How to disassemble Xiaomi Mi8 without damage: detailed instructions with photos and nuances

Xiaomi Mi8 is the flagship smartphone of 2018, which is still popular today due to its powerful hardware and affordable price in the secondary market. However, over time, even such a reliable device can have problems from battery failure to break the speaker or camera. If you decide to disassemble the phone yourself - to replace parts, clean or diagnose - it is important to do it carefully so as not to damage fragile components.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide to disassembling the Mi8 with photos of key stages, a list of necessary tools and unique tips for working with the adhesive layer and plumes. We will also tell you what mistakes beginners most often make and how to avoid them. If you have never taken apart smartphones before, don’t worry: with the right approach, even a novice master will cope with the task.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need.The Xiaomi Mi8 is a device with adhesive back mount and brittle plumes, so the wrong tool can damage the body or internal components.

Here's what you're gonna need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (2-3 (a) - for separation of the back cover without scratches.
• 🔨 Screwdriver. T3 and T5 (better magnetic) - for screws fastening the medium frame and motherboard.
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C).
• 🧲 Suction cups (2 pcs) - will help to suction the cover after heating.
• 📦 Container for screws - so as not to lose small parts (in the Mi8 over 15!).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-residue.
• 📱 Tweezers with curved ends - for working with plumes.

Also, prepare your workspace: it should be well-lit, free of dust and static electricity. Put a soft substrate on the table (like a silicone mat) so that you don't scratch the glass or metal frame. If you're disassembling your phone for the first time, take a picture of each step on camera, which will help you get the device back together properly.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal blades or knives to separate the cover! even a slight pressure can damage antenna lines or battery plume. Mi8 They are located very close to the edges of the body.

Step 1: Removing the back cover - how not to damage the adhesive layer

The most important step is to separate the back cover. In the Xiaomi Mi8, it is glued around the perimeter, and also has additional latches near the buttons and the Type-C connector. If you pull the lid by force, you can tear the fingerprint scanner plume or damage the antenna contacts.

Follow this algorithm:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hairdryer for 2-3 minutes, keeping it at a distance of 5-7 cm. Pay special attention to the edges and corners.
3. Stick the suction cups to the bottom of the lid (near the Type-C connector) and pull up. If the lid doesn't lend itself, heat up for another 1 minute.
4. Insert a plastic mediator into the resulting gap and carefully conduct them around the perimeter, separating the glue.

If the cover is not removed, check:

• 🔹 Is the glue warm enough? When it's cold, it becomes very strong.
• 🔹 Are there any undetected latches? Mi8 They are near the loudspeaker and power buttons.
• 🔹 Don’t push too hard – the glass cover may crack!

⚠️ Warning: If you see that the fingerprint scanner plume is severed after removing the cover, don't panic. You can solder it back, but it will require a soldering station and experience with microelectronics.

Step 2: Battery shutdown – why it’s critical

Once the lid is removed, the first thing to do is to turn off the battery. In the Mi8, it is connected via a connector on the motherboard, and if you accidentally close the contacts (for example, with a screwdriver), this can lead to:

• 🔋 Short circuit and failure of the power controller.
• 💥 Battery fire (rarely, but possible with severe CZ).
• 📱 Data loss due to resetting settings.

To turn off the battery:

1. Find an orange plume with a black connector at the top of the board (near the camera).
2. Carefully tuck the connector with a plastic spatula and disconnect it.
3. You can check the disconnection by pressing the power button - the screen should not respond.

If the connector is "stiffened" and does not detach, do not pull it by force. Moisten the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the contacts - this will help dissolve the oxides.

Step 3: Removing the motherboard - working with plumes and screws

The motherboard in Xiaomi Mi8 is mounted on 15 screws of different sizes and types, if you confuse them with places when Assembly, this can damage the board or body, we recommend spreading the screws in groups and sign them (for example, “camera”, “speaker”, “frame”).

Procedure:

1. Unscrew all screws around the perimeter of the board (use the T5 magnetic screwdriver).
2. Carefully unplug all the plumes: 📸 Main camera plume (upper part). 🔊 Dynamics and microphone plume (bottom right). 📶 The antenna module plume (under the metal cover). 👆 Fingerprint scanner plume (if not already severed).

Put a plastic blade on the board and gently lift it up. Don't pull the edges, because there are fragile components in there.

If the fee doesn't work, check if all the plumes are disconnected. NFC-antenna, which is attached under a metal cover at the top.

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Before removing the board, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws. This will save you hours when you reassemble!

Step 4: Replacing the battery – the nuances and risks

The battery in the Mi8 has a capacity of 3400 mAh and is attached to double-sided tape. Over time, it loses capacity, swells up or stops holding charge. Replacing the battery is one of the most common reasons for disassembling this smartphone.

To recover the battery:

1. Heat it with a hair dryer (temperature 60-70 ° C) for 1-2 minutes.
2. Carefully tuck the battery with a plastic spatula on the side (not from the end!).
3. If the battery is “rigged”, use a special glue solvent or isopropyl alcohol.
4. Install a new battery by pre-clearing the landing site of glue residues.

⚠️ Warning: If a new battery is not identified after installation, check the integrity of the plume and contacts on the motherboard. U2401 (power controller) which is located next to the battery connector.

Step 5: Camera disassembly and speaker – where the “pitfalls” are hidden

If you need to replace the main camera (24 MP, f/1.8) or speaker, be careful: these modules are not only screwed, but also glue-mounted.

To replace the camera:

1. Unscrew 3 T5 screws that fasten the metal cover of the module.
2. Carefully remove the lid - there is a plume under it.
3. Disconnect the plume from the motherboard (the connector is under black insulation).
4. Heat the camera module with a hairdryer and separate it from the body.

The speaker in the Mi8 is located at the bottom and is attached to 2 screws and glue.

• 🔊 Dust-retardant net - it is easy to damage when removed.
• 🎵 Microphone plume - it comes complete with a speaker.
• 🔌 Antenna contacts – they are located nearby and can come off.

If the speaker does not work after replacing, check:

• The integrity of the plume (often torn at the base).
• Settings of sound in Settings → Sound (sometimes the profile is lost).
• No short circuit on the board (checked by a multimeter).

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When changing the camera or speaker, always check the leakproofness of the body after assembly.The Mi8 does not have official water protection, but dust pads are still present.

Phone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes

Getting the Xiaomi Mi8 back together is often harder than disassembling.

1. Check all the plumes – they should be tightly inserted into the connectors.
2. Don’t pull over the screws – it can damage the charge.
3. Use a new adhesive for the back cover (e.g. B7000 or 3M double-sided scotch).
4. Take a test before the final assembly: 🔋 Connect the battery and check the charge. 📸 Test the camera and fingerprint scanner. 🔊 Check the sound in the speaker and microphone.

If the phone does not turn on after assembly:

• 🔌 Check battery connection and power buttons.
• 🔧 Make sure all screws are twisted (no grounding can block the switching on).
• 📱 Connect to charging – sometimes a “push” from an external source is required.

If the screen doesn't respond to touch, the touchscreen has probably gone off. In the Mi8, it's located under the battery and attached to the board with two screws.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Mi8