How to carefully remove the back cover of the Xiaomi smartphone: instructions with photos and tips

Removing the back cover of Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that owners face when replacing the battery, repairing the camera or cleaning the connectors. Despite the apparent simplicity, the procedure requires caution: improper actions can lead to cracks in the case, damage to the plumes or loss of leakage (relevant to models with IP53 protection). In this article, we will analyze universal methods for all lines from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi and POCO, and also reveal the nuances that are not mentioned in standard instructions.

The main difficulty lies in the design: modern Xiaomi uses glue instead of screws to fix the lid, and some models (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) have added hidden latches. We analyzed the experience of service centers and collected proven methods that minimize risks. Importantly, if your device warranties, self-disassembly cancels it, in such cases it is better to contact an authorized service.

Before you start, answer two questions: why do you want to remove the lid (perhaps the problem can be solved indiscriminately) and whether you are ready for the possible consequences (for example, to buy a new glue or lid).

Preparation: tools and security

Without the right tools, it's almost impossible to remove the lid from Xiaomi -- you're at risk of scratching the body or breaking the latches. Here's the minimum set you'll need:

• 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - for tidy liding. Metal tools leave traces!
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C) Even a household hair dryer at maximum power will work.
• 🧲 Suction cups (optional) – help lift the lid on models with a smooth back panel (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11).
• 📦 Spin container – if your model has external screws (rare but found in older Redmis) 4X or Mi A1).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Removing glue residues and cleaning contacts.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use knives, screwdrivers or other sharp objects - they will cut through sealing gums (if any) and damage antenna lines located under the lid. Also avoid overheating: if you keep a hair dryer longer than 30 seconds in one area, you can melt plastic clips inside.

Before starting work, turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-This will prevent short circuits from accidental contact with the board. If the battery is swelling, do not try to remove the lid yourself: the risk of lithium-ion cells burning is extremely high.

Step-by-step: a universal method for most models

This algorithm is suitable for 90% of Xiaomi smartphones released after 2018 (including Redmi Note 9/10/11, POCO X3/X4, Mi 10/11/12, etc.). Except for models with a glass rear panel (for example, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 or Black Shark), they need a separate approach (see section below).

1. Warm up the glue. Turn the dryer on at medium power and warm up the edges of the cover evenly for 2-3 minutes. Keep the dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm so as not to overheat the display. Pay special attention to the corners - there the glue is usually applied more abundantly.
2. Scapular scapula tampering. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (begin at the bottom edge where the charging connector is located). Carefully drive the blade along the edge, gradually lifting the lid. If you feel resistance, warm up the area again with a hairdryer.
3. After the lid has been raised by 1-2 mm, swipe around the perimeter to snap all the latches. POCO and the new Redmi have latches closer to the top (near the camera).
4. Remove the lid. When all the latches are disconnected, gently lift the lid at a 45° angle. Don't pull it sharply - plumes can be glued to the lid (for example, the fingerprint scanner on the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite).

⚠️ Warning: If the lid does not respond after 5 minutes of warming up, do not apply force.Perhaps your model has additional screws under the stickers (for example, the Redmi). 9A The screws are hidden under the label next to the charging socket, in which case the removal of the lid without twisting the screws will lead to its breakage.

He warmed up the edge with a hair dryer for 2-3 minutes |

Checked for hidden screws.|

I use a plastic spatula, not a metal spatula.|

Disconnected all latches around the perimeter |

Make sure there's no glued plumes.-->

Features of removing the lid from models with a glass back panel

Xiaomi’s glass-backed smartphones (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra, Mi Mix 4, POCO F4 GT) require a different approach: their covers are thinner and brittle, and the glue is applied in a denser layer.

• 🔥 Heat temperature. Glass should be heated for longer - up to 5 minutes, but the temperature should not exceed 80°C (otherwise the glue will become liquid and flow inside the body).
• 🧲 Suction cups are required. Without them, it's almost impossible to remove the glass cover, because it's too slippery for a shoulder blade.
• 🛠️ And then you fix it, and after you warm up, stick the suction cup to the center of the lid, and pull it up, and then you shovel it around the edges, and if the glass cracks, you have to replace it completely.
• 🧴 Cleaning glue residues. Glass covers have more sticky glue. Use isopropyl alcohol and a wooden stick to remove it (not metal!).

Glass panels often have UV glue (e.g., Xiaomi 12S Ultra) that can't be softened with a hair dryer -- you'll need a special UV flashlight (365 nm) to break the bond. If you're not sure about the type of adhesive, contact the service.

⚠️ Warning: Models with glass panels and wireless charging (such as the Mi 10 Pro) have a coil under the lid. Don't push it with a blade, which can disrupt the charging function.

How to avoid common mistakes: tips from the masters

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when parsing Xiaomi, and we have collected the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

One of the most insidious things about this is the fingerprint scanner plume, which many Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the POCO X3 NFC) have glued to the lid, and if you take it off abruptly, the plume will break, and the scanner will stop working, so if you don't do that, you can gently lift the lid and make sure there are thin wires on the inside.

Another common problem is that antenna lines are damaged, and they're located around the perimeter of the lid, and they look like thin metal tracks, and if you scratch them, you'll get a blemish in your Wi-Fi and cell phone signal, so that you don't have to shovel the edges of the lid, just the junction with the hull.

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If you remove the battery replacement cover, take a picture of the plumes and screws before you disconnect, and this will help you avoid errors when you assemble, especially if you are disassembling a smartphone for the first time.

What to do after removing the lid: Assembly and inspection

It's only half the battle to get the lid off successfully, and it's just as important to get the phone back together properly to avoid leakage, antennas, or buttons. Here's a step-by-step plan:

1. Clean contacts. Wipe the internal contacts (e.g., battery connector or antenna lines) with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol, which will remove the glue and oxide residue.
2. Check the plumes. Make sure that all the flexible plumes (print scanners, cameras, speakers) are flat and not clamped. If the plume has moved, carefully insert it back into the connector.
3. Applying new glue. If you plan to use the smartphone further, replace the old glue with a new one (for example, Tesa 61395 or 3M 9448A). Apply it with a thin layer around the perimeter of the lid, receding 1-2 mm from the edges.
4. Check the buttons. Before you finally lock the lid, press the volume and power buttons, they should be pressed easily, without jamming, and if the buttons are tight, then the lid is not installed correctly.
5. Testing: After assembly, turn on your smartphone and check: Is the fingerprint scanner working; is the network catching (Wi-Fi and cellular); is the battery charging; is the speakers and microphone working.

If you have problems after assembly (e.g., the camera is not working or there is no sound), chances are you forgot to plug the plume or damaged it, in which case you will have to disassemble the smartphone again and check all connections.

⚠️ Warning: If you have replaced the glue, do not use the smartphone for 1-2 hours after assembly. The glue needs time to harden and ensure leakage. Also avoid moisture on the first day - even if the model has protection IP53, Factory sealing after analysis is violated.

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Using quality adhesive to build is a guarantee of longevity, and cheap ones lose their properties in a few months, and the lid will start to move away.

Models with non-standard design: individual cases

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique design features that make it difficult to parse.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S / Mi Mix 3

These models have 12 screws covered by decorative plugs, and you need a Torx T3 screwdriver to unscrew them, and after removing the screws, the lid is still held on the glue, so you need to warm it up with a hairdryer. Be careful, the Mi Mix 3 has a sliding camera, and it's easy to damage when you unscrupulously remove the lid.

Xiaomi Black Shark (all models)

Black Shark gaming smartphones have a double lid: an external (decorative) and an internal (protective) lid. To get to the battery, you need to remove both. The inner lid is attached to Phillips screws #00, and the outer one is attached to the glue. It is important not to confuse the installation order when you build, otherwise the Shark Space buttons will not work.

Xiaomi POCO F2 Pro / Redmi K30 Pro

These models have a protruding camera, which makes it difficult to remove. Start warming up in the area around the camera, because there's a thick layer of glue. NFC-antennas - it is glued to the lid and can come off with sloppy movement.

If your model doesn’t make it to this list, find a disassembly on YouTube or iFixit. Even similarly designed smartphones (like the Redmi Note 10 and Redmi Note 10 Pro) may have different lid mounting schemes.

When it is better to contact the service: signs of a difficult case

Despite detailed instructions, some situations require professional intervention, and here are signs that self-repairing can lead to even greater problems:

• 🔋 Bloated battery: If the body is deformed and the lid is arched, it is a sign of bloating battery).
• 💧 If the smartphone sinks or has been shed, it can corrosion inside, and without special means (ultrasonic bath, high concentration alcohol) it will not be possible to clean the board.
• 📡 Problems with antennas. If you lose your Wi-Fi or cellular signal after you've been disassembled, you've probably damaged the antenna lines.
• 🔧 Complex breakdowns. If you need to replace not only the battery, but also, for example, a charging connector or a camera, you better trust the wizard.
• ⚠️ If the smartphone is warranty, the self-examination will cancel it. In this case, contact the authorized service Xiaomi.

The cost of parsing in the service usually does not exceed 500-1000 rubles (depending on the model), but you will get a guarantee for work. If you decide to act on your own, but something went wrong (for example, the smartphone does not turn on after assembly), do not try to “think out” the problem – contact a specialist, explaining what you have already done.

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Self-repair is justified only in three cases: 1) you have experience; 2) the smartphone is no longer warranty; 3) the cost of repair in the service is comparable to the price of a new device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions