Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2019, but even it is not immune to breakdowns. The screen does not respond to touch, the battery is swollen, or need to replace the charging connector? 90% of the time, repair begins with disassembling the device. However, improper dismantling can lead to damage to the plumes, chipped glass or even short circuit.
In this article, you will find detailed instructions for dismantling with all the pitfalls of the model, unique tips for working with the adhesive layer of the back cover (which is especially durable in Redmi Note 7), as well as a selection of the best video reviews from the masters, we will analyze what tools are really needed and what you can do without, and what to do if something went wrong.
If you’ve never taken a smartphone apart before, don’t worry. The Redmi Note 7 is considered one of the most “repairable” models in Xiaomi’s lineup, but only if you follow a proven methodology.
Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures
Before you start a screwdriver, make sure you have everything you need. Not even one tool can make a showdown a nightmare, like without a plastic mediator, you risk scratching the body, and without a sucker, you risk breaking the back cover.
Here is the minimum set that will be required:
- 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00, flat 1.5 Mm, five-point Torx. T3/T4 battery-operated)
- 🧲 Suction (diameter 5-7 cm, better with a ring for easy grip)
- 📏 Plastic mediators (2-3 pieces, 0.1–0.2 mm thick)
- 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (with a power of at least 1000 W for softening glue)
- 📦 Spin tray (or magnetic substrate to avoid losing small details)
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (Cleaning contacts and removing glue residues)
⚠️ Warning: If you disassemble a Redmi Note 7 with a bloated battery, do not use metal tools to remove it! The risk of puncture and fire is extremely high.
Also prepare the workplace:
- 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting (better to use a desk lamp).
- 📱 Place your phone on a soft substrate (like a silicone mat) to avoid scratching the screen.
- 📵 Turn off the device and remove it. SIM-card with a memory card (if installed).
- 🔋 Charge the battery to 30-50% – this is a safe level to work with.
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If you don't have a thermophen, you can use a regular hair dryer, but keep it 10-15 cm away from the body so that the screen doesn't overheat.°C.
Video reviews of the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: the best videos with explanations
Video instructions help avoid errors, especially if you are a visualist. We have selected 3 most detailed reviews in Russian and English, where the masters show the process "from the inside":
| Author/Channel | Duration | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GSMArena (English) | 12:45 | Disassembly with comments about difficult moments, shows the process of removing the motherboard | Watch. |
| Telephone repairs (Russian) | 8:30 | Emphasis on removing the back cover and battery, screws are shown in detail | Watch. |
| JerryRigEverything (English) | 15:20 | Strength test + disassembly with analysis of "weak points" of the design | Watch. |
🔍 What to pay attention to in the video:
- 🛠️ How the master puts the lid on – from which side he starts and which tool he uses.
- ⚡ The order of disconnection of plumes (especially display and camera – they are easily damaged!).
- 🔋 Battery recovery method (some rollers show how to use pulling tape).
⚠️ Attention: Some videos use metal blades to slap the lid. Don't repeat this! The Redmi Note 7 has an aluminum body that scratches easily. Use only plastic pickups.
Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover
This is the most critical stage. The glue on the Redmi Note 7 holds the lid very tightly, and if you overdo it, you can break the latches or tear the fingerprint plume (if you have one in your modification).
Follow this algorithm:
- Heat the body with a hair dryer around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm, constantly moving it so as not to overheat one area.
- Place the suction cup closer to the bottom edge of the phone (where the charging connector is). Press it to sit tight.
- Carefully pull the suction cup up, while putting the lid on with a plastic mediator on the opposite side.
- As soon as the gap appears, conduct the mediator around the perimeter, without going deeper than 1-2 mm (there are plumes!).
The hull will heat evenly|Suction cup fits tightly|The mediator is inserted no deeper than 2 mm|The stains are not visible in the crevice (if visible, stop!)-->
💡 Tip: If the lid doesn't lend itself, heat it up again. Don't try to force it, it'll crack. The Redmi Note 7 has a particularly strong glue around the volume and power buttons.
After removing the cover, you will see:
- 🔋 Battery (stick to the body).
