How to remove the back cover from Xiaomi: instructions with photos and videos

Replacing the battery, repairing the plume or cleaning the dust — sooner or later, the owner of Xiaomi has to face the need to remove the back cover. But this process carries risks from damage to the latches to rupture of the plume of the fingerprint scanner. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to dismantle the cover for different Xiaomi models, discuss in detail the necessary tools and typical errors that lead to expensive repairs.

It is important to understand that the design of Xiaomi smartphones has changed significantly over the past 5 years. If in the Redmi Note 4 the cover was removed almost effortlessly, then in the Xiaomi 13 Pro it is held not only by glue, but also by hidden plastic latches that are easy to break when sloppy dismantling. We analyzed the experience of service centers and compiled step-by-step instructions taking into account the features of each line - from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and Mi. POCO.

Before you start working, answer three questions: 1 Do you have special tools (plastic blades, suckers, hair dryers)? 2 Are you ready for the warranty to be canceled? 3 Are you sure that the problem is precisely the part for which you remove the lid? If at least one question is negative, you should contact the service center.

1. What tools will be needed to remove the lid

Without the right tools, trying to remove the Xiaomi lid is almost guaranteed to damage the body or internal components, and here is the minimum set that even the simplest models will need:

• 🔥 Technical dryer (or building with temperature adjustment up to 80)°C) - to soften the glue. A household hair dryer is not suitable, it does not give the desired temperature and can overheat the battery.
• 🪛 Plastic blades (2-3 Metal will leave scratches on the frame. Optimal thickness — 0.15–0.2 mm.
• 🧲 Suction cup (3-5 cm in diameter) – helps to separate the lid from the case. 12T) suction-ring.
• 📏 Plastic mediator to neatly separate the lid around the perimeter, and you can replace it with a guitar mediator.
• 🔋 Insulation or paint tape - to fix the plumes and not damage them during assembly.

For models with aluminum frames (e.g, POCO F3 Xiaomi 11 Lite will be required T3–T5 In the Redmi Note 10 Pro and later, the screws are often hidden under stickers - they need to be carefully punctured with a needle before unscrewing.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a knife or screwdriver instead of a plastic blade!Even a small metal pressure on the glass panel can cause microcracks that will eventually lead to complete destruction of the glass.

2. Preparation of the smartphone for the removal of the cover

Before you start removing the cover, you must completely de-energize the device and take precautions:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-card and memory card (if fitted) Even when switched off, the residual charge in the capacitors can cause short circuits when contacts are accidentally closed.
2. Discharge the battery to 25-30%. A fully charged battery when heated with a hairdryer can swell or even ignite.
3. Put paint tape on the junction of the lid and the body around the perimeter, which will prevent the shoulder blade from slipping and protect against scratches.
4. Prepare the workplace: clean surface, good lighting, no carpets or fabrics that can cause static electricity.

If you remove the battery replacement cover, consider: in Xiaomi models older than 2020, the battery is glued to the body with double-sided tape%+ or a special adhesive solvent (for example, B-7000). In the Redmi Note 11 Pro and newer battery is additionally fixed metal plate – it needs to be unscrewed torx. T3.

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Before heating with a hair dryer, place your smartphone on a hard surface (such as ceramic tiles) to help distribute heat evenly and avoid local overheating.

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the lid on different Xiaomi models

The dismantling algorithm depends on the design of the case and the year of release of the smartphone. Below we will give a universal instruction, taking into account the features of each line.

3.1. Budget models (Redmi) 9/10/11, POCO M3/M4)

In these smartphones, the lid is attached mainly to glue, and the latches are located only in the corners.

Heat the hair dryer of the edge of the body (30-40 seconds)

Suction to capture the center of the lid

Pull up carefully without making much effort

Insert a plastic shoulder blade into the resulting gap

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1. Heat the upper part of the body (where the camera is located) for 30-40 seconds. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm to avoid overheating the plastic.
2. Set the suction cup closer to the top edge and pull up. The lid should lift up a little.
3. Put a plastic blade in the gap and gently swipe it along the side frame, separating the latches. Don't push too hard - in Redmi 10 the latches are fragile!
4. Repeat heating for the lower part of the body and finally remove the cover.

3.2. Mid-segment (Redmi Note) 10/11, POCO X3/X4, Xiaomi 11 Lite)

And you add screws under the lid and additional latches, and the challenge is not to damage the plume of the fingerprint scanner, which is often glued to the lid.

Algorithm:

1. Heat the body around the perimeter (for 20-30 seconds on each side). POCO X4 Pay special attention to the area around USB-Port - there is the most durable fixation.
2. With a suction cup, lift the lid on the camera, then insert the scapula and slowly guide it along the frame. In Redmi Note 11, the latches are located near the volume buttons, and you need to snap them separately.
3. After removing the lid, unscrew the screws with torxom. T3 (Xiaomi 11 Lite has 6 of them. Don't lose small washers!
4. Carefully disconnect the fingerprint scanner plume (if it is glued, put it with a plastic spatula).

3.3. Flagship models (Xiaomi) 12/13, POCO F4/F5, Redmi K50)

In these smartphones, a combined mount is used: glue + latch + The risk of damage is maximum, so be very careful.

Instructions:

1. Take off the stickers around USB-port and lift the lid at the charging connector (in Xiaomi 13 there is a screw hidden there). T5).
2. Heat the body in a spiral from center to edge. POCO F5 Pay special attention to the area around the camera - there is the thickest layer of glue.
3. Use two suction cups, one at the camera, one at the bottom edge, pull up and side at the same time.
4. After removing the lid, unscrew all the screws (in Redmi). K50 8 of them) and take a picture of their location - when assembling it is important not to confuse the length.
5. Disconnect all the plumes, starting with the battery (black connector). In the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the camera plumes and the fingerprint scanner are fixed with latches - they must be opened first.

⚠️ Attention: In Xiaomi 12S The Ultra and 13 Ultra have an extra heat-dissipating layer of graphite under the lid. Don't confuse it with the battery! The layer is glued to the chipset and you don't have to remove it unnecessarily.

4.Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when removing the Xiaomi lid, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

• 🔥 Battery overheating – if the hair dryer is too close or the temperature is above 90°Solution: Use an IR thermometer to control temperature (maximum 70-80)°C).
• 💥 The fingerprint scanner plume breaks, 60 percent of the time because the lid is jerked, so heat the area around the scanner before you dismantle it and gently shovel the plume.
• 🔧 Loss or damage of screws — Xiaomi 13 screws of different lengths, and if you confuse them, you can damage the motherboard.Solution: spread the screws in order on the magnetic mat.
• 📱 Cracks on the glass cover - occur when using metal tools. Solution: use only plastic blades and mediators.
• 🔌 Short circuit: if you don't turn off the battery before you run the board, so the solution is, first of all, disconnect the black battery connector.

In Xiaomi models 2022-2026 (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO F5 Pro uses adhesive with a shape memory, which means that once the lid is removed, you can't just glue it back, you need a new adhesive layer (e.g., adhesive, B-7000 or 3M 9448A). Attempting to install the lid on the old glue will lead to its detachment after 1-2 weeks.

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If you remove the battery replacement cover, never use metal tools to separate the battery from the case.Even the slightest closure of the contacts can knock out the power controller and the phone will stop turning on.

5. How to assemble a smartphone back: a step-by-step checklist

Assembling is often more difficult to disassemble. To avoid problems with the operation of the smartphone after repair, follow this algorithm:

Check the integrity of all plumes and connectors

Clean the contacts of the battery with alcohol

Apply a new glue layer (if required)

Set the cover starting from the top edge

Turn the screws in reverse order (starting with the shortest ones)

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Pay particular attention to the following points:

• The fingerprint scanner plume -- it should lie flat, without inflections. 12T It must be fixed with bilateral tape.
• Antenna contacts - in models with a metal frame (for example, POCO F3) Make sure that the spring contacts are not bent.
• Tightness – if the smartphone has protection from water (IP53 and above), after assembly, check the sealing rubber bands on the buttons and connectors.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• The fingerprint sensor (if it was turned off).
• Charging the battery (connect the charger).
• Quality of communication (sometimes after disassembly, antenna plumes depart).
• Camera operation (especially autofocus).

⚠️ Attention: If the smartphone does not turn on after assembly, do not panic. First check: 1) Is the battery (black connector) is connected. 2) Is the contacts on the motherboard closed (look for foreign objects). 3 Are the screws mixed up (in Xiaomi 13 long screws can break the board). If everything is fine, but the phone is not responding – connect it to charging for 10-15 minutes, then try to turn it on.

6. Alternative ways to remove the lid (without a hair dryer and suction cup)

If you don't have specialized tools, you can try alternative methods, but they're only suitable for plastic lids (e.g. Redmi). 9A or POCO M3) and are fraught with damage to glass models.

Thread method (for plastic covers)

Require: a strong thread (for example, fishing line 0.3 mm) and a stationery knife.

1. Carefully cut the joint between the lid and the case with a knife to a depth of 0.5 mm (plastic only!).
2. Put a thread in the slot and tie it into the ring.
3. Pull the thread along the body, like a "radiation" of glue. Move from one corner to the other.
4. After separation of glue, attach the cover with a plastic card.

6.2. The hot water method (extreme case!)

This method is risky and only suitable for older models without water protection (e.g. Redmi). 4X).

1. Place the smartphone in a zip-zip-zip-zip package, leaving a small hole for steam.
2. Lower the bag in hot water (60-70)°C) for 2-3 minutes. The steam will soften the glue.
3. Take out the phone, dry it for 10-15 minutes, then try to remove the lid with a sucker.

⚠️ Warning: This method could damage battery and display.Do not apply it to models newer than 2019!

7.When it is better not to remove the lid yourself

There are situations where the risk of damage outweighs the potential benefit of self-repair.

• 📱 You have a model with curved glass (Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, 12S Ultra, where the cover is part of the display.
• 🔋 You suspect a battery bloating (the lid is curved, the phone overheats) in which case the battery can ignite when mechanically exposed.
• 🛠️ You need to replace the chip or plume on the motherboard (a soldering station and experience with the motherboard is required). BGA-chip).
• 💦 The smartphone has protection. IP68 (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro), and you are not sure you can install seals correctly.
• 📲 You’ve never taken a smartphone apart before, and the model belongs to the flagship segment (the risk of damage is too high).

The cost of replacing the cover in the service center for Xiaomi varies from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles (depending on the model). For comparison: self-repair with the purchase of tools will cost 2,000-3,000 rubles, but without guarantees for the result. If you are in doubt, you better entrust the work to professionals.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the Xiaomi lid