Self-replacement of protective glass on the Xiaomi smartphone: from selection to installation

Security glass on Xiaomi is not a luxury, but a necessity: even a minimal scratch on the display can spoil the impression of using a smartphone, and a crack can make it dangerous to the hands. But what if the old glass is covered with a grid of microcracks, peeled off at the edges or simply lost transparency? It is expensive to change it in the service center (from 500 to 2000 rubles), and waiting for the delivery of the master is not always convenient.

In this article, we will discuss how to replace the protective glass on Xiaomi with your own hands - from choosing the right material to finishing polishing. You’ll learn what tools you really need (and what you can do without), how to avoid bubbles and dust under glass, and why not all Xiaomi models are equally easy to repair.+ A curved screen requires a special approach, unlike a flat one. POCO X5.

Spoiler: It takes you 20 minutes to an hour to do this, and if you're properly trained, you'll get the same results as the professionals, but there's a nuance, like underscreen ultrasonics (like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra) models, you can't use full-coated glass, it'll disrupt the sensor. You can read more about this and other pitfalls.

1. Which protective glass to choose for Xiaomi: types and features

Not all glasses are equally useful. Cheap AliExpress options for 100 rubles may turn out to be a regular film with a marketing sticker "9H", And expensive ones don't fit in. That's what you should look for when you're choosing:

• 🔍 Thickness and hardness: Optimal - 0.2-0.33 mm with protection 9H. Thin glass (0.15 mm) is worse to protect against impacts, and too thick (> 0.5 mm) may interfere with the sensor.
• 📏 Accuracy of cutouts: For Xiaomi with a dynamic islet (Xiaomi 14) or a cutout for the front camera (Redmi Note 13 Pro), the cutouts should match perfectly. Check the reviews on the marketplace - often the Chinese "saves" on laser cutting.
• 🧲 Adhesive base: It is better to choose glass with UV-With glue (frozen under UV) or silicone layers, which allow you to adjust your position when you install them. Avoid dry-glue glass, which is almost impossible to re-glue.
• 🛡️ Additional features: Oleophobic coating (from finger marks), anti-reflective spraying or protection from blue light. EZ Fit have all three options, but are 2-3 times more expensive than standard.

For models with curved edges of the screen (series Mi) 11/12/13, Redmi K50 Pro) look for marked glass "2.5D" or "3D" — They cover the side edges, but remember, they're harder to glue, and they peel off faster at the edges. The alternative is flat glass with a reduced coating (not reaching the curves on the edges). 1–2 mm).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with built-in ultrasonic fingerprint scanner (Xiaomi) 13T Pro, Redmi K60) You can't glue glass with metallized layers or full display coatings. This will block the sensor.

2. Tools for replacement: what is needed and what can be replaced

A minimum of 5 tools are needed to replace glass, but some can be replaced with improvised tools.

• 🔧 New knife or blade: To smear old glass, the alternative is a plastic card (but it bends and can scratch the screen).
• 🧴 Alcohol (90%+) or liquid for removing glass: Isopropyl alcohol is better than vodka - it evaporates faster and does not leave divorces.
• 🧻 Lilaless wipes: Microfibre from a set of glasses or a wipe for machinery. Paper towels will not work, they crumble.
• 💡 UV lamp (for glass with UV-You can use sunlight (but it takes 10-15 minutes instead of 30 seconds under a lamp).
• 📏 Line or pattern for alignment: To make the glass sit flat. For Xiaomi with a symmetrical design (for example, POCO M5) You can do it by eye".
• 🧲 Magnetic holder (optional): Helps hold the glass when installed. You can replace it with tape by gluing it to the back of the glass.

If you are changing glass for the first time, take a set for installation (costs 200-400 rubles on AliExpress).

• Dust repellent sticker (to remove the micropyle before installation).
• Positioning sticker (helps to place the glass evenly).
• A blade to remove old glass.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a hair dryer to heat old glass! overheating can damage OLED-screen (on Xiaomi models) 12S Ultra, Redmi K40 Maximum temperature 40-50°C (warm air from the hair dryer at minimum power).

Buy new glass (check compatibility with the model)|

Prepare alcohol and napkins without pile|

Find a well-lit place (better by the window)|

Disconnect the smartphone and remove SIM-card (if there is a slot on the side)|

View the video instructions for your model (YouTube)-->

3. Step-by-step instructions: how to remove old glass

The most important step is removing the old glass, and if you do it wrong, you'll have glue marks on the screen, or worse, scratches.

Step 1. Assessment of glass condition

• If the glass is broken, but it holds - start to poke from the corner where there are no cracks.
• If the glass has peeled off at the edges - carefully pull over the protruding edge with tweezers.
• If the glass is whole, but you need to remove - use a thread or line (the method of "saw"): slash it under the glass and pull in different directions.

Step 2. Softening the glue

Put a few drops of alcohol under the edge of the glass and wait 1-2 minutes. To speed up the process, you can carefully warm the screen with warm air (keep the hair dryer at a distance of 10 cm!). OLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Lite, Redmi) K60) It is impossible to heat for more than 10 seconds - the risk of damage to the matrix.

