Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones are often built with a monoblock body, making the process of disassembling them difficult and requires certain skills. Many users wonder how to remove the lid from a Xiaomi phone to replace broken glass, battery or clean the speaker from dust. It is important to immediately understand that in most modern models, the rear panel does not remove simply as it was in older phones with removable batteries.
The process of opening the case is fraught with risks, since the back cover is usually glued to a special industrial glue, and under it are plumes leading to the fingerprint scanner or NFC module. Careless handling can damage the internal components or impair the tightness of the case. Before starting any manipulations, you need to carefully assess your strength and prepare a specialized tool.
In this article, we will discuss the preparation steps, the necessary tools and the technology of safe removal of the rear panel, we will examine the differences between models with glass and plastic backs, and pay attention to precautions that will help to avoid fatal errors in repairs.
Determination of shell design type
The first step before work begins is to accurately define the design of your device. The monoblock housing implies that the back cover is part of the structure and is attached to the glue around the perimeter. Devices like the Xiaomi Mi 9 or Redmi Note 10 Pro do not have visible screws or latches to easily remove the panel.
There are also some models with removable covers where the panel is held on the latches, but they are increasingly rare in flagship lines. If you try to fit the lid where it should not be, you can damage the frame. Always check the technical documentation or video parsing of your particular model before you start work.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to remove a lid glued to the glue without first heating will result in its guaranteed breaking.The glass or plastic cracks under mechanical pressure.
Glass covers require a more delicate approach to heating, as glass conducts heat to the adhesive layer less well than metal, but is more brittle. Plastic panels, typical of budget Redmis, can deform at too high a temperature.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The task of removing the lid from the Xiaomi phone requires a minimal but specific set of tools, and the use of improvised tools such as knives or needles is strongly discouraged, as they can damage internal components or scratch the frame.
You'll need a heat source first. Professionals use a thermophene or a separator, but at home, a temperature-adjusted building dryer or, in extreme cases, a household heating pad, and a normal hair dryer is usually not able to heat the glue to the desired temperature of 80-100 degrees.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (Pentalobe, Phillips) for screws inside the housing.
- 🎴 Plastic blades (mediators) and a suction cup for careful detachment of the cover.
- 🌡️ Thermometer or thermal imager for monitoring the heating temperature (optional but desirable).
- 🧴 Fluid B-7000 or isopropyl alcohol for cleaning glue residues.
The workplace should be well lit and organized, it is recommended to use a magnetic mat so that the screws do not fly apart and get lost, it is also important to have tweezers with dielectric tips on hand for working with small plumes.
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Use a magnetic mat or a piece of paper with sectors drawn to lay out the screws in order of their extraction, which will help to put the phone back together without unnecessary details.
The procedure for heating and softening glue
Heating is a critical step in the success of the entire operation: The adhesive base used in Xiaomi smartphones becomes plastic at around 80-90 degrees Celsius. Insufficient heating will cause the lid to break off with pieces of frame or burst.
Turn on the dryer and direct the hot air flow to the ends of the device. Do not hold the dryer still at one point to avoid local overheating and damage to the display or battery. Move the device or hair dryer around the perimeter for 3-5 minutes.
| Cover material | Recommended temperature | Heat time | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass. | 80-90 °C | 3-5 minutes | Cracks from temperature differential |
| Plastic. | 70-80 °C | 2-4 minutes | Deformation and melting |
| Ceramics | 90-100 °C | 5-7 minutes | High heat capacity, long heated |
| Metal | 85-95 °C | 4-6 minutes | Burns of the hands, heating of internal components |
You can check the readiness by carefully trying to fit the edge of the lid with a mediator. If the tool enters with effort, but without the characteristic crunch of glue, then the temperature is reached. If you hear a crack, warm more, but carefully.
What to do if there is no hair dryer at hand?
Rear panel detachment technique
Once the glue is softened, the suction cup and the mediator come in, attach the suction cup to the bottom of the back cover, closer to the center, to ensure uniform tension. Carefully pull the suction cup upwards, creating a micro-gap between the frame and the lid.
Insert a thin plastic card or mediator into the gap, and do not use metal objects at this stage, as there is a high risk of damaging the fingerprint scanner plume, which is often glued to the inside of the lid, and move the mediator along the perimeter, gradually cutting the adhesive layer.
⚠️ Warning: Do not open the lid completely at once! Inside may be a plume connecting the lid to the motherboard (fingerprint scanner, antenna) NFC). A sharp jerking motion is guaranteed to stop him.
Walk the tool around the perimeter, paying special attention to the corners where the glue is usually the most, and only after making sure that the lid is not held anywhere, you can lift it up and visually examine the interior space for plumes.
☑️ Algorithm for cap removal
Work with plumes and internal components
When the lid is raised, but it's still connected to the body, you get access to the insides. In Xiaomi and Poco, you often find a fingerprint scanner module mounted on the back, and it's connected to the board with a thin plume.
To remove the lid completely, you need to turn off this connector. Carefully bend the connector's plastic fixing frame (if any) and move up smoothly to remove the plug from the connector. Use a plastic tool or tweezers with soft sponges.
If your model has a scanner built into the screen or on the side, and only an antenna tape or logo is on the lid, no additional action is required. However, always double-check the connections before putting the lid aside.
Once all connections are turned off, you can put the lid back in a safe place, and you can start replacing the battery, cleaning the speakers, or other repairs.
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The main danger when removing the lid is not the panel itself, but plumes that can be glued to it or pass in close proximity to the edges.
Assembly and restoration of leakage
Reverse assembly requires the removal of old glue. The residue of the adhesive base must be carefully cleaned from the frame and the lid itself. Use isopropyl alcohol and a plastic blade to do this. Metal tools can leave scratches that will disrupt the aesthetics of the device.
To re-fix the lid, it is recommended to use a special glue, such as a B-7000 or T-7000. Apply a thin strip of glue around the perimeter of the frame, avoiding hitting the camera and speaker. Let the glue dry a little (2-3 minutes) before pressing the lid.
You can combine the lid with the body and press the perimeter evenly, and you can use stationery bands to get the best grip, wrapping them around the phone. 15-20 It takes about a minute until the glue gets stuck. 24 hours.
⚠️ Warning: Don't put too much glue on the device, and the excess can squeeze out and stain the body, or worse, leak into the device, damaging the contacts.
After assembly, check all the functions: fingerprint scanner, wireless charging (if any) and cellular communication. Breaching tightness can lead to moisture, so try to repeat the factory assembly as accurately as possible.