How to remove the lid on Xiaomi Redmi 5A: full instructions

Xiaomi Redmi 5A is widely regarded as one of the most popular budget devices of its time. However, even reliable technology requires intervention over time: whether it’s replacing the battery, repairing the charging connector or cleaning the speakers from dust. Self-replacing the rear panel is the first step to more complex repairs, which often scares beginners with its apparent complexity. In fact, if you act consistently and use the right tools, the process will not take long.

In this article, we will discuss in detail how to remove the lid on the Xiaomi Redmi 5A without damaging fragile plastic latches and plumes. It is important to understand that the design of budget smartphones often involves the use of glue to fix elements, which requires special care when heating. We will look at all the preparation stages, necessary tools and technical nuances that will help you avoid common mistakes. Proper disassembly is the key to successful repair and long-term service of your gadget.

Before you get to work, make sure you understand the risks. Any interference with the device can lead to a loss of warranty, although for the Redmi 5A model this is no longer so true due to the age of the device.However, accuracy and patience are your main tools. In the process, we will use special terms such as plume, display module and battery pack to make you better versed in the technical description.

Tools and workplace preparation required

Quality workplace preparation is the foundation of successful disassembly of any electronic device. You do not need expensive professional equipment to work with the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, but a set of basic tools is mandatory. Lack of the right screwdriver or mediator can lead to the failure of the screws or break the plastic latches of the case, so collect everything you need in advance.

Pay special attention to lighting and clean table surfaces. Small screws are easily lost, and dust inside the case can cause short circuits in the future. Use a magnetic mat or just a piece of paper that can be schematically laid out in order of dismantling, which will help you remember nothing when you reassemble.

To perform all operations, you will need the following set:

• 🛠️ Screwdriver kit: cross (PH000 or PH00) hull-board.
• 🔥 Dryer or heat pad: necessary to soften the glue that fixes the cover.
• 🎴 Plastic card or mediator: for careful snapping of latches without scratches.
• 🔍 Tweezers: preferably with dielectric tips, for working with small plumes.

It is important to note that using a metal knife blade instead of a plastic tool is highly undesirable. Metal can easily damage the internal components or leave deep scratches on the frame. If you don't have a special mediator at hand, an old plastic card that is not a pity to spoil will do. Also make sure that your hands are dry and clean, so as not to leave traces of fat on the internal parts.

Isopropyl alcohol is also a good thing to do when you degrease surfaces before you apply a new glue or B-7000 when you reassemble it, and you also have cotton swabs and a soft brush to clean the internal cavities from the accumulated dust.

Safety Techniques and Precautions

Safety when working with lithium-ion batteries and electronics should be the number one priority. Even when the smartphone battery is turned off, the connector contacts are energized by accident or damage to the battery housing can cause the battery to ignite or bloat. So strictly follow electrical safety rules.

The first step should always be to turn the device off completely. Don't try to disassemble a smartphone that is in sleep mode or just turn off the screen. After turning it off, wait a few seconds to make sure that everything is stopped. If you plan to work with glue or heat the case, make sure that the room is well ventilated.

⚠️ Warning: Never puncture or bend the battery.If you notice that the battery is swelling, work with it with the utmost care, as mechanical damage can cause a chemical reaction.

Another important aspect is static electricity: In dry rooms, especially in winter, clothes and bodies can accumulate a static charge that can disable the sensitive electronics of the board. Before starting work, it is recommended to touch an earthed metal object, such as a heating battery, to remove static potential.

When heating the body with a hair dryer, it is important not to overdo it with temperature. Too much heating can deform the plastic frame or damage the plastic frame. LCD-The screen, if you warm it up on the front side. 80-100 Celsius, keep the hair dryer at a distance. 5-7 Centimeters from the surface and constantly move it so that the heat is evenly distributed.

If you smell a strong smoke or smoke during the disassembly, stop working immediately and put the device in a safe place. Also be careful with the sharp edges of broken glass if the smartphone screen has been damaged before. In such cases, it is recommended to pre-seal the surface with tape so that the fragments do not fly.

These simple rules will help you avoid injury and keep components running, and remember that rushing is the repairman's enemy, and it's better to spend five minutes preparing than looking for a replacement for a burnt chip.

The process of heating and separation of the back cover

Xiaomi Redmi 5A has a plastic case that is attached to the middle frame with double-sided tape and a series of plastic latches around the perimeter. To remove the lid without damage, you need to soften the adhesive layer. To do this, we will use a hair dryer. If there is no hair dryer, you can use a special heating platform, but in the home, the hair dryer is the most affordable option.

Turn on your smartphone (if it's off) and warm up the back panel around the perimeter. Pay special attention to the corners and bottom, where the glue is usually applied with a thicker layer. You need to heat it evenly, not staying long in one place, so as not to melt the plastic. The heating process usually takes 2 to 4 minutes depending on the power of the hair dryer.

Once the body is sufficiently warm, turn off the device and place it on a flat surface with the front part down (plugging the soft cloth). Take a suction cup, if any, and attach it to the bottom of the back cover. If there is no suction cup, you can gently attach the lid with a mediator in the area of the charging connector or in one of the lower corners.

And if you create a little gap, you put a plastic card or a mediator in there. Don't use force with a jerk, it can break the plastic. Move the map along the perimeter of the case, gradually cutting the adhesive layer and snapping the latches. You'll hear the characteristic clicks -- that's the normal sound of the plastic unfastening.

It's important not to insert the tool too deep to damage the plumes that may be close to the edges, or to engage the internal components. Move slowly and methodically. If you feel that the lid has stopped giving in, warm up the problem area again with a hairdryer for 30-40 seconds.

Disconnection of plumes and dismantling of internal components

Once the back cover is completely separated from the body, don’t rush to put it aside. In some versions, a fingerprint scanner can be glued to the cover, although in Redmi 5A it is more often located on the front panel or absent from the basic versions. However, even if the cover is free, there are connected components inside that require attention.

The first thing you need to do is turn off the battery, which is a critical step for safety, so find the connector on the motherboard and gently unplug it with a plastic tool or a nail, and never pull the wires, you can pull them off the contacts.

Next, you take out the metal shield that covers the main connectors of the display and the plumes, and it's attached with several screws that may vary in length, and remember or draw which screw was where you were, so that you don't screw a long screw into a short hole and break through the board when you build it.

List of main actions at this stage:

• 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard.
• 🔩 Untwisted screws fixing the metal screen of modules.
• 📱 Carefully disconnect the plume of the display and touch screen.
• 📷 Remove the main camera module if it is planned to be replaced.

Once all the plumes are turned off, the motherboard becomes free. However, to fully remove the lid or access the bottom speakers and charging connector, it may be necessary to remove the board itself. In the Redmi 5A, the board is held on the screws and sits tightly in the frame. Carefully lift it, controlling the position of the cameras and speakers.

If your goal was just to replace the battery, then after turning off the plume and removing the locking plates (if they interfere with access to the battery), you can start removing the old battery. It is also glued to double-sided tape. It is convenient to remove it using special screeds or simply smear it with a plastic card, preheating the back of the case.

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The main rule of dismantling: always turn off the battery first before touching other connectors on the board.

Table of the main screws and their location

When disassembling a smartphone, it’s easy to get confused about the number and types of screws. Xiaomi Redmi 5A uses screws of different sizes and purposes. To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled a summary table of the main fasteners you’ll encounter in the process.

Note that the screws that attach the motherboard are often of different lengths. Swirling a long screw into the hole for a short one can damage the circuit board or the case. Use a magnetic card or cells to sort.

Using the right screwdriver is another key point: a bit that is too small or worn out will lick the screw caps, then it will be almost impossible to unscrew them. Make sure that the bat sits tightly in the screw cap before spinning.

Some screws can be hidden under stickers or warranty seals.In the case of the Redmi 5A, there are no major hidden screws under the stickers, but it is always worthwhile to carefully inspect the surface of the board and frames. If the screw does not twist, do not use excessive force - perhaps it is hidden under a rubber plug or glue.

Reverse assembly and performance check

The device is assembled in reverse disassembly, but there are nuances that can't be ignored: Old double-sided tape probably lost its properties, and if you just put the lid in place, it will dangle and creak. You have to remove the remnants of old glue from the frame and the lid.

For a secure fix, use a special electronics glue, such as the B-7000 or T-7000. Apply it with a thin strip along the perimeter of the frame. Do not pour glue into the case and avoid getting into the camera or sensors. After applying, press the lid and lock the device with stationery gums for 1-2 hours until completely dry.

Before you finish sticking, make sure you run a test turn on, plug in the battery, plug in the display, and try turning on your smartphone, check the touchscreen, the sound, the microphone, the cameras, if everything works correctly, you can turn off the battery again, paste the lid, and twist the screws.

⚠️ Attention: When applying glue, monitor the amount of glue. Excess glue can squeeze out or, worse, leak into the case, damaging contacts or blocking buttons. Remove the excess immediately with a dry wipe.

If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic. Check the density of all the plumes. Often the problem is that the connector is not fully snapped. Also make sure the battery is charged. In rare cases, you may need to reset or flash if system files have been affected, but with a simple lid replacement, this is unlikely.

Successful assembly is not only about bringing the device back to life, but also about keeping it aesthetically pleasing, so make sure that the gaps between the lid and the frame are uniform throughout the perimeter, and that no wires or glue are being punched anywhere.

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Use dental floss to remove the residue of old glue from the frame. It's thin, strong and leaves no villi, unlike cotton candy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As users work, they often have additional questions that were not covered in the main manual, and below we have collected answers to the most popular ones to help you avoid typical problems.