Owners of Xiaomi’s popular Redmi series of smartphones often face the need to replace or remove the protective film on the display. The Redmi 4X model, released several years ago, is still in active use, and the issue of its screen care remains relevant for thousands of users. Sometimes the protective coating cracks when falling, but the display itself remains intact, and the task is to carefully remove the glass fragments without damaging the matrix.
The dismantling procedure seems simple, but requires some training and knowledge of the nuances of the device design. Wrong actions can damage the oleophobic coating or, in the worst case, to fail the touch screen. In this article, we will discuss proven methods that will allow you to safely perform work at home using a minimum set of tools.
Before you start to act, you need to assess the status of the current coating. If the glass is broken into a small crumb, the risk of damage to the screen increases many times. Oleophobic coating is a thin layer that is applied to the glass to protect against fingerprints, and it is easily damaged by sharp objects. Be extremely careful and follow the instructions below.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
The quality of the work depends on the preparation. You need a clean, well-lit space where nothing will distract from the process. Dust and small villi are the main enemies when working with screens, so it is recommended to wipe the table with a damp cloth and let it dry.
To successfully remove the protective glass from the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, you will need a specific set of tools. Do not try to replace professional devices with kitchen knives or pins, as the risk of damage to the matrix is too great. Medical alcohol and lilaless wipes will be your best assistants in cleaning the surface after dismantling.
The main tools that need to be prepared in advance:
- 🔧 Plastic card or special mediator for opening (suction cup).
- 🧴 A bottle with isopropyl alcohol or a special liquid for glue removal.
- 🧼 Microfibre or lilac-free wipes for screen wipe.
- 💡 Desktop lamp for good lighting of the working area.
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal blades or knives to pluck glass on a phone that is turned on.This can short-circuit or mechanically damage the matrix.
Make sure all tools are on hand to keep your search out of the way.The Redmi 4X has a fairly standard design, but accuracy is above all else.If you have the option, wear an antistatic bracelet, although this is not strictly a requirement for such a simple operation.
Heating method for softening glue
Most high-quality protective glasses are attached to the screen with silicone glue, which becomes elastic as the temperature rises. Heating is a key step that greatly simplifies the task and reduces the risk of breaking the display. However, it is important not to overdo it, since the lithium polymer battery, located immediately below the screen, does not like high temperatures.
The optimal heating tool is a normal hair dryer. Set it at a medium temperature and keep it 5-7 centimeters from the surface of the screen. Movements should be circular and constant so that heat is distributed evenly throughout the Redmi 4X area.
💡
Do not use a building dryer or open flame - the temperature can exceed 80 degrees, which will lead to detachment of the plumes or bloating of the battery.
The heating process usually takes 1 to 2 minutes. Periodically check the temperature by touching the screen with the back of your palm - it should become warm but not scalding. If the glass is too hot, let the device cool a little. This method is especially effective for full-coated glasses that come into curved edges.
There is an alternative, but less recommended, method of using hot water, which can be wiped with a cloth moistened in hot water, but it is less effective at evenly warming the glue under the entire glass area. It is better to spend a couple of minutes on a neat heater with a hairdryer than risk the integrity of the display.
Safely unplugged glass technique
Once the glue is heated, you can start the most critical step: take a plastic card or a suction cup. If you use a suction cup, attach it to the center or bottom of the glass and gently pull it up to create tension. If there is no suction cup, use a thin plastic mediator.
Insert the edge of the plastic into the gap between the protective glass and the screen frame. Normally, there's always a microscopic gap in the corner of the Redmi 4X, or a place where the glass is moving away a little bit. Move the plastic slowly, trying to cut through the adhesive layer rather than tearing the glass off with a jerk.
☑️ Algorithm for glass removal
Move from center to edge, or from corner to corner, gradually separating the glass. It's important to keep the tool at a minimum angle to the surface, almost parallel to the display. If you feel strong resistance, stop and warm up the problem area again with a hairdryer.
The following table will help you compare different removal methods depending on the state of the glass:
| Status of glass | Recommended method | Risks. | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole, no cracks. | Heating with a hair dryer + suction cup | Minimum | 5-7 minutes |
| Cracks at the edges | Heating + Scotch (for fixation) | Medium (sleeping) | 10-15 minutes. |
| Broken to a crumb | Scotch all over the surface | High (damage to the matrix) | 20-30 minutes. |
| Hydrogel film | Hands removed without heating | Absent. | 1-2 minutes |
⚠️ Warning: If the glass cracks radially from the center, don't press the center. The pressure can be overflowed onto the matrix, and black spots or stripes will appear on the screen.
What to do if the glass is broken into a crumb
The most difficult situation is when the protective glass has turned into a small grid of cracks, and in this case, the standard methods with a suction cup don't work, because the glass just crumbles in your hands, and here comes the usual wide tape or transparent stationery tape.
The first thing you do is you stick a cross-stretch tape across the entire surface of the broken glass, and this creates a kind of frame that holds the pieces together and prevents them from cruising inside the case or scratching the matrix when you remove them, and once the whole surface is glued, you can carefully heat the edges and try to remove the whole structure.
Alternative glue method
If the glass is coming out in pieces, take your time.Shoot small fragments as you gradually move towards the center.Use tweezers with curved ends to remove large fragments, but act extremely carefully.The IPS matrix installed in the Redmi 4X is quite strong, but its upper polarizing layer is very sensitive to scratches.
As you work, make sure that you keep checking if you're hitting small particles under the glass you're taking, and if it gets between the protective layer and the screen, it can leave a deep scratch when you press it, work slowly, in good light, and periodically wipe the surface that's freed up.
Removing glue residues and cleaning the screen
Once the main layer is removed, there are often traces of glue, dust and villi on the surface of the display, which cannot be left because the new protective glass will lie unevenly, forming air bubbles, and isopropyl alcohol, which evaporates quickly and leaves no swelling, is best for cleaning.
Put a small amount of alcohol on a lilac or microfiber. Don't pour the liquid directly onto your phone! Rub the screen in circular motions, removing the sticky layer. If the glue is old and doesn't clean properly, you can lightly moisten the napkin and apply it to the problem area for 10-15 seconds.
For hard-to-reach places like the speaker and edges of the frame, use a cotton swab, also slightly soaked in alcohol. Make sure there are no villi left in the speaker, otherwise the sound will become quieter or wheezing. Xiaomi Redmi 4X has a cutout under the speaker at the top, where dirt is often clogged.
The final cleaning step is to check for lights, turn on the flashlight on the other phone and light it up at an angle, so you can see all the dust and stains that are left, and then you can start installing a new protective coating when you're perfectly clean.
Frequent errors and precautions
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that can cost the device, one of the most common is trying to remove the glass on the phone on. Although the Redmi 4X is not instantaneous, accidentally tapping or shorting a metal tool can put the power controller out of action.
Another mistake is the use of aggressive chemistry: Acetone, paint solvents or window washing agents can damage the plastic frame around the screen or dissolve the glue that holds the matrix itself in the case. Use only proven remedies such as isopropyl alcohol.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to remove the glass if the phone is on a soft surface (sofa, bed) The device must lie on a firm, flat plane so that the unstick force is evenly distributed.
Also worth mentioning is static electricity: In dry rooms, especially in winter, clothes and tools accumulate static charge. Before you start, touch an earthed metal object, such as a heating battery, to run out. This is especially important if you plan to take your phone apart further.
Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to safely remove the protective glass and prepare the Xiaomi Redmi 4X for further use or installation of new protection.
💡
The secret to success is to take your time. It's better to spend 20 minutes carefully removing than 5 minutes trying to break the glass, which will lead to the purchase of a new display.