How to remove the back cover with Xiaomi Redmi 4X: safe disassembly of the phone with your own hands

Why the Redmi 4X needs to be parsed

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains popular with users due to its reliability and maintainability. However, its design has features that make self-disassembly potentially risky. Unlike today’s flagships with modular housings, the Redmi 4X rear cover is mounted on latches and glue, and underneath it hides fragile plumes and connectors. Incorrect removal can damage antenna tracks, tear off the fingerprint scanner plume, or even cracks on the display.

This guide will help avoid the typical mistakes, from choosing tools to fixing small parts, and we have taken into account the nuances of a particular model β€” for example, on the Redmi 4X, the soldered battery can stick to the lid, which requires additional care. If you are planning to replace the battery, speaker or camera, follow the algorithm strictly in steps.

Before you start, evaluate your skills: if you haven't disassembled smartphones before, practice on an unnecessary device or contact the service. Xiaomi's warranty does not apply to damage when self-repairing.

What tools will be needed to parse the Redmi 4X

To remove the lid carefully, the Xiaomi Redmi 4X needs a specialty kit. Don't use improvised tools (knives, screwdrivers, credit cards) - they will damage plastic or leave scratches.

  • πŸ”§ Plastic blade (preferably with a rounded end) - for separation of the body without scratches.
  • πŸ”₯ Dryer or thermo-air station - heats up the glue (temperature 60-80)Β°C).
  • 🧲 Suction cups (2 pcs., diameter 3-4 cm) - help to lift the cover after heating.
  • πŸ” Loop or magnifying glass - to control latches and plumes.
  • πŸ“¦ The screw container - at Redmi 4X 12 different types of screws (see table below).
  • ⚑ Multimeter (optional) – check the battery before disconnecting.

If you are planning to replace the battery, prepare:

  • πŸ”‹ New battery (original articulum: MB01 or DM01 4100 mAh version).
  • 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ β€” glue-residue.
  • 🎨 Double-sided tape or glue B-7000 β€” fixing.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal tools to lid the lid - they conduct current and can close contacts on the board!

πŸ“Š What kind of tool do you already have?
Plastic spatula
Fen
Suction cups.
None of the above.

Preparing the phone for analysis: 5 mandatory steps

Before removing the cover, follow these steps to minimize the risks:

  1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-The cards are off the tray. 4X The tray is located on the right - use a clip to extract.
  2. Discharge the battery to 20-30%, a fully charged battery is more dangerous if accidental damage occurs.
  3. Take off the cover and the film. They can interfere with the suction cups and the heat.
  4. Take a picture of the back cover – this will help to properly position the antenna linings during assembly.
  5. Prepare the workplace: clean surface, good lighting, no static electricity.

Critically, if the phone has been in water or humid environment, don't disassemble it yourself! corrosion on the board can short circuit when in contact with tools, and in such cases, professional ultrasound cleaning is required.

Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map|

Discharge the battery to 20-30% |

Take off the cover and protective film |

Take a picture of the location of the antenna plates |

Prepare tools and work area-->

Step-by-step: how to remove the cover from Xiaomi Redmi 4X

The process consists of 3 stages: heating the glue, detaching the cover and disconnecting the plumes. Follow the instructions carefully - on the Redmi 4X, the fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the cover and may come off!

Step 1: Heating the adhesive layer

Turn the dryer on at minimum power (or set a temperature of 60-70Β°C at a thermo-air station). Heat the lid around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes, paying special attention to the corners. Don't direct hot air to the display! The goal is to soften the glue, but not melt the plastic.

Stage 2: Separation of the cover

After warming up:

  1. Attach the suction cups to the bottom and top of the lid (avoid the camera area).
  2. Carefully pull up - a gap of 1-2 mm should appear.
  3. Insert a plastic blade into the gap and slowly lead it along the body, splitting the latches. On the Redmi 4X, there are 12 of them (see the diagram below).
  4. When resisting, do not push harder - warm up the problem area again.

Step 3: Disconnection of plumes

When the lid is raised 45.Β°, You'll see:

  • πŸ”Œ Footprint scanner plume (right, under metal lining).
  • πŸ”Š Dynamic plume (bottom, under black tape).
  • πŸ“Ά Antenna contacts (on the sides, soldered to the board).

Use tweezers to gently unplug the connectors. Don't pull the wires! On the Redmi 4X, they're often soldered to the board and can come off.

What to do if the lid does not lend itself?
If the cover does not separate after heating: 1. Check if there are any unnoticed latches (especially in the area of the volume buttons). 2. Repeat heating by increasing the temperature to 80 Β° C for 1-2 minutes. 3. Try using the second blade to evenly distribute the force. 4. If you hear a crunch, stop immediately! This breaks the latches or cracks the board.

PhaseAction.Risks.Decision
Warming upHeating the cover with a hair dryer for 2-3 minutesOverheating of the board, deformation of plasticControl the temperature (max. 80Β°C), do not direct air to the screen
Cover compartmentUse of spatula and suction cupsLatch damage, plume break.Move slowly, do not use force
Disconnection of plumesTweezer disconnectionContact break, fee damagePull just behind the connector, not behind the wires.
AssemblyPlacement of the lid in placeFlawed fit, creakingCheck all latches, if necessary, repeat heating

⚠️ Note: Some versions of Redmi 4X (Especially Chinese, there may be an additional metal plate under the lid that is attached to 2 screws!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when parsing the Xiaomi Redmi 4X. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

  • πŸ”§ Broken latches -- they occur with excessive force, so the solution is to heat up the glue longer, use two blades to keep the pressure even.
  • πŸ”₯ Damage to the fingerprint scanner plume, it's glued to the lid. Solution: gently apply the plume with a spatula before the lid is completely removed.
  • πŸ“± Cracks on the display, if you press the screen when the lid is separated, the solution is to use suction cups only at the edges, no closer than 1 cm to the display.
  • πŸ”‹ Short circuit: if the tools come into contact with the board, the solution is to work in an antistatic bracelet or touch grounded objects.

The Redmi 4X's battery is often welded to the lid because of old glue. If the battery doesn't separate, don't pull it by force! Drag isopropyl alcohol around the perimeter and wait 5 minutes for the glue to dissolve.

1. whether the battery plume is connected (connector J401 on the board).

2. whether the antenna contacts are closed (use a magnifying glass).

3. Integrity of flexible display plume (frequent problem after careless assembly).-->

What to do after removing the cover: further actions

When the lid is successfully removed, the Redmi 4X’s internal design will open before you. Depending on the purpose of the disassembly, follow these recommendations:

If you change the battery:

  1. Disconnect the battery connector (red connector at the bottom of the board).
  2. Tap the battery with a plastic spatula, starting at the top edge.
  3. Remove the residues of the glue with alcohol and apply a new layer to replace.
  4. Connect a new battery and check charging before assembly!

If you are repairing a speaker or microphone:

  • The speaker is attached to 2 screws (Y000) and a plume. Disconnect the J301 connector before extraction.
  • The microphone is located under a metal lining - carefully remove it so as not to damage the antenna tracks.

If you clean the connectors or the board:

Use only:

  • 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (waterless!).
  • πŸ–ŒοΈ Soft brush (for example, for watercolours).
  • 🧷 Wood sticks for cleaning connectors.

Prohibited: metal brushes, acetone, WD-40 or other aggressive solvents!

All the plumes are tightly connected (a click should be heard).

The screws are twisted into the same holes (they are of different lengths!).

- The antenna plates are not skewed (otherwise the network signal will deteriorate).-->

Build a phone: how to avoid creaks and backlashes

Building Xiaomi Redmi 4X after repair is as important as disassembling. Follow these tips for a perfect lid fit:

  1. Check the latches: Before you finally press the lid, make sure that all 12 latches (6 sides, 3 tops, 3 bottoms) are in place. If the lid is walking, warm it up with a hairdryer and press it again.
  2. Trail control: The fingerprint scanner plume should lie flat, without any inflections, and if you stack it incorrectly, the sensor will stop working.
  3. Test before final assembly: plug in the battery and check: πŸ”‹ Charging (connect the cable). πŸ“Ά Network signal (if antennas are damaged, there will be no network"). πŸ”Š Sound in the speaker and microphone.

If the lid creaks after assembly, the reasons may be as follows:

  • πŸ”§ Dust between the lid and the case - wipe the contacts with alcohol.
  • 🌑️ Insufficient heating during assembly - the glue is not "grabbed." Repeat the procedure.
  • πŸ“ Deformation of latches - if they are broken, the cover will have to be replaced.

⚠️ Warning: Don't turn on the phone immediately after assembly. Wait 10-15 minutes, which is the time it takes to shrink the glue and stabilize the contacts. Early switching on can cause sensors to malfunction.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about the Redmi 4X

Can I take off the lid without a hair dryer?
Theoretically, yes, but the risk of damage to latches or plumes increases by 3-4 times. The glue on the Redmi 4X is very durable, and without heating the lid can crack. Alternatively, use a special solvent for the adhesive (for example, Loctite 7649), but it requires a long exposure time (20+ minutes) and can damage the plastic.
How do I know if the fingerprint scanner has broken off?
Signs of a cliff: The scanner does not respond to touch, there is no fingerprint option in the security settings. When you connect to the PC, FingerprintHal: failed to init appears in the adb logcat. If the plume breaks off at the base, it can be soldered, but it requires professional equipment (sweeping station, microscope).
How much does it cost to replace the cover in the service?
Cost depends on the region and type of cover: Original cover (with the Xiaomi logo, article) MDG001): 1500–2500 β‚½ + 800-1500 β‚½. Analog (non-original): 600–1200 β‚½ + work 500-1000 β‚½. The cost of the work usually includes: disassembly / assembly; transfer of the fingerprint scanner (if required); check of functionality after replacement; you can save by buying the lid yourself (for example, on AliExpress) and paying only for the work.
Can I wash the Redmi 4X board with water?
Absolutely not! Water, even distilled water, contains impurities that, after drying, form conductive paths. This leads to corrosion and short circuits. Use: Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (better 99%); Ultrasonic bath (only for experienced users!); Special cleaners such as Contact Cleaner. After cleaning, the fee must be dried for at least 24 hours in a warm dry place (for example, near a heating battery) or use a thermal air station (temperature 40–50 Β° C, 1–2 hours).
What if the vibration does not work after assembly?
Causes and solutions: The vibrator train disconnected - check the connector J501 on board (near the board) SIM-Motor damage, you can accidentally hit it when you take it apart. Check if the rotor is rotating (shock the phone carefully, you can hear a slight noise). + Vol Down) and execute: fastboot erase vibrator then reflash your phone via Mi Flash Tool.