Step 3. Removal of glass

1. Tap the edge of the glass with a knife or blade at an angle of 30-45°. Do not press hard - 1-2 mm gap is enough.
2. Pull the glass up, parallel to the screen. If it resists, add alcohol.
3. If the glass breaks into pieces, remove them one by one, starting from the center.

Step 4: Removal of glue residue

Once the glass is removed, there's a sticky layer on the screen.

1. Moisten the napkin with alcohol and wipe the screen without pressing (so as not to damage the oleophobic coating).
2. For persistent residues, use Scotch: glue it to a sticky place and sharply tear it off.
3. Check the screen at an angle - if there are any divorces left, repeat the cleanup.

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If the old glass doesn't lend itself, try the Scotch tape method: stick a wide tape to the glass, pull up and simultaneously prick with a blade, which reduces the risk of splitting.

4. Preparation of the screen for the installation of new glass

Screen cleanliness is key to a successful installation, and even one speck of dust under the glass will ruin the whole result.

Step 1: Dust removal

• Use a keyboard vacuum cleaner (at minimum power) or a sticky roller for clothing.
• Wipe the screen with a microfiber wipe in a spiral - from center to edges.

Step 2. Degreasing

Apply alcohol to a napkin and wipe the screen, paying attention to the edges and areas around the speaker/camera. Don't pour alcohol directly onto the phone - it can leak in!

Step 3: Check for glue residue

Light up with a flashlight at an angle - if rainbow divorces are visible, repeat the cleanup. on Xiaomi with an ultrasonic scanner (Xiaomi) 13T) Pay special attention to the sensor area - the glue should not remain here.

Step 4: Fitness test

Before installing a new glass, check:

• 🔦 Screenlighting: Turn on your phone and light up with a flashlight - if scratches or stains are visible, it is better to take to the service.
• 👆 Sensitivity: Swipe your finger across the screen – if there are “dead zones”, you may have damaged the plume when removing the glass.

5. Installation of a new protective glass: technique and errors

Now the most critical thing is the installation, and it's about accuracy and patience, and let's look at two ways: for silicone-glued glass, and UV-glue.

Method 1: Glass with silicone glue (the most common option)

1. Remove the protective film from the glass on only one side (the one that sticks to the screen).
2. Line the glass around the edges of the phone. for models with curved screen (Xiaomi) 12S) use the template from the kit.
3. Press the center of the glass and smoothly swipe your finger from the center to the edges, squeezing out the bubbles.
4. Use a card or a special scraper to finally drive out the air.

Method 2: Glass with UV-glue 3D-glass-glass)

1. Apply 1-2 drops UV-screen glue (usually included).
2. Carefully put the glass and level it.
3. Illuminate with a UV lamp for 20 to 30 seconds. Dry without the lamp in the sun for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Remove excess glue with a napkin soaked in alcohol.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:

• ❌ Bubbles around the edges → The cause: dust or uneven pressing. Solution: remove the glass, clean the screen and repeat.
• ❌ Glass floats" → Reason: weak glue or curved screen. Solution: use UV-glue or double-sided tape around the edges.
• ❌ Rainbow divorces → Reason: residues of old glue. Solution: repeat the alcohol cleansing.

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If the glass falls off at the edges after a day or two, you've used a low-quality glue. UV-fixation or apply an additional layer of superglue (point, corners).

6. Features of replacement on popular Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique design features that make it difficult to replace glass.

Xiaomi 13 Ultra / 13 Pro: ultrasonic fingerprint scanner

• 🚫 It is forbidden to use glass with metallized coating – they block the sensor signal.

Redmi Note 12 Pro+: curved-screen

• 🔄 3D-The glass is difficult to glue because of the curvature, often flaking off at the edges after 1-2 weeks.
• ✅ Solution: Use "hybrid" glass (flat but with rounded edges) or glue only on the central part.

POCO F5 / F4 GT: high-lift

• 📸 The glass often does not cover the area around the camera, leaving it vulnerable.
• ✅ Solution: Look for extended-coated glass or dokle a separate piece of film on camera.

Xiaomi Civi 3: dual front camera

• ✅ Solution: Before buying, check the reviews from the installation photo on your model.

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For models with a subscreen camera (Xiaomi Mi Mix 4), choose windows marked "Under Display Camera" and are thinner in the camera area so as not to degrade the quality of the photo.

7 Care for a new glass: how to prolong its life

Even the strongest glass will last longer if you follow the simple rules:

• 🧼 Cleaning: Use only soft wipes and special sprays (like Whoosh!). Avoid paper towels - they scratch.

If you notice that the glass has started to flake off around the edges, don't pull it with a replacement, it will get dust under it, and then it will be harder to remove it. For a temporary solution, use transparent tape around the perimeter.

How to restore oleophobic coating?

Over time, the glass stops repelling the greasy traces, and it can be retrieved by:

• Special sprays (e.g. Liquid Oleophobic Coating)
• Home method: wipe the glass with a solution of vinegar (1:1 with water), then apply a thin layer of Vaseline and polish with microfiber.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)