- 📱 Motherboard (fixed on 10-12 screws).
- 📷 Camera plumes, dynamics and buttons.
What to do if the lid is cracked?
Battery Removal: Risks and Proper Techniques
The battery in the Redmi Note 7 is one of the most vulnerable parts, and it's glued to the body with double-sided tape, and if you pull it, you can break it, and worse, you can puncture it with a metal tool, and you can burn it.
Procedure:
- Unplug the black protective film from the battery (the motherboard screws are hidden under it).
- Turn away 4 screws fixing the metal plate over the battery plume.
- Carefully disconnect the battery connector with a plastic spatula (not metal!).
- Put the battery on any corner with a plastic card or a mediator. If it doesn't respond, heat the case on the back with a hairdryer (no more than 60°C!).
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is blown up (see the bloated case), do not try to remove it yourself!
🔋 Useful Lifehack: To make it easier to extract, you can use a pulling tape (like an old bank card) glue it to the battery with tape and slowly pull, heating the case with a hairdryer.
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Never use metal tools to remove the battery, and even a small scratch on the surface of the battery can short circuit.
Dismantling motherboard and plumes
Once the battery is removed, you can start removing the motherboard, and the key is not to mix up the screws and damage the plumes. The Redmi Note 7 has one thing in common: some screws are different lengths, and if you screw a long screw into an unintended place, you can break the board.
Algorithm:
- Turn all the screws around the perimeter of the board (about 10-12 pieces), fold them in the tray in groups (for example, "upper", "lower", "near the camera").
- Disconnect the plumes in that order: 📺 Display plume (the widest, at the top of the board). 📷 Main camera plume (thin, black). 🔊 Speaker and microphone plume (usually white).
Carefully tuck the board with a plastic spatula on either side and lift it.
🛠️ Important: If you take apart a phone to replace a charging connector or a speaker, you don't have to remove the motherboard completely, just disconnect the interfering plumes and turn the screws away in the repair area.
⚠️ Note: The fingerprint scanner plume (if you have one in your modification) is extremely fragile. If it is damaged, the scanner will stop working and it will cost 1000-1500 rubles to replace it.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi Note 7, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of a metal blade | Scratches on the body, damage to plumes | Use only plastic mediators |
| Hydrogen overheating | Screen detachment, battery damage | Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm, do not warm one zone longer than 10 seconds |
| Strong pressing on the screen when removing the cover | Glass cracks, touchscreen detachment | Put the cover only on the sides, do not press on the display |
| Confusion with screws during assembly | Motherboard breakdown, broken buttons | Put screws in the tray in groups or photograph their location |
🔧 If you're disassembling a phone to replace a screen or touchscreen, first check if the display plume is moving away. In 30% of cases, a "defaulting" screen is just a departed connector!
⚠️ Note: If the phone does not turn on after disassembly, check:
- Is the battery connected (sometimes the connector leaves during assembly)
- Will the plumes between the body and the board be hushed up?
- Whether all screws are twisted (unpatched screws can cause short circuits).
Building a phone: reverse order and testing
Getting the Redmi Note 7 back together is often harder than disassembling.
- Make sure that all the plumes are tightly connected (they should “click” with a slight click).
- Check that there are no extra screws (if there is an extra one, then somewhere missed!).
- Carefully lay the battery and glue it to a new double-sided tape (old glue loses its properties after heating).
- Press the back cover and warm it up with a hair dryer for 1-2 minutes so that the glue grabs.
📱 Post-assembly testing:
- 🔋 Check charging (plug the cable and make sure it's charging).
- 📶 Make sure the antennas are working (catch the network or turn on Wi-Fi).
- 🔊 Check the speaker and microphone (call another phone).
- 📷 Test the cameras (take a photo on the main and front camera).
⚠️ Warning: If the touchscreen doesn't work after assembly, chances are you forgot to plug in the display plume or damaged it when disassembling. Take the phone apart again and check the connector.
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After assembly, give the phone a rest for 10-15 minutes before turning on, which will allow the glue to better grasp and avoid overheating components.