How to disassemble Xiaomi Mi 5s: a complete guide to dismantling

The Xiaomi Mi 5s, despite its compact size and metal body, requires technical intervention over time. Most often, owners face the need to replace a failed battery or restore a charging connector that could be loosened from frequent use. The process of disassembling this device requires care, since the design does not involve simply removing the rear cover, as in older models with a plastic case.

Before any manipulations are initiated, it is important to understand that opening the case automatically deprives the device of warranty if it is still relevant.The Xiaomi Mi 5s metal body is assembled using a large number of screws of different calibers and tightly fitting plumes, which are easily damaged if handled carelessly. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each stage of dismantling to minimize risks and perform repairs efficiently.

You're going to need not only a theoretical understanding of the device, but a specialized toolkit. Without a suction cup, thin mediators, and a set of screwdrivers with different nozzles, it doesn't make sense to get to work. Incorrectly prepared workplaces can cause small screws to get lost and fragile components to be damaged by static electricity.

Tools and workplace preparation required

The quality disassembly begins long before you pick up your smartphone. The first step is to organize the workspace: the table should be clean, well-lit and free of unnecessary objects. It is recommended to use a special antistatic mat, although you will also need a normal clean surface, covered with white paper, on which you can clearly see small details.

The main tool for working with screws will be a set of precision screwdrivers. Xiaomi Mi 5s uses screws with Phillips (cross) screws of various sizes, so it is important to have at hand the PH000 and PH00 nozzles. Using an inappropriate sized screwdriver will lead to the slicing of the faces of the screw, which in the future will make it almost impossible to extract it without drilling.

To open the body and disconnect the plumes you will need:

• 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (cross and flat).
• 📱 Plastic suction cup to lift the display or cover.
• 🎸 Thin plastic mediators or blade for opening.
• 🔥 Hair dryer (preferably with temperature adjustment) for softening the glue.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer for sorting screws.

⚠️ Note: The use of metal tools (tweezers, knives) to tweak plumes or pick inside the case is strictly prohibited. Metal can damage the insulation of wires or close contacts on the motherboard, which will lead to irreversible damage to electronics.

Special attention should be paid to the heating element. The glue holding the display and the back panel requires uniform heating to a temperature of about 80-90 degrees Celsius. Household hair dryer may not cope with the task, so it is better to use a building dryer with the ability to install a low temperature or a special heating pad for smartphones.

Removal of the rear glass panel

Unlike many modern smartphones, Xiaomi Mi 5s The internal components are accessed through the back panel, which is a single piece of glass glued to a metal frame, and the removal process begins with turning off the device and removing the tray. SIM-This is a must-do step, as the air pressure inside the housing when heated can damage the speaker or microphone if the tray is closed.

Next, you need to carefully warm the perimeter of the back cover, the movements should be smooth and uniform, covering the entire area of gluing. OLED-The back of the display, the optimal warm-up time is 2-3 minutes after which the glue becomes elastic.

Once warmed up, place the suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the edge, but not on the very end. Pull the suction cup upwards, creating a vacuum, and simultaneously inject a thin plastic mediator into the gap. If the suction cup is not held because of cracks in the glass, you can use a thin line or a special string, passing it around the corner and making sawing movements.

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If the back cover is cracked, put a few strips of transparent tape on it before heating, which will prevent fragments from scattering and help maintain the integrity of the glass when removed.

Move the mediator around the perimeter of the case, trying not to enter it deeper than 3-4 millimeters, inside, at the top, there are plumes and components that are not allowed to damage. Be especially careful in the area of the main camera module and the fingerprint scanner, as they are attached directly to the inside of the cover.

Dismantling of protective metal plate

Once you successfully remove the glass panel, you will see an interior space that is enclosed by a large metal plate, and this plate acts as a radiator, protecting the main components from mechanical stress, and it is secured by a large number of screws around the perimeter and in the center.

Wrapping a long screw into a hole designed for a short one can cause circuit board tracks to break or damage the battery. To avoid confusion when assembly, it is recommended to use a magnetic mat with markings or take photos of each stage of unwinding.

First, you unscrew the screws around the perimeter, then you move to the center. Notice the screws hidden under the stickers or next to the camera module. Some screws can be closed with warranty seals, and if they break, they will confirm that the device has been opened.

After removing all screws, don't try to pull the metal plate sharply. It can be glued onto a double-sided tape or held by plumes that run underneath it. Carefully lift the edge of the plate with a plastic tool and check if there are any connectors left connected.

Disconnection of the battery and plumes

The first action after removing the metal protection should be to turn off the battery.This is the golden rule of electronics repair, which prevents short circuits when disconnecting other components. In the Xiaomi Mi 5s, the battery connector is located at the bottom of the motherboard and is often closed with an additional downstop.

Use a plastic blade to snap the connector, and you have to move from bottom to top or side, but not from top to bottom, so you don't damage the connector on the board, and if the connector is sitting tight, you can sway it slightly from side to side, but without undue effort.

After de-energizing the device, you can start disabling the remaining plumes:

• 🔌 Main display plume (wide, located on top).
• 📸 Main camera plume (located next to the display).
• 🔋 The plume of the control board (goes from the lower board to the upper one).
• 📶 Antenna contacts (campus contacts Wi-Fi and GSM).

The display plume is one of the most vulnerable elements, it's very thin and easily breaks when handled carelessly. It often requires you to unscrew the clipplate first, which locks the connector into the connector, and only after removing the bar can the connector be removed.

⚠️ Warning: Never pull the plume itself. If the connector does not detach easily, check if all the locking elements are removed. Forced shutdown will cause the current tracks to break inside the plume.

Special attention should be paid to the fingerprint scanner module, which is integrated into the home button on the front panel, its plume is very short and passes through complex curves inside the case, and it is easy to break when you move carelessly, which will cause the unlock function to fail.

Extraction of motherboard and modules

After all communications are turned off, the Xiaomi Mi 5s motherboard is free, but it is still held by screws attached to the metal frame of the case, usually about 4-6 pieces, and they are located at the corners of the board.

Before removing the board, make sure all antenna cables are disconnected unless they have been disconnected before.Often, the antenna wire passes under or around the board and can be accidentally hooked and torn off as the component is lifted.

The algorithm for charging:

1. Turn off all remaining screws of the board attachment.
2. Carefully raise the lower edge of the fee.
3. Check if the fingerprint scanner plume or other small wires are caught.
4. Smoothly remove the board by holding it by the edges, avoiding touching the chips with your fingers.

Along with the motherboard, you often have to remove a front camera that can be inserted into a separate socket or glued, and if you change the display, the camera module and speaker are usually transferred from the old screen to the new one, which requires their first dismantling.

The speaker in Xiaomi Mi 5s is located at the bottom and can be glued to the body. Removing it will again require careful heating and poking with a plastic tool. Be careful with the speaker membrane - it is very sensitive to punctures.

Battery replacement and device assembly

The battery in Xiaomi Mi 5s is glued to the body on a powerful double-sided tape. To extract it, you need to apply heating again (moderately so as not to explode the battery) and use a plastic card or a spatula.

Never attempt to remove the battery by putting metal objects on it or piercing the body. Damage to the lithium-polymer battery can cause instantaneous fire or a chemical reaction with the release of caustic fumes.

Once the old battery is removed, clean the surface of the case of glue residues. Use isopropyl alcohol or a special adhesive solvent, but make sure that the liquid does not get on the bottom board or speaker. Apply a new layer of glue or double-sided tape to lock the new battery.

The assembly shall be carried out in reverse order:

• 🔋 Install a new battery and connect the plume.
• 📱 Install the motherboard and screw up the screws.
• 🔌 Connect all the plumes (display, cameras, board plume).
• 🔩 Tap the metal protective plate.
• 🧱 Stick to the back glass panel.

When you install the back cover, make sure that all the plumes are in their channels and do not protrude above the body level. Apply a new glue around the perimeter, press the cover and lock the device with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes for primary polymerization of the glue. Full glue strength is gained within 24 hours.

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The main risk of assembly is to pinch the plume of the display or battery with a metal plate. Before twisting the screws, make sure that all cables lie flat and do not go beyond their zones.

Frequent mistakes and recommendations of specialists

One of the most common mistakes in disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 5s is ignoring the order of spinning screws. Chaotic twisting leads to the fact that when assembled, long screws fall into short holes, which can damage the motherboard through.

Another problem is that the fingerprint scanner plume is damaged, and this component in this model is very fragile and has a complex stacking trajectory, and if it's not built carefully, it can be easily rubbed against the edge of the metal frame or the body itself.

Recommendations for successful repairs:

• 💡 Use good lighting and a magnifier to work with small details.
• 💡 Take your time: haste is the main reason for the failure of plumes.
• 💡 Check the performance of the main functions until the body is completely glued together.

If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic. Check the battery and display plume connection. Often the connectors don't fully snap the first time. It's also worth checking the fuses on the board if you have the right skills and equipment.