How to carefully remove the back cover of the Xiaomi smartphone: instructions for all models

Why Removing Xiaomi’s Cover Needs Caution

Xiaomi smartphones are some of the most popular devices on the market due to their price-quality ratio, but their repairability is often questionable. The back cover of most models is glued to the body, rather than screwed, as in older phones. This makes it difficult to access the battery, speaker or camera, but reduces the risk of dust and moisture. However, improper opening can lead to damage to plumes, detachment of the fingerprint sensor or cracks on the glass.

In this article, we will learn how to remove the back panel on different Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 12 to flagship Xiaomi 14), what tools you need and how to avoid typical errors. It is important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the year of release and series: for example, the POCO F5 lid is removed easier than the Mi 11 Ultra with a ceramic case. If you have never dismantled smartphones, it is better to trust this to professionals, but with proper preparation, the task is quite feasible.

Before you start, you should know that self-opening is not warranty if the device is still in warranty service. IP-certification, even if you do it carefully, if the goal is to replace the battery or clean the dust, weigh the pros and cons".

What tools will you need

To safely remove the back cover of Xiaomi, you will need a specialized set of tools, the use of improvised tools (knives, credit cards) is fraught with scratches or chips.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (thickness 0.1-0.3 mm) - for careful liding.
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (power of at least 1000 W) - for softening the glue.
• 🔩 Screwdriver. T3/T4/T5 (depending on the model) - for twisting screws under the cover.
• 🧲 Suction cups (1-2 pcs) - help to raise the panel after heating.
• 📏 Plastic tweezers - for working with small details ( plumes, gaskets).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-cleaner.

If you plan to reuse the lid, purchase a 3M double-sided tape or B-7000 glue for reverse assembly. For models with a glass back panel (such as the Xiaomi 13T), an ultra-thin mediator (0.08 mm) may be required to avoid damaging the coating.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal tools to lid the lid - they leave microcracks that eventually lead to glass dissection. Also avoid overheating: temperatures above 80°C can damage the battery or screen.

Preparing the smartphone for disassembly

Before you take off the lid, you need to completely de-energize the device and prepare the workplace.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-card and memory card (if any).
2. Charge the battery to 30-50% – this will reduce the risk of fire when heated.
3. Remove the cover and clean the case of dust with a dry napkin.
4. Prepare a flat surface with good lighting (ideally an antistatic mat).
5. Take a picture of the back panel – this will help to correctly position the parts during assembly.

If your model has wireless charging (such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi K50), note the charging coil under the lid, which is glued to the panel and can come off if you unscrupulously remove, in which case it is better to preheat the coil area (usually in the center) for 1-2 minutes.

Is the smartphone off?

Whether extracted SIM-map?

Is the battery 30-50% charged?

Are all the tools ready?

Have the initial state photo taken?-->

Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover

The process of removing the lid is divided into 3 stages: heating, slashing and disconnecting. Let's take a look at each in detail.

1. Heating of the shell

The glue that the lid is glued to becomes elastic at 60–70°C. Use the dryer at a minimum power, keeping it at a distance of 5–7 cm from the body.

• 🔥 Start at the bottom edge (near the connector). USB-C) — 30 seconds.
• 🔥 Move to the top edge (near the speaker) – 30 seconds.
• 🔥 Heat the sides (especially the corners) – 20 seconds on each side.
• 🔥 Repeat the cycle 2-3 times so that the glue softens evenly.

Don't point hot air at the camera or screen, it can damage the optics or the matrix, and to check the temperature, you can touch the body with the back of your hand, which should be warm, but not scalding.

2. Cover smacking

After heating, immediately start putting on the glue until the glue is cooled. Use a plastic shoulder blade or mediator:

1. Insert the tool into the gap between the lid and the case at the USB-C connector.
2. Carefully swipe along the lower edge, slightly swaying it from side to side.
3. As soon as the lid rises by 1-2 mm, insert a second spatula or suction cup into the slot.
4. Repeat the procedure around the perimeter, gradually increasing the gap.

On models with glass back panels (such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra), the lid can crack, which is normal if there are no cracks. If you feel strong resistance, stop and heat again.

3. Unconnection of the cover

When the lid is separated around the perimeter, don't rush to remove it completely.

• 🔌 Fingerprint sensor plume (on models with a subscreen scanner).
• 🔊 Wire speaker or antenna NFC.
• 📶 Protective film on the battery (do not remove it!).

Carefully lift the lid and check if there are any attached parts. If the plumes are intruding, unplug them with plastic tweezers, pulling the connector instead of the wires.

Features of removing the lid on popular models

The design of the rear panel varies depending on the series and year of release, below are the key nuances for the most common models.

For models with an aluminum body (such as the Xiaomi Mix 4), be especially careful: the metal conducts heat, and when overheated, you can melt plastic clips inside.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi 12S The Ultra and Mi 11 Ultra rear panel is connected to the camera frame (watering water).When removing the cover, there is a risk of damage to the camera mechanism - if you are not sure, you should contact the service.

💡

If after removing the lid, you find that the battery is swelling, DO NOT try to puncture or bend it! gently disconnect the power plume (it is usually black) and dispose of the battery at a special reception point.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi, and here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Battery damage -- happens when you use metal tools or you put a lot of pressure on the center of the lid. Solution: always start at the edges and use plastic.
• 📸 Scratches on camera - lenses are covered with soft glass that is easy to scratch with a mediator.Solution: tape the camera with paint tape before heating up.
• 🔌 Fingerprint plume break is relevant for models with a subscreen scanner (Xiaomi 13 Pro). Solution: Before removing the lid, check if there are soldered wires.
• 💧 Getting alcohol on the screen - isopropyl alcohol can damage the oleophobic coating. Solution: apply alcohol only to the lid, not the display.
• 🔥 CPU overheating - if you heat the top too long, thermal throttling can go off.Solution: heat only the edges, avoiding the center.

Another common mistake is the wrong assembly, and after replacing the parts, many people forget:

• 🔄 Check that all plumes are connected (especially the display and proximity sensor).
• 🧲 Remove residues of old glue (they may interfere with the tight fit of the new cover).
• 🔧 Twisting all screws (Xiaomi often uses screws of different lengths – do not confuse them!).

💡

If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, check the battery and display plume connection first. 90% of the time, it's them, not the board, that's the problem.

How to Stick the Cover Back

If you remove the cover for repair, you need to properly install it back. Use double-sided tape or glue depending on the model:

• 📏 For plastic covers (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3):
• 🔮 For glass covers (Xiaomi 13, Mi 11):

Before adhesion:

1. Clean both surfaces with isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
2. Make sure all plumes and gaskets are in place.
3. Check the operation of all buttons and sensors until the final fixation.

For models with IP-certification (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) after assembly, it is recommended to check the leakproofness by immersion in water (but not deeper than 1 meter and not longer than 30 minutes).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the Xiaomi lid