Disassembly Xiaomi: how to carefully remove the rear body and not damage the phone

Whether you plan to replace the battery, clean the charging connector or install a new camera, properly dismantling the case will be the first and most important step. Mistakes at this stage can damage the plumes, scratches on the body or even fail the display. In this article, we will understand how to remove the back cover on Redmi, POCO and Mi models without specialized equipment, using improvised tools and a minimum set of tools.

It is important to understand that the design of the cases Xiaomi has evolved: if in older models (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1) the cover was removed relatively easily, in new flagships (like Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO F5 Pro) the manufacturer uses glue and latches, which complicates the process. We will consider universal methods, as well as nuances for specific lines. We warn: even with careful actions, the warranty on the device will be canceled - this is prescribed in the terms of service Xiaomi.

Preparation: what will be needed for the disassembly

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need, and missing at least one tool can cause permanent damage — for example, trying to lid a knife instead of a mediator is almost guaranteed to leave traces on plastic or metal.

Here's the minimum set:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or guitar mediator (replacement is credit card, but it is less secure).
• 🔥 Hair dryer (power at least 1500 W) or thermal air station for softening glue.
• 🧲 Suction cups (2 pcs., 3-5 cm in diameter) - will help to evenly lift the cover.
• ⚙️ Screwdriver. T3/T4/T5 (depending on the model) for screws under the lid.
• 📦 Container for screws (you can use a magnetic mat or a split box).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) glue-residue.

If you are disassembling a smartphone for the first time, we recommend buying a repair kit (costs 300-800 rubles on AliExpress or in local electronics stores). It usually includes all the listed tools plus tweezers and a blade for plumes. IP-certification (e.g., Xiaomi) 12T Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) You may need a special glue for reverse assembly – it is also better to prepare it in advance.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal tools (knives, screwdrivers) to lid the lid! Even a slight pressure will leave scratches on anodized aluminum or plastic.

Step 1: Turn off and prepare the phone

Before disassembling, turn off your smartphone completely. If the battery is swelling (the lid is bent, the phone spontaneously reboots), do not turn it on at all - the risk of short circuit is too high, in which case it is better to disassemble with gloves and on a non-combustible surface.

Next, perform the following actions:

Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Remove the cover and protective film (they may interfere)

Wash the body with alcohol to remove fat and dirt

Take a photo of the phone from all sides (useful when reassembling)-->

If your model supports wireless charging (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 or POCO F4 GT), there is a metal plate inside the case for power transmission. It is attached to the lid, so be careful when dismantling - the plate can come off and damage the battery plume.

For models with an infrared port (like the Redmi Note 9 Pro), look at the top of the case, which often has additional latches, and if you don't let them go, the lid can crack when you try to remove them.

Step 2: Heating the body to soften the glue

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Redmi Note 8 and later) use adhesive to seal the case. Without heating, it is almost impossible to remove the lid - you either break the latches or break the plumes. The optimal temperature for softening the glue is 60-80 ° C.

How to properly heat:

1. Turn on the dryer at medium power (so as not to overheat the battery).
2. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm from the body, evenly driving along the edges.
3. Heat each edge for 30-40 seconds (lower, upper, left, right).
4. Check the temperature of the body with your hand – it should be hot, but not burning.

For models with a metal body (for example, Xiaomi Mi 9 or POCO F1), the heating time can be reduced to 20 seconds on the side - metal conducts heat faster. But plastic cases (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) require a more cautious approach: overheating can deform plastic.

⚠️ Warning: Don't direct hot air directly to the display or camera! The matrix can peel off and the camera lenses can become cloudy. Keep the hair dryer at an angle of 45.° case-wise.

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If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use hot water (not boiling water!) Put your phone in a plastic bag and put it in 50-60°C water for 2-3 minutes, which is less effective, but is suitable for emergencies.

Step 3: Removing the back cover

Once you're heated, start dismantling. Start at the bottom edge, which is usually where the mediator slot is located. If the lid doesn't respond, repeat heating again.

