnetic mat or ordinary white paper will help you not lose small screws. In the design of the smartphone, screws of different lengths are used, and if you confuse their places during assembly, you can damage the internal components or the body itself.
Removal of the back cover and removal of the protective panel
The first step is to remove the glass back panel. Heat the body perimeter evenly, paying more attention to the angles where the glue freezes tighter. The heating process usually takes 2 to 4 minutes depending on the power of the heat source. Don't keep the hair dryer at one point for too long to avoid local overheating.
After warming up, attach the suction cup to the bottom of the back cover, just above the Xiaomi logo. Pull the suction cup up, creating a gap, and gently insert a plastic mediator into it. Driving the tool along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer, but do not sink it deeper than 3-4 mm so as not to touch the battery or plumes.
When the lid is removed, you'll see a plastic panel that covers the insides, and it's fixed by a lot of screws around the perimeter and one in the center. All screws need to be unscrewed. Notice that some screws may be hidden under stickers or plugs, although they're open in the Redmi Note 7.
When you take off the plastic lining, you'll see the main battery, the motherboard and the main camera module. There's often a conductive plume between the battery and the lid, which you need to gently disconnect or bend if it gets in the way.
Disabling plumes and removing the battery
Before any further action, you need to turn off the device. Find the battery connector on the motherboard and gently tuck it in with a plastic blade. Do not use metal objects, as this can cause a short circuit on the board, even if the device is turned off.
Then you have to disconnect the display and touchscreen plumes, which are next to the battery connector, and they're covered with a metal bar, and you unscrew the screws that hold this bar, and you take it off, and then you can turn off the plumes by putting your nail or plastic tool up.
- 🔋 Turn off the battery connector first.
- 📱 Remove the metal protection of the display plumes
- 🔌 Carefully disconnect the main screen plume
- 🖐️ Disconnect the touchscreen plume (if you only change the glass)
Removing the battery is the most delicate thing. In the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, it's glued to the frame quite strongly. You can't heat the front of the battery because you can damage the matrix. You'd better put a little isopropyl alcohol under the edges of the battery and wait 5-10 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use sharp objects to pick the battery. Puncture of the lithium polymer battery will lead to instant fire or chemical burn. Use only plastic cards and heating.
If the battery is swelling, you need to work with extreme caution, so don't push it or bend it, and after you remove the old battery, clean the seat of the old glue with alcohol and a lilac-free wipe, and this will ensure that the new battery fits tightly.
Dismantling of motherboard and modules
Replacing a charging connector or speaker often requires a full removal of the motherboard, which is mounted with multiple screws and holders, and at the bottom of the board is a main plume that connects the motherboard to the bottom charging plume.
First, disconnect all the connectors available: antenna cables (they just take off with a slight upward movement), a plume of volume and on buttons, and the main camera plume. The camera in the Redmi Note 7 is quite large and can interfere with access to some screws, so it's better to take it off, too.
☑️ Pre-assembly check
Once all the connections are free, unscrew the circuit board screws, which are usually 4-6 pieces, raise the board carefully, making sure nothing gets caught, put it on an antistatic mat or in a safe place.
Now you can get to the bottom plume with the charging connector. It's also glued to the frame. Heat the bottom of the case and gently tuck the plume. When you install the new one, make sure that the dynamic grid and microphone holes match the holes in the housing.
Replacement of the display and touch screen
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 uses LCD technology, where the matrix and touchscreen are often assembled with a frame. Changing the glass (touchscreen) separately without professional equipment (separator and laminator) is extremely difficult and risky. It is easier and more reliable to buy a module assembled with a frame.
If you buy a framed module, the process is simplified: you just need to move all the internal components (motherboard, battery, cameras, speakers) from the old frame to the new one, which takes less time and ensures that there is no dust under the new glass.
| Component | Difficulty replacing | Risk of damage | The necessary tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Medium | Tall (fire) | Hair dryer, alcohol, sucker. |
| Screen (module) | Tall. | Very tall. | Screwdriver set, mediators |
| Back cover. | Low. | Medium (splinters) | Fryer, sucker. |
| Charging connector | Medium | Low. | Tweezers, screwdrivers. |
When you install a new display, first plug in the plumes and check the image and the touch without permanently gluing the screen. Turn on the phone, check the sensitivity zones and the presence of broken pixels. Only after making sure that you are working, apply the glue and fix the module.
Why doesn’t the touchscreen work after replacement?
Device assembly and testing
The assembly is done in reverse disassembly. Start by installing the motherboard and connecting all the plumes. Make sure each connector is in place with a characteristic click. Don't rush to twist the screws until you check the initial launch.
Apply the new B-7000 or T-7000 glue in a thin strip around the frame perimeter and on the back cover. Let the glue dry a little (2-3 minutes) until it's sticky, then connect the parts of the body. Press them with rubber harnesses or load for 30-60 minutes.
- 🔌 Connect the battery and check the charging indicator response
- 📞 Make a test call to check the microphone and speaker
- 📸 Check all cameras and flashes
- 📶 Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules work
After polymerizing the glue, wipe the body from the glue residue with alcohol. Turn on the phone and perform a full diagnosis. If all functions are working properly, you can consider the repair successfully completed.
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Use floss or a thin line to remove old glue from the frame, which is safer than scraping metal with a knife, and allows you to reach hard-to-reach corners.
Frequent errors and precautions
One of the most common mistakes is losing screws of varying lengths. In the Redmi Note 7, the motherboard and lower board mount screws may differ. Swipe a long screw into a short hole can punch through the tracks on the board or damage the body.
Another problem is that the plumes are damaged when handled carelessly, the plumes are very thin and break when you're under a lot of tension, and when you disconnect, always stick your finger to the board so you don't create a tension point.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to turn on the phone if at least one main plume (screen or battery) is disconnected.
Static electricity is the invisible enemy of electronics. Before work begins, it is recommended to remove synthetic clothing and touch a grounded metal object to relieve static charge. Working on synthetic carpet or in wool socks increases the risk of breakdown.
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The key to a successful build is to take your time and check every step, and it's better to spend an extra hour rechecking than reassembling the phone because of a forgotten plume.