Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 4A: how to carefully remove the back cover and not break the latches

The Xiaomi Mi 4A is a popular budget smartphone that, despite its simplicity of design, requires caution when disassembling. The back cover of this device is mounted on plastic latches that are easy to break when you are not tidy, and in this article you will find a step-by-step photo instruction, a list of necessary tools, and typical mistakes that beginners make.

It's important to understand that disassembling a smartphone will void Xiaomi's warranty if it's still valid. If you're looking at replacing a battery, a speaker, or another module, evaluate your strength: some operations (like unplugging plumes) require soldering skills. For simple tasks like cleaning dust or replacing a protective film, it's enough to carefully remove the lid and not touch the internal components.

In this article, we will focus on the rear panel dismantling, and if you need information on further disassembly (such as how to get a motherboard or replace a camera), click on the links at the end of the article, and we have prepared video instructions and latches layouts so that you can visually evaluate the process before you start working.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start removing the lid, prepare the workspace and tools.

• 🔧 Plastic spatula (a mediator or a special tool for disassembling smartphones) – metal objects can scratch the body.
• 🔥 A dryer or thermo-air station (optional, but will help soften the glue if the cover is glued).
• 📦 Helical containers — Mi 4A have few, but easy to lose.
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, size) PH00 or PH0).
• 📸 Smartphone for photography – fix the location of parts before disassembling.

Note: in some versions of the Xiaomi Mi 4A (for example, the Mi 4A Horizon Edition), the cover can be additionally fixed with glue around the perimeter. If you feel resistance when trying to remove it, do not apply force - first warm up the body with a hairdryer (temperature not higher than 60 ° C, so as not to damage the screen).

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a knife or screwdriver to jack the lid - this almost always leads to chipped plastic. If you don't have a plastic shoulder blade, take a guitar mediator or even a bank card (but it's less convenient).

Also prepare the surface: put a soft cloth or rubber mat on the table to avoid scratching the screen. If you're taking your smartphone apart for the first time, watch video reviews of the disassembly of this particular model - the Mi 4A has mounting features that are not obvious at first glance (for example, hidden latches near the headphone jack).

Rear lid attachment scheme: where are the latches located

The Xiaomi Mi 4A rear panel is held on 8-10 plastic latches located around the perimeter of the body, and the exact number depends on the modification of the device, but most of them are concentrated in the following zones:

• 🔺 The top (near the headphone jack) is a 2–3 latch that often breaks when opened sloppy.
• 🔻 The bottom (near the Micro-USB connector) is usually 2 latches, one of which may be hidden under the sticker.
• ⬅️ Left side (on the side of the volume buttons) - 1-2 latches, one of them is closer to the upper corner.
• ➡️ Right side (on the power button side) - the latch is smaller, but they are more fragile.

Below is a table with the exact location of the mounts for the standard version of the Mi 4A (excluding modifications such as Pro or Horizon):

If your Mi 4A has been repaired before, perhaps the master used glue to fix the lid. In this case, before disassembling, be sure to warm up the body with a hairdryer for 2-3 minutes, holding it at a distance of 10-15 cm.

Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover without damage

Now, let's get to the practice. Follow the instructions strictly by step, without missing the steps. If you feel resistance, stop and double-check if all the latches are snapped.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the SIM- card from the tray. This will prevent the contacts from accidentally closing.
2. Warm up the body with a hair dryer (if you suspect glue), start at the top, then move around the perimeter.
3. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body, and it is better to start at the lower right corner, there is less risk of damage to the plumes.
4. Carefully drive the blade along the edge, snapping the latches. Don't try to remove the lid immediately - move gradually, 1-2 cm at a time.
5. When all the latches are snapped, lift the lid on the bottom side. Don't pull it up -- first check if the battery plume or the antenna is interfering.

If the lid doesn't give in, don't force it.

• 🔍 You missed the latch (check the top left corner, it's the most fragile there).
• 🔥 The glue will not warm up (repeat the heat with a hairdryer).
• 🔌 The battery or antenna plume is glued to the lid (take care of it with a spatula).

1.The smartphone is off and cooled (if warmed with a hairdryer)

2 SIM- Card and memory card removed

3.Scape inserted into lower right corner

4. The latches are flicked around the perimeter (visually verified)

5. No resistance when lifting the lid

-->

When the lid is removed, place it on a soft surface with the inner side upwards so as not to scratch. Notice the rubber pads around the camera and the speaker - they often stick to the lid and can get lost. Also check if there are any small parts left on the body (for example, metal clamps for antennas).

💡

If you plan to work with the insides of the smartphone for a long time, glue the screen with paint tape - this will protect it from accidental scratches when manipulating the screwdriver.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 4A. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

1. Broken latches. The reason is to try to tear the lid off by force without breaking all the mounts. Solution: use two blades at once, leading them towards each other from opposite angles.
2. The battery plume is damaged, often accidentally hit by a spatula when the lid is lifted, so make sure that the plume is reaching behind it before removing the lid (take care of it).
3. Scratches on the body. They occur with metal tools. Solution: wrap the tip of the screwdriver with tape or use only plastic blades.
4. The screws in the Mi 4A are small and easily rolled around the table. Solution: use a magnetic mat or a compartment container.

⚠️ Warning: If you see the battery swelling after the lid is removed (as seen from the deformation of the case), stop disassembling immediately! The bloated battery may ignite when mechanically exposed, in which case take the smartphone to a battery recycling service center.

Another common mistake is to overheat the body with a hair dryer. If the temperature exceeds 70°C, the screen may damage or small components on the board will become soldered off. To avoid this, keep the hair dryer at a distance of 15 cm and constantly move it without staying in one place. You can also use an infrared thermometer (if any) to monitor the temperature.

If you remove the battery replacement lid, look at the two stickers under the battery that close the motherboard mount screws. Don't lose them, otherwise the case may creak after assembly. Also check if the insulation film under the battery is torn - if so, replace it with a new one (you can cut it out of scotch).

What to do if the cover is broken: ways to repair

If, despite all the precautions, the latch or part of the lid cracks, don't panic. There are several ways to restore the integrity of the shell:

• 🔧 Plastic glue (e.g. Loctite Plastics Bonding System) Suitable for gluing cracks on the lid. Liquidate the surface with alcohol before gluing.
• 🔥 Plastic soldering. This requires a soldering iron with a temperature of 200-250 °C and a solder for plastic (like Polypropylene Welding Rods). It's a complicated but reliable method.
• 📦 Replacement of the cover. On AliExpress or in service centers, you can buy a new rear panel for Mi 4A (cost from 300 to 800 rubles depending on color).
• 🧲 Use of double-sided tape. Temporary solution: glue the breakaway part with tape from the inside, but remember, it's short-lived.

If the lid is not cracked, but the frame of the case (for example, near the headphone jack), repair is complicated, in which case the only reliable option is to replace the frame, which requires a complete dismantling of the smartphone.

⚠️ Warning: If you use glue to repair the lid, do not apply it to the antenna contact areas (they are located on the sides of the case).

To temporarily fix the broken cover, you can use thermal glue (applied with a gun). It holds tight, but when heated (for example, if the smartphone is under load for a long time) it can move away. Also avoid getting glue on rubber pads around the speaker and microphone - this will worsen the sound.

💡

If the headphone lid cracks near the headphone jack, don't try to glue it together -- the next time you plug in the headphones, it'll break permanently. You'd better replace the headphone right away.

Smartphone Assembly: How to properly install the lid back

Putting the lid in place often raises more questions than removing it. Here is a step-by-step guide to how to assemble the Xiaomi Mi 4A without creaking or gaping:

1. Check all the rubber gaskets. They should be in their places (near the speaker, camera and microphone). If the gaskets are lost, cut new ones out of thin rubber.
2. Make sure the battery plume is not twisted. It should lie loose, without tension.
3. Line the lid up the grooves. Start at the top, then gently press the bottom so the latches fall into place.
4. Swipe your hand around the perimeter to see if there are any gaps. If the lid doesn't fit tightly, check if something inside is disturbing (such as a detached plume).
5. Twirl the screws (if you have twisted them). In the Mi 4A, there are usually 4-5 screws: two near the Micro-USB connector and 2-3 under the stickers.

If after assembly the cover creaks when pressed, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🔧 The screws are twisted too much (weaken them by half a turn).
• 📦 There was dirt or dust between the case and the lid (disassemble and clean).
• 🔥 The gaskets under the speaker or camera have shifted (check their location).

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• 📶 Cellular network signal and Wi-Fi (if antennas don't connect, the signal will be weak).
• 🔊 Speaker sound (if the gasket shifts, the sound will be muted).
• 📷 Camera performance (sometimes the camera plume is clamped with the lid).

If something is not working properly, take the smartphone apart again and check if the plumes or contacts are clamped. In the Xiaomi Mi 4A, the most common type of touchscreen plume is the one that runs along the right side of the body and can be clamped with a lid if it is crooked.

Video Instructions and Additional Materials

For clarity, we have prepared a selection of videos, which shows the process of disassembling Xiaomi Mi 4A with the comments of the masters:

• 🎥 Disassembly of Mi 4A in 5 minutes is a step-by-step video explaining the location of the latches.
• 🎥 Replace the battery in Mi 4A – This shows how to remove the lid without damage (from 1:20 to 3:45).
• 🎥 Cleaning the smartphone from dust - demonstration of disassembly with an emphasis on cleaning the insides.

We also recommend downloading the disassembly scheme in PDF (link below), where all screws and plumes are marked:

📄 Download the Xiaomi Mi disassembly scheme 4A

If you plan not only to remove the lid, but also to carry out more serious repairs (for example, replace the screen or motherboard), study the following materials:

• 🔧 Replacement of the Mi 4A display - instruction with a photo and a list of tools.
• 🔋 How to extend the life of a battery - tips on calibrating and replacing the battery.
• 📡 Wi-Fi antenna repair – what to do if your smartphone is not catching the network well.

If you still have questions about the disassembly, ask them in the comments - we or other readers will help with the advice, and you can find the answers in our frequently asked questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)