Replacement of glass on the Xiaomi smartphone with your own hands: from disassembly to assembly

Broken glass on Xiaomi is one of the most common breakdowns faced by smartphone owners. Even a minor crack can eventually turn into a web of faults that interfere with the use of the sensor, and deep chips threaten to cut your fingers. It costs 2,000 to 8,000 rubles (depending on the model), while replacing glass yourself can save up to 70% of the budget.

In this guide, we will break down the step-by-step process of replacing glass on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 12 models, POCO X5, Mi 11 and others, with design nuances, tool choices and common errors, you'll learn how to separate the glass from the matrix, what glue to use, and why you can't heat the screen with a hairdryer for more than 30 seconds in a row, which can be fraught with polarization film detachment. We will also analyze in which cases self-repair is justified, and when it is better to trust the professionals.

1. When you can replace the glass yourself and when not

Before you start repairing, evaluate the scale of damage and design of your Xiaomi model. Not all smartphones of the brand are equally repairable:

• ✅ Suitable for self-replacement: cracks only on the glass without damage to the matrix (image is clear, the sensor works), models with removable glass (for example, Redmi). 9A, POCO M3).
• ⚠️ Risky, but possible: chips with partial detachment of glass from the matrix, the model with a OLED-screens (requires accuracy when heated).
• ❌ Not recommended: broken matrix (black spots, distorted image), damaged plumes, models with integrated glass and matrix in one module (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro).

The critical point is the type of screen most budget Xiaomis have (Redmi series, POCO) The glass is separated from the matrix and glued to double-sided tape. Flagships (for example, Mi 11 Ultra) are often used. OLED-matrix with glued glass - here the replacement requires a complete disassembly of the display module, which at home is fraught with damage to pixels.

⚠️ Attention: If after a fall, the smartphone stopped turning on or the screen flashes / stripes - the problem is not in the glass, but in the plume or board!

2. Tools and materials: what to buy before repair

You need a specialty toolkit to replace the glass, and you don't have to save money on it, because cheap plastic blades break, and poor-quality glue causes the glass to detach after a week, and here's the minimum set:

When choosing a new glass, pay attention to:

• 🔍 Thickness: Must match the original (usually 0.2-0.3 mm for Xiaomi) and too thick glass will make the sensor less sensitive.
• 📏 Dimensions: Check compatibility with your model (for example, glass for the Redmi Note 10 Pro is not suitable for the model). POCO X3 NFC).
• 💡 Type of coating: oleophobic coating will extend the life of the coating.

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Before buying glass, check its article on the manufacturer's website or in the description on AliExpress. For example, for the Redmi Note 11, the original glass is labeled with a marking. DM-011-XX (where XX — model revision).

3. Preparation of the smartphone: disassembly and security

Before starting the repair completely turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-It's dangerous to have a device on, you can close contacts on the board:

• 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting (ideally a table lamp) + magnifying-glass).
• 🧹 Remove all foreign objects: small screws are easily lost.
• 📱 Put a soft cloth (microfibre) under the phone so as not to scratch the back cover.

Step 1: Remove the back cover (if necessary). Most Xiaomi models (like the Redmi Note 12) change the glass without being fully disassembled, but if you need access to plumes (like changing the touchscreen), you have to remove the cover.

1. Heat the hair dryer of the edge of the cover (temperature ~60 ° C) for 1-2 minutes.
2. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body and gently tuck it.
3. Disconnect the battery plume (if you remove the lid completely).

⚠️ Attention: In models with IP53 protection, for example, POCO X4 Pro) there may be a sealant under the lid, and you'll have to replace it when you disassemble it, or you'll lose the water protection!

Make a backup copy of the data|Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map|Prepare tools (dryer, suckers, shoulder blades)|Cover the table with a soft cloth|Check the compatibility of the new glass-->

4. Step-by-step instruction: how to remove broken glass

The most important step is to separate the broken glass from the matrix, and the key is to take your time and not overheat the screen.

Step 1: Heating the glass

• 🔥 Set the hair dryer at 80-90°C (not higher!).
• 🕒 Heat the glass in circular movements, holding the hair dryer at a distance of 3-5 cm, for 20-30 seconds on each site.
• 🛑 Make sure that the plastic elements of the body do not melt!

Step 2: Raising the glass

• 🧲 Stick the suction cups to the top and bottom of the screen.
• 🪛 Pull it up, the glass should separate from the glue. If it doesn't, repeat the heat.
• 🗡️ Tap the glass with a metal blade, moving from the center to the edges.

Step 3: Removal of glue residues

• 🧴 Moisten the microfiber with isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and remove the glue residue from the matrix.
• 🔍 Make sure there are no glass fragments left on the matrix – they can damage the new screen.

If the glass is cracked but does not separate completely, use the thread method:

1. Put a thin thread (such as a guitar string) under the glass.
2. Carefully saw it back and forth, while heating the screen with a hairdryer.

5. Installation of new glass: glue, alignment, testing

After removing the old glass, do not rush to glue the new one - first prepare the surface:

• 🧴 Clean the matrix from dust and glue residues with alcohol.
• 🔍 Check the integrity of plumes and contacts (they should be clean, without oxidation).
• 📏 Make sure the new glass fits in size – attach it to the matrix without glue.

Selection of glue:

• 📌 Double-sided scotch (3M, Tesa: easy to use, but can detach over time. Suitable for budget models.
• 💡 UV-glue (LOCA): It's more reliable, but it requires a UV lamp to polymerize, and it's used in flagships.
• 🔥 Thermoclee: used in service centers, but difficult for independent work.

The process of gluing (on the example of bilateral tape):

1. Stick the tape on the matrix, avoiding bubbles.
2. Take the protective tape off the scotch.
3. Apply the glass carefully, aligning at the edges.
4. Press the glass and warm up with a hair dryer (60)°C) for better adhesion.

After installation, do not turn on the phone immediately - let the glue grab (1-2 hours for scotch, 10-15 minutes for scotch). UV-glue under the lamp. Then check:

• 📱 Sensor performance (check all screen areas).
• 🔍 Absence of bubbles under glass.
• 🎨 Correct color reproduction (no yellowness or spots).

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If the glass is left behind at the edges, the problem is poor glue or insufficient heating during installation. UV-glue.

6. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with care, beginners make mistakes that lead to re-repairs.

Another common problem is the moire effect after the glass is replaced.

• 🔄 The difference between the thickness of the new glass and the original.
• 🧲 Incorrect alignment when glued.
• 💡 Polarization film defect (if the screen has been heated for too long).

⚠️ Warning: If the glass is pressed (bending) after the replacement, it's not enough glue or it's applied unevenly.

7.The cost of repair: comparison with the service center

Self-replacement glass is cheaper, but requires investment in tools. Consider the costs of the Redmi Note 11 Pro:

Is it worth repairing yourself?

• ✅ Yes, if: you already have tools, you are repairing a non-flagship model, are willing to spend 2-3 hours.
• ❌ No, if: Expensive model (Xiaomi 13, Black Shark 5), no experience with electronics, or screen OLED.

Hidden costs for self-repair:

• 🔧 Breaking of the plume during disassembly (~2 000 ₽ substitute).
• 🔄 Replacement of glass due to errors (~1 500 ₽).
• ⏳ Loss of time (in the service repair takes 1-2 hours, on their own - 3-5 hours).

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing glass with Xiaomi