How to remove the back cover from the Xiaomi smartphone: instructions for all models

Deconstructing Xiaomi is a challenge that every owner will face sooner or later, whether it's replacing the battery, repairing the camera plume or cleaning the dust, removing the back cover becomes the first and most important step. But how to do it carefully without damaging fragile latches or flexible plumes? In this article, we will examine all the nuances, from the choice of tools to step-by-step instructions for different generations of devices, from the Redmi Note 4X to the Xiaomi 14 Pro.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi’s case design has evolved: if the lid was latched and removed with a mediator in older models, newer models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Poco F5) often use glue, and sometimes a combination of both. We’ll show you how to determine the type of mount your smartphone and find the right approach, and you’ll learn what mistakes lead to a fingerprint sensor breakage or damage to antenna lines – and how to avoid them.

Preparation for analysis: what to do before removing the lid

Before you start the screwdriver, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps, and negligence at this point can result in short circuits, data loss, or even physical damage to the board.

First, turn off the smartphone completely and remove it. SIM-Even when switched off, some components (such as capacitors) can retain charge, so it is recommended to wait 5-10 minutes after switching off. it should be clean, well-lit and without static electricity (a table with an antistatic mat or at least ordinary cotton fabric is ideal).

• 🔌 Turn off power: Press the power button for 10 seconds to make sure it is completely off.
• 📱 Remove the cover and film: they can interfere with access to latches or hide screws.
• 🔧 Prepare tools: plastic mediator, cross screwdriver (usually) PH00 or PH0), tweezers and suckers (optional).
• 📸 Take a picture of the original state: this will help with the reverse assembly, especially if you are disassembling a smartphone for the first time.

Pay special attention to the battery. In some models (for example, Redmi 9A or Poco M3) it can be glued to the lid, and trying to remove it without preheating will lead to a rupture of the plume. If you are not sure about the type of attachment, check the section "How to determine the method of attaching the lid" below.

Tools for removing the lid: what really needs, and without what you can do

The market offers dozens of smartphone repair kits, but not all of them will be useful for Xiaomi’s analysis. Let’s consider only those that are really necessary – and which can be replaced by improvised means.

The main tool is a plastic mediator (or spooger) with a thickness of 0.2-0.4 mm. It is necessary for careful lid tweaking, so as not to scratch the case and break the latches. Metal blades can not be used categorically - they leave microcracks on the aluminum frame and can damage the antenna lines. If the mediator is not available, a guitar mediator or even an old bank card will fit (but it will have to be cut to a width of 1-1.5 cm).

If your smartphone is a flagship series (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra or Mix Fold 3, probably, the lid is glued, and in this case, you can't do without a hair dryer: the glue needs to be heated to 60 or 80.°C to make it elastic. It's important not to overheat the body, because it can damage the battery or OLED-The optimal distance from the hair dryer to the smartphone is 10-15 cm, the heating time is 2-3 minutes.

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If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use hot water, put your smartphone in a zip-zip bag and put it in 60°C water for 1-2 minutes, a less accurate method, but one that's good for emergencies.

How to determine the method of fastening the cover: latches vs. glue

The type of attachment that you use depends on the whole process of parsing, and fortunately, you can determine it before you start, by the appearance and year of the model.

Latches are used in most budget and mid-budget models of Xiaomi until 2020 release.

• 📅 Release year: 2016–2019 (e.g. Redmi Note 5, Mi) A2).
• 🔊 Visually: on the ends of the body small gaps between the lid and the frame are visible.
• 🛠️ Disassembly: the cover is removed by the mediator without heating, but requires caution - the latches are fragile.

Adhesives are found in models starting in 2020, especially in flagships and moisture-protected devices (IP53 and above).

• 📅 Release year: 2020–present (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro, Poco F4 GT).
• 🔍 Visually: the body looks monolithic, without visible slits.
• 🔥 Disassembly: requires heating with a hair dryer and careful suctioning with a suction cup.

There are hybrid options, too: for example, in the Redmi Note 10 Pro, the lid is both latched and glue-based, so you first need to heat up the glue around the perimeter and then gently snap it off with the mediator, and if you're in doubt, watch your model disassembly on YouTube, which will save you time and nerves.

Step-by-step: remove the lid with latches (on the example of Redmi Note 8 Pro)

This guide will work for most Xiaomi models with latches: Redmi Note 7/8/9, Mi 9 SE, Poco X3 and others. The main rule is to take your time and act consistently.

1. Unscrew the screws (if any). In some models (for example, Redmi 7A) the screws are hidden under stickers or rubber plugs. Use a PH00 screwdriver and do not put too much effort - slicked slits will complicate reverse assembly.
2. Start at the corner. Put the mediator in the gap between the lid and the frame at the USB-C connector or volume button. Keep it gently along the case until you hear the characteristic click of the first latch.
3. Gradually, you can snap the lid off. Don't try to remove it right away, because it will break the plastic locks, and then you can use the mediator to go all the way around the perimeter, starting at the bottom corner and going counterclockwise.
4. Remove the lid. When all the latches are snapped, gently lift the lid, starting at the bottom edge. Be careful: some models have a fingerprint scanner plume attached to it (e.g., in the Redmi Note 8 Pro).

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't force it! You may have missed the screw or not all the latches are snapped. In aluminum-framed models (such as the Mi 9), the latches can be particularly tight, in which case light heat from the hairdryer (up to 50°C) will help.

⚠️ Note: In smartphones Xiaomi with NFC-antenna (e.g. Poco) X3 NFC) It's often integrated into the back cover, and when you disassemble, don't pull the antenna plume, which can damage the contactless payment module.

Analysis of models with adhesive mounting (on the example of Xiaomi 12T)

Adhesive fastening requires patience and accuracy. The main difficulty is to heat the adhesive evenly around the perimeter without overheating individual areas. In this section, we will discuss the process with the example of Xiaomi 12T, but a similar approach will suit the Xiaomi 11 Lite NE, Poco F4 and other modern models.

Step 1: Heat the case. Use a dryer at minimum power (or a thermal air station at 70°C) and warm the back cover evenly for 2-3 minutes. Pay special attention to the corners - there is usually more glue. To avoid overheating the battery, do not direct the air flow to the center of the cover.

Step 2: Suction the suction cup. Stick the suction cup closer to the bottom edge of the smartphone (near the USB-C connector) and pull up slightly. At the same time, insert the mediator into the resulting slot. If the lid does not respond, warm it up for another 30 to 60 seconds.

Step 3: Careful separation. Once the mediator has entered 1-2 mm, slowly lead it along the edge, separating the glue. In tubeless models (for example, Xiaomi 13), the adhesive can be especially durable — take your time. If you hear a crunch, stop disassembling and check if the latches break.

• 🔥 Heating temperature: 60–80°C (not higher!).
• ⏱️ Heating time: 2-3 minutes for uniform softening of the glue.
• 🧲 Magnetic screws: in some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S) Magnetic screws are used – don’t lose them!
• 🔋 Battery: if it is swollen, disassembly is better to trust the service - the risk of short circuit is high.

⚠️ Note: In smartphones with a subscreen fingerprint scanner (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11), the display plume passes under the battery. When disassembling, do not press on the center of the cover - this can damage the screen.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi, and we've collected the most common ones -- and ways to prevent them.

1. Broken latches. This is the most common problem when disassembling models with plastic cover (for example, Redmi). 9C). To avoid breakage, use a thin mediator (0.2 mm) and do not try to break the lid with a jerk. If the latch does break, it can be replaced with an aliexpress (cost - 50-100 mm). ₽ piecewise).

2. Damage to the plume of the fingerprint scanner. In most Xiaomi models (except flagships with a subscreen scanner), the fingerprint sensor is located under the back cover and connected to the board with a flexible plume. If you sharply pull the lid, the plume can come off. Always check for it before you completely remove the lid!

3. Battery overheating. When disassembling models with adhesive attachment, many overheat the body, which leads to battery bloating. To avoid this, use a thermometer (for example, infrared) and make sure that the temperature does not exceed 80 ° C. If the battery is already swelling, do not try to disassemble the smartphone yourself - it is dangerous!

Another common mistake is to ignore the order of shutting down the plumes. For example, in the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro, the battery plume is located under a metal plate. If you first disconnect the display plume, you can accidentally close the board. Always check the disassembly scheme of the particular model!

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If the smartphone doesn't turn on after disassembly, check the battery and display plume connection first. 90% of the time, the problem lies there.

What to do after removing the lid: tips for reverse assembly

It's only half the battle to get the lid off, and it's just as important to get the phone back together properly to avoid leakage, sensors or buttons.

1. Contact cleaning. Before assembly, wipe the battery plume contacts and connectors with an alcohol tampon. This will remove oxides and improve conductivity. Don't use acetone or other aggressive solvents, they can damage plastic parts.

2. Glue replacement. If your smartphone had adhesive attachment, the old glue has already lost its properties. Buy a new double-sided tape (e.g. 3M 9448A) or a liquid glue B-7000. Apply it in a thin layer, avoiding hitting speakers or microphones.

In models with moisture protection (IP53 and above), after assembly, you need to check the leakage.

• 💧 Immerse your smartphone in water for 10-15 seconds (no deeper than 1 meter).
• 🔊 Check the work of speakers and microphones – if the sound became muffled, the tightness is broken.
• 📱 Wash the case and leave to dry for 24 hours before full use.

Sensor calibration: After disassembly, the accelerometer, gyroscope or compass settings may be lost. To return accuracy, install the Phone Tester app (available on Google Play) and calibrate according to the instructions.

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone becomes worse after assembly, check if the screws of the lid are tightly screwed. In some models (for example, the Redmi Note 10), loose fit of the lid can cause the battery to overheat.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's disassembly