How to carefully remove the back cover on the Xiaomi smartphone: instructions with photos and videos

Battery replacement, camera repair, or dust cleaning — sooner or later, Xiaomi smartphone owners face the need to remove the back cover. But how to do it without damage? Unlike flagship models with metal casings (such as the Mi 11 Ultra), budget series like the Redmi Note or POCO are often attached to latches and glue, which complicates the process. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step instructions for different types of cases, list the necessary tools and warn of typical errors that can turn a simple repair into an expensive visit to the service center.

It’s important to understand that the design of the back panel depends on the model and year of release. For example, Xiaomi smartphones before 2019 (such as the Mi 8 or Redmi 5 Plus) often had removable covers, while modern devices (starting with the Mi 10 and later) require heating and the use of special mediators. We will consider both options, and also give recommendations for choosing tools from budget plastic blades to professional kits with suction cups and tweezers.

Preparation: What to Know Before Removing the Cover

Before you start the disassembly, answer three key questions:

• 🔧 What smartphone model? Clarify the exact modification (e.g., Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G or POCO X5 Pro), as even in one line there may be differences in the mounting of the lid.
• 🛠️ Is there any experience with disassembling a technique? If you're holding a mediator for the first time, practice on an old device or watch a video disassembly of a particular model.
• 🔋 Why take the lid off? To replace the battery, repair the plume, or clean the dust, you'll need different levels of disassembly, for example, to get to the battery in Xiaomi 13T, you'll have to disconnect the fingerprint scanner plume.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones use a combination of glue and latches to fix the back panel. This means that simply putting the lid on the shoulder blade will not work — you will need heating to soften the glue. The melting point of the glue is usually 60-80 ° C, but overheating above 100 ° C can damage the battery or display. Use a temperature-adjusted dryer or a special heating station.

⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone is warranty-free, self-removing the lid will void it. In Xiaomi models with IP53 protection (e.g., Redmi Note 12 Pro), the dust protection may break after disassembly.

Also check if the lid is glued to the smartphone frame with double-sided tape (often found in POCO M series models). In this case, you will need isopropyl alcohol to clean the glue residue after removal. Do not use acetone or solvents - they can damage the oleophobic coating of the screen.

Tools you need: what to buy and where to save

The minimum set for removing the back cover includes:

• 🔥 A hair dryer or a thermal air station (at least 1,000 watts) will even work with a household hair dryer, but with temperature adjustment.
• 🪛 Plastic mediators (0.1 to 0.2 mm thick) Metal tools can scratch the body.
• 🧲 Suction cup (diameter 4-6 cm) for initial lifting of the lid. In Xiaomi models with a glossy back panel (for example, Mi 11 Lite), the suction cup holds better.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) to remove glue residues, an alternative is special cleaners for electronics.
• 📦 Spinner (if you plan to disassemble completely) Xiaomi smartphones often use different size screws (e.g., Y000 and T3).

Where to buy cheaper tools:

If you plan to regularly repair equipment, it makes sense to buy a professional kit (for example, Xiaomi Official Repair Kit for ~2 500 ₽). For a one-time battery replacement, budget tools will suffice, but be prepared for the fact that plastic mediators can break if pressed hard.

💡

Before buying mediators, check their stiffness: too soft will bend, too hard will scratch the body.

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

The process of removing the back cover depends on the type of attachment, and we'll look at three of the most common options:

The lid on the latches (old models: Redmi 4X, Mi A1, POCO F1)

In budget models until 2018, the back panel was often attached only to plastic latches.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
2. Place the suction cup closer to the bottom edge of the lid (where the charging connector is located).
3. Carefully pull the sucker up, while putting the lid on the mediator around the perimeter.
4. When you hear the snaps, remove the lid. Don't put too much effort into it -- in the POCO F1, the fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the lid!

2. Cover on glue (modern models: Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13, POCO X5)

This is the most difficult option, and you need to heat it up.

More information about temperature conditions:

• 🌡️ 60–70°C is enough to soften the adhesive in most models.
• 🌡️ 80–90°C – may be required for metal-framed smartphones (e.g., Xiaomi 12S Ultra).
• ❄️ Do not heat above 100°C—the risk of plastic deformation or battery bloating.

Critical: In wireless charging models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), there is a coil glued to the body under the lid, which can be ripped off if you take it off gently!

3. screw cap (game models: Black Shark 4/5, POCO F3 GT)

In gaming smartphones, the back panel is often fixed with screws under the cross screwdriver (T3 or T4).

1. Unscrew all screws around the perimeter (usually 6-8 pieces).
2. Put the cover on the mediator, starting at the top corner (where the volume buttons are located).
3. Lift the cover – in Black Shark, it is often connected to the logo’s backlight plume.

In Black Shark models, it may also be necessary to disconnect the battery before completely disassembling, as power plumes interfere with the removal of the lid.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔋 Battery damage when the lid is underdressed. In the Redmi Note 11, the battery is very close to the back panel, so the mediator can puncture it.
• 📱 The plume of the fingerprint scanner is ripped off. In POCO X3 and Redmi Note 10, the plume is glued to the lid -- pull it carefully!
• 🔥 Overheating of the body. If you use a dryer without thermal control, you can melt plastic latches (relevant to Mi 10T with a polycarbonate body).
• 💧 Alcohol on the display. Isopropyl alcohol can damage the oleophobic coating of the screen -- just apply it around the edges.

To avoid these problems:

⚠️ Warning: Xiaomi models with AMOLED- screens (e.g. Mi 11 or Redmi K50) can get a yellow tint on the display when heated above 80°C. This is temporary, but if you overheat the screen, the pixels can burn out forever.

Another common problem is creaking or backing of the lid after installation, which occurs if you don't clean the residue of the old glue or apply the new one incorrectly, using 3M 9448A double-sided tape (0.25 mm thick) or B-7000 special glue to fix it.

How to glue the lid back: assembly tips

It's half the battle to get the lid off, and it's just as important to get it back up right, so there's no backlashes and no squeaks.

1. Clean the smartphone frame and the inside of the cover from glue residues with isopropyl alcohol and a lilac-free wipe.
2. If you use double-sided tape, cut it into strips 3-5 mm wide and stick a frame around the perimeter. For models with wireless charging, leave free space around the coil.
3. Carefully combine the lid with the body, starting from the top (where the power buttons are located).
4. Press the lid around the perimeter, paying special attention to the corners. Use clamps or a heavy book for uniform pressure.
5. Check if there are any backlashes. If the lid is wobbling, add glue to the problem areas.

For IP53-protected models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), a thin layer of silicone sealant is recommended to be applied to the seam after the lid is glued, which will restore dust protection by 60-70%.

If you have replaced the battery, check its operation before assembly:

• 🔌 Connect the charger and make sure the smartphone is charging.
• 📊 Run the battery test in the engineering menu (code ##4636##) or using the AccuBattery app.
• 🔥 Check the temperature of the case while charging — if the battery is warmed above 45°C, it may not be installed correctly.

💡

After assembly, be sure to check all sensors: fingerprint scanner, NFC, wireless charging (if any) In 30% of cases, after self-repair, users forget to plug the plumes back in!

Models with features: what to pay attention to

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when disassembling, and we put them together in a table:

If your model is not in the table, look for a YouTube demo with the exact name (for example, "Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G teardown"). Pay attention to the date of the video - the design can change even within the same line (for example, the Redmi Note 11 and Redmi Note 11 Pro are assembled differently).

When to contact the service: 5 signs

Despite the detailed instructions, there are situations where self-repair can turn into even more problems.

• 🔧 You've tried to remove the lid before, but it doesn't give in (risk of breaking the latches).
• 💥 After heating the hair dryer, the smartphone does not turn on (the battery may have detached).
• 📱 The screen appears to have severances or broken pixels after disassembly (overheating of the matrix).
• 🔋 The battery is swelled or deformed (special disposal required).
• 🚫 You are not sure about your skills, and the smartphone is warranty (self-repair cancels it).

The cost of removing the back cover in the service varies from 500 to 2000 ₽ depending on the model. For example, in MVideo Eldorado, the Redmi Note disassembly will cost ~800 ₽, and the Xiaomi 13 Pro will cost ~1 500 ₽. If you need to replace the battery or plume, the price will increase to 3000-6000 ₽.

Before you carry your smartphone to the service, clarify:

• 📋 Do the wizards use original spare parts (Xiaomi often fake batteries).
• 🔧 Do you have a job guarantee (standard 3 months)?
• 💰 Whether the cost of diagnosis is included in the finale price (sometimes it has to be paid separately).

⚠️ Warning: Some services offer "free diagnostics" but after disassembly, they suddenly find additional malfunctions (for example, "touchscreen plume has detached"). Always videotape the condition of the smartphone before repair.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions