Independent glass replacement on the Xiaomi smartphone: from disassembly to assembly

Fractured glass on Xiaomi is a problem that almost every second smartphone owner faces. Even a minor scratch can eventually turn into a web of cracks that interfere with the use of the screen. It costs 3-7 thousand rubles to go to the service center, and the warranty for such damage does not apply. But what if you replace the glass yourself?

This article is a complete guide for those who are ready to take repairs into their own hands, we will understand what tools you need, how to properly disassemble Xiaomi without damaging the plumes, what glue to use to fix the new glass, and what critical errors lead to a broken touchscreen. Importantly, the procedure requires accuracy and patience, but with the right approach, even a beginner can cope in 1-2 hours.

We will pay special attention to models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13 series, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), where the glass is glued to the matrix - here the replacement technology differs from budget devices with IPS-You will also learn how to check the performance of the sensor after installation and what to do if the screen is β€œgluttedΒ».

πŸ“Š What kind of Xiaomi model do you have?
Redmi Note 10/11/12
Xiaomi 11T/12/13
POCO F3/F4/F5
Redmi 9/10
Another model

1. What tools are needed to replace glass

Without the right tools, trying to replace the glass will damage the plumes, the matrix, or the body.

  • πŸ”§ Plastic blades/mediators (2-3 - for gently slashing glass and dissociating the adhesive layer!
  • πŸ”₯ Hair dryer or heat tile - for heating the glue (optimal temperature: 60-80Β°C) Even a household hair dryer is suitable, but it is better to use a specialized one with temperature adjustment.
  • 🧲 Suction cups (1-2 - Helps to lift the glass after heating the glue. 3-5 centimeter).
  • πŸ“ New glass - buy only marked "OCA-ready" or "adhesive layer" for your model.
  • 🧴 Clay. B-7000 or UV-glue for fixing glass. UV-The glue freezes under an ultraviolet lamp (needs a 365 nm lamp), and B-7000 β€” classic.
  • 🧹 Lickless wipes and alcohol to clean the matrix of glue and dust residues. Use isopropyl alcohol (90%+).

In addition, the following may be useful:

  • πŸ” Loop or magnifying glass - to check the quality of the sticking.
  • πŸ› οΈ Tweezers – to remove small pieces of glass.
  • πŸ’‘ UV lamp (if you use it) UV-glue) - for polymerization of the adhesive layer.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use knives or screwdrivers to smack glass! Metal will easily cut through touchscreen plumes or damage the matrix. Even a small scratch on the plume will lead to a broken sensor.

Where to buy tools? Smartphone repair kits are sold on AliExpress, in radio stores or on Avito. The average cost of a full kit is 800-1500 rubles. Glass is better ordered from trusted sellers with a rating above 98% - cheap counterparts often have distorted touchscreen sensitivity.

2. Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before disassembly

Before you start your replacement, follow a few critical steps:

  1. Back up your data. Even if you're careful, there's always a risk of damage to the board. Use Settings β†’ About your phone β†’ Backup or programs like Mi PC Suite.
  2. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-card/memory card. This will prevent short circuits when the housing is heated.
  3. Remove the case and clean the case of dust, and the dust can get under the new glass and spoil the appearance.
  4. Charge the battery by 30-50%. A fully discharged or 100% charged battery is more dangerous when heated.

Also prepare the workplace:

  • πŸͺ‘ Work at a table with good lighting.
  • 🧹 Put white cloth or paper on the table – this will show the fallen screws or fragments.
  • πŸ“± Place a second phone next to you with this instruction or video guide.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for glass replacement

Done: 0 / 5

Critical: If your Xiaomi has a Hard bootloader Lock feature (like the post-2021 model), after the glass is replaced, you may need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to remove old glass

This is the most critical stage. Errors here cause damage to the matrix or the plumes. Follow the instructions in strict order:

Step 1: Heating the body

Turn on the dryer and heat the edge of the screen (where the glass is glued to the body) for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm, constantly moving it so as not to overheat one point. Optimal temperature is when the glass becomes warm to the touch, but does not burn.

Step 2: Breaking glass

Stick the suction cup to the bottom of the screen (near the charging connector) and pull up slightly. Insert a plastic blade into the resulting slit. Carefully swipe the perimeter of the screen, separating the glass from the glue. Don't push too hard -- if the glass doesn't lend itself, heat the area again.

What to do if the glass breaks into small pieces?
If the glass is completely broken, use a wide tape: stick it on the screen and gently pull it up, which will help remove most of the fragments. Tweez the remaining pieces with tweezers, preheat the glue.

Step 3: Removal of glue residues

Once the glass is removed, the adhesive layer will remain on the matrix. Remove it with a lintless napkin dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Don't rub it hard, it's fragile! To simplify the task, you can use tape to remove glue (sold in auto parts stores).

⚠️ Warning: If there are small pieces of glass left on the matrix, don't try to scrape them with a nail or metal. Use a plastic blade or a wooden stick.

Check the touchscreen and display plumes, they should be intact and fit tightly to the board. If the plume has moved, carefully insert it back (don't overflex!).

Installation of new glass: glue, alignment, fixation

Now we move on to installing new glass, and it's important to apply the glue evenly and avoid dust from getting under the glass.

