Replacing the battery, cleaning the dust, or repairing the internals — sooner or later, the owner of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has to face the need to remove the back cover. But if you do this wrong, the risk of damage to latches, plumes, or even the display increases dramatically. This model, released in 2017, is still one of the most popular in the Redmi line, but its design has its own peculiarities: the lid is attached to 12 plastic latches, and under it hides a fragile plume of a fingerprint scanner.
Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to put the lid on the mediator, and it is done. In practice, this approach often leads to cracks in plastic or a break in the camera plume. In this article, we will analyze 3 safe methods of disassembly, list the necessary tools and warn about typical errors. And if you have never taken out smartphones before, do not worry: our guide is designed even for beginners.
Preparation: security tools and measures
Before you start, make sure you have everything you need, and if you don't have one tool, you can damage the body or the internal components, and here's the minimum set.
- 🔧 Plastic mediator (or special spatula for smartphones) – metal objects scratch the body.
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (to soften the glue if the cover is glued).
- 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, size) PH00 or PH0).
- 📦 Suction cups (helps to lift the lid without risk of slipping).
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (to clean glue residues).
Also, prepare your workspace: place your smartphone on soft fabric (such as a microfiber) so that you don't scratch the screen. If you're working with a hair dryer, keep it 10 to 15 cm away from the body so you don't overheat the battery. Air temperature should not exceed 60 to 70 °C, which is enough to soften the glue, but safe for internal components.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use a knife or screwdriver to lid the lid! even a slight pressure can lead to cracks in the plastic around the camera or fingerprint scanner - these areas are most vulnerable.
Method 1: Classical parsing with a mediator (for unstick covers)
This is a good way to do it if the back cover of your Redmi Note 4 hasn't been previously opened or glued after repair, and the basic principle is to gradually snap the latches around the perimeter, starting from the safest place.
- Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-map.
- Insert the mediator in the gap between the lid and the case at the headphone jack (this is the weakest place with minimal risk of damage).
- Carefully drive the mediator along the edge, lifting the lid, and you'll hear the characteristic clicks, which are the snaps.
- As soon as the cover rises by 1-2 mm, do the same from the opposite side (at the charging connector).
- When all the latches are snapped, remove the lid by holding it by the edges - do not pull the center so as not to damage the fingerprint scanner plume!
If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't put too much effort into it. It might be glued, in which case you go to Method 2.
☑️ Checklist before lid removal
Method 2: Disassembly with a hair dryer (for glued covers)
If the lid was glued after a previous repair or factory assembly, it will have to be heated. This method requires caution: overheating the battery can cause it to bloat.
- Heat the edge of the lid with a hair dryer around the perimeter for 30-40 seconds, paying special attention to the corners.
- Try to plug the lid with a mediator at the headphone jack, and if it doesn't respond, heat it up for another 20 seconds.
- Once the mediator enters the gap by 1-2 mm, lead it along the edge, lifting the lid. Take your time - the glue should soften evenly.
- After removing the cover, clean the remains of the glue from the body and the cover itself with isopropyl alcohol.
If you feel resistance in the fingerprint scanner or the camera, stop disassembling and check if there are any unheated areas, and the fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the lid, and the cliff will cause the sensor to fail!
What to do if the lid is not removed?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when parsing the Redmi Note 4, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of metal tools | Scratches on the body, damage to latches | Use only a plastic mediator or a special spatula. |
| Heating of the cover more than 70°C | Battery bloating, plastic melting | Control the temperature of the hair dryer and keep it at a distance of 10-15 cm |
| Removing the lid without breaking all the latches | Plastic cracks, a plume break of the fingerprint scanner | Check if all latches are snapped before full removal |
| Pressure on the center of the cover when removed | Damage to the camera plume or fingerprint scanner | Keep the lid only by the edges |
Another common problem is damage to the sealing rubber gasket around the chamber, which, if it breaks, will leak dust and moisture into the body, and when you remove the lid, pay attention to its integrity and replace it with a new one if necessary (you can buy it in the Redmi Note 4 remakes).
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If you plan to disassemble your smartphone frequently (for example, to test components), apply a thin layer of 3M double-sided tape to the edges of the lid instead of glue, which will make it easier to disassemble later without risk of damage.
What to do after removing the cover: further actions
When the lid is successfully removed, the internal design of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 will open before you.
- 🔋 Replace the battery - disconnect the battery plume and carefully remove it, poking a plastic blade.
- 📸 Cleaning the camera from dust – use a soft brush or a spray of compressed air.
- 🔌 Repair of the charging connector - requires soldering, so it is better to trust a specialist.
- 🧹 Removing dust from the motherboard – use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs.
If your goal is to replace the battery, remember: the original battery for the Redmi Note 4 has a capacity of 4100 mAh. Buy only certified analogues (for example, from ZMI or Baseus) to avoid problems with battery life or overheating.
⚠️ Warning: When disconnecting the battery plume, do not use metal tools - a short circuit can disable the motherboard. Always disable the plume with a plastic blade!
Related: How to properly install the lid back
Putting the lid back in seems easier than removing it, but there are nuances here, too, and if you don't follow the sequence, the latches may not lock and the lid will dangle.
- Make sure all plumes (fingerprint scanner, camera, battery) are connected and not clamped.
- Line the lid on the slots - it should "sit" in place without effort.
- Start snapping the lid from the top (at the camera), then gradually press the edges as you move down.
- If the cover is not fixed, check whether the sealing gum or glue residue interferes.
- For reliability, you can slightly warm the edges with a hairdryer (up to 50 ° C) - this will help the glue to grip better.
Once built, turn on your smartphone and check the performance of all the components: the camera, the fingerprint scanner, the speakers. If something doesn't work, disassemble the device again and check the connection of the plumes.
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When assembled, never press the center of the lid, which can damage the fingerprint scanner plume. The latches should only be fixed at the edges!
When is the best time to contact the service
Although you can do the Redmi Note 4 analysis yourself, in some cases it is better to trust the professionals:
- 🔧 If you have never taken a smartphone apart before, the risk of damage is too high.
- 🔥 If the cover is glued to industrial glue (often after informal repairs).
- 💥 If the battery is swelling - its extraction requires caution and special tools.
- 📱 If after the analysis the camera, fingerprint scanner or display stop working.
The cost of dismantling in the service center usually does not exceed 500-1000 rubles, but you will get a guarantee for the work performed. If you decide to act on your own, but something went wrong, do not try to repair damage with improvised means - this will only aggravate the problem.