Modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi and POCO sub-brands, are designed to be monolithic in the case. This means that it is impossible to remove the battery without opening the device using conventional methods. Users often face the need to replace the battery due to natural wear, bloating or sudden shutdown of the gadget in the cold. However, before starting disassembly, you need to clearly understand what you are going to do with a non-removable design.
The process of removing the battery requires not only accuracy, but also specific tools that are rarely found in the home. Failure to comply with safety precautions can lead to damage to plumes, a screen rupture or even fire of a lithium cell. In this article, we will discuss in detail the preparation steps, necessary tools and algorithm of actions for different types of housings.
It is worth noting that for most users, replacing in an authorized service center will be more rational than self-repairing, but if you are confident and have minimal skills with small electronics, this guide will help you avoid critical mistakes.
Situation assessment: removable or non-removable battery
The first thing to do before you start any manipulation is to determine the type of design of your device. Old models, released more than 7-8 years ago, could be equipped with removable batteries, which were opened after removing the back cover.
If you don't have a visible nail latch or recess on the back of your smartphone, and the nail lid is tightly attached around the perimeter, it means that the battery is not removable. Trying to tamper with a knife without first heating the glue will lead to chipped glass or plastic. Visual examination is the first stage of diagnosis.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to remove the battery from the connector. SIM-This is guaranteed to cause internal components to break and short circuit.
For a battery type, you can search for an exact model of the device on the Internet or look at the specifications on the box. If you specify "Li-Po" and the capacity in mAh without mentioning "removable", then you will have to fully repair the case with an opening.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Good repairs are impossible without the right tools. Use of improvised tools such as kitchen knives or paper clips is unacceptable, as they can damage delicate components. You will need a set of professional tools, which is often sold in the form of phone repair kits.
The main tool will be a thermophen or, in extreme cases, a household heating pad, which is necessary to soften the adhesive layer that holds the back panel, also indispensable set of plastic mediators (scapula) and a suction cup for neat detachment of the lid.
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers: the presence of crosses is required (PH000, PH00) and stars (Torx) T2-T5), Because the insides can be different.
- 🔥 Heat source: professional dryer with temperature adjustment or heating pad for pre-heating edges.
- 🧤 Protection and cleanliness: antistatic gloves and dielectric mat to prevent static discharge.
Prepare the screw folding container, because they can be of different sizes and lengths. If you mix them up when you build them, you can damage the board or you can avoid getting into the thread. The workplace should be well lit, preferably a lamp with a magnifying glass for working with small connectors.
The process of disassembling the smartphone body
So we start with the most critical step, which is to dismantle the back panel, turn the device off completely, and if the battery is swelling, you should do it with the utmost care, avoiding pressure on the screen, and put the phone down on a soft but stable surface.
Heat the perimeter of the back cover. 80-90 degrees Celsius, so as not to damage OLED-matrices or adhesives inside. Grease the edges during 2-3 minutes, constantly checking the temperature with your hand, so as not to get burned or overheat the gadget.
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Use an infrared thermometer to monitor the heating temperature of the case, a safe range of 60-80°C, above the risk of damage to the display.
After warming up, attach a suction cup to the bottom of the back cover (usually there is no camera), and pull up slightly, creating a gap. Insert a plastic mediator into the resulting gap carefully. Do not use metal! Move the mediator along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer.
Once the lid is removed, you'll see the internal layout. In most Xiaomi models, access to the battery plume is covered with a plastic or metal protective plate. It must be unscrewed by remembering the location of the screws. Disabling the plume is a critical point: use a plastic blade to plug the connector up without damaging the connector on the board.
Battery recovery and replacement
The battery itself in modern Xiaomi smartphones is also planted on double-sided tape. Pull it by the wires or connector is strictly forbidden - they will immediately come off. For extraction, special hoods with suction cups or a thin line / map are often used.
If you use a fishing line, run it under the battery from one of the corners (usually at the bottom, where there is a small gap) and cut the adhesive layer with saw-like movements. Move slowly, trying not to prick the battery body with a needle or a sharp object.
☑️ Battery replacement algorithm
Once the old battery is removed, clean the bed of the glue residues. The new battery must be original or of a quality analogue. Critical: apply a new layer of glue before installation or use ready-made adhesive tapes, otherwise the battery will dangle inside the case, which can lead to detachment of the plume when falls.
Set a new battery, press it tightly across the glue-grabbing area. Plug the plume up to the characteristic click. Don't turn the phone on right away -- check the connection first and assemble the case in reverse order.
Comparison of the complexity of repairs of different series
Not all Xiaomi phones are equally difficult to disassemble: The Redmi series' budget models often have a plastic body that's easier to warm up and open, but their interior layout may be less dense.The flagship models of the Mi and Xiaomi series often use glass and have a more sophisticated moisture protection system.
Below is a table comparing the features of disassembly of popular series:
| Device series | Case material | Difficulty autopsy | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi (budget) | Plastic. | Low. | Easy to take off the lid, few screws |
| Redmi Note | Glass/Plastic | Medium | Requires care with glass |
| Xiaomi Mi | Glass/ceramics | Tall. | Lots of screws, complicated geometry. |
| POCO (budget) | Plastic. | Low. | Similar to Redmi, a simple design |
Owners of glass cases should be especially careful: when heated, the glass can crack from uneven expansion or point pressure of the mediator. Also, in expensive models, IP-standard moisture protection is often found, which after opening stops working if the sealing gaskets are not replaced.
Typical errors and precautions
The most common mistake of beginners is rushing: Trying to tear off the lid without enough glue heating results in broken corners of the phone; the second mistake is using metal tools to turn off the plumes, which causes the motherboard to short-circuit and fail.
A bloated battery is a time bomb, and if you see the battery inflating and lifting the screen or the back cover, any manipulation of it should be done in a fireproof container, and you can't puncture the bloated battery, and it will cause instantaneous ignition of electrolyte vapor.
⚠️ Warning: If you damage the battery protective film or smell chemicals during the disassembly process, stop working immediately and place the device in a safe place.
What do we do with the glue?
It's also often forgotten to calibrate the battery after you've replaced it, which is not always necessary, but it's desirable to correctly display the percentage of charge, and to do that, you need to completely discharge the phone before you turn it off, then charge it to 100% when you're off, and then turn it on.
Where to dispose of an old battery
Throwing lithium polymer batteries into a regular garbage can is prohibited by environmental regulations in most countries, containing heavy metals and chemicals that, when they landfill, poison the soil and groundwater.
Hand over old batteries to electronics reception centers, often in large shopping centers, electronics stores or service centers, and many cities have special orange containers for recycling batteries and batteries.
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Proper disposal of an old battery is not only a law, but also a contribution to the environmental safety of your region.
If you haven't found a reception point, you can temporarily store your old battery in a cool place, pre-insulate the contacts with tape to prevent accidental circuitry. Do not store damaged or bloated batteries at home for a long time.