How to disassemble Xiaomi Mi 5c yourself: safe instructions with photos

The Xiaomi Mi 5c, released in 2017, is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and reliable build. However, over time, even such a device can require repairs, from replacing the battery to cleaning the connectors or recovering from a fall. Disassembly of the Mi 5c has its nuances - there is no removable back cover, and the body is glued around the perimeter, which complicates the process for beginners.

If you decide to disassemble your phone yourself, it’s important to understand that failures in the opening phase can cause plumes to break, glass to crack, or even the motherboard to fail. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at every step from tool preparation to removing key components, and point out critical moments where most users make mistakes.

Before you start, evaluate your strength: if you have not previously had experience in disassembling electronics, you may need to contact a service center. Xiaomi Mi 5c is not the most difficult machine to repair, but also not the easiest. Its body is made of aluminum, which adds fragility when handled carelessly.

Tools and workplace preparation

You'll need a minimal set of tools to disassemble the Xiaomi Mi 5c, but each one is important. Lacking at least one fixture can complicate the process or cause damage.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (2-3 Metal tools cannot be used because they leave scratches on the aluminum body.
• 🔨 The screwdriver. PH00 — Notice the screws in the Mi. 5c Small, and a regular screwdriver can "lick" them".
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container, so you don't lose screws and small parts, and there's about 15 of them in the case of a smartphone.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station to soften the adhesive around the perimeter of the body. Optimal temperature: 60-70°C.
• 📱 Suction cups can help you raise the screen after heating up, and any one, even from an old smartphone, will do.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Acetone or solvents should not be used to clean glue residues!

Also, prepare the workspace: it should be well lit, draft-free (so as not to blow the dust) and with enough space for laying out parts, and put white cloth or paper on the table, which will help you not lose small screws and notice accidentally fallen parts.

⚠️ Warning: If you're disassembling a phone with a broken display, be sure to put a tape or film on it before heating. Glass shards can crumble under heat and injure your hands.

Removal of the back cover: safety and nuances

The Xiaomi Mi 5c is glued around the perimeter, and it will require thermal action to separate it, so the main thing is not to overheat the device, otherwise you can damage the battery or plumes.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Heat the hair dryer back cover around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes, keeping it at a distance of 5-7 cm The air temperature should not exceed 70 ° C.
3. Try to gently apply the lid with a plastic mediator in the area of the charging connector. If the glue does not respond, repeat heating for another 1-2 minutes.
4. Once the gap appears, slowly drive the mediator around the perimeter, separating the lid. Don't put too much effort into it - the aluminum case can bend!

Pay special attention to the areas near the volume and power buttons, where there are plumes that are easily damaged. If the lid does not lend itself to some place, do not try to "push" it out: you better warm up the problem area again.

⚠️ Warning: If you see the battery swelling after removing the lid (as seen from the deformation), stop disassembling immediately! The bloated battery may ignite if mechanically exposed.

Battery shutdown: why it's critical

Once the back cover is removed, the first thing to do is to turn off the battery, which will prevent short circuits from further disassembly and protect the motherboard from static electricity. In the Xiaomi Mi 5c, the battery connector is located at the top of the device (if you look at the motherboard).

Carefully put the jack on a plastic blade and disconnect the plume. Don't pull the wires, they're very thin and can come off! If the connector is "stuck," drop some isopropyl alcohol on the contacts and wait 10-15 seconds.

After the battery is turned off, it is recommended to wait 1-2 minutes for the residual charge in the motherboard capacitors to dissipate, which is an additional safety measure, especially if you plan to work with a soldering iron.

Withdrawal of motherboard and other components

Now you can start removing the motherboard. In the Xiaomi Mi 5c, it is mounted on 12 screws of different lengths, so remember or photograph their location before you unscrew them. We recommend that you spread the screws in order on a magnetic mat, so you don't confuse them when you build them.

After you unscrew the screws, gently tuck the board with a plastic blade on the side. It can stick to the heat conductive paste on the processor - do not put too much effort, it is better to swing the board slightly from side to side.

There are several trains connected to the motherboard:

• 📞 Dynamics and microphone plume (at the bottom).
• 📸 Main camera plume (top, under metal screen).
• 🔋 Battery plume (already disabled at the previous stage).
• 🔄 The power and volume button plume (right).

Disconnect the plumes with only plastic tools, metal can damage the contacts. If the plume does not respond, do not pull it by force, you better drip alcohol on the connector and wait.

Common Mistakes in Disassembly and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 5c. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

• 🔧 Shoot the screws. Use a good screwdriver and don't put too much effort into it. If the screw doesn't go, try dripping it. WD-40 oral.
• 🔥 Overheating of the body, the temperature of the hair dryer should not exceed 70°C, and the heating time is 3-4 minutes, otherwise you can melt plastic clips inside the case.
• 📱 Train damage. Always pull the connectors on the side instead of pulling the plume. If the contacts are bent, they can be straightened carefully with tweezers.
• 💥 If you notice that the battery is swelling, do not try to remove it yourself - the risk of ignition is too high.

Another common mistake is losing the screws. The Mi 5c has a lot of screws, and they come in different lengths, so you don't get confused, take a picture of the board before you unscrew it, or use a circuit from the service manual.

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If the screw fell to the floor and got lost, don't replace it first! In Xiaomi smartphones, the screws are often of different lengths, and a too long screw can break through the motherboard when tightened. 5c (It costs about 100-150 rubles).

Build the phone: reverse order and check

The Xiaomi Mi 5c is assembled in reverse order, but there are some nuances:

1. Make sure all plumes are connected tightly but without undue effort.
2. Before installing the battery, clean the contacts with alcohol - this will improve the connection.
3. Screw the screws cross-curl to avoid skewing the board.
4. Before final assembly, turn on the phone (without the back cover) and check the operability of all components: cameras, speakers, sensors.

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

• Is the battery on?
• Are the contacts bent on the plumes?
• Are all the stains (but not all the stains)?

The back cover before final gluing is recommended to be cleaned of old glue and apply a new double-sided tape or liquid glue (for example, B-7000).

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After assembly, be sure to check the tightness of the case. If there are gaps between the lid and the frame, moisture and dust will penetrate into the interior, which will lead to corrosion of the contacts and failure of the microphone or speaker.

When the Disassembly is Inappropriate: Alternative Solutions

It is not always a self-disassembly Xiaomi Mi 5c justified, in some cases it is better to contact the service or consider alternative options:

• 💸 The cost of repairs exceeds the cost of a phone, for example, replacing a motherboard can cost 70-80% of the cost of a new smartphone.
• ⚡ If the phone doesn't turn on because of a software glitch, try flashing it over the Fastboot or EDL-strip-out.
• 🔋 Sometimes the problem is solved by calibrating the battery through the engineering menu (#4636##).

If you doubt your abilities, assess the risks. For example, replacing the display in the service will cost 2-3 thousand rubles, and an error in self-disassembly can lead to damage to the motherboard, and then repair will cost 5-6 thousand rubles.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Mi 5c