Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi 8A: how to carefully remove the back cover without damage

The Xiaomi Redmi 8A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2019, but even such an “unkillable” device has problems over time, from a dead battery to a damaged charging connector. Many owners try to save money on the service center and repair the device themselves. However, the first step – removing the back cover – often becomes a stumbling block. Unlike flagships with metal cases, the Redmi 8A has a plastic lid on the latches that is easy to break if you carelessly dismantle.

In this article, you'll find a step-by-step guide with nuances that you won't find in the general YouTube videos, from tool selection to glue treatment. We'll also break down the unique feature of the Redmi 8A, which is the hidden latch near the sim tray that many people overlook, which makes the lid inconvenient even after the main mounts have been snapped, and if you're planning to replace the battery, speaker, or plume, this guide will help avoid typical errors and save on re-repairs.

Preparation: what will be needed for the disassembly

Before you start dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. Xiaomi Redmi 8A does not require professional equipment, but using the wrong tools can cause plastic chips or damage to the plumes.

• 🔧 Plastic blade or mediator (thickness 0.3-0.5 mm) - to separate the cover and the body!
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (optional) - if the glue is too strong, the cover should be warmed to 60-70°C.
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver. T3 — for unscrewing the screws of the board mounting (if you plan to completely disassemble).
• 📦 Container for screws - so as not to lose small parts (in Redmi) 8A 8 grand!).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — cleaning of glue residues after removal of the cover.

If you're taking your smartphone apart for the first time, we recommend you also prepare a screen suction cup (helps with the initial lid break) and a magnifying glass - the screws in the Redmi 8A are tiny and easy to drop. Don't use knives or screwdrivers as a lever: the plastic of the lid is thin and brittle!

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 8A I've been in water or been hit, and I might have corrosion or microcracks on the board, and in this case, disassembly without experience can be a short circuit.

Step 1: Turn off and prepare the smartphone

Before disassembling, be sure to turn off Xiaomi Redmi 8A and extract SIM-This will prevent accidental contact closure and data corruption:

• 🧼 Clean the case of dirt – dust and sand can get inside and damage components.

If you are planning to replace the battery, do not turn on the smartphone after removing the old battery – this can lead to a reset of the IMEI settings. In the Redmi 8A, the battery is soldered to the board with thin wires, so replacing it requires a soldering iron or a special connector.

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If the lid is too glued, warm it up with a hair dryer around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. Start at the corners - there the adhesive layer is thinner.

Step 2: Removal of the back cover - Step-by-step instructions

Now, the most critical step is that in Xiaomi Redmi 8A, the lid is mounted on 8 latches around the perimeter and the adhesive layer, and the main challenge is not to break the plastic latches.

1. Heat the cover (optional): If the smartphone is new or has been repaired before, the adhesive can be very durable. Warm the back panel with a hairdryer at minimum power, keeping it at a distance of 10-15 cm.
2. Insert the blade into the gap between the lid and the body. Start at the lower right corner (near the charging connector) - there the latch is weaker.
3. Carefully swipe along the edge, gradually snapping the mounts.
4. Notice the SIM tray, there's an extra latch underneath, and if the lid doesn't lend itself, just press that area a little bit.

If you hear a characteristic click, it means the latch has bounced. Repeat the action for all sides. When all the mounts are free, remove the lid by pulling it up from the body. Be careful: a fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the lid (if you have one in your modification).

Is the smartphone off the grid?

Whether extracted SIM-memory-card?

Will the hull warm up (if necessary)?

Is the blade and the screw container ready?-->

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with careful disassembly, beginners often make mistakes that lead to breakdowns, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is damage to the adhesive layer, and if you're planning to reassemble your smartphone, don't remove all the glue, just clean the residue with alcohol and apply a new layer of double-sided 3M tape (0.2 mm thick) around the perimeter, which will ensure tightness and dust protection.

⚠️ Warning: If you see a bloated battery after removing the lid (it will bubble), don't turn on your smartphone and try to charge it! The bloated battery may ignite. Remove it immediately (with gloves!) and dispose of it according to local regulations.

What to do after removing the cover: further actions

When the lid is successfully removed, the Redmi 8A’s interior design will open up in front of you.

• 📱 Board with processor and memory (covered by a metal screen).
• 🔋 Battery (5000 mAh, soldered to the board).
• 🔊 Speaker and microphone (located at the bottom of the microphone).
• 📶 Antenna contacts (thin gold stripes on the sides).

If you're looking to replace your battery, consider that the Redmi 8A doesn't removable in the usual sense, and the battery is connected to the board with two thin wires that need to be carefully soldered off or a special adapter for a non-supplier replacement.

• 🛠️ Replace the speaker: unscrew 2 screws T3 and unplug the plume.
• 📶 Remove the charger: requires a complete disassembly of the board.
• 🔧 Dust Cleansing: Use a soft brush and compressed air balloon.

Smartphone Builder: How to Put Everything Back in Place

Putting the Xiaomi Redmi 8A back together is often more difficult than disassembling, and the rule of thumb is that all plumes and contacts must be tightly connected, but without undue pressure.

1. Check the adhesive layer: if it is damaged, apply a new bilateral tape around the perimeter of the cover.
2. Place the fingerprint scanner plume (if any) so that it does not overflex.
3. Line the lid on the grooves and gently press it, starting from the top.
4. Click the mounts around the perimeter, pressing the cover until a characteristic click.

Don't turn on your smartphone right away -- wait 10 to 15 minutes for the glue to catch. Then check all the functions: charging, sensor, camera. If something doesn't work, disassemble the device again and check the plugs.

1. battery connection (possibly disconnected contacts).

2. Correct installation of the display plume.

3.Availability of short circuit (feel if the charge is not warming up).-->

When is the best time to contact the service center

While disassembling the Xiaomi Redmi 8A seems simple, there are situations where self-repair is impractical:

• 💥 The board is damaged (visibly blackened or burned items).
• 🔥 The battery is swelling - its replacement requires soldering work.
• 📡 Problems with antenna (no network, often communication is cut off).
• 💧 Smartphone sinks – ultrasonic board cleaning is needed.

The cost of repair in the service is usually:

If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to pay for repairs than risk completely disabling your smartphone, for example, a failed replacement of the charging connector can lead to a short circuit and a burned circuit board, and its replacement will cost 5-7 thousand rubles.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Xiaomi Redmi 8A disassembly