How to disassemble Xiaomi Mi5: a step-by-step repair guide

The Xiaomi Mi5, despite its age, remains an interesting device for enthusiasts who want to extend its life or learn the internal architecture of the classic flagship. The process of disassembling this device requires care, since the design of the body does not involve simple access to the insides without prior preparation.

Before you start physically affecting the body, it is essential to prepare the workplace, you will need not only a set of tools, but also good lighting, and free space for sorting screws. Any dust or static electricity can cause sensitive electronics to fail, so you should not neglect precautions.

In this article, we will take a closer look at each step of the Mi5 dismantling, from heating the body perimeter to turning off the motherboard plumes. You will learn which screws are located where, how to safely disconnect the battery and what design nuances to pay special attention to. The main difficulty is the thin plume of the fingerprint scanner, which is easy to break when the back cover is not neatly removed.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to turn off the device. Attempting to disassemble a smartphone with a connected battery can lead to a short circuit and irreversible failure of the power controller.

Tools and workplace preparation required

To work with the Xiaomi Mi5, you will need a specialized set that is usually used by service center masters. The use of improvised tools such as knives or pins is strongly discouraged, as this increases the risk of damage to plastic elements and scratches on internal components.

First of all, you need a heat source, which can be a professional thermoribbon, a temperature-adjusted hair dryer, or even a household heating pad, although the latter is less effective. Heating is necessary to soften the two-way tape that seals the case. Without proper warming, trying to remove the lid will cause it to split.

Suction cups and mediators (plastic blades) are also essential, and mediators are needed to carefully dissect the adhesive layer around the perimeter, and metal tools can be dangerously used to damage antenna modules that are often attached to the inside of the lid.

• 🔧 Screwdrivers: Phillips cross #000 and #00, and Torx specific screwdriver T5 squirrel.
• 🌡️ Dryer or thermoribbon: for uniform heating of the body perimeter to temperature 80-90 degree.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer: for sorting screws of different sizes, so as not to confuse them when assembling.
• 🧤 Antistatic gloves: to protect components from static electricity and fat traces.

Space organization is key to success. Put tools in order of use. Prepare adhesive tanks in advance if you plan to assemble the device back with a new adhesive. Chaos on the table often causes small cogs to get lost or confused, which can cost you the integrity of the thread when you reassemble.

⚠️ Warning: Never use metal blades to lid the area of the antennas. The plastic in these areas is thin, and the metal will easily cut through it, violating the tightness and radio module.

Rear panel removal and primary access

The first step is always heating. Turn on the hair dryer and evenly warm the perimeter of the back cover for 2-3 minutes. Don't hold the hair dryer too close so as not to overheat the display matrix on the back side, but make sure that the body is noticeably warm to the touch. Thermocles should become elastic.

Once warmed up, place the suction cup in the bottom of the back cover, closer to the MI logo, but not at the edge. Pull the suction cup up, creating a little tension, and in the resulting gap, carefully insert a plastic mediator. Don't try to turn the tool — your job is to cut the glue, not to pull the lever off the lid.

Drive the mediator along the perimeter, periodically warming up the areas where the glue starts to harden again. Pay special attention to the top where the camera module is located, and the bottom where the fingerprint scanner is located.

When the lid is completely separated from the ramp, don't rush to put it aside. It's connected to the motherboard by a thin plume of a fingerprint scanner. A sharp jerk is guaranteed to cause the plume to break, after which the fingerprinting function will stop working. Carefully lift the lid and disconnect the plume connector from the board using a plastic blade.

Disassembly of internal structure and protection of components

When you remove the back cover, you have an internal metal frame that is the frame for all the components, and it's mounted with a lot of perimeter and central screws, all of which are different lengths, and entanglement can cause a long screw to rebound into the motherboard or screen when it's assembled, damaging them.

In the center of the bottom is the USB Type-C charging socket, which also requires care, and around it are screws that lock the bottom of the frame. Unscrew all the visible screws using a magnetic screwdriver so that they don't fall deep into the case. Some screws can be hidden under decorative stickers or seals.

