We disassemble Xiaomi Redmi 5: how to carefully remove the back cover and not break the latches

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017-2018, but even after years, many users face the need to disassemble it. Whether it is a battery replacement, dust cleaning or plume repair, removing the back cover becomes the first and most important operation. Unlike modern models with adhesive mounting, Redmi 5 is based on plastic latches that are easy to break when you carelessly move.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of tools you need, and a list of common errors that cause damage to the body or internal components. We will examine both the classic mediator method and alternative methods (such as heating the hairdryer), and also give recommendations for choosing a replacement cover if the original cracked. Important: the manual is suitable for all versions of the Redmi 5 (3/32GB, 4/64GB) and Redmi 5 Plus - differences only in the size of the case.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start removing the lid, make sure you have everything you need, and the absence of at least one tool can lead to chipped plastic or scratches on the screen.

• 🔧 The plastic mediator (or guitar mediator) is the primary tool for disengaging the latches. You can't use metal blades, they scratch the body.
• 🔥 Building hair dryer (or powerful household) - to soften the adhesive on the battery (if you plan to remove it).°C!
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, size) PH00) — screw-off.
• 📦 Suction cups (optional) - help lift the lid if the latches are too tight.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Cleaning contacts and removing glue residues.
• 📏 Plastic tweezers - for careful disconnection of plumes.

Also, prepare your workspace: a clean desk with good lighting, an antistatic mat (or at least a piece of paper), and screw containers (you can use a magnetic substrate). Don't disassemble your smartphone on a carpet or couch - static electricity can damage the motherboard, and lost screws will complicate assembly.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 5 was in the water or fell from a height, disassembly can lead to a final failure.In such cases, it is better to contact the service - corrosion on the board or microcracks are not always visible to the naked eye.

Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover with Xiaomi Redmi 5

The process of removing the lid takes 10-15 minutes, if you act carefully.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-You don't have to disconnect the battery, you do it later.
2. Heat the edges of the body with a hair dryer (50–60°C) for 1-2 minutes, which will soften the adhesive on the battery and make the plastic more malleable.
3. Insert the mediator into the gap between the lid and the middle frame, starting at the lower left corner (there is a notch for the tray). SIM-Carefully swipe the mediator along the edge, disengaging the latches.
4. Lift the lid after all the latches around the perimeter have snapped. Don't pull too hard, there may be mounts inside near the camera or antenna contacts.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't force it. You probably missed one of the latches. Try to put the mediator around the perimeter again, paying attention to the corners. On Redmi 5, the most problematic areas are the top of the headphone jack and the bottom right corner (there's an antenna plume).

Is the phone off?|Whether extracted SIM-map?|Whether tools are prepared?|Whether the edges of the shell are heated?|Is there a spare cover in case of breakdown?-->

When you remove the lid, you'll see the battery, the motherboard and the plumes. Don't touch the metal parts of the board with your bare hands, static electricity can damage the chips. If you plan to disassemble the chips further (for example, replace the battery), first disconnect the battery by putting a power plume on a plastic tool.

⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi 5s (especially those built in China) may have an extra battery-operated protective film under the lid. Don't confuse it with glue, it doesn't need to be taken off, it prevents short circuits.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Redmi 5, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is that the latches on the lid are damaged, and if you hear the characteristic cracking when you remove it, the plastic locks are broken, and then you can put the lid back in, but it will hold less securely, and the solution is to buy a new lid (costs around 300 to 500). ₽ on AliExpress or in service centers).

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If the latches break, you can temporarily lock the lid with a thin double-sided tape around the perimeter, but this is not a long-term solution, because the next time you repair the scotch, you have to clean it with alcohol.

What to do if the lid is not removed?

Sometimes the Redmi 5 lid gets so tight that standard methods don't help. Here are a few alternative ways to do this:

• 🔥 Increase the heating time to 3-5 minutes, evenly warming all the edges, the glue under the battery will soften, and the latches will snap more easily.
• 🧲 Use two suction cups, one to fix the screen, one to lift the lid, which will spread the load and reduce the risk of damage.
• 🛠️ Try a thin guitar string (like the first one, the thinnest one) and run it between the lid and the frame like a saw, a risky method, but it sometimes helps with the "stiff" latches.
• 💧 Put a drop of isopropyl alcohol in the gap between the lid and the body. The alcohol will dissolve the glue but not damage the plastic.

If nothing works, it may have been glued to the service after the previous repair, in which case you will have to cut the glue carefully with a knife, but this is fraught with scratches, and the alternative is to contact a service that uses professional tools (for example, a station for disassembling smartphones with adjustable temperature).

How to assemble a smartphone back: Assembly tips

Building the Redmi 5 after repair is as important as disassembling, and here are the key points to consider:

1. Check all the plumes, they should be tightly connected to the connectors on the motherboard, and pay special attention to the touchscreen plume and cameras.
2. Make sure the battery is connected – if you forget to connect the battery, the smartphone will not turn on, and redisassembly can damage the plume.
3. Fix the cover evenly - start at the top, then snap the sides and lastly - the bottom (near the USB connector).
4. Check the buttons – after assembly, click on the volume and power buttons to make sure they are working and don’t go off.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

Does the touch screen work (no dead zones)

- Is charging through USB-plug-in.

- Does the speaker, microphone and cameras work?

- Does the network catch (if the antenna plumes have been disconnected)

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, but the indicator is on when connecting to charging, the problem may be in the power plume or battery.

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If the smartphone overheats or runs out quickly after repair, it's likely that the battery is not connected correctly or damaged.

Where to buy spare parts for Redmi 5: covers, batteries, plumes

If you have damaged the lid or other components during the disassembly process, you can replace them.

• 🛒 AliExpress is the biggest choice, but long delivery (2-4 weeks) Look for sellers with a rating above 98% and reviews in Russian.
• 🔧 Local service centers — often sell used parts from donor phones, prices are higher, but you can check the quality before buying.
• 🌍 Sites like Avito or Yula sell parts from the disassembly, the risk of running into a faulty component is higher, but prices are lower.
• 🏢 Official Xiaomi partners, such as Mi Store or authorized services, quality guarantee, but also the highest price.

When buying a lid, pay attention to:

- Color (original options: black, gold, pink, blue).

- The presence of holes for the camera, fingerprint sensor and antenna lines.

Material - cheap thin plastic covers break quickly.

Cost of spare parts for Redmi 5 (2026):

• Back cover - 300-800 ₽ (depending on the quality).
• Battery - 600-1200 ₽ (original).
• Charging plume - 400-700 ₽.
• Display module (screen) + touchscreen - 2,500-4000 ₽.

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Before buying a battery, check its capacity - the original for Redmi 5 has a capacity of 3300 mAh. Cheap analogues are often issued as the original, but their real capacity can be lower by 20-30%.

When to go to the service and when you can manage yourself

Not all Redmi 5 breakdowns can be repaired on your own, but here are some of the best ways to trust the professionals:

If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, start with simple tasks like dust cleaning or battery replacement. Complex repairs (plating plumes, replacing chips) require experience and special equipment. The cost of repairs in the service for Redmi 5 usually does not exceed 1500-3000 ₽, It is comparable to the price of spare parts, but with a guarantee of quality.

If you're in doubt, check out Redmi 5's YouTube demos, channels like Repair Universe or JerryRigEverything that give you a good idea of the process, but remember, videos don't show all the nuances, so always duplicate the information with text guides.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 5