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

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and robust design. However, over time, even this flagship can require repairs, from replacing the battery to cleaning the connectors or diagnosing the motherboard. Disassembling a smartphone is a task that requires accuracy and knowledge of nuances, especially if you are doing it for the first time.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Mi 5 disassembly process, focusing on every step from tool preparation to key component extraction, how to avoid common mistakes (such as plumes damage or screw failure), what tools are really needed and what can be dispensed with, and we will also look at the design features of this model – for example, why it is harder to disassemble than later Xiaomi devices.

If you're planning to replace your battery, your screen, or your own circuit board repair, this guide will help you get it right, and if you're in doubt, at the end of this article, you'll find tips for choosing a service center.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 5, make sure you have everything you need. Not even one tool can damage the body or internal components.

• 🔧 Plastic blades (2-3 Pc.) - for careful slinging of the lid and plumes.
• ⚙️ Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00 and flat 1.5 mm) - screws in the Mi 5 are small, conventional screwdrivers will not work.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal air station - to soften the glue under the back cover (optional, but recommended).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container - so as not to lose screws (there are about 15 pieces in the Mi 5!).
• 📸 Smartphone for photography – fix the location of plumes and screws before disconnecting.

Also, make sure that the workspace is well lit, free of dust and static electricity, and that a table with an antistatic mat is perfect, and if you don't have one, you can use a regular wooden surface with a wet wipe.

⚠️ Note: Do not disassemble the Xiaomi Mi 5 at humidity above 60% - condensation on the board can cause short circuit. Also avoid metal surfaces: they can damage the antenna modules of the smartphone.

If you're disassembling a battery replacement phone, pre-discharge it to 20-30%. A fully charged battery can ignite if accidentally damaged. And if the goal is to repair the board, it's better to remove the battery first (more on this in the next section).

Removing the back cover: combating glue and latches

The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi 5 is attached to glue and plastic latches, so removing it without damage is the hardest part of disassembling. If you act rudely, you can break the latches or leave traces on the aluminum body. Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the tray for SIM-cards (use a paper clip or special key).
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (60-70°C) for 2-3 minutes, evenly driving around the perimeter. This will soften the glue.
3. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the lower left corner where the antenna is located). Carefully drive the blade along the edge, snapping the clamps.
4. Once the lid starts to rise, don't pull it too hard, because there may be some glued areas underneath, and warm them up again with a hair dryer.

If the glue is too strong, you can use isopropyl alcohol (90%+): apply a few drops around the perimeter of the lid and wait 1-2 minutes. Alcohol will dissolve the glue, but will not damage the plastic. However, do not overdo it - getting liquid on the board is fraught with corrosion.

Heated the cover with a hair dryer (60-70°C)

Plastic blades prepared

Tray extracted SIM-map

Photographed the location of the latches

Put a soft cloth under the screen (for protection)-->

Pay special attention to the fingerprint scanner plume, which is located under the lid and attached to the motherboard, and if you pull the lid sharply, the plume can come off, you better detach it beforehand (for this, in the section on the board).

⚠️ Note: The Mi 5 uses a two-layer adhesive: the first layer is soft (separated when heated), the second is hard (may require additional effort). If the lid does not respond, do not apply force, you better repeat the heating.

Battery Removal: Risks and Safety Rules

The battery in the Xiaomi Mi 5 is glued to the body, and removing it is one of the most dangerous steps. Wrong actions can lead to fire, damage to the board or battery rupture. Here's how to do it safely:

• 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard first (even if the purpose of disassembly is not to replace the battery). Use a plastic blade to gently lift the connector.
• 🧴 Apply isopropyl alcohol under the battery (on the edges) and wait 5-10 The alcohol will dissolve the glue, but it won't damage the lithium-ion cells.
• 📏 Use a plastic card (like a bank card) to slowly separate the battery from the case!
• 🚫 Don’t puncture the battery – even a small hole can cause electrolyte leakage or fire.

If the battery is swelling, be very careful: don't press it, don't try to straighten it, because the swelling indicates a malfunction, and the battery can explode when it's mechanically impacted, and you'd better go to the service.

Once the battery is removed, inspect it for damage, if there is white coating (oxidation) or traces of electrolyte on the case, do not set it back, this can lead to short circuits, and also check the contacts on the board: when oxidized, they need to be cleaned with eraser or alcohol.

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If the battery is stuck to the body, try putting the phone in the freezer for 15-20 minutes (in a bag to avoid condensation). The cold will make the glue brittle and the battery will move away easier. But don't use this method if the battery is bloated!

Disconnection of plumes and removal of motherboard

The Mi 5 motherboard is mounted to a mid-frame with 12 screws (different lengths!) and connected to the body with several plumes.

1. Disconnect all the plumes, starting with the battery (if you haven't done it before), then the fingerprint scanner, the camera, and the display. Use a plastic blade by putting the connectors on the side.
2. Unscrew all the screws by folding them in order of extraction (for example, the scheme “upper → lower → side”). The Mi 5 uses three types of screws: 1.3 mm, 1.7 mm and 2.0 mm.
3. Carefully raise the charge for the edges, starting from the charging connector. Don't pull the components (for example, the USB-C connector) - they can come off!

Pay special attention to the plume of the display, which is the most fragile. If it breaks, you will need to replace the entire screen, which will cost 30-50% of the cost of the phone. Also be careful with antenna modules (located on the sides of the board) - they are easily damaged if you sloppy extraction.

After removing the board, inspect it for burnt elements (blackened or bloated capacitors, chips with melted legs). If any, you will need a soldering station and experience with the use of the system. SMD-Check the connector, too. USB-C — often it is oxidized due to moisture, which leads to problems with charging.

Disassembly of the screen and camera: nuances and typical errors

Xiaomi Mi screen 5 It's a touchscreen, and it's framed on a double-sided tape, and it's one of the most expensive procedures to replace it. ~5000-7000 ₽), So, you have to be very careful:

• 📱 Heat the screen with a hair dryer (temperature) 50-60°C) perimeter to soften the glue. Do not overheat - the LCD matrix may damage!
• 🔍 Use a suction cup to gently lift the screen. Stick the suction cup closer to the bottom edge (where the sensors are located).
• ⚠️ Do not raise the screen more than 45.° — The display plume is short and can break.
• 🛠️ Disconnect the touchscreen and display plumes until the screen is completely removed.

The camera in the Mi 5 is mounted on two screws and connected to the board with a flexible plume. When removing it, do not apply force to the lens - it is fixed by the threaded ring, and excessive force can damage the focusing mechanism. If the goal is to replace the camera, make sure that the new part has the same marking (for example, the Sony IMX298 for the main module).

A typical mistake when disassembling the screen is damage to the proximity/light sensor (located at the top next to the speaker), which attaches to the glue and easily detachs when the screen is sloppy raised, and if after assembly the phone stopped automatically turning off the screen during the call, most likely the sensor is damaged.

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When changing your screen, always check that the new module is compatible with the phone version. The Mi 5 used two types of displays (from Samsung and Sharp) and they are not interchangeable!

Diagnostics and cleaning of components: what can be done independently

If you’ve disassembled the Xiaomi Mi 5 for diagnostics, here’s what you can check and clean without any special equipment:

• 🔌 Charging connector: often oxidized due to moisture. Clean contacts with alcohol and toothpick (not metal objects!).
• 📶 Antenna modules: check the integrity of the wires going from the board to the back cover. If they are damaged, the network signal will be weak.
• 🔊 Speakers and microphones: remove dust and debris with a brush or compressed air. Don't blow with your mouth - saliva can get into contact.
• 🔋 Battery contacts: If they're oxidized, clean with a swallow or alcohol. This can solve the problem of sudden shutdowns.

To check the performance of components, you can use a multimeter (in the "vertebrae" mode):

• Call the charging circuit (from the USB-C connector to the controller on the board).
• Check the power button – it often sticks due to dirt.
• Make sure that the plumes are not damaged (resistance between contacts should be minimal).

If the phone does not turn on after disassembly, check:

1. Is the battery connected (sometimes the plume leaves during assembly).
2. Are the contacts closed on the board (look at the subject of foreign objects).
3. Does the power button work (call it with a multimeter)

⚠️ If after cleaning the phone became worse to catch the network, check if you have not damaged LDS-antennas (thin metal tracks at the edges of the board) can only be restored in service with a microscope.

Phone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes

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

• 🔩 Screw the screws cross-cross to avoid board skewing. Don't tug - the thread in the aluminum case easily breaks off!
• 📎 Plug the plumes last when the board is already fixed by the screws, which will prevent them from shifting.
• 🔥 Battery glue use only bilateral scotch (e.g., two-way tape, 3M 9448A). Glue gun or superglue won’t work – they can damage the battery.
• 🧹 Remove dust and debris from the case and board before final assembly. Use a brush or compressed air.

Don't turn on the phone right away.

1. Check if all screws are in place (shake the phone - there should be no rattles).
2. Make sure all the plumes are connected (click carefully on the connectors).
3. Connect the charging and check if the current is coming (the charging indicator should catch fire).

Only then can the device be activated.

If you have new problems after assembly (for example, the camera or touchscreen is not working), chances are you forgot to connect the plume or installed the board incorrectly.

• The integrity of the plumes (are there any creases).
• Correct connection connectors (they should be snapped with a slight click).
• The absence of foreign objects under the board (screws, pieces of glue).

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After replacing the battery or screen, reset (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) to avoid software glitches associated with new hardware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions