Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi 4: how to remove the back cover without the risk of breaking the smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi 4 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, which is still in active use. However, over time, many owners face the need to disassemble it: whether it is replacing the battery, cleaning from dust or repairing connectors.

Unlike today's glue-enclosed smartphones, Redmi 4 is relatively easy to understand, but requires care. In this article, we'll go through the whole process, from tool preparation to fixing the lid back, learn what mistakes most often lead to breakdowns, and how to avoid them. And if you've never taken a smartphone apart, don't worry: our step-by-step photo and video instructions will help even a beginner to cope.

Preparation for the disassembly: what will be needed

Before you start removing the lid, make sure you have everything you need. Wrong tools are the main cause of broken latches and scratches on the body.

• 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - for tidy lid lashing. Metal tools leave scratches!
• 🔩 Cross screwdriver (size) PH00 or PH0) — screw-cover.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – to avoid losing small details.
• 📸 Smartphone for photo - fix the location of plumes and screws before disconnection.
• 🔋 New battery (if you are planning to replace) - original battery code for Redmi 4: BM43.

Also, prepare your workspace: a clean desk with good lighting. Working on a sofa or carpet is inconvenient — small details are easy to lose. If you're taking your smartphone apart for the first time, check out the video manual below (insert a link to the current YouTube video for "Disassembly Redmi 4").

Step 1: Turn off and retrieve SIM-map

Before disassembly, be sure to turn off the smartphone and get a tray for SIM-This will prevent short circuits and damage to the contacts to remove the tray:

1. Find the hole to extract on the left end of the case (near the volume button).
2. Insert a paper clip or a special key before clicking.
3. Carefully pull the tray over yourself - do not make an effort if it does not succumb!

If the tray is jammed, don't try to pull it out with pliers - this will bend the metal contacts. Better put a little WD-40 in the hole and wait 5 minutes.

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If the smartphone does not turn off (hang), press the power button for 10-15 seconds. If this does not help, wait for the battery to completely discharge before disassembling.

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

Now, to the most critical point, Redmi 4's lid is mounted on 12 plastic latches around the perimeter, which are easy to break if you put the lid in the wrong places.

Heat the edges of the body with a hairdryer (temperature 50–60°C) | Start pulling the lid from the lower right corner (near the charging socket) | Use a plastic blade, not a knife or screwdriver | Do not force - if the lid does not lend itself, check if all latches are snapped-->

Detailed instructions:

1. Heat the case: turn the dryer on to the minimum power and warm up the edges of the smartphone for 1-2 minutes. This will make the plastic more elastic. Do not overheat - temperatures above 70 ° C can damage the battery!
2. Filting the lid: insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body from the lower right corner (there are fewer plumes). Carefully drive the blade along the edge until you hear the characteristic clicks of the slack clips.
3. Disconnection of the plume: When the lid is lifted, you will see the fingerprint scanner plume, which must be carefully disconnected from the motherboard by pulling the black tongue (not the wires!).

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't try to pull it off by force, because you'll break the latches. You'd better warm up the lid again and try again from the other angle.

Step 3: Unscrew the screws and retrieve the battery

Once you remove the lid, you'll see 11 screws that attach the metal plate of the battery, and you'll need to unscrew them in the following order:

Once you remove the screws, remove the metal plate, and underneath it, you'll find a battery glued to the body, and then you can remove it.

1. Put a plastic shoulder blade on the battery from any angle.
2. If it does not lend itself, warm up the body with a hairdryer (maximum 60 ° C) - the glue will become softer.
3. Don't pull the plume! Unplug it from the motherboard after the battery is removed.

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Never use metal tools to tamper with the battery – the risk of short circuit and fire is extremely high!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Redmi 4, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 The fingerprint scanner plume is damaged when you forget to disconnect it before you remove the lid. Always check the plumes until the case is fully opened!
• 🔩 Loss of screws – use a magnetic mat or stick tape on the table with a sticky side up to fix details.
• 📱 Scratches on the screen – place the smartphone screen down on a soft surface (for example, a napkin).
• 🔥 Battery overheating – do not heat the body with a hairdryer for longer than 2 minutes and do not direct the air flow to the battery.

Another common problem is the wrong build, for example, if you forget to plug in the fingerprint scanner plume, your smartphone won't recognize your fingers, so to avoid that, take pictures of each stage of the disassembly and check the photo when you reverse assemble it.

⚠️ Note: if after disassembly the smartphone does not turn on, check:

• Is the battery plume connected to the motherboard?
• Are the contacts closed on the board (look at the subject of foreign objects).
• Are the antenna wires bent under the metal plate?

Build a smartphone: the reverse order of action

It's easier to put Redmi 4 back together than it is to disassemble, but there's a nuance here.

1. Install the battery: first connect the plume to the motherboard, then gently put the battery in place. If it wobbles, use double-sided tape to lock.
2. Secure the metal plate: make sure all screws are screwed in their places. Long screws (PH0) should be at the bottom!
3. Connect the fingerprint scanner plume, and it should click when you connect, and if it doesn't, check if the connector is bent.
4. Click the lid: Start at the top edge, then gently press around the perimeter until you hear the clicks of all the clamps.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• Is the fingerprint scanner working?
• Is the battery charging?
• Are there any extraneous sounds when pressing the body (this may indicate an improperly installed cover).

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If the screen becomes less sensitive after assembly, check if the plumes are clamped under the metal plate. Sometimes it is enough to loosen the screws slightly.

When is the best time to contact the service center

While disassembling Redmi 4 is relatively simple, in some cases it is better to trust the professionals.

• 💥 Smartphone fell into the water – corrosion on the board may not be visible to the naked eye.
• ⚡ After disassembly, the smell of burning appeared or the smartphone warms up - this is a sign of a short circuit.
• 📵 Communication module is not working (no network, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) – antenna may be damaged.
• 🔧 You have broken more than 3 latches – the lid will not fit tightly, which will lead to dust ingress.

The cost of dismantling in the service usually does not exceed 500-800 rubles, but you will get a guarantee for the work done. If you disassemble a smartphone to replace the battery, note that the original BM43 battery costs about 1,200-1,500 rubles, and analogues - from 600 rubles. However, cheap analogues often serve less and can swell.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 4