How to remove the protective film from the screen of the smartphone Xiaomi

Buying a new Xiaomi or Redmi is always accompanied by a pleasant anticipation of familiarity with the functionality, but many users are immediately confused by the factory coating on the display. Often the question arises: whether it should be removed and how to remove the protective film from the screen of the Xiaomi smartphone, so as not to damage the oleophobic coating or the matrix itself. Modern factories often apply a temporary layer that requires removal, or stick hydrogel protection, which eventually loses its properties.

Incorrect removal can lead to micro scratches or sticky marks that will interfere with the normal operation of the touchscreen. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of the process, the tools that will be needed, and the typical mistakes made by inexperienced users when servicing a gadget.

The key to this process is patience and understanding of what material you are dealing with. The factory film on new models is often transparent and barely noticeable, and its removal is a mandatory step in the initial preparation of the device for operation.

Identification of the type of coating on the display

Before you start taking action, you need to clearly define what exactly is on the screen of your POCO or Black Shark. There are several types of coatings, and the approach to each of them is radically different. An identification error can lead to you trying to peel off the indelible or, conversely, leaving what should have been removed.

The factory transport layer usually has a characteristic seam or a small protruding vernacular at one of the corners, and it's the finest polymer that protects Gorilla Glass during assembly and delivery, and if you feel rough under your fingers or see rainbow squirts that don't wipe, it's probably temporary protection.

On the other hand, many Mi Note or Redmi Note devices can be fitted with a hydrogel coating, complete with or already in the factory, that provides complete protection against scratches and impacts, and can be distinguished by the specific texture of the orange peel and the absence of hard edges.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp metal objects, such as scissors or blades, to tweak the edges of the coating on the device on.This can cause permanent damage to the matrix or cut the fingers.

It is also important to consider that some models come with a hardened glass from the manufacturer, in which case there is no need to remove it if it is not damaged, and this can be determined by the thickness of the end of the screen and the absence of gaps between the glass and the frame of the case.

Tools and workplace preparation required

The quality of the task depends on preparation. You don't need a sophisticated engineering arsenal, but having the right tools will make the process safe and clean. The workplace must be well lit so that you can see the smallest details and remnants of glue.

First of all, you will need a source of isopropyl alcohol or a special screen cleaner. Conventional water or window cleaners can contain aggressive components that will damage the oleophobic coating of the display. Also prepare a soft lilaless fabric made of microfiber that will not leave the villi on the sticky surface.

For edge tweaking, a plastic spatula (spooger) or even a regular plastic card that is not a pity to bend a little is ideal. Metal tools are strongly discouraged, as they leave deep scratches on the glass. If you have a hair dryer, it can also be useful for softening the adhesive base.

• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol or special fluid for screen cleaning.
• 🧻 Microfiber wipes or lilaless rags.
• 💳 Plastic card or plastic mediator for tatting.
• 💨 A compressed air container to remove dust.

Be sure to turn off your smartphone before starting the procedure, not only will it protect you from accidental pressing, but it will also allow you to see the contamination on the black screen better, and working with the display off reduces the risk of short circuits if liquid suddenly enters the connectors.

Step-by-step instructions for removing factory protection

The process of removing the temporary coating requires precision and consistency of action. Start by carefully inspecting the perimeter of the device. Find the angle where the film moves away from the glass or has a special tongue to grip. If there is no such tongue, gently tuck the edge with a plastic card or nail.

Hold the map at an angle of about 30-45 degrees to the surface of the screen. Keep the map slowly and smoothly along the edge, separating the film from the glass. Don't make sharp jerks, because the thin polymer can break, and you will have to start over by putting on the already torn piece.

If the film sits tight and doesn't want to move, you can slightly warm the edges with a hairdryer at a minimum temperature, heat will make the adhesive layer more elastic and make it easier, but don't overdo it: overheating can damage the battery or display module.

⚠️ Warning: Do not pour liquid directly onto the smartphone screen. Always apply a cleaner or alcohol first to a napkin, and then wipe the surface so that moisture does not get into the speakers or charging connector.

