Why to Disassemble Redmi Note 4X and When to Make It
Removing the back cover from the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X is a procedure that may be necessary in several cases: battery replacement, dust cleaning, plume repair or recovery from a fall. However, this is not a procedure that is worth doing "just like that." The smartphone body is fastened with glue and latches, and improper actions can lead to plastic cracks, damage to the fingerprint plume or even failure of antenna modules.
The Redmi Note 4X (codenamed mido) was released in 2017 and has the characteristic design features: a metal case with plastic inserts for antennas, a non-removable battery and a fragile plume of a fingerprint scanner. If your device is still warranty, disassembly automatically cancels it - the manufacturer does not provide for user repair. Otherwise, with tools and patience, the procedure is quite feasible at home.
Before you start, evaluate the feasibility: if the problem is software (for example, a software failure), perhaps resetting to factory settings through Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset. If it is a physical malfunction, read on.
Preparation: tools and modalities
To safely remove the cover of the Redmi Note 4X, you will need:
- 🔧 Plastic spatula (mediator) or a special suction cup for smartphones – metal tools will leave scratches!
- 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (at least 800 W) for softening the adhesive.
- 📏 Thin screwdriver (cross, 1.5 mm) for unscrewing screws under the lid.
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-cleaner.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – to avoid losing small details.
Work on a clean, flat surface with good lighting. A white tablecloth is perfect, so you can see the screws that fall out. The heater temperature should not exceed 80 ° C. Overheating can damage the battery or screen. If you don't have a thermocouple, keep the hair dryer 10-15 cm from the case and constantly move it to avoid local overheating.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a household hair dryer - it does not provide the desired temperature and air flow.
☑️ Checklist before disassembly
Step-by-step: how to remove the cover without damage
The process of disassembling the Redmi Note 4X consists of several steps.
- Heat the body. Turn the dryer on to the minimum power (or set the temperature 60-70 ° C) and evenly warm the back cover for 2-3 minutes. Pay special attention to the edges - there are latches. The glue should become soft, but not liquid.
- Separate the cover. Take a plastic blade and gently insert it between the lid and the body at the charging connector. Slowly drive the tool along the edge, lifting the lid. If you feel resistance, warm up the place again with a hairdryer.
- Remove the latches. Once the lid is 1 to 2 mm up, shovel around the perimeter, freeing the latches. Don't pull the lid with force, it will lead to cracks!
- Final compartment. When all the latches are free, carefully remove the lid, starting at the bottom edge. Be careful, because there's a fingerprint scanner plume attached to it, so you can't pull it out.
If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't put too much effort into it. Probably the glue hasn't softened enough. Reheat for another 1-2 minutes. At the very least, you can use a thin guitar string (0.2-0.3 mm) to cut the glue around the perimeter, but it requires skill.
What do I do if the lid cracks?
| Typical mistake | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Using a metal screwdriver instead of a shoulder blade | Scratches on the body, chipped antenna lines | Use only plastic or wooden tools |
| Overheating by a hairdryer (>80°C) | Deformation of plastic, battery damage | Control the temperature with thermocouple or keep the hair dryer at a distance |
| Removing the lid without releasing the latches | Cracks in the hull, a shattered print plume. | Slowly pass the shoulder blade along the perimeter, lifting the cover evenly |
| Dust falling under the cover after removal | Pollution of the camera, speakers, microphones | Work in a clean room, close the windows |
What to do after removing the cover: further actions
When the lid is successfully removed, the internal structure of the Redmi Note 4X will open before you:
- 🔋 Battery (3860 mAh, article) MB11707) — case-stick.
- 📷 Main camera (13 MP, Sony) IMX258) plume-wielded.
- 📶 Antenna modules – thin metal plates on the sides.
- 🔌 The fingerprint scanner plume is fragile, attached to the motherboard.
If your goal is to replace the battery, first disconnect the connector from the motherboard (use a plastic spatula!). Then gently tuck the battery in and remove it with duct tape. For the new battery, use 3M double-sided tape or B-7000 special glue.
To clean the dust, use a soft brush and a compressed air balloon. Don't blow with your mouth, the moisture from your breath can oxidize your contacts! If you want to disconnect the plumes, remember their location or take a picture. For example, the display connector is usually marked with a white tag, and the camera connector is red.
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Before assembly, wipe the contacts of the plumes with isopropyl alcohol - this will improve the connection and prevent oxidation.
Phone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes
Putting the Redmi Note 4X back together is often harder than disassembling.
- Check all the plumes. Make sure they're tightly inserted into the connectors. The fingerprint scanner plume should be flat, without any inflections.
- If you use glue, let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes before final assembly.
- Line the lid. Start at the top (where the camera is) and press the lid gently as you move down. The latches should be in place with a slight click.
- Warm up the edges. After assembly, warm up the lid joint dryer for a short time (30-40 seconds) - this will help the glue to grip better.
After assembly, turn on the phone and check:
- 🔄 Does the sensor and fingerprint scanner work.
- 📶 Is there a network (check both) SIM-map).
- 🔊 Are the speakers and microphone working.
- 📷 Does the camera work (take a test shot).
⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, check if the battery connector is disconnected. If the screen doesn't respond, the display plume is probably inserted incorrectly. Don't panic - carefully disassemble the phone again and check the connections.
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The key to building is not to pull the screws! In the Redmi Note 4X, they're small and easily deflected. Twisted them to light resistance without exerting force.
Alternative ways of disassembling (if the standard does not help)
If the Redmi Note 4X lid does not respond even after heating, you can try alternative methods:
- 🧊 Refrigeration method. Place the phone in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. The glue will become brittle and the lid will be removed easier. However, after that, make sure to warm up the phone with a hair dryer before further disassembly to remove the condensation.
- 🧴 A glue solvent. Apply a few drops of acetone or WD-40 Wait 5 minutes and try again. This method is risky - it can damage the plastic.
- 🔪 Carefully swipe the heated blade (not knife!) between the lid and the body. The glue will melt, but there is a risk of scratching the metal.
These methods should only be used as a last resort when other methods have not worked. The cooling method is the safest, but requires caution: do not leave the phone in the freezer for longer than 20 minutes, otherwise the screen may damage.
If you're afraid of damaging the machine, you should go to the service center, and the average cost of dismantling the Redmi Note 4X in the workshops is 500-800 rubles (2026), which is cheaper than repairing after a failed self-attempt.
Frequent problems after disassembly and their solution
Even if you did everything right, you can have problems after you've done it, and here are the most common ways to fix them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The fingerprint scanner is not working. | The plume is damaged or it's not connected. | Disassemble the phone and check the connection of the plume. If the plume is torn, a replacement is required (Article MB11715) |
| No network or weak signal | Antenna contacts are disconnected | Check if the metal plates of the antennas fit tightly to the body. |
| Phone's off. | The battery or the display plume has disconnected | Remove the lid and check all the connectors. If the battery is swelling, replace it. |
| The screen flickeres or does not respond to touch | The display plume is damaged or it is not tightly inserted | Carefully remove and insert the plume back. If it doesn't work, you need a replacement (article MB11713) |
If you have any foreign sounds (squeaking, crunch) after you've been disassembled, there's probably dust or small particles under the lid, take the phone apart again and blow the insides with compressed air. Don't use a vacuum cleaner, it creates static electricity that can damage the chips.
If the problem is not solved, refer to the system logs. In Redmi Note 4X, you can turn on the diagnostic mode by dialing the code ##4636#. In the Phone Information tab, check the status of the network, battery and sensors.