Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 8: a complete analysis of photos, schemes and life hacks from the master

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship of 2018, which is still relevant thanks to the powerful hardware and support for custom firmware. However, over time, even the most reliable smartphone requires repair: a bloated battery, a broken screen or a failed speaker. Disassembly of this device has its nuances: fragile glass body, battery glue mounting and the risk of damaging the plumes if you open the plumes neatly.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of tools you need, and a list of common mistakes that beginners make, and how to safely remove the back cover, disconnect the battery, and get to the motherboard without the risk of turning your smartphone into a brick.

If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, we recommend that you get to know the theory first and then start practicing. And if you're a master with experience, you'll find unique life hacks for disassembling this particular model that are not in standard guides.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you get to the screwdriver, make sure you have everything you need. The Xiaomi Mi 8 is not the most difficult to disassemble smartphone, but without the right tools, you risk damaging the body or internal components.

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00, flat 1.5 mm, five-pointed Y00 screw-tray SIM)
• 🧲 Suction cup (diameter 5-7 cm) for removing the back cover
• 📏 Plastic mediators (or guitar mediators) to disengage the body
• 🔋 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) Cleaning contacts and removing glue residues
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (to soften the adhesive under the battery)
• 📦 Loads for screws (so as not to lose small details)

Also, prepare the workspace: it should be well lit, without dust and static electricity. Put a soft substrate on the table (like a silicone mat) so as not to scratch the glass of your smartphone. If you are disassembling the Mi 8 for the first time, take a picture of each step, which will help you put the device back together properly.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal tools to disengage the body! plastic mediators reduce the risk of damage to plumes and antenna contacts, which in the Mi 8 are located around the perimeter of the rear cover.

If you are planning to replace the battery, pre-order an original or high-quality analog battery with adhesive base. Cheap Chinese counterparts often have less capacity and can swell in a few months. Xiaomi Mi 8 will suit batteries labeled BM47 or BM48 (3400 mAh capacity).

Removing the back cover: how not to break the glass

The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi 8 is attached to the glue and latches around the perimeter. The main difficulty is not to damage the glass when opened, as it is fragile and can crack if pressed excessively. Start by heating the case: this will soften the glue and make it easier to remove the cover.

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray. SIM-map.
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (temperature ~60°C) for 2-3 minutes, evenly driving around the perimeter.
3. Suction the top of the lid (near the camera) and pull up.
4. In the resulting gap, insert a plastic mediator and carefully run them along the edge, disconnecting the latches.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't force it, you better warm it up again. In the Mi 8, the latches are closer to the top and bottom, so start the separation from the sides. Once the lid is removed by 2-3 mm, it can be completely removed.

Hair-dryer

Attach the suction cup to the top

Put the mediator in the slot

Carefully conduct the mediator around the perimeter

Don't pull the lid.-->

⚠️ Attention: Under the back cover of the Mi 8 is a fingerprint scanner plume, very thin and easily torn.

Once the lid is removed, you will see the battery, motherboard and a few plumes. Take your time to disconnect the battery - first take a picture of the location of all the components and note where the screws were twisted (they may differ in length!).

Battery shutdown: why it's critical

Before you touch the internals, be sure to turn off the battery. In the Xiaomi Mi 8, it is connected to the motherboard via a JST 1.0 connector (white). If you don't disconnect the battery, you run the risk of:

• ⚡ Short circuit with accidental contact with a screwdriver.
• 🔥 Damage to the power controller (in this case, the smartphone will not turn on even after assembly).
• 💥 Battery fire (extremely rare, but possible with strong KZ).

To turn off the battery:

1. Carefully tuck the connector with a plastic mediator or nail.
2. Pull the plume upwards perpendicular to the board (not to the side!).
3. Secure the plume with tape so it doesn't touch the contacts.

If the connector is "rigged" and does not move away, do not pull it by force - drip a little isopropyl alcohol on the contacts and wait 10-15 seconds, this will dissolve the oxides and make it easier to disconnect.

After the battery is turned off, you can start disassembling it further, and if your goal is to replace the battery, move to the next section, and if you need to get to the motherboard (for example, to repair the screen plume), first disconnect all the other plumes.

Battery replacement: how to remove glue and not damage the board

The battery in the Xiaomi Mi 8 is glued to the body with double-sided tape, and removing it is one of the most difficult parts of disassembly. If you pull the battery by force, you can tear off the contact pads on the board or damage the board itself.

1. Plug a strip of tape (width 2-3 cm) on the battery - it will help to pull the battery.
2. Heat the body with a hair dryer (temperature ~70°C) for 3-5 minutes to soften the glue.
3. Carefully pull the scotch, while putting on the battery with a plastic spatula.
4. If the battery fails, reheat it and add isopropyl alcohol to the edge.

Don't use metal tools to tamper with the battery! The Mi 8 has thin tracks that are easily damaged under the battery, and if the glue is too strong, you can use a special solvent for the B-7000 (sold in radio stores).

After removing the old battery, clean the case of glue residues with alcohol and install a new battery. Do not use superglue for fixing - only double-sided tape or special glue for batteries (for example, B-7000).

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If the new battery is not holding a charge, check the power controller on the board. Often the problem is not the battery, but the PM660 chip (located next to the charging connector).

Disassembly to replace the screen: working with plumes

Replacing the screen in the Xiaomi Mi 8 requires special care, since the display module is connected to the board with two plumes: the main (LCD) and touch (touch). If you damage them, the screen will either not glow or will not respond to touch.

Procedure:

1. Unscrew all the screws that fasten the metal frame of the screen (they are of different lengths - remember the location!).
2. Carefully tuck the frame with a plastic mediator and remove it.
3. Disconnect the screen plumes from the motherboard (they are fixed with latches - lift them with a screwdriver).
4. Warm up the edge of the screen with a hair dryer (temperature ~50°C) and put it under the mediator.

In the Mi 8, the screen is glued around the perimeter, so you can only remove it after warming up. Don't try to tear the display off by force, so you damage the glass or plumes. If the screen cracks, paste it with tape so that the fragments do not get inside the case.

⚠️ Warning: When installing a new screen, make sure the plumes are not twisted! In the Mi 8, the touch plume is thinner than the main one and can break if you connect sloppy.

Once the screen is replaced, put the smartphone back together. Before the final assembly, turn on the device and check the display — if there are artifacts or broken zones, then the plumes are connected incorrectly or damaged.

Cleaning from dust and replacing the speaker

If your Xiaomi Mi 8 is getting worse or overheating, it could be due to dusty internal components, which accumulates in the dynamics, under the motherboard and in the charging connector.

• 🧹 Soft brush (for example, for drawing)
• 💨 Compressed air canister
• 🧴 Cotton swabs dipped in isopropyl alcohol

Cleaning algorithm:

1. Remove the back cover and battery (as described above).
2. Blow the speaker and the charging connector with compressed air (hold the balloon vertically!).
3. Carefully clean the contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
4. Remove dust from the motherboard with a brush (don't press hard!).

If the speaker is wheezing or not working at all, it will have to be replaced. In the Mi 8, it is mounted on two screws and connected through a plume.

1. Unscrew the mount screws.
2. Disconnect the plume from the board (the FFC connector next to the charging connector).
3. Carefully tuck the speaker into the mediator and remove it.

When you install a new speaker, make sure it fits tightly to the body, otherwise the sound will be muffled. Also check the speaker mesh for dust: it can be cleaned with a toothpick or needle.

Smartphone Builder: How Not to Forget Anything Important

Getting the Xiaomi Mi 8 back together is often harder than disassembling, and the rule of thumb is to check every step.

All plumes are connected correctly

The screws are swirling into their places.

The battery is securely fixed

The back cover fits without gaps

The smartphone is turned on and working.-->

Pay particular attention to:

• 🔩 The screws: in the Mi 8, they are of different lengths. If you twist a long screw into an undesignated place, you can damage the board.
• 📶 Antenna contacts: they are located on the edges of the case. Make sure that the back cover does not press on them.
• 🔋 Battery insulation: If the battery touches metal parts of the body, it can lead to CZ.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• Screen performance (whether there are broken pixels or artifacts)
• Touch and fingerprint scanner.
• The sound is in the speaker and the microphone.
• Charging (plug the charger and make sure the current is running).

If something doesn't work, don't panic -- you probably forgot to plug in the plume or you didn't put a knot together correctly. Take your smartphone apart again and check the problem component.

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The most common build error is tangled screws. The Mi 8 has screws 3mm, 4mm and 5mm long. If you twist a 5mm screw into the space for a 3mm, you can punch the board!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions