Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 6: how to remove the back cover without scratches and chips

Xiaomi Mi 6 is the iconic 2017 smartphone that is still in demand today thanks to its powerful hardware and compact dimensions. But even such a reliable device has problems over time: battery drains, the camera breaks or a charging connector needs to be replaced. In most cases, the rear cover must be removed for repairs, a task that scares many users from the risk of damaging the fragile glass coating.

Unlike today’s flagships with adhesive structures, the Mi 6 is relatively simple, but it has its own nuances: the lid is attached to latches and double-sided tape, and improper exposure can lead to cracks or peeling of antenna lines. In this guide, we will discuss safe ways to dismantle, list the necessary tools and show you how to avoid typical mistakes. If you have never taken smartphones apart, do not worry: with the right approach, the process will take no more than 15 minutes.

Preparation for the disassembly: what will be needed

Before you start removing the lid, make sure you have everything you need. Xiaomi Mi 6 does not require professional equipment, but without special tools, the risk of damage increases significantly.

• 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - for gently putting the lid. Metal tools can not be used, they scratch the glass.
• 🔥 A hair dryer or a thermo-air station is for softening the glue, and even a household hair dryer, but with temperature adjustment, is fine.
• 🧲 Suction (optional) - helps to evenly lift the cover after heating.
• 📦 The screw container -- there's not many of them in the Mi 6, but it's easy to lose.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — for cleaning glue residues during reassembly.

If you plan to disassemble the entire system (for example, to replace the battery), additionally prepare:

• ⚡ Screwdriver. T3 — motherboard-mounting screw.
• 🔋 New battery (if you need to replace) – original art. MBJ403800 analogue Baseus/Remax.
• 📏 Plastic tweezers - to disconnect plumes.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use knives, screwdrivers or other sharp objects to lick the lid! Mi 6 glass is thinner than it looks and cracks easily at point pressure. Even microcracks will then cause the panel to collapse completely.

Critical detail: in Xiaomi Mi 6 antenna lines run under a glass cover. If you sloppy dismantling, you can break copper or tear contacts, which will lead to loss of network or Wi-Fi. If you are not sure of your abilities, you better contact the service.

Step 1: Turn off and warm up your smartphone

The first and most important step is to completely shut down the power, and even if the battery is dead, there may be residual charges on the motherboard that will damage the components when disassembled.

1. Hold the power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out.
2. Connect your smartphone to charging for 1-2 minutes, then turn it off. This will relieve the residual voltage.
3. Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if installed) - they can interfere with the lid lid.

Now you have to soften the glue that holds the lid.

• Turn on the dryer at the minimum temperature (up to 60).°C).
• Heat the back evenly, driving the hair dryer in a circle for 2-3 minutes. Pay special attention to the edges.
• Do not direct hot air to the camera or connectors – this can damage plastic parts.

⚠️ Warning: Don't overheat your smartphone! If the case gets hot to the touch, pause. Overheating can warp the battery or melt the internals.

Checking the glue's readiness is simple: press the lid slightly near the charging socket. If it's playing a little, you can start removing it. If not, warm up for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 2: Careful putting the lid down

The most important thing is the first separation of the lid from the housing, where it is important to choose the right place and apply the force at the right angle. USB-C):

1. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the case. The optimal place is the lower right corner (there are fewer plumes).
2. Carefully press and swipe along the edge to separate the latches. Don't try to tear the lid off right away - this will lead to cracks!
3. As soon as a gap of 1-2 mm appears, insert a second blade or mediator into it to fix the position.

Now, gradually move along the side faces. In Mi 6, the latches are arranged as follows:

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't force it! Go back to the hair dryer for another 1-2 minutes. A common mistake of beginners is to try to tear the panel off with a jerk.

• 🔴 Glass cracks (especially in corners).
• 📶 Disruption of antenna lines (loss of network signal).
• 📷 Damage to the camera plume (black screen when shooting).

Once the lid is 70 to 80 percent apart, don't take it off completely! There are plumes underneath that of the fingerprint scanner and the antenna modules that are easy to tear. Raise the panel 45.° And look inside -- if you see thin orange or black ribbons, you need to gently disconnect them.

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If the lid is lifted but not removed, check to see if there are any unconnected latches at the top. Often the last pair of mounts is near the camera module.

Step 3: Unconnect the plumes and completely remove the lid

When the lid is lifted, you'll see a few flexible plumes that connect it to the motherboard. The Xiaomi Mi 6 has three:

1. The fingerprint scanner plume (black, wide) goes from the home button.
2. Antenna contacts (thin copper tracks) - on the sides.
3. The plume of the additional microphone (optional, in some versions).

To disconnect them:

• 🔧 Use a plastic tweezer or spatula.
• Carefully tuck the white connector (it's on the latch) and pull the plume up. Don't pull the wires!
• If the plume doesn't come out, check if there's any tape that's locked in, and sometimes it's glued to the connector.

Once all the plumes are disconnected, you can completely remove the lid, put it on a soft surface (like a microfiber) with glass upwards to avoid scratching.

• 🧹 Bilateral Scotch Fragments (remove them with alcohol).
• 🔋 Thermopaste residues (if the cover has been in contact with the processor).
• 📶 Antenna stickers (don't tear them off - this will worsen the signal!).

⚠️ Warning: If you see a bloated battery after you remove the lid, don't continue disassembling it! This battery can ignite at the slightest damage.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 6. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:

Pay special attention to the antenna lines. In the Mi 6, they're under a glass lid and glued to it. If you notice that after assembly, the network signal or Wi-Fi signal deteriorated, the antennas probably left.

• 📶 Check the integrity of the copper tracks (they should be without tears).
• 🔧 Carefully press them back and fix them with scotch.
• 🔄 If the signal is not restored, the antenna module will need to be replaced.

Another common problem is creaking after assembly, which occurs when:

• 🔩 The motherboard's attachment screws are short-lived.
• 🧲 The residue of glue fell between the lid and the body.
• 📱 The cover is uneven (check the gaps around the perimeter).

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If the smartphone doesn't turn on after disassembly, check the battery and the display plume connection. In 90% of cases, the problem is in them, not in the board.

← How to Put Everything Back in Place

Building Xiaomi Mi 6 after repair is as important as disassembling it, and it's all about accuracy and consistency.

1. Clean the surfaces of old glue and dust with isopropyl alcohol, pay special attention to the places where the antennas are attached.
2. Check the plumes for integrity. If there's damage, replace them before assembly.
3. Apply new glue (optional). Double-sided Scotch will do for Mi 6. 3M 9448A liquid-glue B-7000. Apply a thin layer only on the edges!
4. Connect the plumes in reverse order: first the antenna, then the fingerprint scanner, then the camera (if you shot).
5. Set the lid, starting at the top, and it should be in place with a slight click. Don't push too hard.
6. Check the perimeter gaps, and if the lid is breaking, it's not in the latch.

After assembly:

• ⚡ Don't turn your smartphone on right away. Wait 10-15 minutes for the glue to grab.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to 50% before first switching on (if the battery is replaced).
• 📶 Check the operation of all modules: camera, fingerprint scanner, network and Wi-Fi.

If something is not working properly:

• 📵 No network? - Check the antenna contacts.
• 🔍 Does the fingerprint scanner not work? - Reconnect the plume.
• 📷 Is the camera making a mistake? - Clean the connectors from dust.

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone starts to overheat after assembly, you probably forgot to apply the heat paste to the processor (in the Mi 6, it is sometimes glued to the lid.

When is the best time to contact the service

While disassembling the Xiaomi Mi 6 is relatively simple, there are situations where self-repair is not recommended.

• 🔥 Battery swells or deforms (risk of fire!).
• 💧 On the board visible traces of oxidation or corrosion (requires cleaning with ultrasound).
• 🔧 Chip replacements (for example, a charging controller or memory module).
• 📡 Network signal problems after failed disassembly (replacement of antenna unit may be required).
• 🔄 The smartphone doesn’t turn on and you’re not sure why (diagnostics without equipment is impossible).

The cost of disassembling Mi 6 in the service varies from 500 to 1500 rubles, depending on the task:

If you decide to repair your smartphone yourself, but something went wrong, don’t try to “finish” the work without experience. For example, soldering chips requires professional equipment (sweeping station, microscope), and restoration of antennas – special glue and press, in such cases, savings on service often turn out to be more expensive repairs.

Remember, the Xiaomi Mi 6 is a 2017 smartphone, and parts are getting scarcer. If you damage the board or break the glass, it will be difficult to find the original parts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Mi 6