Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in late 2017, is still a popular device due to its metal body and budget price. However, time is not spared lithium-ion power supplies, and after several years of active use, users face rapid discharge, sudden blackouts or bloating of the battery, in such situations, replacing the battery becomes the only way to return the gadget to its former autonomy and stability.
The battery recovery process in this model has its own technical features, since the back cover is non-removable and glued around the perimeter. Wrong actions can damage the plumes, display or even ignite the swelled element. In this guide, we will discuss in detail each stage of dismantling, the necessary tools and precautions that must be followed for a successful result.
Before you start physical intervention, you need to understand that you take responsibility for the integrity of the device. The smartphone warranty, if it was still in effect, will be canceled after breaking the seals. However, for a device that is several years old, this does not matter, and competent resuscitation will extend its life for another year or two of active use.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Good repairs start with proper preparation, and you'll need not only a new battery, but also a specialized toolkit that allows you to open the case without chipping or cracking, and the use of improvised tools such as knives or needles is highly undesirable, as they can easily damage the internal components or plumes.
Pay special attention to the choice of heating equipment. The glue that holds the back panel melts at about 80-90 degrees Celsius. Exceeding this threshold can warp the plastic frames or damage the display matrix, so controlling temperature is critical.
For work, prepare the following set:
- 🔥 Hair dryer (building with temperature adjustment or household at maximum power) or heat pad.
- 🛠 A set of plastic mediators and a suction cup for opening the body.
- 🔩 Phillips screwdrivers (cross) sizes PH00 and PH0 screw-twisting.
- 🧤 Tweezers with dielectric coating for working with small parts.
- 🧴 Clay. B-7000 or E-8000 for sealing the shell after assembly.
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal blades to separate the lid! metal conducts electricity and may accidentally close contacts on the board, which will lead to irreversible failure of the smartphone.
Organize the workplace so that all tools are at hand and the surface is clean and well lit. Small screws have the ability to fly and get lost, so it is recommended to use a magnetic mat or container with sections to sort the fastener by dismantling stages.
Diagnosis of battery status and safety measures
Before starting a disassembly, it's important to assess the current state of the battery, and if you're planning a replacement because the phone is running out of power, it's standard wear situation, but if you notice that the back cover is starting to move off on its own or the display is bulging out of the frame, then the battery is swelling.
An overblown battery is a source of increased danger, and it has irreversible chemical reactions that release gases, and any mechanical damage to the shell can lead to fire, and you need to work with the utmost care, trying not to squeeze it and not to pierc it.
Check the device's charging behavior, too. If the phone is warming up in the camera or bottom end, it could indicate problems with the power controller or the battery itself. In some cases, a software reset can temporarily improve things, but physical wear and tear of the chemistry requires only a hardware solution.
It is important to discharge the device to a minimum, ideally 5-10%. The lower the charge in the cells, the lower the risk of short circuit or sparking in case of accidental damage to the contacts during the dismantling process. A fully discharged battery is less reactive and safer to retrieve.
The process of heating and removing the back cover
The most delicate step is the detachment of the back panel. The Redmi 5 design involves tight metal fitting the frame with double-sided tape and glue. The uniform heating of the perimeter is the key to success. Don't heat one point for too long, move the hair dryer around.
After 2-3 minutes of heating, try to press the suction cup slightly at the bottom of the case and pull up, creating a gap. If the lid does not lend itself, add a little more heat, but do not overdo it. Once the microscopic slit appears, insert a thin plastic mediator.
Move the mediator along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer. Keep the tool parallel to the plane of the smartphone so as not to damage the side antenna inserts. Special care is required in the area of the main camera module and the fingerprint scanner, where the plumes are located.
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If you don't have a suction cup, you can use a thin line or a special string to open it, and you can stretch it in a corner and move it from side to side, cutting the glue, which reduces the risk of breaking the glass when you pull it.
Once the glue is cut all around the perimeter, gently lift the lid. Do not make sudden movements, as a fingerprint scanner plume or volume button may be glued to the lid (depending on the modification) Make sure nothing connects the lid to the main body before putting it aside.
Dismantling the protective plate and disconnecting the plumes
Under the back cover, you'll see a black shield covering the motherboard and the connectors, which is secured by multiple screws of different sizes, and it's important to remember or photograph the location of each screw, as their length may vary.
Unscrew all the screws that hold the plate, and carefully remove it, and underneath it, you'll have access to the main components: the motherboard, the battery connector, and the camera module, and the first thing you need to do is turn off the device by turning off the battery connector.
Use a plastic blade or nail to snap the plume. The movement should be directed upwards, away from yourself, without skewing. Once the battery is turned off, the phone is guaranteed to turn off even if the power button has been clamped.
☑️ Checklist before removing the battery
Now you can disconnect other plumes if they interfere with access, such as the main camera plume or display, if the design requires full removal of the board. However, in Redmi 5, it is often enough to free up space around the battery without removing the motherboard itself completely.
Removing the old battery and preparing for installation
The battery in this model is also planted on glue, but is usually less aggressive than on the lid. Under the battery is often a special tongue (pull-tab), which facilitates the extraction, if it is not there or it breaks, you have to be smart.
Under no circumstances attempt to smack the battery with metal objects from below! puncture the cell will cause instantaneous fire.Use a plastic card or heat the back of the case (where the battery stands) with a hairdryer at medium power for 1-2 minutes to soften the glue.
After removing the old battery, clear the seat of glue residues. The surface should be flat and clean so that the new battery lies tight and does not hang around inside the housing. Also check the status of contacts on the new battery plume.
What to do if there is no pull-tab?
Compare the labeling and dimensions of the new battery with the original. The capacity must match the declared one (usually 3300 mAh for Redmi 5), and the connector must match the exact location of the contacts. Using poor-quality analogs can lead to incorrect display of charge.
Comparison of original and compatible batteries
Choosing a new battery isn't just a matter of price; there are many options on the market, and it's important to understand the difference between them: Original components provide the stated lifetime and safety, while cheap copies may not meet standards.
| Characteristics | Original (OEM) | Quality analogue | Cheap copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle resource | 500-800 cycles | 300-500 cycles | 100-200 cycles |
| Real capacity | It's 100% consistent. | 85-95% of the claimed | 50-70% of the claimed |
| Power controller | Protected. | Basic protection | Absent or weak |
| Term of service | 2-3 years | 1-1.5 years | 3-6 months |
When buying, pay attention to the presence of holograms and the quality of printing on the battery case. Fonts should be clear, without lubrication. Date of production also matters: it is not recommended to buy batteries that have been in storage for more than 2-3 years, even in sealed form.
Device assembly and testing
Set the new battery onto the seat by pre-applying a little B-7000 glue to the edges or using double-sided tape coming in the kit. Connect the plume to a characteristic click. Make sure the connector sits flat and tight.
Put the safety plate back in place and twist all the screws. Remember that screws of different lengths must fall into place so as not to break the board, and then you can do a preliminary test without sticking the lid permanently.
If you put the charger on, if the charger comes on and the phone goes on, half the job is done, check the touchscreen, the speakers, the cameras, if everything is working properly, you can start sealing.
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The main criterion for successful replacement is that the phone is turned on the first time, and the percentage of charge is displayed correctly and does not “jump” when loaded.
Apply a thin layer of glue around the perimeter of the frame of the body and gently press the back cover. Lock the device with rubber bands or a load for 1-2 hours until the glue is completely dry. Excess glue that protrudes outwards is easily removed after drying.
Typical errors and troubleshooting
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes have problems after replacing the battery. If the phone doesn't turn on, check if the plume is fully latched. Sometimes you need to turn off the battery and reconnect it so that the controller "sees" the new element.
If the phone turns on but shows 1% and charges for a long time, there may be a problem with the power controller on the board or a software failure, in which case calibration of the battery will help: discharge the phone until it is completely turned off, then charge it to 100% and hold on charging for an hour.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to warm up in idle mode after replacing, immediately turn it off! This is a sign of a short circuit or a defective battery.
Sometimes users forget to connect antenna contacts (if they were filmed to access), which leads to poor signal reception or lack of Wi-Fi. Check all connections if networks are lost after assembly.