How to remove film from the phone Xiaomi Poco

Owners of new Xiaomi smartphones and the Poco sub-brand often face a dilemma: should you remove the protective layer pasted on the display at the factory, or is it already tempered glass? Visually, these two coatings are almost indistinguishable, and careless handling can lead to damage to the screen or, conversely, to wearing a device with an excess film that worsens tactile sensation.

In this article, we will discuss how to determine the type of coating, whether to get rid of factory protection at all, and how to do it as safely as possible for your gadget. Proper identification of the layer is a key step that will save you from unnecessary spending on buying new glass or expensive repairs.

Many users mistakenly believe that any layer on the screen is a temporary measure that needs to be removed immediately. However, modern flagships often come with a quality oleophobic coating applied directly to the matrix. Understanding the difference between a temporary transport film and a permanent protective layer will help you make the right decision.

Differences of factory film from tempered glass

The first thing to do is to do a thorough visual and tactical diagnostics. The factory film tends to be thinner and softer to the touch, while the glass has a characteristic hardness and ringing when you tap your nails lightly. Pay attention to the edges of the display: the film often does not reach the curves of the body or, conversely, has a visible transition.

Chinese electronics makers including Redmi and Poco have in recent years largely abandoned soft film stickers in favor of more robust solutions. If your smartphone is released after 2020, the odds are more than 90% that it already has tempered glass installed, a move driven by the company’s desire to provide better scratch protection right out of the box.

⚠️ Warning: Don't try to tamper with the nail in the center of the screen. If it's glass, you can damage the matrix underneath. Start checking only at the corner areas where the risk is minimal.

To determine exactly what type of coating you use the slip method. Slip your finger over the surface: glass is always colder and smoother, even without the oleophobic layer. The film creates more friction and heats up faster from contact with the skin. You can also drop a drop of water: on quality glass it will gather into a perfect ball, and on the film it will spread.

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Check the box, and if you already have a second safety glass or a soft hydrogel film, you have a temporary layer in the factory that you'd better replace.

Do I need to remove the protective layer from the new phone?

The decision to remove the coating depends solely on the type of coating, and if you've made sure that it's a temporary transport film, it's mandatory to remove it, it's not intended for long-term use, it loses transparency quickly, it collects prints and it doesn't protect against impact, and leaving it on your phone is putting the screen at risk of micro-scratches.

On the other hand, if the display is installed factory glass, it makes no sense to remove it, unless it is damaged or causes sensitivity problems. Modern factory glass from Xiaomi have high strength and excellent oleophobic coating, which is difficult to reproduce in cheap analogues.

Consider the main reasons for removing or maintaining the cover:

• 📉 The film worsens the brightness and color reproduction of the display, making the picture less saturated.
• 🛡️ Factory glass provides better protection against falling heavy objects compared to soft film.
• 👆 Tactile sensitivity on glass is always higher, which is critical for games and fast typing.

Tools for safe removal of coating

If you're determined to take the film off the factory, you have to prepare the workspace and the tools, and the process requires cleanliness and precision, because any speck of dust that gets between the new glass and the screen will be visible, and you don't need complex equipment, you don't need enough basic equipment, which is found in every house.

It is strictly forbidden to use sharp metal objects such as knives, blades or needles to tweak the edges of the film. Metal can easily slip and leave deep scratches on the display itself or damage the frame of the smartphone. Use only plastic or wooden tools.

The necessary set of tools:

• 🧰 Plastic blade or mediator for smearing edges.
• 🧼 Alcohol wipes or isopropyl alcohol for degreasing.
• 💨 A compressed air canister or a special sticky sticker to remove dust.
• 🧤 Microfiber without hair for finishing.

Make sure that the room you are in is kept to a minimum of air, open the windows in advance to settle the dust, and turn off the fan, which will reduce the risk of microparticles hitting the adhesive surface of the new protective glass if you plan to install it immediately.

Step-by-step: how to remove film from Xiaomi

The process of removing the protective layer requires composure and smooth movements. Start by turning off your smartphone so you don't accidentally start apps or damage the matrix with static electricity. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and wipe them dry so you don't leave any greasy marks on the screen.

Carefully put a plastic blade on one of the top corners of the film. Try to grab the edge of the polymer layer without touching the screen itself. If the film is held tight, don't pull sharply - slowly drive the blade along the edge, gradually increasing the angle of detachment.

Follow the algorithm further:

1. Pull the peeled corner with your fingers and slowly pull the film parallel to the screen surface, rather than perpendi!cularly.
2. Hold the phone body with the second hand so that it does not slip out.
3. If the film is torn, use Scotch to pick up the remaining piece.
4. After full removal, immediately wipe the screen with an alcohol napkin.

Sometimes the glue from the old film can stay on the edges of the display, in which case, moisten the microfiber with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and remove the glue residue in circular motions. Don't pour the liquid directly onto the phone, it can leak into the case and damage the electronics.

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The main rule of removal is to pull the film slowly and at an acute angle to the surface to avoid sharp cotton and damage to the frame.

Comparison of types of factory coatings

Different Poco and Xiaomi models come with different types of protection, and understanding these differences will help you assess the quality of the device and the need for additional costs for accessories. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the coatings.

As you can see from the table, the transport film is minimally thick and only serves to protect the screen during assembly and transportation, and its properties deteriorate rapidly, while tempered glass or ceramics provide real protection and durability.

Owners of budget models of the Poco M or Redmi Note series should be more careful: in these lines, ordinary film is more common, which is better to replace with high-quality glass from third-party manufacturers immediately after buying the device.

Frequent errors when replacing screen protection

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that make all the effort impossible. One of the most common problems is trying to reglaze the glass after it has already touched the screen. If there is dust between the glass and the display, do not try to "kick" it out with your finger, pressing it harder - you only drive the morsel deeper or damage the adhesive layer.

Another mistake is to use water or household chemicals instead of alcohol. Water dries for a long time and can leave a divorce, and aggressive chemicals can destroy the oleophobic coating of the display itself. Always use specialized products or isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of at least 70%.

⚠️ Warning: Never use a hair dryer to heat the edges of the film on modern smartphones with AMOLED-Local overheating can cause yellow spots or detachment of the matrix.

Also, don't ignore the case. If you've installed a thick protective glass, your old case may not fit, it will push the edges and create rainbow spots around the perimeter of the screen, in which case you should purchase a case marked "compatible with screen protector".

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions