How to disassemble Xiaomi Redmi 5A: a complete repair guide

Despite its budget status and plastic body, the Xiaomi Redmi 5A often requires the intervention of a wizard or an experienced user. The reasons can be different: broken glass, a failed battery or the need for deep dust cleaning. The disassembly of this device is significantly different from more modern models with an all-metal body or glass panels on glue.

The main thing about the design is that the insides are not accessed through the back cover, as you might think from the look, but the back is a non-removable part of the body, and the whole process of dismantling is built around carefully removing the display module from the front, and this requires a certain skill, because the screen is mounted on the latches around the perimeter and the hidden screws.

Before you start, you need to understand the risks. Mishandling plumes can cause a matrix or touchscreen to break. Also, the plastic frame is quite fragile. However, if you do it methodically and use the right tool, replacement components are very real at home. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each step to minimize the likelihood of errors.

Tools and workplace preparation required

Good preparation is key to successful repairs. You don't need industrial equipment, but a suite of specialized tools is a must. Using improvised tools like knives or thick needles can damage plastic or short circuits. Provide good lighting and clean space for work.

Here is a list of what to do on the table before starting:

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (mandatory presence of cross-haired) P2 and P0 small-rotor).
• 🛠️ Plastic blade (mediator) for snapping latches.
• 🔥 A dryer or heat pad (to soften the glue under the glass, if any, although in the 5A little).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for screws, so as not to confuse their length.

Special attention should be paid to the screwdriver. The screws in the Redmi 5A can be tightened quite tightly, and a cheap tool will easily rip off the suction cup. It is also recommended to have a suction cup on hand, although this model is rarely used, since the screen is removed through tanning with a spatula. If you have tweezers with dielectric tips, this will make it much easier to work with small connectors.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to turn off the device. Attempting to turn off the plumes under voltage can disable the power controller or backlights on the board.

Organise the space so that the small parts don't roll. The screws in this model are of different lengths, and twisting a long screw into a short hole can damage the body or the motherboard itself. Use a diagram or take pictures of each stage of disassembly to remember when you build it, which screw was where.

Dismantling SIM-tray and removal of the display module

The process of disassembly begins with the removal of the tray for SIM-This is standard procedure for most smartphones, but it's critical here, because the tray captures the position of the internal components. Use a clip or a special needle by pressing into the hole at the bottom of the device. The tray should come out freely.

And then the most important step is to separate the screen from the frame. Unlike the flagships, there's no glue around the perimeter, but there's lots of plastic latches. Carefully shovel the joint between the screen and the frame at the bottom, closer to the home button. Move along the edges, gradually snapping the locks.

Don't use excessive force. If you feel strong resistance, you're stuck in a screw or the latch hasn't fully unfastened. In Xiaomi Redmi 5A, you often find hidden screws under decorative elements or stickers, although in this model, the main fastener becomes visible after the initial snapping. Once the perimeter is passed, the screen can be slightly raised.

It's important not to pull the screen too far, because it's connected to the motherboard with plumes. Lift the module neatly like a laptop lid to access the internal components. At this point, you can already see the main board and the battery, but access to them is limited.

Disabling plumes and removing the metal screen

Once the display module has been snapped around the perimeter, we have a view of the interior layout, but to take the screen off completely or gain full access to the board, you have to turn off the plumes, and they're protected by a metal plate-screen that's screwed to the middle of the body.

You'll need a screwdriver with the smallest sting (usually a P0). Unscrew all the screws that hold the metallic pad over the connectors. The number can vary, but there's usually about 4-6 of them. Stack them in a separate cell, as they're very small and easily lost.

After the removal protection, you can see the connectors.

• 🔌 Main display plume (wide).
• 📱 Touchscreen plume (narrow, located nearby).
• 🔋 Power management plume (sometimes combined).
• 📡 Antenna contacts (cushion pads).

