How to remove the back cover Xiaomi Redmi 5A: detailed instructions

Xiaomi’s Redmi series of mobile devices have earned a reputation for being reliable and affordable, but even they are not immune to mechanical damage or failure of internal components. The Redmi 5A, released in 2017, is still in active use, and often owners face the need to replace the battery, display or plume of the charging port. The process of dismantling the outer shell of this smartphone has its own technical features that must be considered to avoid aggravating the situation.

The challenge is the design of the case, where the back panel is not just attached to, but often fixed to, a powerful layer of adhesive around the perimeter. Wrong actions can lead to cracks in the plastic or damage to the internal plumes. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to safely remove the lid, preserving the integrity of all elements of the device.

Before you get to work, it's important to understand that any interference with the design of a smartphone is a risk, but with the basic skills and the right tools, the task becomes solvable, and accuracy and consistency are key factors in success in this process.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to completely turn off the device. Attempting to remove the lid on the phone on can short-circuit and fail the motherboard.

Tools and workplace preparation required

You can't disassemble quality without the right tools. You need a minimal but specific set for the Redmi 5A, and it's a heating element first, because the factory glue softens when you're exposed to temperature, and you can use a professional thermophene at 80-90 degrees, or a regular household heating pad.

For mechanical impact, you will need a suction cup and a set of plastic mediators (scapula). Metal tools are best avoided at the initial stage, as they can easily damage the fragile plastic of the case or display glass. Also prepare tweezers with thin curved ends to extract small parts and plumes.

Organize the workspace so that it is well lit and free from unnecessary objects. It is recommended to use a magnetic mat or containers with screw cells, as fasteners can be of different sizes.

• 🔧 Screwdriver kit: cross PH0 and PH00 for motherboard screws and frame.
• 🔥 Heat source: thermophene or electric heating pad for heating the adhesive layer.
• 🧩 Plastic blades: mediators of different thickness for careful snapping of latches.
• 🧲 Magnetic card: to sort screws and prevent their loss.

Keep in mind safety: work in a well-ventilated area, as the glue can produce minor fumes when heated, and remove metal jewelry so you don’t accidentally scratch the case or drop an object inside the device.

The process of heating and primary separation of the body

The first step is to heat the perimeter of the back cover. Turn on the thermophen and evenly warm the edges of the device for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 3-5 cm from the surface, constantly moving it to avoid local overheating, which can warp the plastic or damage the display matrix on the back side.

Once the body is warm to the touch (but not burning), take a suction cup. Attach it to the bottom of the back cover, closer to the center, but not too close to the edge. Pull the suction cup up slightly, creating a slight voltage, and carefully insert a thin plastic mediator into the resulting gap.

Move the mediator along the perimeter, trying not to dive it deep in. Your goal is to cut the softened adhesive layer, not to poke the parts. Pay special attention to the corners where the glue is usually the most. If you feel strong resistance, stop moving and warm up the area again.

⚠️ Warning: Do not force the lid off immediately after heating the adhesive must be softened around the perimeter, otherwise the plastic may crack at the highest voltage.

In some Redmi 5A instances, the adhesive layer may not be applied uniformly. If the lid is easily removed in some part of the lid and not in another, don't continue the mediator's movement in the tight zone. Go back to the warm-up area.

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If you don't have a suction cup, you can use a strong floss or dental floss, and you can apply it to the top corner (after a little heat) and you can seep around the perimeter, cutting the glue.

Dismantling screws and removing decorative frames

Once the back cover is completely separated from the main body and removed, you will see the interior layout of the smartphone, but immediately accessing the motherboard early, you need to remove the decorative plastic frame that covers the main part of the electronics and battery.

This frame is fixed by several screws. In the Redmi 5A, they are usually 10 to 12 screws, and they are located around the perimeter of the inside of the body. Use the PH00 screwdriver to unscrew them. Be careful not to break the threads in the plastic seats.

The screws can vary in length, for example, the screws in the corners can be longer than the central ones, and it's recommended that you lay them out in the same order you twisted them, or use a magnetic card with a markup, which is critical for proper assembly.

After removing all screws, take your time to pull the frame upwards. Check if there are hidden screws under stickers or warranty seals, although this model usually does not have them. Carefully place the frame with a mediator in the area of the connectors or speakers and lift it.

The frame can be held on several plastic latches, which must be carefully snapped, conducting the mediator along the junction, sharp movements can break the mounts, which will lead to a backlash and creaks when using the assembled device.

Disabling plumes and extracting components

When the decorative frame is removed, you have access to the main nodes: the battery, the motherboard and the camera modules. Before you remove the battery or other parts, you need to disconnect the plumes from the motherboard. This is a mandatory safety rule.

Find connectors connected to the board. They're usually protected by metal or plastic clamping slats. Carefully bend or unscrew these slats. Then, using a plastic blade or nail, lift the plume connector upwards, detaching it from the connector.

Don't pull the plume itself. The impact should only be on the thickened part of the connector. Xiaomi's plumes are very thin and easily torn when handled carelessly. The main camera module plume and display plume require special attention.

Once all communications are turned off, the battery can be removed, it is also placed on glue, and it is recommended to use special pull-out tapes if they were installed earlier, or carefully slap the battery with a mediator on the opposite side of the plume.

• 🔋 Battery: Remove only after disconnecting the power supply plume.
• 📷 Cameras: Main and front modules require careful shutdown.
• 🔌 Charging connector: often requires dismantling the bottom of the board or frame.
• 📡 Antenna contacts: check if they are pressed by screws before removing.

⚠️ Attention: If the battery is swelling, be very careful. A puncture of a ballooned battery can cause fire.

Table of main characteristics and components

To better understand the internal structure of the Redmi 5A and the complexity of the work, it is useful to familiarize yourself with the location of the key elements. Below is a table describing the main components that you will see after the lid is removed.

Knowing the location of these elements will help you navigate faster when disassembling and not damage random connections.

As you can see from the table, most of the critical elements are at the top of the housing, while the battery occupies a significant area at the bottom, which is the standard circuit for non-removable batteries of that period.

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The main difficulty of dismantling Redmi 5A is the abundant use of glue and the fragility of plastic elements of the case, requiring constant heating and accuracy.

Assembly of the device and check of performance

Once repairs are completed or components replaced, the assembly phase is even more careful than disassembly, and make sure that all screws are returned to their proper places and the plumes are securely fixed in the connectors before the characteristic click.

Before you put the back cover on the glue, it's recommended that you do a pre-check, plug the display and battery, then turn on the device for a short time, check the touchscreen, sound, vibration and charging, if everything is working properly, turn off the phone and continue building.

To fix the back cover, use a special electronics sealant (e.g. B-7000) or double-sided tape, removing the remnants of the old glue from the case. Apply the glue with a thin layer so that it does not squeeze in and damage the components.

Press the lid around the perimeter and lock the device with rubber bands or a load for 1-2 hours until the glue is completely dry. Don't turn on the phone immediately, let the chemical components of the adhesive stabilize.

• 🧹 Cleaning: Remove dust and glue residue before final assembly.
• 🔩 Screw: Wrapping cross-curl for even fit.
• 🧪 Glue: Use the minimum amount to avoid getting inside.
• ⏳ Time: Let the glue dry before first switching on.

The final check should include testing all features that may have been affected during the disassembly process. make sure there are no gaps between the lid and the frame and the buttons are pressed with the correct move.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)