Xiaomi Redmi 4 smartphones, released in 2016, are still popular due to their reliability and autonomy. However, time spares no one: batteries degrade, charging connectors shatter, and screens break when falling. Self-repairing the device is often the only way to extend the life of the gadget without unnecessary costs.
The process of dismantling the body of this machine has its own characteristics, which distinguish it from modern monoblocks with glass rear panels. This model uses a removable plastic cover, which greatly simplifies access to the internal components. You do not need industrial hair dryers or complex chemical solutions to soften the adhesive.
However, careless handling of the locks can cause plastic latches to break or damage to the plumes. Before starting any manipulation, you need to clearly understand the sequence of actions. This guide will help you safely open the Redmi 4 case to replace the battery, screen or other components.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Quality preparation is key to successful repairs. Despite the relative simplicity of the design, using inappropriate items like knives or needles can cause scratches on the frame or damage to the internal plumes. You will need a minimal but specific set of tools.
The main tool will be a plastic blade or a mediator, metal tools are not recommended, as they can damage the texture of the plastic or accidentally close contacts on the board, and a suction cup will also be useful for neatly removing the lid from the frame.
- 🛠️ Plastic blade or mediator for snapping latches.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or screw container to avoid losing small details.
- 📱 Suction cup for accurate opening of the body without damage.
- 🧤 Antistatic gloves to protect electronics from static voltage.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting work, be sure to turn off your smartphone. Attempting to disconnect the plumes under voltage can lead to a short circuit and failure of the power controller.
Organize your workspace so that light falls evenly and small parts don't roll far. Lack of dust and foreign objects will reduce the risk of screws being lost or debris getting into the device. Prepare all tools in advance so you don't get distracted in the process.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
Design features of the Redmi 4 body
Understanding how the Xiaomi Redmi 4 works inside helps avoid fatal disassembly errors. Unlike many modern smartphones, the back panel is not glued around the perimeter, it is held solely on plastic clip latches located throughout the circuit.
Inside the case, there's a metal frame that attaches the motherboard and the battery, which provides additional stiffness and protects the electronics, and the screws that hold the board are only accessible when the back cover is removed.
It's important to note the location of the modules. The cameras, the display plumes and the battery connectors are under protective metal screens or plastic plugs. Careful removal of the lid is critical so that these sensitive elements are not caught or damaged.
| Component | Location. | Type of attachment | Risk of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back cover. | External perimeter | Plastic latches | Medium (splinter plastic) |
| Battery | Central part | Double-sided scotch | High (puncture, bloating) |
| Display plume | Top of the pay | Connector + clamping bar | High (tearing tracks) |
| Main camera. | Upper corner | Planting place + train | Medium (lens scratch) |
The design allows for battery replacement without fully disassembling the device, which is a big plus for users, but further screw-unscrewing work will be required to replace the charging connector or speaker.
Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover
The process of removing the lid does not require physical force, but it requires consistency. Start by looking for a small recess or notch in the end of the device, usually on the side or bottom, which is a technological gap for ease of opening.
Put the edge of a plastic shoulder blade or thumbnail in that gap, and push it in smoothly but confidently, and then you'll hear the characteristic click, which means that the first latch is unlocked.
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Start the autopsy at the bottom corner of your smartphone, closer to the charging jack, and the plastic is often slightly less rigid, and it's easier to find a starting point for the shoulder blade.
Go around in circles, snapping clips one by one. Don't try to remove the lid until you've passed the entire perimeter. A sharp jerk can break one of the latches, and then the lid will dangle or not hold tight after assembly.
Once all the latches around the perimeter are freed, the lid should be easily removed. If it holds tight, check if any area is blocked. In the Redmi 4, you sometimes need to move lightly to the breakaway after passing a lap.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal objects (knives, scalpels) for the lid. Sharp metal can slip and damage the battery, causing it to ignite or explode.
Once you've made sure the lid is removed, inspect the insides for dust or damage, and you can now access the battery and the main components, and you may need to unscrew the screws to continue replacing the components.
Replacement of the battery and access to internal components
Once you remove the lid, you get access to a battery that's removable in the Redmi 4, but it's attached to double-sided tape, so you can't just pull it out with your fingers, and you need to be careful not to damage the polymer battery case.
To remove the battery, you'd better use a thin plastic card or a special spatula. Carefully tuck the edge of the battery and, swaying from side to side, gradually separate it from the body. Don't make sudden movements.
- 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard before retrieval.
- 🧩 Carefully peel off the old battery, it is not necessary to heat up, but you can slightly.
- 🧼 Clean the seat of old glue before installing a new battery.
- 🔌 Connect a new battery and check the smartphone’s reaction before the final assembly.
If your goal is to replace the screen or other components, you'll need to remove the metal frame screwed up. The screws can be of different lengths, so sort them as you twist them out so you don't get confused when you build them.
Nuances of plume work
After installing a new battery or doing other work, check the health of the device. Turn on the smartphone without closing the lid completely to make sure that the display is working and the touch screen responds to touch.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The assembly is done in reverse order. Make sure all plumes are securely snapped in the connectors. The characteristic click when installing the connectors is a good sign, but visual inspection also does not hurt. Metal clamping slats should be returned to their places and fixed by screws.
When you put the back cover in, first align the top of the camera, then smoothly press the other edges. You should hear a series of clicks around the perimeter. If the cover doesn't fit tightly, check if the plume or debris has been caught under the latch.
The final check includes testing all the features: calls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cameras and speakers, and make sure the touch screen is responsive throughout the area and there are no dead zones.
⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't rush to disassemble it again. First, connect the charger to the device. 10-15 minutes - the battery may have been completely discharged during the operation.
A well-assembled device should not emit extraneous sounds (squeaking, crunch) when compressed in the hand. The gaps between the lid and the frame should be minimal and uniform throughout the perimeter of the body.
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The main criterion for successful assembly is the absence of unnecessary parts and uniform fit of the lid throughout the perimeter without gaps.
Typical errors and troubleshooting
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes. One of the most common problems when working with Xiaomi Redmi 4 is damage to the main camera plume or display plume when the lid is not neatly removed. If the screen remains black after assembly, check the connection of the plume.
Another common mistake is losing the screws or putting a long screw in the hole for a short one, which can damage the motherboard or not be able to twist the screw to the end. Always use a magnetic mat or layout.
Sometimes users forget to plug in the vibrator connector or the main speaker, and as a result, the phone works, but it doesn't make any sounds or vibrate, and it takes a minute to check all the connectors before closing the lid, but it saves you from re-disassembling.
- 📉 Screen not working: check the density of the display plume landing.
- 🔇 No sound: make sure the plume of the lower speaker is connected.
- 📸 Camera writes error: check the connector of the camera module.
- 🔋 Phone doesn't see charging: inspect MicroUSB connector for contamination.
If you're faced with a problem you can't solve, don't use force. You'd better study the circuit again or consult the professionals. Patience is the repairman's main tool.