Then you take off the metal plate that covers the bottom of the motherboard and the battery, and it also attaches to the screws and sometimes glue, and when it's removed, you access the battery connector, and this is a critical point, always first of all, you need to disconnect the battery from the board before you unplug any other plumes.

Once the battery is turned off, you can start removing the top protective plate that holds the plumes of the display and the main cameras. Unscrew the screws, remove the plate and gently snap the connectors. The display plume in the Mi5 is quite wide and requires careful handling.

Extraction of motherboard and modules

Now that all the connections are broken and the screws are twisted, the motherboard is free. However, you can't just pull it out - it's getting in the way of the side plastic bezels and the main camera module. The camera in the Xiaomi Mi5 has optical stabilization and protrudes quite strongly, so it needs to be removed very carefully without touching the lens with your fingers.

Carefully raise the board from one of the lower corners, making sure nothing gets caught. Often the board can stick to the frame due to glue residue or a tight fit. Use a plastic card to slightly cut the edges. Don't put too much effort — if the board doesn't go, check if all the screws are twisted.

Under the motherboard, you'll find a vibrator motor and an overhead speaker (conversational) that can be glued or simply inserted into the slots. If you want to completely replace the frame, you need to rearrange them. The vibromotor is often connected to the board through a separate small connector or solder, depending on the board revision.

• 📸 Main camera: has a large module, requires careful extraction from the seat.
• 🔊 Dynamic: located at the top, often has a rubber gasket for tightness.
• 💡 Flash: Dual LED flash module is located next to the camera and connected by a separate plume.

Special attention should be paid to the front camera and sensors located in the upper end, which are often attached to the frame with glue. When you replace the display, these elements should be glued to a new module. Use a special glue B-7000 or similar adhesive for electronics.

⚠️ Attention: Motherboard is the most expensive component. Avoid bends of board when extracted, as this can lead to microcracks in the processor solder or memory, which will cause the phone to "brick.

Replacement of the battery and work with the battery

The battery in the Mi5 is glued to the bottom of the body quite firmly. To remove it, it is recommended to use a special suction detacher or, in extreme cases, gently poke it with a plastic card, preheating the rear part of the body (if it is not already completely disassembled) or using access from the bottom.

It's important not to puncture the battery or deform it. Lithium polymer batteries are sensitive to mechanical damage. If you notice a battery bloating, you should work with the utmost care, because the risk of fire when punctured increases many times. A bloated battery requires immediate disposal.

When installing a new battery, make sure the connector matches the pinup. Xiaomi often uses batteries with a protective board that has a specific connector. Before connecting, check the voltage on the contacts of the new battery - it should be in the working range.

After installing a new battery, take your time to close the case. Connect the plume and check if charging is underway and the correct percentage of charge is displayed. Only by making sure that work---WIDGET:keypoint:Always use original or certified batteries. Cheap analogues may not have a protection controller, which is dangerous for the device.->

Assembly of the device and verification of functionality

The assembly is done in reverse order, but with a number of nuances: first, put all the modules (cameras, speakers), then stack the motherboard. Make sure all the plumes are flat and not clamped. Connectors should snap with a characteristic, barely audible click.

Write the screws cross-cross without tightening them to the end at once. First, make all the screws, then gradually tighten them. This will ensure a uniform fit of the frame. Pay special attention to the screws around the camera module - the pull can shift the focus.

Before you stick the back cover, make sure you check all the features: touchscreen, sound, vibration, cameras and fingerprint scanner. If you forget to check something now, you'll have to disassemble the device again, which increases the risk of damage to new components.

• 🔍 Visual inspection: check if there are any extra screws or details on the table.
• 🔌 Train test: make sure all connectors sit tight and until the end.
• 🧼 Cleaning: wipe the insides from dust and prints before final assembly.

Use a new layer of double-sided tape or special glue to fix the back cover. Apply a thin strip of glue around the perimeter, avoiding camera and sensors. Press the lid and lock the device with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes before drying.

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Use rubber harnesses or stationery gums to tightly press the back cover during drying of the glue, which will ensure perfect tightness and no gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)