Use a plastic blade or nail to turn off the plumes. It is strictly forbidden to use metal tools, as you can damage the contacts on the board or the plume itself. Carefully pull the connector upwards. If it sits tight, sway it slightly from side to side, but without jerking.

Once all connections are turned off, the display module can be completely removed to the side, the motherboard is now open for further access, and note the state of the antenna's pins, which should be clean and free of oxides.

Removal of motherboard and battery

Now that the screen is off, you can start removing the main components. The Redmi 5A motherboard is secured with multiple screws around the perimeter. Unscrew them all. Also check if there are screws near the charging connectors or a speaker that can fix the board indirectly.

Carefully raise the board. It can sit tight because of the contacts. Scoop it up with a spatula on different sides, trying not to bend the board itself. Take the board out of the case, paying attention to speakers and other elements that can be glued to it or inserted into the slots.

This model has a special tongue to remove the battery, but if the device has been repaired or the battery has swelled, the tongue may not be inflated, so you have to gently shovel the battery with a blade starting at the bottom, and heating the back cover with a hairdryer (not a screen!) can help soften the adhesive base.

When you're working with a battery, be very careful. Lithium polymer batteries are sensitive to punctures. If you damage the battery shell, it can catch fire or release a caustic smoke. If the battery is swelling, do not press it or try to pierce it, it can cause instantaneous ignition.

Replacement of charging connector and other modules

A frequent problem with the Xiaomi Redmi 5A is loosening or oxidizing the bottom charging connector (sub-board).To replace it, you do not always need to remove the motherboard completely, but access to it opens up after removing the screen and the main board.

The bottom board is screwed to the plastic case, unscrew them and disconnect the main plume from the motherboard, and disconnect the button plumes (volume and inclusions) if they go through the lower board, and the antenna cable if it interferes.

Set a new charging board by gently stacking the plumes into the channels intended for them. The plumes should not be twisted or clamped. When assembled, make sure the connectors are snapped to a characteristic click.

You can also replace the vibrator motor, which is often located next to the charging connector, or clean the speaker of dust, and the speaker in this model is removed from its seat after the plume is turned off.

Assembly of the device and verification of functionality

The assembly is done in reverse order, but it requires care. First, put the motherboard in place and fasten it with screws, make sure that all screws are twisted, but not pulled, so as not to break the thread in the plastic.

Then you plug in the display and touchscreen plumes, and that's the critical point: the connector should stand up straight, and then you press the metal plate and the screen, and you twist the locking screws, and then you can check the device without gluing or snapping the screen permanently.

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Before you finish building, plug in the plumes and press the power button. If the phone vibrates or the screen catches fire, you're on the right track. If you don't, double-check the plumes and the screws under the metal plate that can close the contacts.

Check the touchscreen, sound, microphone and charging. If everything is working correctly, apply a thin layer of special glue (B-7000) around the perimeter of the frame if necessary for density, and gently snap the screen around the perimeter. Let the glue dry for several hours under rubber bands or load.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn the phone on immediately after assembly if you have used liquid glue. Give it time to polymerize, otherwise the adhesive vapors may settle on the camera or speaker, making their performance worse.

The final stage will be the installation SIM-So, successful assembly is when you don't have any extra parts left and the device works like new.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you disassemble the Redmi 5A yourself, beginners often make the same mistakes, and one of the most common is to try to remove the back cover. Remember, in this model, it is not removable, and all the disassembly actions are done through the front panel.

Another mistake is using force to snap latches. Plastic in Xiaomi's budget models can be brittle. If the latch doesn't go, it's better to walk the blade along the seam again than break the lock, and it's also common to forget to turn off the battery before working with other components, which increases the risk of short circuits.

Ignoring the organization of the screws leads to the fact that when you build long screws fall into short holes, which can break through the paths on the board or damage the body.

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The main rule of repair: seven times to measure (check connection), once to cut (click the case), haste is the main enemy when working with electronics.

Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to successfully repair and extend the life of your device. Repairing with your own hands is not only a money saving, but also a valuable experience of understanding the device of modern technology.