Replacement of glass on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: detailed instructions with photos and expert tips

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017-2018, but even after years of operation, its owners face a typical problem: cracked or broken glass. Unlike flagships, where replacing the display module costs half the cost of the device, repair can be economically justified. However, replacing the glass on this model has its own nuances: it is glued to the touch layer, and the wrong actions lead to damage to the plumes or matrix.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions with a photo, a list of necessary tools, tips for choosing spare parts and unique techniques for separating glass without damaging the display (including using a thread and hair dryer). We will also discuss when to contact the service, and when you can do the repair yourself - even without experience.

Preparation for replacement: tools and materials

Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need. Savings on tools often result in damage to plumes or uneven adherence to new glass.

• 🔧 A set of plastic shoulder blades (metal can scratch the body).
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (with a power of at least 1000 W for uniform heating).
• 🧵 Capron thread (thickness 0.1–0.2 mm for separation of glass).
• 🧴 Clay. B-7000 or LOCA (fixing; LOCA requires a UV lamp).
• 📱 New glass with a glue layer (preferably) OEM or a proven manufacturer, for example, JK).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (for screws) T3 and T5).
• 🛡️ Protective film (for temporary protection of the display after repair).

If you are doing this for the first time, we recommend you to buy a spare plume touchscreen (article: Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Digitizer Flex Cable) - it often breaks when the glass is not neatly separated, and an antistatic bracelet is also useful to avoid damage to the chips by static electricity.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use superglue or cyanoacrylate to fix glass! These adhesives crystallize over time, resulting in glass detachment or stains on the display — UV-glue LOCA ultra-cured.

How to Choose Quality Glass for Redmi 5 Plus

There are three types of glass on the market for this model:

1. OEM (Original - removed from donor devices, ideally suited in size, but expensive (from 1500) ₽).
2. Aftermarket (JK, OGS) — copies from factories in China, cheaper (600-1200) ₽), but may have inaccuracies in the notches for the speaker or camera.
3. Universal - cut to the size, but often do not coincide in curvature with the original.

When choosing, pay attention to:

• 🔍 Glass thickness – the original is 0.55 mm thick (thicker glass worsens the sensitivity of the touchbar).
• 📏 The speaker cutout – the Redmi 5 Plus has an asymmetrical (left wider).
• 🎨 Oleophobic coating – cheap glass quickly covered with greasy traces.

Before you buy, check the reviews of the seller — often under the guise of OEM sell fakes, a good sign: the presence of protective film on the adhesive layer and laser engraving of the logo (original).

Step-by-step: how to remove broken glass

This is the most critical step. Incorrect separation of the glass can damage the matrix or plumes.

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-The battery doesn't have to be disconnected, but if you're a beginner, it's best to turn it off (the risk of short circuits when working with metal tools).
2. Heat the glass with a hair dryer at 80-90°C for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm, evenly watering the entire surface. The goal is to soften the glue.
3. Put a plastic blade on the glass from any angle. If it doesn't lend itself, warm it up for another 1 minute. Don't push it too hard, there's a fragile plume of touchscreen underneath the glass!
4. Use a thread: Strip a capron floss under the glass (you can use dental floss, but it is less durable). Carefully saw back and forth, while simultaneously heating the problem areas with a hairdryer. Don't pull the thread upwards, only horizontal movements!

If the glass is cracked but does not separate, try the scotch method:

1. Put a wide tape on the glass and pull it sharply, which will help remove the large fragments.
2. Remove the glue residues with isopropyl alcohol (not acetone!).

⚠️ Warning: If there are black spots left on the matrix after the glass has been separated, this is a sign of damage to the polarization layer.

Installation of new glass: glue and assembly

After removing the old glass, you must carefully clean the surface of the display of glue residues.

• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — degrease.
• 🧼 Soft lilac wipe (microfibra).
• 🔍 A magnifying glass or magnifying glass to check for no dust.

There are two methods for gluing new glass:

Method 1: B-7000 glue (for beginners)

1. Apply the glue in a thin layer around the perimeter of the glass (not in the center!).
2. Apply the glass carefully, starting at the top (where the speaker is located).
3. Press the glass with a rubber roller from the center to the edges to squeeze out air bubbles.
4. Secure the glass with paint tape and leave it under the press for 12 hours (for example, under a stack of books).

Method 2: UV-Glue LOCA (Professional)

1. Apply the glue on the glass and evenly distribute with a plastic card.
2. Apply the glass and irradiate with a UV lamp (365 nm) for 2-3 minutes.
3. Check for the absence of bubbles – if there are any, repeat the radiation exposure.

After adhesion:

• 📱 Place a metal frame (if it has been removed).
• 🔧 Twisting all screws (do not tug over!).
• 🔌 Connect the battery and check the operability of the touch screen.

💡

If the touchscreen doesn’t work properly after assembly (like double taps), try flashing the phone over Fastboot – sometimes this solves the calibration problem.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing glass with Redmi 5 Plus.

• 🔥 Overheating with a hairdryer, which causes plumes to detach or deform the plastic case. Optimal temperature: 80-90°C.
• 🧲 Using metal tools – scratches the body and can close contacts on the board.
• 💧 The adhesive that gets on the plumes causes the touchscreen to work in an unstable way.
• 📉 Uneven adhesion – leads to bubbles or glass detachment after a few days.

To avoid problems:

• Use a thermal paste for uniform heating (applied to the body before heating the hairdryer).
• Before assembly, check the integrity of the plumes with a magnifying glass.
• If the touchscreen after replacement does not work, check the connection of the plume to the motherboard (sometimes it flies off during assembly).

⚠️ Warning: If colored stripes or flickering appear on the screen after the glass is replaced, this is a sign of damage to the matrix, in which case a complete replacement of the display module will be required (cost: from 3000 USD). ₽).

When to contact the service

It is not always reasonable to replace glass at home.

• 🔧 You have no experience with small electronics (risk of damage to plumes or boards).
• 📱 The display not only cracked, but also stopped displaying the image (maybe damaged matrix).
• 💸 You can’t afford to buy spare plumes (damage is the most common mistake of beginners).
• ⚡ Phone does not turn on after falling (possible problems with the payment).

The average cost of glass replacement in the service for Redmi 5 Plus:

If you decide to repair yourself, but something went wrong, do not try to “finish” – contact the service right away. Often attempts to correct errors lead to irreversible damage (for example, tearing off contact areas on the board).

💡

The main rule: if after changing the glass, the phone does not turn on or the screen flashes, immediately turn it off and contact the service. Further manipulations can lead to a short circuit!

Video Instructions and Additional Resources

For clarity, we recommend watching the video with the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus:

• 🎥 Replacement of glass without damage to the matrix (method with thread and hair dryer).
• 🎥 Repair of the touchscreen plume (if after replacement the glass does not respond to touching).
• 📄 Discussion on 4PDA — Here we collect reviews about glass from different manufacturers.

If you are looking for firmware for touchscreen calibration after replacement, download it on the official Xiaomi website (link) or through the Mi Flash Tool. For Redmi 5 Plus, the current firmware version is V12.5.1.0 (Android 9).

Before firmware, be sure to make a data backup via Mi PC Suite - after resetting the settings, all files will be deleted!

FAQ: Frequent questions about glass replacement