Procedure:

1. Place the suction cups on the bottom of the body (closer to the charging connector).
2. Pull it up carefully - a small gap should appear.
3. Insert the mediator into the slot and slowly lead along the edge, releasing the latches.
4. As soon as the cover rises by 1-2 mm, remove the suckers and continue with the mediator.

Different models have their own nuances:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12: latches are located around the perimeter, but the weakest are fixed in the area of the camera.
• 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5: the upper part of the cover is attached to the metal frame - additional heating is needed here.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13: glass cover is fragile - press on the mediator with minimal effort.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't put too much effort into it! You probably missed the latch or the glue didn't soften enough. You'd better repeat the heat than break the case.

Step 4: Unscrewing screws and working with plumes

Once you remove the lid, you'll see the insides of the smartphone. The first thing you need to do is unscrew all the screws. Xiaomi models typically use 3 types of screws:

Tips for working with plumes:

• 🔌 Disconnect the plumes with a flat shoulder blade, not with your fingers - so there is less risk of breaking contacts.
• 📸 Take a picture of the location of the plumes before disconnection (in useful during assembly).
• 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume last - this will prevent short circuit.

⚠️ Attention: In models with NFC (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+) The antenna is often integrated into the battery or back cover. If you're replacing the battery, make sure the new part supports the battery. NFC — Otherwise, contactless payments will not work.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

1.Display plume damage

The plume connecting the display to the motherboard is the most vulnerable, and if it is broken, it will cost 3,000 to 8,000 rubles (depending on the model) to avoid this:

• 🛠️ Disconnect the plume only after the metal screen is completely removed (if any).
• 📱 Do not lift the display too high – the plume is short and may stretch.

Battery overheating

Xiaomi Lithium Polymer batteries are sensitive to high temperatures, and if you overheat them above 80°C, you can:

• 🔥 Bloating (irreversible damage).
• 📉 Capacity reduction by 10-20%.
• 💥 Risk of fire (extremely rare, but possible).

To avoid this, do not point the hair dryer at the battery for longer than 10 seconds and use thermocouples to control the temperature.

3.Loss of screws or assembly confusion

The screws in Xiaomi often differ in length by fractions of a millimeter. If you confuse them in places, you can:

• 📱 Damage the motherboard (too long screw punches the tracks).
• 🔊 Disable the speaker or microphone (screw presses on the membrane).

Solution: Use a magnetic mat with markings or sign screw containers (e.g., "Camera", "Plat", "Battery").

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The most common mistake is to try to remove the lid without sufficient heating, which causes the latches to break and cracks. Always heat the case for at least 30 seconds on each side!

Reverse Assembly: nuances and tips

Getting your smartphone back together is often harder than disassembling, and here are some key points to avoid problems:

1.Cover glue

If you used a dryer to soften the adhesive, you need to reassemble it when you reassemble it.

• 🧴 Double-sided scotch 3M (0.2–0.3 mm thickness – suitable for most models.
• 🔥 thermals B-7000 — More reliable, but requires careful application.
• 📦 Original Xiaomi glue (sold in repair kits).

Verification of functionality

After assembly, be sure to test:

• 📶 Network: insert SIM-map and check the signal.
• 🔋 Charging: Connect the cable and make sure the phone detects the charger.
• 🎤 Microphone and speakers: record a voice message and listen to it.
• 📸 Camera: Take a photo on the main and front cameras.

3. Sealing

If your model has water protection (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Pro with IP68), it will be lost after disassembly.

• 🧴 Apply a thin layer of silicone lubricant to rubber pads.
• 🔧 Tighten the screws with a force of 0.3-0.5 N·m (use a dynamometer screwdriver if you have one).

If the phone does not turn on after assembly, check:

• 🔋 Connecting the battery plume.
• 📱 Power button contacts (sometimes they are shifted during assembly).
• 🔌 Charging connector state (possibly contact has departed).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's disassembly