How to carefully remove the back cover with Xiaomi Redmi 4: instructions with nuances

Removing the back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi 4 is the first operation when you repair your smartphone yourself: replacing the battery, speaker, camera or plume. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process requires caution: the plastic panel is mounted on the latches, and underneath it hides fragile plumes and contacts. Disassembly errors often lead to cracks in the case, the break of antenna wires or damage to the fingerprint scanner (in models with a sensor on the back).

This guide will be suitable for all versions of the series: Redmi 4 (standard), Redmi 4A (no fingerprint scanner), Redmi 4X and Redmi 4 Pro. We will discuss three methods of removing the lid - with the help of a mediator, suction cup and improvised tools, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors. If you have never taken out smartphones before, start with preparation: check the availability of tools and study the section on risks.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

A minimal set is enough to take the Redmi 4 lid off neatly, but some tools are critical, such as a plastic mediator (or guitar mediator) reducing the risk of scratching the body, and a suction cup helps to evenly separate the panel from the frame.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator (or unnecessary bank card) – to separate latches.
• 🧲 Suction (diameter 3-5 cm) - fixes the lid with underdress.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal air station – softens the glue (optional, but recommended for older devices).
• ⚙️ The screwdriver. PH00 — screw-off.
• 📏 Tweezers - convenient for extracting plumes.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (70%+) — cleans.

If you don't have specialized tools at hand, you can do with a plastic spatula from a phone repair kit or even a tablespoon with a wrapped tape edge, but metal objects (knives, screwdrivers) are strictly forbidden to use - they leave scratches on an aluminum frame and can close contacts on the board.

Preparing the smartphone for disassembly

Before removing the cover of Redmi 4, you need to follow several mandatory steps. SIM-Second, discharge the battery to 20 to 30 percent: a fully charged battery can ignite if it is damaged. If the phone doesn't turn on, wait 10 to 15 minutes after you turn off the charge, which will reduce the risk of static discharge.

It is also recommended that:

• 📱 Make a backup of the data (via Settings) → Additionally. → Backup).
• 🔋 Warm up the body with a hair dryer (temperature 50–60)°C) perimeter – this will soften the glue (relevant for devices older than 2 years).
• 🧼 Rub the back panel with alcohol - dirt and fat worsen the clutch of the sucker.

Is the smartphone off?

Whether extracted SIM-memory-card?

Is the battery discharged to 20-30%?

Will the body be warmed by a hairdryer (for older devices)?

Is the data backed up?-->

⚠️ Warning: If the Redmi 4 has been in water or been severely impacted, disassembly may lead to corrosion of the contacts.In this case, dry the device in rice or silica gel for at least 24 hours before removing the lid.

Method 1: Removal of the cover with a mediator

This is the most reliable way for beginners to do this, and the basic principle is to gradually separate the latches around the perimeter, starting at the weakest point (usually next to the headphone jack).

1. Apply the suction cup to the center of the back panel (closer to the camera) and pull up slightly to create a gap.
2. Put the mediator in the gap and gently swipe it along the left edge (on the side of the volume buttons). The latches should click, which is normal.
3. Repeat the procedure for the right edge, then for the bottom (near the Micro-USB connector).
4. When all the latches are free, remove the lid by pulling it up. Don't make any effort -- if the panel doesn't respond, check if all the latches are snapped.

If the lid does not separate despite the effort, the glue is probably too strong. In this case, warm up the body with a hairdryer for another 1-2 minutes, focusing on the problem areas. The temperature should not exceed 60 ° C, overheating can damage the battery or screen.

💡

If the mediator gets stuck, don't pull it with force -- you better take the second mediator and start at the other end, and sudden movements can break the latches inside the housing.

Method 2: Use of suction cup and shoulder blade

This is a good way to use a Redmi 4/4X with a smooth back panel (no texture) and a suction cup creates a uniform force, reducing the risk of skewering the lid.

1. Stick the suction cup on the smooth part of the lid (not on the camera or fingerprint scanner!).
2. Pull the sucker upwards to form a gap of ~1 mm.
3. Put a plastic blade in the slot and slowly swipe it along the edge, separating the latches. Move counterclockwise.
4. When most of the latches open, remove the suction cup and adjust the problem areas (usually corners) with a mediator.

The advantage of this method is that there is less risk of damage to the fingerprint scanner plume (if you have one in your model), but the suction cup can tear the paint off the lid if the smartphone is painted (for example, the Redmi 4 Pro in pink gold).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you disassemble the Redmi 4 carefully, you can still damage it, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Battery plume damage: Never pull the lid sharply up - battery plume glued to the back. first separate it with a plastic spatula.
• 📶 Tennant wire break: Redmi 4 has antennas on the sides of the body. If the latches don't lend themselves, don't push harder, heat the body with a hairdryer.
• 👆 Plastic chips around the buttons: Volume and power buttons are attached to the frame. When the lid is separated, don't press them.
• 🔍 Scratches on fingerprint scanner: In Redmi 4 Pro models, the sensor is located under glass.

If you find a torn plume or disconnected connector after removing the lid, don’t panic. Most of the plumes in Redmi 4 can be replaced separately (for example, the fingerprint scanner plume costs ~300-500 rubles).

⚠️ If after the disassembly Redmi 4 stopped seeing SIM-Check the antenna contacts on the back cover, often bend when you take them off in a careless manner.

What to do after removing the cover

When the back panel is successfully removed, you will see the internal structure of Redmi 4: battery (stick to the frame), motherboard (under the metal screen), speaker, camera and plumes before proceeding with further repairs:

1. Disconnect the battery plume (it is located under the black tape) Use a plastic blade to avoid damaging the contacts.
2. Take a picture of the screws -- Redmi 4 has different lengths, and if you mix them up, you can damage the board.
3. Check the integrity of the waterproofing gaskets (white or black rubber rings) if they are damaged, replace them before assembly.

If your goal is to replace the battery, consider that in Redmi 4 it is glued to the body with double-sided tape.

1. Warm up the battery with a hairdryer (maximum 60°C) for 2-3 minutes.
2. Put the battery on the side with a plastic blade (not from the center!).
3. If the tape does not respond, drop the isopropyl alcohol under the battery - it will dissolve the glue.

💡

Do not use metal tools to remove the battery – a puncture of the battery can cause a fire!

Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 4