How to carefully remove the back cover on Xiaomi Redmi 5: instructions with photos and tips

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a popular smartphone that is still widely used due to its reliability and low price. However, over time, you may need to replace the battery, speaker or even camera, and this requires removing the back cover. Unlike modern flagships with adhesive panels, Redmi 5 is relatively simple, but there are nuances that will help to avoid damage.

This article is suitable for both beginners and experienced users, and we will discuss not only the standard method of removing the lid, but also alternative methods (for example, without a mediator), and also tell you how to not damage the plumes and latches. If you are planning to repair yourself, read carefully!

Preparation for disassembly: tools and safety

Before you start removing the lid, make sure you have everything you need.The Xiaomi Redmi 5 doesn't require professional hardware, but the wrong tool can leave scratches or break latches.

Here is the minimum set you will need:

🔧 Plastic mediator (or guitar mediator) - for careful liding.
🔨 A thin screwdriver with a flat tip (for example, for a watch) - if there is no mediator.
🧲 Suction cup (optional) - helps to lift the lid if it sits tightly.
📸 Camera or smartphone to record the location of parts before disassembly.
🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (70%+) - for cleaning contacts, if required.

Also, prepare your workspace: a table with good lighting, soft fabric (so you don't scratch the screen), and screw containers if you plan to disassemble completely. Don't use metal tools to slap the lid, they leave traces and can damage plastic latches.

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone has been in water or has been hit hard, disassembly may cause further damage.

📊 You’ve already tried to make smartphones yourself?

Yes, many times.

A couple of times.

No, it's my first experience.

I prefer service centers.

Step 1: Turn off and prepare the smartphone

Before disassembling, be sure to turn off Redmi 5.

Press the power button for 3-5 seconds.
In the menu that appears, select Turn Off.
Wait for the screen to turn off completely (vibration will confirm the shutdown).

If the smartphone does not respond to the power button, try a forced reboot:

Press the power button + volume button for 10-15 seconds.

After turning off, remove the SIM- card and microSD card (if installed) to prevent damage or loss during disassembly. We also recommend that you drain the battery to 30-50%, which will reduce the risk of short circuits in accidental contact with the board.

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If the lid of the smartphone has already been removed, check if there are any small screws or parts left under it. Losing them can make it difficult to reverse assemble.

Step 2: Removal of the back cover - Step-by-step instructions

Now, to the most critical point, the Redmi 5 lid is mounted on plastic latches, so the key is to be careful and not to move.

Procedure:

Heat the lid (optional): If the smartphone was in use for a long time, the latches could "steep"; to loosen them, you can slightly heat the back panel with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 60 ° C) or put the device on a warm battery for 2-3 minutes.
Filt the lid. Put a plastic mediator in the gap between the lid and the body on the side of the charging connector. Carefully drive the tool along the edge until you hear the characteristic click of the first latch.
Gradually, after the first click, move around the perimeter, releasing the latches in turn. Don't try to rip the lid off right away, it could break the mounts!
Final removal. When all the latches are free, gently lift the lid. If it doesn't respond, check if there are any unlatched areas left.

The visual process looks like this:

Phase	Action.	Note
1.Heating.	Heat the cover to 50–60°C	Don’t overheat – you can damage the battery!
2. Fake-up	Insert the mediator at the USB connector	Don't use a knife or a screwdriver!
3. Latch release	Keep the mediator on the perimeter.	Clicks mean release of fasteners
4. Removal of the lid	Lift the panel from the corner	If you resist, check the latches.

⚠️ Warning: On the Redmi 5, the fingerprint scanner plume is attached to the lid! Don't pull it up sharply - first gently unplug the plume from the motherboard (if it interferes).

Is the smartphone off?|Whether extracted SIM-microSD card?|Is there a mediator on hand?|Is there a place for screws and parts prepared?-->

Step 3: What to do if the lid is not removed?

Sometimes the Redmi 5 cover can get so tight that the standard method doesn't work, and here are some alternative ways to help in difficult cases:

🔥 Stronger heating. Use a dryer at 70-80 °C (not higher!), evenly warming the lid for 1-2 minutes, which will soften the glue (if any) and loosen the latches.
🧲 Suction cup + mediator. Stick the suction cup closer to the charging connector and pull up slightly while putting the mediator on the lid, and that creates the required force.
🪛 Thin screwdriver (as a last resort) If you don't have a mediator, you can use a plastic blade or the blunt side of a metal screwdriver, wrapping it in a tape to protect the body.
💧 Alcohol or solvent. Put a few drops of isopropyl alcohol into the gap between the lid and the body, which will help dissolve the possible residues of the glue.

If nothing works, it may have been pasted (for example, after repairs in an informal service), in which case you will have to carefully cut the glue with a thin thread (for example, a guitar string) or a fishing line, wiring it along the seam.

What to do if the latch breaks?

If you break one or more plastic latches when you remove the lid, don't panic. You can build a smartphone without them, as long as the rest of the mounts hold the lid tight. You can use a small amount of double-sided tape around the edges for reliability (but don't overdo it to make future disassembly more difficult).

Step 4: Disassemble further components (if necessary)

After removing the cover, you will see the insides of Redmi 5:

🔋 Battery - attached to duct tape.
📷 Camera - fixed by screws.
🔊 Speaker and microphone soldered to board.
📶 Antenna contacts are thin metal strips.

If you need to get to the battery, motherboard or plumes, proceed with the following algorithm:

Unscrew all screws (usually 8-10 pieces, of different sizes - fold them separately!).
Carefully disconnect the plumes, putting them under a plastic spatula (do not pull the wires!).
If you need to remove the battery, dent it with a plastic card or a special tool for batteries.

And you can look at the color tags on the plumes, and they'll help you plug them back in correctly, and for example, the plume of the display is usually marked with a red or orange line.

⚠️ Warning: Don't touch the motherboard with your bare hands - static electricity can damage the chips. Use an antistatic bracelet or at least touch a grounded metal object before work.

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If you remove the battery replacement cover, never use metal tools to remove it – it can break through the battery and cause a fire!

Step 5: Build your smartphone after repair

Putting the Redmi 5 back together is usually easier than disassembling, but there are nuances to it. Follow these tips to avoid problems:

🔄 Check all the plumes. Make sure they're tightly inserted into the connectors. If the plume isn't fixed, you might bend the contact (take care to correct it with tweezers).
🔩 Rotate the screws cross-over. This will prevent the board from skewing. Start with the corner screws, then tighten the center screws.
🔋 Check the battery. If you've taken it off, make sure it's flat and doesn't clamping on the other components.
📶 Test Step-by-step. After assembly, turn on your smartphone and check: sensor, camera, sound, charging. If something doesn't work, take it apart again.

If the lid does not fit tightly after assembly, check:

Are there any other details or screws inside?
Are the slacks bent (can be carefully corrected with tweezers)?
Does the fingerprint scanner have a fingerprint (it should be flat)?

Typical errors in assembly:

Mistake.	Consequence	How to avoid
Unconnected display plume	Black screen or lack of sensor	Check the plume fixation.
A skewed motherboard	Unstable work, overheating	Twisting the screws evenly
Damaged battery.	Fast discharge or bloating	Do not use metal tools.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with a careful disassembly, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

1.The smartphone does not turn on after assembly.

Check the battery connection (the contact may have gone).
Make sure the power button is properly fixed (sometimes it falls out when disassembling).
Connect the charger – if it’s charging but the screen isn’t turning on, the problem may be in the display plume.

2.The fingerprint scanner is not working.

Check the connection of the scanner plume to the motherboard.
Make sure the scanner itself (it is built into the button) is not damaged.
Update the firmware – sometimes the failure occurs due to a software conflict.

3. The lid creaks or fits loosely.

Check if all the latches are in place (one may have broken).
Make sure there are no foreign objects (screws, dust) under the lid.
If the slit is small, a thin bilateral tape can be used at the edges.

4.The battery goes down quickly after replacement.

Check if the battery is original (fakes often have a smaller capacity).
Make sure the battery is properly connected (the contacts are not oxidized).
Calibrate the battery: completely discharge, then charge to 100% without interruption.

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If the speakers stop working after disassembly, check the integrity of the metal mesh on the back cover - it is often lost and forgotten to install it back.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Do I need to use a hair dryer to remove the lid?

Not necessarily, but it's recommended if the smartphone has been in use for a long time or the lid has been glued to the past. Heating to 50-60°C softens the plastic and makes it easier to disassemble.

❓ Can I remove the lid without a mediator?

Yes, but the risk of damage is higher. Alternatives: Thin plastic card (like a bank card), guitar string (to cut glue), plastic spatula to repair phones, don't use knives or metal screwdrivers!

❓ How do you know if all the latches are free?

Signs: The lid is slightly "playing" when pressed; there is no resistance when you try to lift it; you hear clicks all over the perimeter; if the lid fails, don't pull, but walk around the edges again with the mediator.

❓ What to do if the latch breaks?

One or two broken latches are not critical, the lid will hold on to the rest. For reliability: Use thin double-sided tape around the edges. When you build, make sure the remaining latches are fixed. If many mounts are broken, consider replacing the back cover (costs inexpensively).

❓ Can I wash the insides of a smartphone after disassembly?

No! Water or liquids can damage the board. To clean: Use a dry soft brush to remove dust. For contacts, a cotton swab dipped with isopropyl alcohol (70%+). Never blow on a board - saliva contains moisture!