How to carefully remove the back cover of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro: tools, risks and step-by-step analysis

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but even after years of repair, owners face the need to repair everything from replacing the battery to cleaning the connectors. The first and most important step in any such repair is to remove the back cover. It would seem that this is difficult? However, improper dismantling can lead to cracks in the case, a break in the plume of the fingerprint scanner or damage to the antenna contacts.

In this article, we will look at three officially approved methods of removing the lid (including the method with and without heating), list the necessary tools with links to trusted suppliers, and show which latches break most often and how to restore them without a soldering iron.

If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, don't worry. Our guide is for beginners, but it also has nuances that don't even appear in service manuals, like why the lid can stick to the case after a year of use, and how to fix it without a hairdryer.

Preparation: What you will need before the disassembly

Before you start a screwdriver, make sure you have everything you need. Lacking at least one tool can turn a simple procedure into a nightmare. Without a plastic blade, for example, you risk scratching the body or tearing off the latches, and without a suction cup, breaking the glass if the lid is too tight.

Here is the minimum set we recommend:

• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers (required with Torx bits) T3 and Phillips PH00 — others won't fit!).
• 🧲 Suction (diameter 4-5 cm, better with a metal ring for fastening).
• 📏 Plastic mediators (2-3 pieces, 0.1–0.2 mm thick).
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (if the cover does not respond to the cold method).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (cleaning contacts after disassembly).
• 📦 Container for screws (so as not to lose small parts).

Where to buy? We tested tools with AliExpress (HWTOOL Store), Beru (Tool for All seller) and the offline Chip and Deep network. The best price-performance ratio was a set of 800 rubles with 24 bits and a sucker. If you don't want to wait for delivery, a similar kit costs ~ 1,200 rubles to Chip and Deep, but you can pick it up today.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use metal blades or knives! Even if you see them on YouTube, the risk of scratching the case or closing the fee is too high. Plastic mediators cost 50 rubles for 10 pieces - don't skimp on it.

Method 1: Cold dismantling (without heating)

This is suitable if the lid was not glued too much in the factory (for example, after previous repairs), the main advantage is that there is no risk of overheating the battery or display, minus - you will need more strength and accuracy.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-card from the tray (it can interfere with the).
2. Apply the suction cup closer to the bottom edge of the lid (where the charging connector is) and press it to hold tightly.
3. Pull the suction cup up with a force of 2-3 kg (no more, otherwise you will break the glass!). If the lid does not lend itself, do not pull harder, go to the method with heating.
4. Insert a plastic mediator into the gap, and gently swipe it around the perimeter, snapping the clamps, and start at the bottom corner, and there are fewer plumes.
5. When all the latches are snapped, remove the lid, holding it by the upper edge (there is a fingerprint scanner plume!).

If the lid doesn't respond even after a few attempts, don't use excessive force, which means that the glue is too strong in 90% of cases and needs to be softened with heat.

The smartphone is off and discharged to 20-30%|SIM-map and memory card retrieved|Suction cup clean and dry|Mediators on hand (2-3 stuff)|The workplace is lit and free from debris-->

Method 2: Heated disassembly (for “stiff” covers)

This method is mandatory if the smartphone fell into the water, long been in use in hot climates or has already been dealt with using glue. Heating softens the adhesive, but it is important not to overheat - temperatures above 60 ° C can damage the battery or display.

Algorithm of action:

1. Put the smartphone on a heat-resistant surface (ceramic tiles, glass).
2. Heat the hair dryer of the edge of the cover (not the center!) for 1-2 minutes, holding it at a distance of 5-7 cm The air temperature is 50-60 ° C (if the hair dryer without a thermometer, focus on the sensation: the hand should endure, but not burn).
3. While the lid is warm, repeat the cold steps (suction cup + mediator) and the glue should be easier to use.
4. If the lid is cold but it's not off, heat it up again. Don't try to push it down.

What if you don't have a hair dryer on hand? You can use hot water (not boiling water!): pour 50-60°C water into a bowl and hold your smartphone over the steam for 30 to 40 seconds, which is less effective, but sometimes helps.

⚠️ Warning: Never heat the camera or display area! overheating the matrix can cause broken pixels, and a lithium-polymer battery at temperatures above 70°C begins to degrade at an accelerated rate.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi 4 Pro. TOP-5 Problems that users turn to service centers after self-repair:

Pay special attention to the screws: in the Redmi 4 Pro, there are 12 of them, and they differ in length! If you confuse the long and short places, you can damage the board. We recommend taking a picture of their location before extraction or using a magnetic mat with markings.

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If the lid latch is broken, don't rush to glue it with superglue! In most cases, just drop cyanoacrylate adhesive (like Loctite 401) into the mounting site and press the lid for 10-15 seconds, which glue does not conduct electricity and will not damage the antenna.

What to do if the cover is removed, but the smartphone does not turn on?

If after disassembly Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro does not respond to the power button, do not panic. 80% of the time the problem is solved without a soldering iron.

1. Check the battery: if it's swelling or if it shows signs of oxidation, it needs to be replaced. You can't put the bloated battery back in!
2. Look at the plumes, and often when you disassemble, you'll see the plume of the display or the power buttons go away. You'll need to carefully plug them back in.
3. Check the screws: if some screw is not screwed or screwed to the end, the board can shorten.
4. Connect charging: sometimes after disassembly, the smartphone does not turn on due to a dead battery. Wait 10-15 minutes.
5. Reset: If the smartphone vibrates but does not load, try pinching Power + Volume up for 10 seconds to reset.

If nothing has worked, the problem may be damage to the board (for example, static electricity), in which case it is better to contact the service, the average cost of diagnosis in Moscow is 500-800 rubles.

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The most common reason for not turning on after disassembly is a disconnected battery or display plume. Always check them first!

How to assemble the smartphone back: nuances

Building the Redmi 4 Pro after repair is as important as disassembling, and here are the key points that 90% of users miss:

• 🔋 Battery: Before installation, wipe its contacts with isopropyl alcohol. This will remove oxides and improve contact.
• 📶 Antenna contacts: make sure that the metallic "trousers" on the lid fit tightly to the board. If they are bent, straighten carefully with tweezers.
• 🔧 Screw them cross-curl (like a car wheel) so that the lid sits evenly. Start with the corners.
• 👆 The fingerprint scanner plume: it should lie flat, without inflections. If it gets dented, replace it (worth it). ~300 rubles).
• 🧲 Back cover: press it evenly, starting from the center. If you hear clicks, then the latches have fallen into place.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• Is the fingerprint scanner working?
• If you are not, check the antenna contacts.
• Is the battery charging?
• Are the speakers and microphone working?

If something doesn't work, take your smartphone apart again and check the plumes, and 95 percent of the time, they're the problem.

Alternative methods: when standard methods do not work

Sometimes the Redmi 4 Pro lid is so tight that neither heat nor suction will help, and in such cases alternative methods can be tried, but they require caution:

The thread method:

1. Insert a thin kapron thread (for example, from a balloon) into the gap between the lid and the body.
2. Carefully cut the thread back and forth, as if you were cutting butter. The glue will cut.
3. When the thread passes around the perimeter, the lid will be removed without effort.

Credit card method:

If you don't have a mediator, you can use an old plastic card, cut it across the width of your smartphone, then gently insert it into the slot, swaying from side to side, and the key is not to push too hard so you don't break the latches.

⚠️ Attention: These methods are risky! A thread can cut plumes, and a credit card can scratch the case. Use them only if other methods have failed and you are ready for possible repairs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro