How to carefully remove the back cover Xiaomi Redmi 5A: instructions with photos and warnings

The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the brand’s most popular budget smartphones, but its maintainability leaves much to be desired.The back of the device is glued to the body rather than screwed, making it difficult for beginners to disassemble. If you need to replace the battery, speaker or plume, the first thing to do is to carefully separate the lid without damaging the fragile elements.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Redmi 5A’s rear panel removal process, from tool selection to finish cleaning the adhesive layer, and learn what mistakes most often cause latches or displays to break, and how to avoid them. The instructions are suitable for models with original body — if your phone has already been repaired, the order of action may vary.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and conditions

Before you start removing the lid, make sure you have everything you need, and the lack of the right tools is the main cause of damage to the body or internal components.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or suction cup to separate the lid without scratching. Metal tools will leave traces!
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C) The lid will not respond without heating.
• 🧲 Torx screwdriver T3 — to unscrew the screws under the lid (if you plan to completely disassemble).
• 📦 Plastic blades are for the tidy snapping of the latches, with a thickness of no more than 0.2 mm.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Removing the residue of glue after removing the lid.

Also, prepare your workspace: clean, dust-free surface, good lighting, and an antistatic mat (if any). Take your phone away on the table instead of on the couch, because it's easier to find lost cogs or springs. If you're a beginner, take a picture of each step of the dismantling, which will help you put the device back together without errors.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a knife or screwdriver to lid the lid! Metal easily cuts through plastic and damages plumes under the lid. Even a small scratch on a flexible cable can lead to a broken display or touchscreen.

Step-by-step: how to remove the cover without damage

The process of removing the Redmi 5A cover consists of three key steps: heating the glue, detaching the cover with a mediator and final removal. Follow the instructions in strict order - skipping steps can break the latches.

Step 1: Heating the body

The glue that the lid is glued to loses adhesion when heated. Turn the dryer on at a minimum temperature (60-70 °C) and warm the back evenly for 2-3 minutes. Keep the dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm so as not to overheat the battery or display. Pay special attention to the edges of the case, there is the glue.

Check the temperature with your hand: the body should be warm, but not hot. If you overheat the battery above 80 ° C, it can swell or fail. After heating, immediately proceed to the next step - the glue cools quickly.

Step 2: Separation of the cover by a mediator

Insert a plastic mediator or a shoulder blade into the gap between the lid and the body at the charging connector. Carefully drive the tool along the edge, gradually increasing the gap. Don't push too hard, the lid is held on latches that are easy to break.

Once the mediator has passed 2-3 cm, repeat the procedure on the opposite side (at the volume buttons). The lid should start to move away with the characteristic snap of the latches. If you feel resistance, warm up the problem area again with a hairdryer.

Warm up the body with a hair dryer (60-70)°C)|Insert the mediator at the charging connector|Keep the tool carefully along the edge|Do not press on the center of the cover (there is a battery)-->

Step 3: Complete removal of the lid

When the lid is 1 to 2 mm away, you can carefully remove it with your hands. Pull the panel perpendicular to the body without swaying it. If the lid doesn't lend itself, check if all the latches are released, sometimes they get stuck in the area of the camera or speaker.

Once you remove the lid, you'll see the battery mounted on adhesives. Don't pull the plumes! -- they're fragile and easily detachable from the board. If you're planning to replace the battery, turn off the connector first (more in the next section).

⚠️ Attention: On the inside of the Redmi cover 5A You often have fragments of bilateral tape, so don't force them torn away, you'll damage the plastic, you'll better moisten with alcohol and scrape them off with a plastic spatula.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi 5A. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is damage to the adhesive layer under the battery. If you plan to reassemble the phone, don't remove all the glue! Leave some of the old layer or replace it with a new double-sided tape (e.g., 3M 9448A). Without the adhesive, the battery will hang around, leading to micro-locks of contacts.

If you find that the display plume has gone away after removing the lid, don't panic, gently plug it back in (the connector is usually metal protected) and check the screen before final assembly.

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Before assembling the phone, wipe the battery contacts and connectors on the board with an alcohol tampon, which will remove oxides and improve the connection, which will prolong the battery life.

What to do after the lid is removed?

When the lid is successfully removed, you will have access to the internal components of the Redmi 5A. Depending on the purpose of disassembly, the next steps may vary:

• 🔋 Battery replacement: Turn off the battery connector (it's under the black tape). Put a plastic blade on the battery and gently pull it out. Remove the glue from the new battery and put it back in place.
• 🔊 Speaker or microphone repair: Unscrew two Torx screws T3 Replace the faulty component and put it back together.
• 📱 Dust cleansing: Blow the insides with compressed air (a tank for cleaning equipment); wipe the charge with a lilac-free wipe soaked in alcohol. Make sure there is no trash under the volume and power buttons.

If you've been disassembling a screen replacement phone, remember that in the Redmi 5A, the screen and touchscreen are a single module, and trying to replace only the glass without special equipment will lead to a broken sensor, in which case you should contact the service.

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After any repairs to the Redmi 5A, be sure to check the tightness of the case.If there are gaps between the lid and the case, moisture and dust will quickly disable the phone. If necessary, use an electronic sealant (such as Loctite 7461).

Phone Assembly: How to Avoid Problems

Putting the Redmi 5A back together is often harder than disassembling, and the main challenge is to get all the plumes and latches right.

1. Check the plumes: Make sure all flexible cables (display, touchscreen, cameras) are connected to the connectors on the board. They should sit tightly, without distortion.
2. Secure the battery: If you've removed the battery, glue it to a new double-sided tape. The old glue loses its properties after reuse.
3. Line the latches: Before you press the lid, make sure that all the plastic latches are in place. If they break, the lid will dangle.
4. Warm up the glue: If you use a new adhesive layer, warm the lid slightly with a hair dryer (50°C) before the final pressing, which will improve adhesion.

After assembly, turn on the phone and check:

• The performance of the display and touch screen (no artifacts, all zones respond to touch).
• Sound from the speaker and microphone (call another phone or record a voice message).
• Charging the battery (plug the charger and make sure it is charging).
• Volume and power buttons (they must be pressed without jamming).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic. First check if the battery is connected. Then make sure all the plumes are in the connectors before you click. 90% of the time, the problem is that the contact is not tight.

Alternative methods of removing the cover

If the standard mediator and hair dryer method didn't work, you can try alternative methods. They're more risky, but sometimes necessary for tightly glued lids.

Method 1: Use of thread

A thin capron thread (such as a guitar string or a 0.1-0.2 mm fishing line) can help separate the lid without heating. Stick the thread into the slot at the charging socket and gently saw it along the edge, a technique that requires patience but minimizes the risk of damage to the latches.

Method 2: Freezing

Paradoxically, sometimes the glue is more easily separated in the cold. Place the phone in the freezer for 15-20 minutes (take out the pre-clearance). SIM-map SD-After cooling, try to cover the mediator. Do not use this method if the battery is swollen! - low temperatures can aggravate the problem.

Method 3: Chemical exposure

Isopropyl alcohol or special glue removal products (such as Goof Off) can soften the adhesive. Apply a few drops into the gap between the lid and the case and wait 5-10 minutes. Then try to separate the panel with a mediator. Don't use acetone or solvents! - they will damage the plastic.

Any of these methods requires caution. If you are not sure of your abilities, you should contact a service center. The cost of dismantling the Redmi 5A usually does not exceed 500-800 rubles, which is cheaper than repairing after a failed self-attempt.

When is a disassembly not appropriate?

Redmi 5A repairs aren't always justified, but here are some of the best times to give up the idea of disassembling the phone:

• 💥 Bloated battery: If the battery is swelling (lid is raised, phone is open), disassembly is dangerous - risk of fire or explosion.
• 💧 Liquid intrusion: If the phone is sinking, there may be corrosion inside the board.Self-cleaning without experience often exacerbates the problem.
• 🔧 The charger's connector is damaged: To replace USB-The port requires a soldering station and microelectronics expertise, and without the skills, you risk tearing off the contact pads.
• 📉 Phone warranty: Disassembly will void the warranty Xiaomi. If the device is still warranty service, contact the official service.

It is also worth considering the feasibility of repairing if the cost of spare parts exceeds 50% of the price of a new phone, for example, replacing the motherboard with a Redmi 5A costs 3-5 thousand rubles, whereas a used device can be bought for 4-6 thousand.

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If your Redmi 5A Released is already obsolete in 2017, it may make sense to consider buying a new smartphone instead of repairing it. Current budget models (like the Redmi 12C or Poco C55) offer better performance and battery for a similar price.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi 5A disassembly