How to remove the screen from the Xiaomi phone: safe disassembly and replacement of the display

Replacing the screen on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most popular repair procedures, but it is far from the easiest. Even if you have never held a screwdriver for your phones, with our instructions, you can carefully remove the display without damaging the motherboard or plumes. The main thing is to understand that each model (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or Mi 11) has its own nuances, from the type of glue to the location of latches.

In this article, we will examine not only the universal steps, but also the critical differences between the AMOLED- and the IPS- Xiaomi screens that affect the dismantling process. You will learn what tools are really necessary (and what you can do without), how to avoid damage to the sensor or backlight, and what to do if after disassembling the phone stopped turning on.

Training: tools and materials

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. Some "masters" try to get by with a knife and a plastic card - this is a direct route to damage the plumes or scratches on the body.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3) for neat screen tweaking. Keep the metal tools for cars!
• 🔥 A dryer or thermo-air station to soften the glue. Optimal temperature: 60-80 °C (not higher, otherwise damage the battery!).
• 🧲 Suction cups (preferably two) help to raise the screen evenly. For models with curved displays (for example, Mi 11 Ultra) you need special flexible suction cups.
• ⚙️ The screwdriver T3/T4/T5 is for the screws of the body. Some models (e.g., POCO F4) use burglary-proof screws, and they have to be drilled.
• 📦 A screw tray or magnetic substrate to keep the finer parts intact. The screws in Xiaomi often differ in length!
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Acetone or solvents should not be used to clean glue residues!
• 🔋 New adhesive (double-sided scotch or liquid glue B-7000) - to fix the screen after replacement.

If you plan to replace the screen completely (along with the touchscreen), you will need a new display module. Buy only original parts or certified counterparts from Tianma, BOE or Samsung - cheap Chinese copies often have problems with color reproduction or multi-touch. Use the GSMArena service or Xiaomi Parts Finder service to check compatibility.

⚠️ Warning: In Xiaomi models with an infrared port (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), if you disassemble the IR sensor carelessly, it is located next to the top speaker - do not pull the screen this way!

Step 1: Turning off and discharging the phone

It may seem obvious, but many people miss this stage — and it is in vain. Turn off the phone (not a reboot, but a complete shutdown!) and wait until it cools to room temperature. If the battery is inflated (seen by the bloating of the screen or the back cover), do not turn on the hair dryer — the risk of fire is too high!

Then, you can discharge the phone to 25 to 30 percent, and it's not a whim, it's a safety measure.

• 🔋 When fully charged, the battery is more susceptible to overheating.
• ⚡ If you accidentally close the contacts with a screwdriver, a discharged battery minimizes the risk of short circuit.
• 🛠️ In Xiaomi service centers, always check the charge level before repairing - follow their example.

If the phone doesn’t turn on (for example, after a fall), but the screen cracks, try to force it to discharge by connecting it to a knowingly non-functioning charger for 10-15 minutes, which will reduce the voltage in the circuit.

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If the phone doesn't respond to the power button, try holding the Power + Volume Up for 10-15 seconds, sometimes helping to unlock the "frozen" display.

Step 2: Remove the back cover (if required)

Most Xiaomi models have the screen removed from the front, but in some cases (for example, to replace the battery or check the plumes) you need to remove the back cover.

• 📱 POCO F2 Pro, F3 — The back cover is held on latches and glue.
• 📱 Mi 10T, 11T - The lid is secured by screws under plugs.
• 📱 Redmi K40, K50 is a complex latch system, requires caution.

Algorithm of action:

1. Heat the edge of the cover with a hairdryer (especially near the camera and charging connector).
2. Push the cover with a plastic mediator, starting at the bottom corner (near the USB-C connector).
3. Take a good walk around the perimeter, snapping the clips. Don't force it -- if the lid doesn't lend itself, heat it longer!
4. When you take it off, put the lid aside, and inside you'll see the battery, the motherboard, and the plumes.

In models with a glueless back cover (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro) it is enough to tamper with a mediator without heating. But be careful - flexible plumes (antennas, fingerprint sensor) are often hidden under the lid, which are easy to tear!

Step 3: Heating and removing the screen

This is the most critical step. Incorrect heating is the main cause of damage to the display or battery.