Once the main layer is removed, there may be glue fragments on the screen, or small particles of the film itself, which must be carefully removed using the sticky side of the film or tape, applying them to the dirt and sharply tearing off.

Removal of glue residues and surface cleaning

The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the sticky layer that often remains after removing cheap protective coatings.The adhesive can be distributed unevenly, creating stains that impair the touchscreen's senses and collect dust.

To clean effectively, use a napkin that is plentifully moistened with isopropyl alcohol. Rub the screen with circular movements, paying special attention to the edges and corners where the glue accumulates most often. Change the napkin as it becomes dirty so that you don't stir the glue around the surface.

If you don't have alcohol on hand, you can use regular vegetable oil, but after that, you have to carefully degrease the screen with a glass wash, which is not always safe for electronics, so isopropyl alcohol remains the best choice for such tasks.

After wet cleaning, be sure to wipe the screen with the dry part of the microfiber, removing all the divorces.The screen should become perfectly smooth and slippery.If you plan to glue a new protective glass, degreasing is a critical step.

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To remove the smallest villi that are not removed with a napkin, use wide stationery tape. Stick it to the screen and sharply tear off - the villi will remain on the sticky tape.

Working with Hydrogel and Hybrid Coatings

Hydrogel films are popular with Xiaomi Mi Curved or flagship series owners, and are highly elastic and self-healing, but are more difficult to remove because of the tight grip throughout the area.

The main challenge is that the hydrogel is stretching, and if you pull it at one edge, it will stretch but not unstuck, which can cause material deformation and difficulty in removing, and in such cases, it is recommended that you warm the surface with a hairdryer to reduce adhesion of the adhesive layer.

Start shooting from any top angle, slowly pulling the film at a sharp angle to the surface, almost parallel to the screen. The movements should be confident but smooth. If you feel strong resistance, stop and warm up again.

Often, after removing the hydrogel, the screen will be left with specific traces in the form of a mesh or an orange peel, which are residues of adhesive base that require more thorough treatment with alcohol, and in some cases, a re-purification procedure may be required after a few minutes when the solvent is applied.

• 🔥 Use a dryer to heat the surface (no more) 40-50 degree).
• 📉 Pull the film at a minimum angle to the plane of the screen.
• 🧼 Carefully degrease the surface after removal.

Frequent errors and precautions

Many users make the typical mistakes of trying to speed things up or using the wrong tools. One of the most common mistakes is using acetone or acetone-based solvents, which can dissolve the plastic frame around the screen or damage the polarizer layer.

Another mistake is to try to film a dirty or dusty screen without first purging. Dust caught between the film and the glass during the filming process can scratch the display when frictioned. Always remove the large dust with a jet of air first.

Dry synthetic clothing and mats can generate a static charge that will attract new dust immediately after cleaning, work in a humidified room or use antistatic wipes.

⚠️ Warning: If you find that the touchscreen is not working properly or that you have "dead zones", don't panic. Often it's a static charge. Completely discharge the smartphone battery to 0% and then charge it to 100% - this can calibrate the controller.

It is also important not to push too hard on the screen when cleaning, especially if your Xiaomi has an AMOLED or OLED matrix.Excessive pressure can cause black spots or damage to the insides of the display.

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The use of aggressive chemicals (acetone, gasoline) is strictly prohibited, since it destroys the oleophobic coating and plastic of the body, making the screen matte and rough.

Installation of new protection: brief recommendations

After successfully removing the old protection and cleaning the screen, most users immediately proceed to install a new tread, which is the right approach, as the bare Redmi or POCO screen remains vulnerable to scratches from keys and sand in the pocket.

Before you stick the new glass, carefully inspect the screen under bright light, even one discreet dusting will ruin the result, use a sticky tape or a special dust remover to collect all the microparticles.

When installing, make sure the speaker and camera cutouts match the geometry of your device.Modern Xiaomi models have complex cutout shapes, and versatile glass can overlap light or speaker sensors, resulting in poor sound quality or automatic brightness.

If you use an ultraviolet lamp for glue (UV be very careful. make sure that the glue does not leak into the speaker or volume buttons before polymerization, otherwise the device may fail.