Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi S2: a complete guide with photos, schemes and life hacks

Xiaomi Redmi S2 is a popular budget smartphone of 2018, which is still actively used due to balanced performance and maintainability. However, disassembling this device has its own features: brittle plastic case, battery glue mounting and the risk of damage to plumes if sloppy dismantling. In this article, we will discuss the process of dismantling by steps, specify the necessary tools and warn against typical errors that can turn a simple repair into an expensive breakdown.

It is important to understand that disassembling a smartphone will void the manufacturer's warranty if it is still valid. In addition, improper actions can lead to short circuit, damage to the motherboard or loss of data. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center. But if you decide to disassemble the Redmi S2 yourself (for example, to replace the battery, speaker or camera), follow our instructions carefully.

This article will be useful for both beginners and experienced craftsmen: here you will find not only the basic steps, but also hidden nuances that are rarely mentioned in standard guides, such as how to safely detach the fingerprint scanner plume or why you can not use metal mediators to jack the lid, and we will also give alternative ways of disassembling if you do not have professional tools.

1. Disassembly preparation: safety tools and measures

Before you start dismantling the Xiaomi Redmi S2, prepare the workplace and the necessary tools.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (or guitars) for tidy liding, metal tools can leave scratches or damage latches.
• 🔨 The PH00 screwdriver is for screw twisting. Redmi S2 uses fine-rotted screws, so the screwdriver must be accurate.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container - so as not to lose small parts (screws, latches).
• 🔥 A dryer or thermoplatform is used to soften the battery adhesive (if you are planning to replace it).
• 📱 Suction cup - will help to raise the screen if you need to remove it.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Cleaning contacts and removing glue residues.

We also recommend using an antistatic bracelet or periodically touching a grounded metal object to avoid static discharge, which can damage the motherboard. If the bracelet is not available, work on a wooden or plastic surface, avoiding carpets and synthetic fabrics.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disassemble your smartphone in high humidity (e.g., in the bathroom) or below +15°C. Plastic of the Redmi S2 case becomes more brittle in the cold, and condensation can cause contact corrosion.

If you are planning to replace the battery, pre-charge your smartphone to 30-50% - this will reduce the risk of fire in the event of an accidental short circuit. A fully discharged battery can be dangerous when mechanically exposed, and a fully charged one increases the risk when soldering.

2 Removal of the back cover: secrets and pitfalls

The Xiaomi Redmi S2 case is mounted on latches and double-sided tape, so you can remove it without heating, but care is required. Start by turning off your smartphone and removing the SIM- card from the tray (if installed).

1. Place the plastic mediator in the gap between the case and the screen at the charging connector (the bottom of the smartphone). Carefully swipe it along the edge to separate the latches. Don't put too much effort - the plastic can crack!
2. When the latches start to snap, you'll hear the characteristic clicks. Keep moving around the perimeter without trying to pull the lid off right away, which can damage the fingerprint scanner's plume.
3. Once all the latches are disconnected, lift the lid on the right side (where the fingerprint scanner is located), the scanner's plume is very short and easily breaks when sloppy.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't use metal tools! Try to heat the edges with a hair dryer (temperatures no higher than 60°C) slightly, it will soften the glue. Don't direct hot air to the screen or battery, it can damage them.

After removing the cover, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery with glue base and plume.
• 📷 Main camera module (mounting on screws).
• 📡 Antenna contacts (do not touch them unnecessarily!)
• 🖥️ Fingerprint scanner plume (very fragile!).

⚠️ Warning: If you disassemble the Redmi S2 to replace the battery, don't pull the battery plume -- it's soldered to the board! First disconnect the battery connector (see next section), or you risk tearing the contacts off.

3. Battery shutdown: why it's critical

Before any manipulation of the internal components, be sure to turn off the battery. In the Redmi S2, this is done by detaching the plume from the motherboard. Find the battery connector, which is located at the top of the board, next to the camera, and is black or red.

To disconnect the plume:

1. Carefully put a plastic spatula or tweezers on the connector. Don't use metal tools, you can close the contacts!
2. Pull the black tongue of the connector (if any) or slightly lift the plume up. Don't pull the wires!
3. After turning off, check with a multimeter that the voltage at the contacts of the battery is 0 V (if you know how to use the device).

If the connector doesn't detach, don't force it! It's probably glue-locked, in which case, put some isopropyl alcohol on the base of the connector and wait for 1-2 for a minute, the glue will soften.

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If you accidentally touch the contacts of the battery with a metal tool and hear a crack or smell a burn, stop disassembling immediately! This is a sign of a short circuit. Put the smartphone away for 10 minutes, then check the board for blackened elements.

4. Dismantling the motherboard: a step-by-step process

The Redmi S2 motherboard is mounted on 8 screws (of different lengths!) and several glue points, and all the plumes must be disconnected before removing it:

1. The screen plume is at the bottom of the board, it's secured with a metal latch, and you lift the latch with a screwdriver, and then you carefully pull the plume out.
2. The fingerprint scanner plume is very thin, attached to the board without a latch. Pull only for the black base!
3. The camera plumes are the main and front cameras, and their connectors are usually glued, so unplug with a plastic blade.
4. Antenna contacts – do not require disconnection, but do not pull for them when charging.

Once the plumes are unplugged, unscrew all the screws. Note that the Redmi S2 screws are of different lengths! Remember or photograph which screw is twisted from where so that the circuit board is not damaged when assembled. For example, the screws near the camera are shorter than the screws at the charging connector.

When all the mounts are removed, gently raise the board on the right side (where the fingerprint scanner is located). If the board fails, check if there are any undetected screws or glue points. Don't try to rip it out - this can tear off the contact areas!

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The screws in the Xiaomi Redmi S2 come in different lengths. Installing a long screw in an undesignated place can damage the motherboard or screen!

5. Battery replacement: nuances and alternative methods

The battery in the Redmi S2 is glued to the body with double-sided tape, so it will require:

1. Heat the back of the smartphone with a hair dryer (temperature 50-60 ° C) for 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
2. Carefully smack the battery with a plastic blade from the top left corner (there is usually less glue there).
3. If the battery fails, pull on the special black tongues (pull-tabs) that are under the adhesive base, and if they don't, put a thin plastic strip (for example, from the SIM- card package) and slowly drive it under the battery.

The new battery must be original or certified (capacity 3080 mAh, voltage 3.85 V). Before installation, clean the contact board and battery with isopropyl alcohol. glue the new battery to double-sided tape (for example, 3M 9448A) or use adhesive B-7000 around the perimeter.

⚠️ Warning: If you notice that the battery is swelling (the body is deformed, the battery is "setting"), don't try to puncture or bend it! Bloated lithium-ion batteries can ignite. Carefully remove the battery, place it in a non-combustible container (for example, a metal jar) and dispose of it at a special reception point.

After replacing the battery, be sure to calibrate the charge controller:

• Charge your smartphone to 100%.
• Turn off charging and use the phone until it is completely discharged (before it is turned off).
• Charge again to 100% without interruption.

This will help the system to correctly determine the level of charge.

6. Build a smartphone: how to avoid mistakes

Assembling Xiaomi Redmi S2 after repair requires no less care than disassembly.

• 🔧 Make sure all screws are in place. A camera screw screw screw screw screwed into the charging connector could damage the board!
• 📱 Check that all the plumes are connected to the end, and a loose connection of the screen plume will result in flickering or no image.
• 🧲 Use a magnetic mat to avoid losing small details (such as the springs of volume buttons).
• 🔋 Before final assembly, plug in the battery and briefly turn on the smartphone to check if something is not working, disassemble again and check the connections.

When you put the back cover, press it evenly around the perimeter so that the latches fall into place. If the cover is walking or not fitting tightly, check:

• Did you find a foreign object (such as a scotch piece) under it?
• Are there any signs of a broken sleeve (in this case, adhesives are required).
• Is the fingerprint scanner’s plume installed correctly (if the sensor is not working).

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• 📶 Touch screen and buttons.
• 🔊 Sound in speakers and microphone (record voice note).
• 📷 Cameras (take a test shot).
• 🔋 Charging (connect the charger).

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If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, but the indicator is on when you connect to charging, the problem is most likely the power plume or the power button. Take the device apart again and check these elements.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi S2, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is that antenna contacts are damaged, and they're located on the sides of the motherboard, and they often break off when you're not taking the board properly, and if you lose your network or Wi-Fi signal after you're assembled, check the integrity of those contacts, and you can restore them with conductive glue (like Permatex).

If you have disassembled the Redmi S2 for dust cleaning, do not use high-pressure compressed air - this can damage the microphone or speaker. It is better to use a soft brush or compressed air cylinder at a distance of 10 see.

8. Alternative methods of disassembly without professional tools

If you don't have specialized tools, you can disassemble the Xiaomi Redmi S2 with the tools you can use.

• 💳 Old card -- replace the plastic mediator to slap the lid. Cut the corner of the card to make it sharper.
• 🧲 A magnet from a speaker - will help hold the screws if there is no magnetic mat.
• 🔥 Hair dryer – replace the thermoplatform to heat the glue (set the minimum temperature!).
• 🧴 Lacquer-removal fluid – can soften the glue if there is no isopropyl alcohol (but it acts more aggressively!).

A toothpick with a piece of rubber in place (if there is no screwdriver) is good for unscrewing the screws, the main thing is not to make excessive efforts to avoid breaking the slats. If the screw is "stopped", drop a little WD-40 on it and wait 5 minutes.

To remove the battery without pull-tabs, you can use a thin plastic tape (such as from a package), put it under the battery and slowly drive back and forth like a saw, which will help separate the glue without the risk of puncture.

⚠️ Warning: If you use a varnish removal fluid or WD-40, make sure it doesn't get on the motherboard or the screen. These fluids can damage the coating and contacts. After applying, wipe the surface with a dry wipe.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions