Broken glass on Xiaomi’s screen is one of the most common problems faced by smartphone owners: Even a small crack can eventually cause the display to fail completely, and glass fragments to injure the fingers. Many users try to save on repairs and remove the glass themselves, but without proper preparation, it can damage the matrix, plumes or even complete breakage of the device.
In this article, we will discuss all the steps of the process, from tool preparation to the final screen cleaning, and also tell you what mistakes are most common for beginners. We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 and flagship Xiaomi 12/13/14, as their design has key differences. If you have never done electronics repair, we recommend you to carefully study each section - this will help to avoid costly errors.
When should I remove the glass from the screen Xiaomi?
Not every glass damage requires immediate intervention, such as small scratches or cracks at the edges that do not affect the sensor, can be temporarily ignored, but there are situations where removing glass becomes a necessary measure:
- 🔧 Complete sensor failure – the screen does not respond to touch or partially works.
- 💥 Strong chips with shrapnel that cling to the skin or cover.
- 📱 The penetration of moisture under the glass (divorces appear, the display flickers).
- 🔄 Replacement of the display module – if you buy a new screen, the old glass will have to be removed.
- 💰 Savings on repairs – in services for glass replacement take 30-50% of the cost of a new screen.
If the damage is minimal but you're annoyed by the cracks, you might want to consider alternatives: gluing a protective film (like Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit) or a hydrophobic coating that will cover the defects, but these are temporary measures, because over time, the glass can dissect and still have to be changed.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with AMOLED-screens (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi) K50 Pro) glass is often glued to the matrix. Incorrect removal can damage the matrix itself, and then you need a complete replacement of the display, not just the glass.
Tools Preparation: What You Need to Work
Without the right tools, it’s almost impossible to remove the glass from the Xiaomi screen. Unlike replacing the battery or the back cover, it requires precision and accuracy.
| Tool. | Appointment | Where to Buy/Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Construction hair dryer (power 1000-2000 W) | Heating the glue to separate the glass | Leroy Merlin, AliExpress. Alternative: Hair dryer (low-powered) |
| Suction cups (2 pcs) | Fixing glass when lifting | Phone Repair Kit, Ozon |
| Mediators (plastic shoulder blades) | Shaking glass without damaging plumes | Included with suction cups or separately |
| Scalpel or stationery knife | Cutting glue around the edges | Any office supply store |
| Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) | Cleaning glue residues | Pharmacy, radio shops |
Also prepare your workspace: a table with good lighting, an antistatic mat (or regular fabric), tweezers and spare glass (if you plan to glue a new one right away). If you are working with a POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10 Pro model, note that their screens have additional strengthening at the edges - it will take longer to warm up.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal blades or screwdrivers to smack glass! Even a little pressure can damage FPC-The display plume, and then the screen will stop working completely.
Make sure the phone is turned off and the battery is turned off (on models with removable battery)
Take it off. SIM-card and memory card (if any)
Check the sensor before work begins (to see what is broken)
Prepare all tools in the reach zone
Take a picture of the screen in case of warranty disputes (if the phone is under warranty)
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Step-by-step: how to remove glass from the screen Xiaomi
The glass removal process can be divided into 4 key steps: warm-up, separation, cleaning and inspection. Let's take a look at each of them in detail. If you have a model with a curved screen (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra), be especially careful - such displays are harder to detach without damage.
1. Screen warming
The glue that glues the glass to the matrix becomes elastic at 60-80 ° C. Your task is to evenly warm the entire screen without overheating individual areas.
- Turn the dryer on to medium power (not maximum!).
- Keep the hair dryer 5-7 cm away from the screen, constantly moving it around in a circle.
- Warm up the screen for 3-5 minutes, paying special attention to the edges.
- Check the temperature with your hand (carefully!) - the glass should be hot, but not scalding.
On POCO and Redmi models with a plastic case (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) be careful: plastic can deform from high temperature. If the case begins to "swim", reduce the power of the hair dryer.
Separation of glass
After heating, proceed to a careful lifting of the glass:
- Stick the suction cups to the bottom of the screen (where the charging connector is usually located).
- Easy pull up - if the glass does not lend itself, warm up for another 1-2 minutes.
- As soon as there is a gap, insert a plastic mediator into it.
- Carefully drive the mediator along the edge of the screen, separating the glass from the matrix.
The critical mistake of the beginners is to try to tear the glass off with a sharp movement, which leads to the plumes breaking or damage to the matrix. Move slowly, 1-2 mm at a time.
3. Cleaning of glue residues
Once the glass is removed, the matrix will have a layer of glue and small fragments, which must be removed:
- Wet the cotton disc in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the matrix.
- Use tweezers to remove large fragments.
- Make sure there is no leftover on the matrix. LOCA-glue (transparent gel) – it can prevent the glue of new glass.
If the glue is not going away, you can use an ultrasonic bath (if there is access) or a special solvent for LOCA (sold in electronics stores).
4. Matrix verification
Before installing a new glass, be sure to check the performance of the matrix:
- Connect the display plume to the board (if you disconnected it).
- Turn on your phone and check if there are any broken pixels or stripes.
- Test the sensor using the Touch Screen Test app (available in the Play Market).
If the matrix is damaged, further installation of the new glass is meaningless – a complete replacement of the display module will be required.
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The most dangerous thing is that the glass is separated from the matrix, and if you feel resistance, don't pull harder, you better warm up the problem area again.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even the skilled craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when they remove glass. TOP-5 Problems faced by Xiaomi users and ways to prevent them:
- 🔥 Screen overheating → This results in the polarization film being detached (the screen becomes rainbow), so you can use a dryer at medium power and control the temperature with your hand.
- 🔪 Use of metal tools → It scratches the matrix or tears the plumes. Solution: plastic pickups only!
- 💧 The ingestion of alcohol on the plumes → Solution: apply alcohol only to the matrix, avoiding the edges.
- 📱 Untested matrix after removal of glass → You can put new glass on a non-working screen. Solution: always test the display before the final assembly.
- 🔌 Working with battery on → Short circuit risk. Solution: Removable battery models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) Turn it off in advance.
Errors are often encountered when working with AMOLED-For example, on Xiaomi. 12T pro POCO F4 GT slimmer LCD-It's easier to damage, and if you're not sure about your skills, you should go to the service -- repair. AMOLED It costs 2-3 times more than LCD.
What to do if the glass cracks when removed?
Xiaomi models with design features
Not all Xiaomi smartphones are the same — some models have unique nuances that complicate the process of removing glass.
| Model | Feature | Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Thick glass with reinforced adhesive layer | Requires heating for 5-7 minutes |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | AMOLED-thin-screen | Use only plastic mediators |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | Curved screen + additional protection Gorilla Glass Victus | Warming should be alternated with cooling (so as not to damage OLED) |
| Redmi 9A/9C | Plastic case, prone to deformation | Use the hair dryer at minimum power |
If you have a model with a subscreen fingerprint scanner (like the Xiaomi 13 Pro or POCO F5 Pro), be extremely careful when cleaning the center of the screen.The fingerprint sensor is located right under the glass, and it is easy to damage with sharp tools.
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Before you start, take a photo of the screen from different angles. If after repairs there are new defects (for example, broken pixels), you will have proof for warranty service (if the phone is still under warranty).
What to do after removing the glass?
Successfully removing the glass is only half the battle, and the next steps depend on your goal.
- 🔄 Installation of new glass: Buy LOCA-glue, B-7000 or T-7000) And a UV lamp for polymerization, stick the glass, remove the glue, and seal it under the lamp (10-15 minutes).
- 📱 Replacement of the display module: Purchase an original or quality analogue (for example, from Tianma or the other hand). BOE). Move the plumes and sensors from the old screen to the new one (unless it’s a ready-made module).
- 🔧 Temporary use without glass: Stick a protective film (for example, Orzly Tempered Glass) to protect the matrix from dust. Avoid pressure on the screen - a matrix without glass is very vulnerable.
If you're planning to sell a phone, consider that a glassless device loses 30 to 50 percent of its value in the secondary market, and you'd better install a new glass or a full-fledged display module right away.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Always On Display (e.g. Mi 13 or Mi 13) POCO F5) After changing the glass, you may need to calibrate the sensors, using the engineering menu (#6484##) or specialized applications like Screen Test.