Choice of glue

There are three options:

Type of gluePlusesConsTime to freeze
B-7000Cheap, reliable, easy to applyIt dries longer, it can leave traces.12-24 hour
UV-glueFrozen quickly (5-10 minutes), transparentIt requires UV lamps, more expensive.5-10 minutes
Double-sided scotch (OCA-film)Already applied to the glass, uniform layerHard to re-glue when mistaken2-4 hours

The gluing process

  1. If you use B-7000, Put a thin layer on the edge of the matrix (not on the glass itself!). UV-glue is enough a few drops in the corners.
  2. Carefully place the glass on the matrix, aligning the edges. Start at the bottom (near the charging connector).
  3. Press the glass in the center, then the edges, remove the glue with a napkin.
  4. If you use UV-glue, illuminate the glass with a UV lamp 2-3 - Just a minute. B-7000 Put your phone under a press (such as a heavy book) 12 hours.

πŸ’‘

To avoid bubbles, after installing the glass, warm it with a hair dryer at a minimum temperature of 1-2 minutes. This will help the glue evenly distribute.

Check if there are any dust or bubbles under the glass, if there are any, gently tuck the glass in and remove the contamination, then glue it back.

5. Checking of working capacity and possible problems

After gluing, don't rush to collect the phone.

  • πŸ“± Touchscreen work: swipe your finger across the screen, check multi-touch (simultaneous touch in multiple places).
  • 🎨 Color Transfer: Turn on your phone and see if there are yellow, smudges or broken pixels.
  • πŸ”‹ Pressing response: Some areas may not respond due to poor slurrying.

Typical problems and their solutions:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
Touchscreen doesn't respond to touchDamaged plume or poor contactTake the phone apart and check the plumes, replace it if necessary.
Bubble can be seen under the glass.Uneven application of glue or air intakeGlue the glass using more glue at the edges.
The screen flickers or stripes appearDisplay matrix or plume damagedDiagnostics are required at the service center.
The edges of the glass are receding.Insufficient glue or poor fixationAdd the glue around the edges and fix the glass with scotch for 12 hours.

πŸ’‘

If the touchscreen doesn't work properly after the glass is replaced (such as spontaneous tapping), it's probably the plume that's the problem. Try reconnecting or replacing it.

If all tests are successful, collect the phone in reverse order: screw the back cover, insert SIM-map and turn on the device.

6.Tips to extend the life of new glass

To make the new glass last longer, follow these recommendations:

  • πŸ›‘οΈ Use a cover with protrusions, even a small side will protect the screen when falling on a flat surface.
  • 🧴 Apply protective film. Hydrogel or tempered glass reduces the risk of scratching by 80%.
  • 🚫 Avoid extreme temperatures. Don't leave your phone in the sun or near heaters, which reduces the strength of the glue.
  • πŸ’§ Do not wash your phone under running water. moisture can leak under the glass and cause detachment.

It’s also worth giving up the habit of putting your phone in your pocket with keys or coins – this is the main cause of microcracks. If you drop your smartphone often, consider models with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro).

7. the cost of replacement: what is cheaper - by yourself or in the service

Let’s compare the cost of self-repair and contacting the service center:

Item of expenditureIndependently (rub)Service centre (rub)
Glass (with glue)800–2500Included in the cost of the work
Tools (disposable)300–800β€”
Clay./UV-lamp200–600β€”
Work of the masterβ€”2000–5000
Totally.1300–39002000–7500

The best way to replace the glass on your own on the models of Redmi Note or POCO β€” savings will be up to 70%. for flagships (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) the difference is smaller, but still noticeable. However, take into account the risks: if you damage the matrix, repair will cost 10-15 thousand rubles.

If you're not sure about your abilities, choose a hybrid option: buy glass and glue yourself, and trust the glue to the master, which will save 30-40% of the cost of repair.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing glass with Xiaomi

Can I replace the glass without removing the matrix?
On most Xiaomi models, the glass and the matrix are glued together (OGS or On-Cell technology), which means that when replacing the glass, the matrix will have to be separated, except for some budget models (for example, Redmi 9A), where the glass and touchscreen represent a separate module.
What if after the replacement the glass has moved away at the edges?
It means that the glue was not enough or it was not evenly distributed. B-7000 And press the glass for 12 hours. UV-glue, just drop the glue into the gap and illuminate the lamp.
Why did the touchscreen become less sensitive after the replacement?
Probable causes: Bad slurrying -- air between the glass and the matrix, touchscreen plume (check contacts), low-conductivity cheap glass (especially for non-original parts), solution: glue the glass with quality glue or replace the plume.
How long does it take to replace the glass?
If there is experience β€” 40-60 It'll take a few minutes. 1.5-2 It's a very hard time, especially if the glass is very broken and it's hard to remove. B-7000 dry 12-24 hourly UV-glue β€” 5-10 minute.
Can you use superglue instead of specialized?
No! Superglue (like Moment) is not designed to repair electronics. It: Defaces the matrix (can get in and cause stains). It doesn't provide uniform fit. It's difficult to remove when you re-repair. Use only B-7000, UV-glue OCA.