1. Stick the suction cups to the bottom of the screen (near the Home button, if any). In models with a curved display (Mi 11 Ultra), use flexible suction cups.
2. Heat the edge of the screen around the perimeter with a hair dryer, holding it at a distance of 5-7 cm Temperature - 60-70 ° C (check with your hand: it should be hot, but not burn). Heat evenly, without staying in one place for more than 10 seconds.
3. Carefully pull the suction cups while simultaneously pulling the screen with a mediator. If it doesn't respond, heat for another 1-2 minutes. Don't pull too hard, you can rip the plume off!
4. Once you have a crack, put a mediator in it and slowly lead along the edge, cutting the glue. Be especially careful in the corners - there are plumes!

In models with AMOLED- screens (e.g., POCO F4 GT), the backlight plume is thinner than that of the IPS. If you feel resistance when the screen is lifted, stop pulling and check if the plume is clinging to the body. In Xiaomi, it is usually located at the top (near the front camera).

⚠️ Warning: In Xiaomi models with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (such as the Mi 10), the sensor plume is integrated into the on-screen module. If you damage it, the scanner will stop working - even after changing the screen!

Step 4: Disconnect the plumes and remove the module

When the screen is raised by 2-3 mm, stop pulling, it's time to turn off the plumes. Most Xiaomi models have three:

• 📺 Display plume (widest, usually in the center).
• 👆 A touchscreen plume (thinner, may be right or left).
• 🔋 Battery plume (turns off first!)

Procedure:

1. Turn off the battery -- that's a must! Use plastic tweezers or a mediator to gently lift the connector. Don't pull the wires!
2. Unplug the metal shield (if any) over the display plumes. It is mounted on double-sided scotch or screws.
3. Disconnect the display and touchscreen plumes. In some models (POCO X3), they are combined into one connector - don't confuse!
4. If the screen is completely free, remove it and place it on a soft surface (such as a napkin).

In mini-LED models (like the Xiaomi 13 Pro), there can be more plumes, up to 5. They are easy to confuse, so take a picture of the location before you turn off. Xiaomi often uses locking pins to fix the plumes, which you need to lift with a screwdriver before you remove them.

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Never turn off the plumes "by eye" - in 80% of cases of damage to the display after repair, it is the severed contacts that are to blame.

Step 5: Install a new screen

If you’ve been taking a screen to replace, take a few critical steps before installing the new module:

1. Clean the frame of the case of old glue. Use isopropyl alcohol and a lilac-free napkin. Don't scratch the plastic!
2. Check the new screen before installation. Connect the plumes and turn on the phone for a short time (hold the Power 5-10 seconds). If there is an image but no touch, the problem is in the sensor plume.
3. Apply new glue. AMOLED- screens are better to use B-7000 (a thin layer on the perimeter). IPS will be suitable for double-sided tape thickness 0.2-0.3 mm.
4. Set the screen from the top (where the front camera is) and press it evenly to avoid bubbles, and use a press (such as a heavy book) for 10-15 minutes for better fixation.

In models with 3D- glass (for example, Mi 11 Ultra), the adhesive is applied to the lateral curves. If not done carefully, there will be gaps at the edges, and the screen will "play" when pressed. For such cases, use the UV-Glei - it freezes under an ultraviolet lamp for 2-Z0004QPHXZ minutes.

After installation, check:

• 🎨 Color rendering (whether yellow or broken pixels).
• ☝️ Touchscreen operation (take the test to Settings → Display → Sensor Test).
• 🔦 Brightness and backlight (whether there are dark spots on the edges).
• 🔋 Charging and communication (sometimes after repair 4G disappears, which means that the antenna plumes are damaged).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced wizards sometimes make mistakes when replacing Xiaomi’s screen, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

If the screen is working after the replacement, but artifacts (shimmering, broken pixels) appear, the reason may be incompatible matrix. For example, in Redmi Note 10 Pro, the screens from BOE or Tianma are installed - they are externally identical, but have different drivers, in which case only replacing the original matrix will help.

⚠️ Warning: In Xiaomi models with Always-On Display (such as the Mi 12), the light sensor calibration may be lost after changing the screen. To fix this, go to Settings → Display → Autobrightness → Reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi screen replacement