Removing the security accessory from a smartphone may seem like a trivial task, but owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face difficulties due to the design of the cases. Modern gadgets have a tight fit, and some models are equipped with glass backs or metal frames that require special care. Wrong actions can lead to chipped faces, damage to buttons or even injuries to the fingers.
In this article, we will discuss how to remove the case from Xiaomi’s phone of various types without damaging the device. We will look at the nuances of working with silicone, plastic, metal and hybrid materials. We will also focus on removing protective glasses and films, which are often confused with cases, but the process of dismantling them has its own specifics.
Determination of the type of protective accessory
Before the procedure, you need to accurately identify the material and design of your case. Silicone cases are highly elastic and usually are easiest to remove, whereas hard polycarbonate requires a more accurate approach. Metal bumpers can have screw joints or latches, ignoring which will lead to breakage.
Hybrid models that combine a hard frame and soft inserts often have hidden locking mechanisms. It is important to inspect the perimeter of the device in good light to detect screws hidden under port plugs or special cutouts for dismantling.
Some premium accessories from brands like Spigen or Xiaomi’s original solutions may have a layered structure, and in such cases, the removal process is phased in, first removing the external hard layer, then the internal soft layer.
- 📱 Silicone / TPU: stretches, fits the body, often has a fluffy substrate inside.
- 🛡️ Polycarbonate/Plastic: rigid, not stretching, held by precise geometry and latches.
- ⚙️ Metal bumper: heavy, may have screws at the bottom or corners.
- 💼 Book (flip): removed with the internal plastic base in which the phone is inserted.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
The safety of the process depends on preparation. You will need a clean, flat surface covered with soft cloth or microfiber to exclude scratches on the screen or back panel in case of accidental fall. Sharp objects such as knives or metal screwdrivers, use is strongly discouraged, as they can damage the paintwork or glass.
The ideal tool to get started would be plastic cards (unnecessary bank or discount), guitar mediators or special blades for electronics repair. If the case is sticky or contaminated, isopropyl alcohol may be needed to clean the joints, but only if the accessory material allows it.
Make sure your hands are dry and clean. Fat or wet fingers can slip off the smooth surface of the phone, causing a sharp jerk and potential damage to the device. It's also worth removing rings and bracelets that can catch on to the edges of the case.
☑️ Preparation for the cover removal
How to remove silicone or TPU case
Removing the soft case is the most common scenario. Start at one of the top corners of the device. With your thumb, gently bend the edge of the case outwards, free up the corner of the smartphone. The movement should be smooth, without sharp jerks, so as not to tear the material and scratch the body.
Once the first corner is free, move around the perimeter, gradually bending the edges. Don't try to pull the case off just one side, creating a strong tension - this can lead to accessory deformation or damage to the volume and power buttons, which often fit tightly to the case.
⚠️ Attention: If the cover has a textured inner surface (such as "bubbles" or pile), it may have stuck to the glass or metal of the case.
For models with a protruding camera, such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note series, be especially careful in the area of the camera module. Silicone here is often the most pulled.
💡
To make the silicone case easier to remove and put on, you can slightly warm it with a hair dryer (not hot air, but warm) for 10-15 seconds.
Dismantling of rigid plastic and metal bumper
Rigid designs require a more systematic approach. If you have a metal bumper, carefully examine the bottom end of the phone. Often there are two small screws that lock the structure, and you will need a small cross screwdriver (usually the size of the PH00 or PH000) to unscrew them.
If there are no screws, then the bumper is held on the latches. Put a plastic card or a mediator in the gap between the frame and the phone body, usually at the bottom or near the charging slot. With a light rotation, click the lock.
Move around the perimeter, sequentially releasing the latches. Don't try to open all the latches on one side, it can break the plastic. Act in a circle: bottom, sides, top. Metal frames are characterized by high landing accuracy, so the force may require significant but controlled.
| Type of case | Basic instrument | Risk of damage | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon/TPU | Hands. | Low (scratch from dust inside) | Low. |
| Polycarbonate | Plastic card | Medium (cracks at corners) | Medium |
| Metal bumper | Screwdriver + card | High (paint splints, ripped carvings) | Tall. |
| Book (flip) | Hands. | Low (loop damage) | Low. |
Features of removing cover-books and flips
Bookcases are made up of two parts: the outer cover and the inner plastic base that the phone is inserted into, and most often the inner back is removed, and the process is similar to removing a hard plastic bumper: you need to find a finger notch in the charging port or speakers area.
If there is no notch, gently tuck the bottom corner of the plastic base. It is important not to make any effort to the leather or fabric part of the cover, as the attachment places (glued or sewn) can not withstand the load and come off the plastic.
Some Xiaomi models with original flip cases use a charging connector or magnetic contacts, in which case you first need to disconnect the phone from any cables and, if the design allows, unlock special locks on the ends.
What to do if the bookcase is glued?
How to remove protective glass or film (3D/5D)
Although it's not a cover in the classic sense, users often look for information about removing protective coatings. If you have a full-screen 3D/5D glass with a frame, you need to remove it extremely carefully. A sharp jerk can cause the glass to burst in your hands, leaving shrapnel.
Use the thread method. Take a thin but strong thread (a tooth thread or a fishing line). Carefully, without too much pressure, wind the thread at one of the corners of the glass. Move left-right (sawing) gradually along one side, cutting the adhesive layer.
⚠️ Warning: Never use blades or knives to pluck the protective glass! You are guaranteed to scratch the display or damage the oleophobic coating. Only plastic, thread or fishing line.
Once the glue has been cut all around the perimeter, the glass can be removed, and if there's any trace of glue, remove it with a microfiber slightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol. Don't pour the liquid directly onto the screen, apply it to the fabric.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes is to try to remove the case by holding the phone behind the screen. Pressure on the display with your fingers when the cover is stretched can lead to "rainbow spots" or even cracks in the matrix, especially on the surface of the screen. AMOLED-Always keep the device behind the side faces or back cover (unless it is glassy and slippery).
Another mistake is ignoring dirt, and if there's dust, sand or pile between the case and the case, when you remove the cover, these abrasive particles can scratch the back glass or the metal frame, and before you remove it, it's useful to blow through the joints with compressed air.
Do not use chemical solvents (acetone, gasoline, aggressive household chemicals) to facilitate removal unless you are 100% sure of the reaction of the materials. Aggressive chemistry can melt the plastic cover, turning it into a sticky mass, or eat the glue that holds the elements of the phone body.
💡
The basic principle of safety is not to use force where there is resistance, and if the case is not removed, then you have not found the hidden screw or latch.
Care for the phone after removing the accessory
Once you have removed the case, it is recommended to conduct a condition review of the device. Often under the cover accumulates moisture, which can lead to corrosion of contacts, especially in the bottom of the phone.
Check the status of the buttons and connectors. Sometimes hard cases wipe the paint on the volume buttons or block access to the tray. SIM-When you take the shield off, you can actually see the wear of the case, and it's also a great time to clean the speaker and the microphone with a soft brush.
If you plan to wear your phone without a cover (naked), make sure that the case does not have sharp chips or cracks that may have formed under protection, otherwise the risk of cutting your finger or aggravating damage when falling increases many times.