The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but it requires care to repair it. The back of this device is not only attached to latches, but also on adhesive basis, which complicates the process of disassembling. If you plan to replace the battery, speaker or plumes, it is important to know how to properly remove the lid so as not to damage the fragile elements.
In this article, we'll go through the whole process in detail, from tool preparation to the final lid removal, learn what mistakes beginners most often make, how to avoid damaging flexible plumes, and what to do if the lid doesn't lend itself to, and for those who are afraid of taking risks, we'll give you alternative ways to access the insides of a smartphone without completely disassembling.
We warn you right away that the Redmi 5A will void the warranty (if it still works), if you're not sure you can, you better go to the service center, but if you decide to act on your own, follow our instructions Step-by-step.
Preparation for disassembly: tools and safety
Before you start removing the back cover, make sure you have everything you need. the Redmi 5A is not the most difficult to disassemble smartphone, but without the right tools you risk damaging the body or internal components.
Here is the minimum set you will need:
- 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - for gently putting the lid on. Metal tools can leave scratches!
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature not higher than 70)°C to avoid damaging the screen).
- 🧲 Suction cups (optional) – help lift the cover after heating.
- 📦 The screw container - at Redmi 5A They are few, but easy to lose.
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-residue.
- 🔋 Gloves (optional) – protection against static electricity.
Also, prepare your workspace: it should be clean, well-lit and without carpeting (static electricity can damage the motherboard), put a soft cloth or silicone mat on the table so as not to scratch your smartphone.
⚠️ Warning: Don't use a knife or screwdriver to lid the lid! Metal will slip easily and damage plumes or battery. Plastic blade is the only safe option.
Step 1: Turn off and discharging the smartphone
Before disassembling, be sure to turn off the Redmi 5A. To do this, press the power button and select Turn off. Wait for the screen to turn off completely - it will take a few seconds.
We also recommend that you drain the battery to 30-40%. Why is it important?
- 🔋 Too charged battery in case of accidental circuit can ignite.
- 🔌 The discharged battery is less heated when the lid is heated with a hairdryer.
- ⚡ Risk of damage to power controller in accidental contact with metal tools reduced.
If you are planning to replace the battery, discharge it to 10-15% – it will be easier to disconnect the power plume without the risk of short circuit.
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If the smartphone does not turn off due to freezing, press the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the restart. If this does not help, it is better to postpone the dismantling and first solve the problem with the software.
Step 2: Heating the back cover to soften the glue
The Redmi 5A back cover is glued around the perimeter, and you can't just take it off, so you need to heat the body evenly to make the glue elastic.
- Turn on the dryer at the minimum temperature (50-70°C).
- Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm from the cover.
- Heat in a circle, paying special attention to the corners - there is more glue.
- Continue for 2-3 minutes until the lid is warm to the touch.
Critical error: overheating above 80°C can warp plastic or damage the battery. If you don't have a thermometer, focus on the tactile sensation - the lid should be warm, but not hot.
An alternative way to heat up is to put your smartphone on a warm (not hot!) battery for 5-10 minutes, which is less efficient but safer for beginners.
Make sure the dryer is running at minimum power |
Check the temperature with your hand (not higher than 70 ° C) |
Heat evenly, without delay in one place |
Do not direct hot air to the screen or camera-->
Step 3: Finishing and removing the back cover
Once heated, we're going to get to the most critical stage, and you take a plastic blade and start gently putting the lid on the bottom left corner (near the charging connector). Why there?
- 🔌 There are fewer plumes in this place, the risk of damaging them is minimal.
- 📱 The glue is thinner here than at the top (where the camera is located).
Once the blade enters the gap by 1-2 mm, slowly lead it along the edge, gradually increasing the gap. Do not immediately try to tear off the lid - so you will tear the plumes!
When the lid is raised 3-5 mm, you can use suction cups (if any), attach them to the center of the lid and pull up, while putting the blade around the perimeter.
⚠️ Warning: If the lid fails, don't force it! 1-2 Too much pressure can break the latches or tear the plumes off the motherboard.
When the lid moves, carefully remove it, holding it by the edges. Don't pull the center, so you can damage the fingerprint scanner plume (if you have one in your modification).
What to do if the lid is cracked?
Trains and internal components: what not to touch
Once the lid is removed, you'll see the insides of the smartphone. In Redmi 5A, the following elements are the most vulnerable:
| Component | Risk of damage | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Battery plume | Short circuit, failure of the power controller | Disconnect only with a plastic blade, not with metal |
| The fingerprint scanner plume | The sensor is not working, the plume is required to be replaced | Do not pull the cover in the sensor area |
| Antenna contacts (metal springs) | Bad network signal, Wi-Fi problems | Don't touch your hands, don't bend. |
| Dynamician and microphone | Distorted sound, lack of microphone | Don't push the bottom of the fee |
If you need to disconnect the battery, do it first.
- Find a black plume with an orange connector (usually at the bottom of the board).
- Carefully tuck the connector with a plastic spatula.
- Don’t pull the wires, just the connector itself!
Once the battery is turned off, you can safely work with other components, but remember, each connector has its own shape - don't confuse them when you build them back!
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Turning off the battery is a must before any work with the insides of the smartphone. Even if it is discharged, the residual charge can cause a short circuit.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi 5A. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:
- 🔥 Overheating with a hairdryer → Use a thermometer or heat in short intervals (30 seconds of heating, 30 seconds of pause).
- 🔧 Use of metal tools → Just plastic or wooden sticks, and the metal conducts current and scratches the body.
- 📱 Abrupt removal of the lid → The glue can tear the plumes. 1-2 mm.
- 🔋 Forget to turn off the battery → Always disconnect it first, even if the smartphone is turned off.
- 🧲 Loss of screws → At Redmi. 5A screws are small and easily lost. Use a magnetic mat or container.
Another common problem is that the latches of the lid are damaged, and if you hear cracking when you're removing it, the plastic locks are broken, and then when you reassemble it, the lid will dangle.
- Use bilateral tape for fixation (temporary solution).
- Replace the cover with a new (permanent) solution.
If after the assembly of the smartphone does not turn on, check:
- Is the battery on?
- Have you seen any of the stains (visually see the stains).
- Are there any foreign objects (screws, fragments of plastic) left inside?
Reverse Assembly: How to properly close the cover
When the repair is done, you need to carefully assemble the smartphone back, and it's almost reversed to disassembly, but there are a few nuances:
- Clean the edges of the lid and the case of the old glue with isopropyl alcohol. This will ensure a tight fit.
- Check all the plumes -- they should be plugged in before you click. Pay special attention to the battery plume and the fingerprint scanner.
- Place the lid in place, starting at the top (where the camera is) and press carefully to keep the latches in place.
- Lock the lid. 5A can be used: 🧴 Two-way Scotch (cheap but short-lived solution). 🔥 Thermocle (more reliable, but requires heating at the next disassembly). 🔧 Special glue B-7000 (best-case).
After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:
- 📶 Network operation (call, check mobile Internet).
- 🔊 Sound in the speaker and microphone.
- 📷 Camera and fingerprint scanner (if any).
- 🔋 Charging (connect the charger).
⚠️ Warning: If after assembly, the smartphone warms up stronger than usual, immediately turn it off! This may indicate a short circuit or improper connection of the plumes.