Replacing the battery with Xiaomi Redmi 4X: expert guide

Xiaomi Redmi 4X has established itself as one of the most reliable “centenarians” in the budget segment thanks to its energy-efficient processor and roomy battery. However, time is inexorable: after 2-3 years of active operation, the capacity of the lithium-ion cell drops, and the device ceases to hold a full-time charge. Replacing the battery with Redmi 4X is the most rational solution to extend the life of the gadget without buying a new device.

In this article, we will discuss the process of self-replacement of the power source, what tools will be required to carefully disassemble the case, how to safely remove the old battery and install a new one. It is important to understand that although the procedure does not require supernatural skills, it requires care, since the internal layout of the smartphone is quite dense.

Before you get to work, make sure you get a quality spare part. The market is full of cheap counterparts that can swell or fail in a couple of months. The original battery or certified counterpart from a proven brand is the only sure choice for maintaining the tightness and safety of the device.

⚠️ Attention, all the disassembly actions you perform at your own risk, mishandling the tool can damage the plumes, break the glass or even burn the battery when it punctures.

Tools and workplace preparation required

A good battery replacement with the Xiaomi Redmi 4X starts long before you pick up the screwdriver. The first thing you need to do is prepare the workplace. It should be a well-lit table with a hard surface on which small screws are not lost. It is ideal to use a special antistatic mat, but a regular sheet of paper on which the parts will be laid out.

You'll need a minimal but specific set of tools to do the surgery. Standard household screwdrivers may not be suitable because of the size of the screws, so it's better to get a professional kit in advance. It's also critical to have a suction cup or mediator on hand to open the case, since the back cover is held on glue.

• 🔧 Phillips screwdrivers (cross) sizes PH000 and PH0000 for twisting the screws of the motherboard and metal.
• 🔧 Torx screwdriver T5 or T6 (depending on the lot) for screws hidden under stickers or in the depth of the structure.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container with cells for sorting screws of different lengths.
• 🧤 Plastic blades (mediators) and a sucker for neat opening of the body without scratches.

Pay special attention to safety. Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to mechanical damage. If you accidentally puncture the battery with a sharp tool in the process, you can short circuit and emit a caustic smoke. So use metal tools only for screws, and only plastic blades to turn off the plumes and tweak the cells.

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Before disassembling, be sure to discharge the battery below 25%.A fully charged battery when the contacts are short can cause a stronger spark or heat than a discharged one.

The order of disassembly of the body Xiaomi Redmi 4X

The Redmi 4X's opening process has its own characteristics that set it apart from many modern monoblocks. The design of this smartphone suggests that the back cover is a removable element, but it's planted on a fairly aggressive glue around the perimeter. Don't try to tear the nail lid off - you risk damaging the plastic or hurting yourself.

Start by heating the back. Use a hair dryer (construction or regular at maximum temperature) and evenly warm the perimeter of the device for 1-2 minutes. The plastic should become warm to the touch, but not hot, so as not to deform. This will soften the adhesive layer and facilitate further manipulation.

Once heated, place the suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the logo but not too close to the edges. Pull the suction cup upwards, creating a gap, and gently insert a plastic mediator into the resulting gap. Driving the instrument along the entire perimeter, gradually snapping the plastic latches and cutting the softened glue.

When the lid is removed, you'll see the inside of the device, and you'll see a metal frame covering the motherboard and the battery, and at this point, it's important not to make any sudden movements, because the plumes can be pulled or glued, and look at the perimeter for screws hidden under decorative stickers.

Dismantling of protective metal frame

And when you take the back plastic panel off, you'll see that the battery is blocked by a metal plate, and it's mounted with a lot of screws of different calibers, and it's a shield that also acts as heat dissipation and electromagnetic interference protection, and to get to the battery, you have to dismantle that frame.

Look carefully at the location of the screws. In the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, they can be of different lengths. It is critical to remember or record (e.g., take a picture) the location of each screw. If you screw a long screw into the hole for a short one, you can punch the motherboard or damage the tracks, which will lead to expensive repairs.

Use a thin cross screwdriver (usually a PH000) to unscrew the screws. Act without excessive effort. If the screw doesn't go, it may be filled with glue or you're using the wrong bit size. After you unscrew all the screws, gently lift the metal frame. If it doesn't come off, check if you forgot to unscrew the screws at the bottom, next to the charging connector.

And underneath the frame, you'll see the battery itself and the pressing plate that holds the connector, and this plate is also mounted by screws, and you have to remove it first to access the power connector, and remember that even after the battery is turned off, there's still a residual charge in the circuit board's capacitors.

Removing the old battery and turning off the plumes

The most critical thing is to turn off the battery plume, and in the Redmi 4X, the connector is at the bottom of the device, under a metal clip bar, and carefully unscrew the screws that hold that bar and remove it, and then you can unplug the plume.

Use a plastic blade to turn off the circuit, pull the connector from the bottom up, trying not to make any lateral efforts to break the fragile contacts on the board itself, and if the plume is glued to the battery (which is often the case for fixation), it must be carefully unstuck, heated with a hairdryer, or undone very slowly.

⚠️ Attention! Never pull the plume unless it detachs easily. First, make sure all the fixing elements are removed and the adhesive strips are unstick.

Now you have to take out the battery itself. Unlike many modern smartphones, where the battery is glued all over the area, in the Redmi 4X it is often held on double-sided tape around the perimeter or in special sleds. If the battery is sitting tight, you can use a thin line or a special map to "cut" the adhesive layer between the battery and the body.

The movements must be progressive and accurate. Under no circumstances use metal objects (knives, scalpels) to pick the battery. Puncture of the lithium cell shell causes an instant chemical reaction, releasing heat and fire. If the battery is swelled, handle it with extreme caution, trying not to squeeze.

Installation of a new battery and assembly of the device

Before installing a new battery, you need to prepare a seat, carefully remove the remnants of old glue and tape from the case and metal frame. The surface must be clean and fat-free, so that the new locking layer will lay flat and securely hold the battery.

The new battery is usually already glued. If it's not there, use a special glue B-7000 or a quality double-sided electronics tape. Don't use superglue (cyanacrylate) - it becomes brittle over time and can damage the battery the next time you replace it. Carefully insert the battery into the compartment, combining the connector with the reciprocating part on the board.

You plug the plume in to a specific click. Make sure it's in smoothly and smoothly. Then you can put a metal bar in place and twist the screws. You can build it in the reverse order: first the frame with the screws, then check the health, and then close the back cover.

For final sealing, apply a thin strip of B-7000 glue around the perimeter of the case (or use a new adhesive frame if it came with it). Press the back cover and lock the device with rubber harnesses for 15-20 minutes until the glue is completely dry, which will return the smartphone to its original strength and dust protection.

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The key to successful assembly is to take your time to twist the screws of the metal frame. First, make sure that all the plumes are in their channels and nothing is pinched.

First start and calibration of the new battery

When you put it together, don't be too quick to turn it on. Let the glue grab it a little bit. When you first turn on, the smartphone can load longer than usual -- that's OK, because the system is doing the initial diagnostics of the equipment. If the screen catches fire and the device responds to touch, then the battery replacement has been successful.

However, to make sure that the new battery is running correctly and showing the correct percentage of charge, it is recommended that you calibrate it. The power controller must "understand" where the new battery has a minimum and where it is maximum. Without this, the charge indicator can jump, for example, to show 20% and suddenly turn off.

Calibration is simple, but it takes time. Discharge the phone until it is completely turned off (0%). Then set it to charge when it is off and hold it to 100%. After reaching 100%, do not remove the charger for another 1-2 hours. After that, you can use the phone as normal. Repeat the full discharge-charge cycle 2-3 times for better results.

• 🔋 Discharge the device before automatically shutting down.
• 🔋 Put on charging in the off state to 100%.
• 🔋 Keep it on the charger for more. 1-2 half-hour.
• 🔋 Turn on your phone and use it normally.

If you see a rapid discharge or heating in the battery area after replacement, this may indicate a defect in the new spare part or poor contact of the plume. In this case, the procedure will have to be repeated, paying attention to cleaning the contacts. A quality battery should provide the device with 1.5-2 days of moderate use.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)