Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, also known as Redmi Note 5 Pro in the Indian market, has proven to be a reliable device, but time does not spare even the best equipment. Over time, owners face the need to replace broken glass, failed battery or charging port plume. Removing the rear cover is the first and critical stage of any repair, on which the success of the entire operation depends.
Unlike today's glass-paneled models, the Redmi Note 5 has a metallic Unibody body, which changes the way you disassemble. You can't just plug the lid with a mediator, because it's part of the load-bearing structure. You'll need patience, a set of special tools, and a clear understanding of the sequence of actions. The adhesive tape holding the glass loses its properties when it's heated to 80-90 degrees Celsius, which is key to a safe opening.
Before you start physically affecting the body, you need to make sure that you have all the tools you need. Lacking a suitable screwdriver or sucker can turn a simple process into a long and risky procedure. In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step to minimize risks and maintain the integrity of your device.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Good workplace preparation is a key to successful repairs, which are often underestimated by beginners. You will need a spacious table with good lighting to see the smallest screws and plumes. The surface should be clean and, preferably, covered with a special antistatic mat or at least dense fabric, so that the parts do not slip or get lost.
To work with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, you will need a specific set of tools that differ from the standard set for household appliances. The main tool will be a hair dryer (construction or household at maximum power) or a heating platform (separator), since it is the heating that allows you to soften the adhesive layer.
☑️ Disassembly tools
Just as important is to prepare the screw sorting containers, the design of the smartphone uses fasteners of different lengths and threads, if you confuse them when you build them, you can easily damage the threads in the plastic racks of the motherboard or penetrate the body through. Organize the process so that each screw fits into its cell according to the disassembly step.
Safety Techniques and Precautions
Working with electronics requires strict safety regulations, ignoring which can lead to property damage or personal injury. Lithium polymer battery installed in the Redmi Note 5, if damaged, can catch fire or even explode, so any manipulation of the insides of the phone should be carried out with the utmost care.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to bend or puncture a ballooned battery. If the battery in your device is bloated, you should remove it with great care, using only plastic tools to avoid heat acceleration.
Also, consider the temperature regime when the case is heated. Excessive overheating can damage the display (you will see yellow spots) or melt plastic elements inside the case. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 3-5 centimeters from the surface and constantly move it, without lingering long at one point.
Before starting any work, be sure to turn off the device. Attempting to disassemble a smartphone with a connected battery carries the risk of short circuit. Even if you change only the case, accidentally closing the contacts of the display plume or the power button can disable the power controller on the motherboard.
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Remove before heating starts SIM-This will prevent the build-up of excess pressure inside the housing, which can lead to cracks in the glass as air expands.
The process of heating and separation of the rear panel
The most critical step is to soften the glue. The back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is glued around the perimeter. Start by heating the edges of the device evenly, paying special attention to the corners where the glue is usually the most. The heating process takes 2 to 5 minutes depending on the power of the hair dryer.
Once the body is warm to the touch (but not burning), try to pull slightly behind the edges of the suction cup. If the lid does not lend itself, the heat must be continued. Do not use excessive force, as the metal can deform and the glass can crack. Your goal is to create a minimum gap between the frame and the main part of the body.
- 🔥 Apply a suction cup to the bottom of the back cover and create a vacuum.
- 🔥 Heat the perimeter of the phone in circular movements, not forgetting about the upper and lower frames.
- 🔥 Carefully pull the sucker, while inserting a thin mediator into the resulting gap.
- 🔥 Move the mediator along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer, but do not dive deeper. 3-4 mm.
It's worth taking extra exposure, and if you feel strong resistance, it's better to add a little more heat than risk the integrity of the metal frame.
What to do if the lid is not removed?
Dismantling of internal metal protection
When you successfully remove the back glass panel, you'll see a metal plate that covers most of the components, and it's not just a security, it's a structural element that holds the main components, and you have to dismantle that plate to access the battery and the plumes.
The attachment is done by a number of screws that are located around the perimeter and in the center. Note that the screws can be of different lengths. Usually longer screws are screwed in the corners, and short ones in the center. Record or arrange them in the same order in which they were twisted.
| Type of screw | Location. | Tool. | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long (L) | Plate angles | Cross screwdriver | Fixes the frame. |
| Medium (M) | Along the edges | Cross screwdriver | Standard fasteners |
| Short (S) | Central zone | Cross screwdriver | It requires care. |
| Specialist | Near the camera | The Asterisk (Torx) | Rarely, but it does. |
After you unscrew all the screws, don't rush to lift the metal plate abruptly, there may be plumes underneath that weren't disconnected in the previous step, look carefully at the perimeter for connections, usually after you remove the lid, access to the plumes becomes obvious, but it's better to double-check.
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The metal plate acts as a radiator and screen, so it should fit tightly to the body when it is reassembled. Make sure all screws are twisted to the point, but without undue effort.
Disabling plumes and extracting components
Now that the insides are open, you need to turn off the plumes correctly. The Redmi Note 5 uses multiple connectors for the display, touchscreen, main cameras and the lower board plume, all connected to the motherboard located at the top of the device.
To turn off, use a plastic shoulder blade or a gloved finger. Metal tools should not be used, so as not to damage the contacts or drop a small detail inside the case.
- 📱 The battery plume is turned off first - this will turn off the device and protect the remaining components.
- 📱 Then disconnect the plumes of the display and touch screen (usually they are wide and close by).
- 📱 Next, the connectors of the main and front cameras are turned off.
- 📱 Lastly, the lower board plume is disconnected (with buttons and a microphone).
If you want to replace the battery, you need to remove the plastic battery protection (if you have one) and carefully unstick the battery, and in this model, the battery is often attached to double-sided tape, and you can use a thin line or a special hood to extract it, stretching them under the battery.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to use a metal scalpel to smack the battery; puncture of the battery shell will cause instant lithium to ignite; use only plastic tools and the method of gradual uncoupling.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The assembly process is reversed, but requires even more care: install a new battery or a refurbished module, plug the plumes into the characteristic click, make sure all connectors are flat and tight.
Before you screw the metal plate and glue the back cover, you start the first one. You plug the battery plume in and you press the power button. If the phone's on, the sound, vibration and touchscreen are working, you've done the right thing.
Now you can attach metal protection. Remember to degrease the edges of the case and the new back cover with alcohol or a special degreasing agent. Apply the new glue (B-7000 or special adhesive tapes for smartphones) in a thin layer. Press the lid and lock the device with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes until the glue is completely dry.
The final test should include testing all the modules: cameras, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, proximity sensors, make sure that the gaps between the glass and the frame do not get dust, and the lid sits flat, without gaps and creaks when pressed.