Smartphone Xiaomi Mi5, despite its age, remains a legendary device, but time takes its toll: the battery loses capacity, and the charging connector ceases to respond to the cable. To replace these components, the owner will inevitably have to face the question of how to remove the cover Xiaomi Mi5, since the design of the device does not involve simple removal of the back panel with your fingers, as in older models.
The back panel in this device is mounted on a powerful layer of glue and is complemented by screws under the speaker frame, making the dismantling process time-consuming and demanding. Wrong actions can lead to chips on the glass or, worse, damage to the fingerprint scanner plume, which is tightly attached to the inner surface of the case.
In this article, we will discuss the process of opening the case in detail, paying special attention to precautions and the specifics of working with the adhesive layer. You will learn what tools are really necessary and what you can do without, and you will get a clear algorithm of actions that minimizes the risks of breaking your gadget.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before you start any electronic manipulation, it's critical to organize the space. You'll need a clean, well-lit desk, preferably with antistatic coating, so that small screws don't get lost, and static electricity doesn't damage the motherboard. The absence of dust is also important, as it can get under the display or camera lens during the assembly process.
The toolkit should be specialized, and ordinary scissors or kitchen knives are absolutely not suitable for working with thin glass and plastic.
- 🔥 Hair dryer (construction or household at maximum power) for softening glue.
- 💳 Plastic card or thin mediator for snapping latches.
- 🪛 Set of screwdrivers with a cross sting (size) PH00 or PH000).
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or sheet of paper for sorting screws.
- 🧴 Fluid B-7000 or isopropyl alcohol to remove old glue.
Pay special attention to the heating element. A building dryer gives you too high a temperature and can melt the internal components if you don't control the air flow, so a household hair dryer is often a safer, albeit longer, option. If you use a heat pad for smartphones, set the temperature around 80-90 degrees Celsius.
Risk analysis and precautions during disassembly
The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi5 is made of tempered glass (in the Premium version) or ceramics/plastic, and it is a load-bearing element of the structure. If you open it sloppy, the glass can burst radially, scattering into small, razor sharp shards, which is the main danger you will face in the first minutes of work.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to cover with metal tools (needles, blades) without first heating.Cold glass at point pressure bursts instantly, and metal can damage the aluminum frame of the case.
The second major risk is the fingerprint scanner plume, which is glued to the inside of the back cover and connected to the motherboard, and if you pull the lid abruptly after heating, you risk tearing the thin plume or ripping the connector out of the socket, and it's often impossible to repair that node, and you have to turn off the scanner software or change it completely.
Also worth remembering is the lithium polymer battery, which you still have to remove the lid to access, but when you use the hair dryer, you need to avoid direct hot air entering the battery area if it swells, and heating a damaged battery can cause it to ignite.
What to do if the lid is cracked?
Technology of heating and separation of the rear panel
The process of separating the lid begins with a thorough heating of the perimeter of the device. The adhesive layer in the Xiaomi Mi5 is applied throughout the circuit, and its task is to ensure that the structure is tight and rigid. You need to heat up evenly, driving the hair dryer around, lingering at the corners a little longer, because there the glue freezes tighter.
The heating time is usually 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the wattage of the hair dryer. You can check readiness by gently pressing the sucker or trying to insert the mediator into the joint. If the tool comes in with difficulty but without excessive effort, and the lid is slightly springy, you can start.
☑️ Checking readiness to remove the cover
Insert a plastic card or mediator in the upper corner (near the camera) or in the lower end, where the microphone hole is usually located. Move the map along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer. Do not dive the tool deeper than 2-3 mm, so as not to touch the plumes or components located close to the edges.
When the main perimeter is passed, the lid can still be held in the area of the fingerprint scanner, where you need to act as carefully as possible, putting the glass directly parallel to the plane of the smartphone, a sharp jerk upwards is guaranteed to lead to a break in the plume.
Dismantling the internal frame and access to the battery
Once you've managed to remove the Xiaomi Mi5 lid, you'll see a black plastic frame covering most of the components, which is mounted with multiple screws and latches, and unlike the lid, this frame is easier to remove, but requires precision with plumes going to the buttons and the speaker.
First, you have to twist all the visible screws around the perimeter of the frame, and the number can vary depending on the modification, but usually there are about 10-12 pieces. After you twist the screws, the frame will still hold on the latches.
| Type of screw | Location. | Number of | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long. | Corners of the frame | 4 pcs. | Fixing the frame to the body |
| Short. | Along the sidewall | 6-8 pcs. | Fixing the middle part |
| Microscopic | Near the plume. | 1 pc. | Push-bar connector |
To snap the frame, use a plastic blade. Walk it along the junction between the frame and the middle body. You'll hear the characteristic clicks, which are the plastic locks disconnecting. The main thing is not to put too much effort; if the frame does not go, check if you forgot to unscrew any hidden screw.
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When building the Xiaomi Mi5, twist the screws cross-cross like the wheels on the car to ensure a uniform fit of the frame and avoid distortions.
Working with the fingerprint scanner plume
One of the most delicate operations is to disable the scanner plume. In the Xiaomi Mi5 model, it's glued to the inside of the glass cover. When you disconnect the connector from the motherboard, the plume remains hanging on the lid.
If you're planning to remove the lid completely and put it away, you need to gently unstick the scanner itself from the glass. To do this, warm up the scanner area slightly (literally for a couple of seconds) and slowly, helping the mediator, separate the module. The glue is weaker than around the perimeter, but the risk of damage to the sensor itself is great.
When you reassemble, make sure the plume is stacked smoothly, without any cracks, the broken plume may not work properly or may not function at all, and make sure that the contacts are free of dust or pile.
Battery replacement and device assembly
Once the frame is removed, you'll have access to the battery. In the Xiaomi Mi5, it's also put on glue, but less aggressive than the lid glue. Under the battery, there's often a special tongue to pull, but over the years, it can come off.
To remove the old battery, you can use a suction cup or gently poke the battery with a plastic card from one of the lower corners. It is strictly forbidden to pierce the battery or bend it, this will cause a short circuit and a possible fire.
Installing a new battery requires degreasing the seat. Use isopropyl alcohol to remove the residue of old adhesive from the case. A new battery usually has a two-way tape that needs to be activated by removing the protective film before installation.
⚠️ Warning: Before final assembly, check the phone's performance without screwing. Connect the plumes, press the power button and make sure the device responds. This will save time if you suddenly forgot to connect some connector.
The assembly is done in reverse order. First, the inner frame is installed and fixed, then all the plumes are connected. Only after a successful test can a new glue (B-7000) be applied to the perimeter of the back cover and pressed against the body. Use stationery rubber to fix the glue, pulling the phone around the perimeter for 1-2 hours.
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The use of high-quality B-7000 or E-8000 adhesive is critical to restoring moisture protection (at least partial) and stiffness of the Xiaomi Mi5 design.