Owning a modern smartphone often involves not only active use of the gadget, but also the need to maintain it. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face situations when they need access to internal components: replacing the battery, cleaning the speaker from dust or installing a new camera. However, unlike older models with removable batteries, modern monoblocks require a careful and professional approach to disassembly.
The process of dismantling the back panel is very dependent on the material of the case and the specific model of your device. Glass and plastic covers have different points of glue and require excellent methods of exposure. Wrong actions can lead to damage to the plumes, cracks in the glass or violation of the sealing of the case, which is critical for moisture protection. So before starting any manipulations, you need to carefully study the theoretical part.
In this article, we will discuss how to safely open the Xiaomi lid, what tools you will need to do this, and how to avoid common errors. You will learn about the temperature regimes of heating and proper use of suction cups. Safety of your actions is the number one priority, since inside the smartphone are fragile components that are sensitive to static electricity and mechanical pressure.
⚠️ Attention: Any self-disassembly of the smartphone automatically cancels the official manufacturer's warranty. If the device is in warranty service, it is strongly recommended not to open it.
Necessary tools for safe disassembly
Wishing alone is not enough to do a job well, it requires a specialized set of tools. Using improvised tools such as knives or thick needles often results in scratches on the frame and damage to the internal plumes. Professionals use medical scalpels, thin plastic blades and special suction cups that minimize the risk of damage.
One of the key elements is the heat source. The glue that the lid is glued to softens only at a certain temperature. A normal hair dryer may not heat up enough, so you'd better use a temperature-adjusted building dryer or a professional heat site. You'll also need tweezers with curved ends to extract small screws and work with plumes.
☑️ Disassembly kit
Keep your hands safe, too, because glass and sharp tools are at high risk of cutting, and thin gloves will not only protect your skin, but also prevent greasy marks on your internal components, and reduce the risk of static electrical damage to sensitive electronics.
Features of the design of Xiaomi housings
Xiaomi engineers use different build technologies depending on the price segment and year of the model. Budget devices often feature plastic covers that hold on latches and less glue. Flagship models such as the Mi series or Xiaomi 13/14 use tempered glass or ceramics glued around the perimeter with a powerful adhesive.
It is important to understand the difference between double-sided tape and liquid glue B-7000. The former is used in most modern smartphones and requires uniform heating. The latter can occur in older models or after previous repairs. Trying to open the lid without understanding the type of glue will only lead to its stretching and smearing, which will complicate subsequent assembly.
| Type of material | Difficulty autopsy | Risk of damage | Type of attachment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic. | Low. | Medium (cracks) | Latches + glue |
| Glass. | High-pitched | Critical (fight) | Perimeter glue |
| Ceramics | Extremely extreme. | Critical (splitting) | Strong glue |
| Metal (Unibody) | It doesn't open. | Not applicable. | Monoblock |
Why is ceramics so hard to open?
Preparation of the smartphone for the procedure
Before you pick up a hair dryer, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. First, turn the device off completely. Working with the phone on when heated can short-circuit and fail the motherboard. It is also recommended to discharge the battery to 25% or below to minimize the risk of fire in the event of damage.
Remove the tray for SIM-This is a must, because the tray can interfere with the proper pressure distribution on the body or create a stress point that will lead to a crack in the glass next to the hole.
Clean the surface of your smartphone from contamination. Fat, dust and residues of old glue can interfere with the blade and suction cups. Wipe the case with an alcohol napkin. If there are already cracks on the screen or back, be sure to seal them with transparent tape so that the fragments do not fly apart and fall inside the mechanism.
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Heat your smartphone evenly, constantly moving the hair dryer in circular motions. Point heating at one point can lead to local overheating of the battery or detachment of the oleophobic screen covering on the front side.
Technology of heating and separation of the cover
The most critical step is to soften the adhesive layer, turn on the building hair dryer and set the temperature at about 80-100 degrees Celsius, heat the perimeter of the back cover, paying special attention to the corners, because there is usually the most glue, the heating process takes from 2 to 5 minutes depending on the thickness of the glass and the power of the tool.
Check the temperature with your hand (carefully) or thermometer. The glass should not be hot, it should be hot enough that the finger can barely withstand touch. OLED-If you're using a heat field, put your phone down on the protective film and heat the back.
- 🔥 Apply the suction cup to the bottom of the back cover and pull up slightly, creating a microscopic gap.
- 🔪 In the resulting gap, carefully insert a thin blade or plastic shoulder blade.
- ✂️ Without removing the blade, lead it along the perimeter, cutting the adhesive layer, while slightly pulling the suction cup.
- 🔄 If the blade gets stuck, stop moving and add more heat, do not use force.
⚠️ Warning: Never immerse the blade deep inside the enclosure. 2-3 Otherwise, you are guaranteed to cut the plume of the display or side button, the replacement of which is very expensive.
Working with internal components and plumes
Once the lid has been successfully separated, don't try to remove it completely. Many Xiaomi and Redmi models have a fingerprint scanner plume attached to the back, or a main camera unit attached to the back, and a sudden movement will cause these thin conductors to break off. Carefully examine the insides through the resulting slit.
Use tweezers or a plastic blade to disconnect the connectors. First, you need to turn off the battery to turn off the system. Only then you can safely disconnect the plumes of the display, cameras and other modules. Connectors are often fixed with metal clamping plates that need to be carefully unscrewed with a small cross screwdriver.
If your goal is to replace the battery, make sure you use the original or quality analogue. Cheap batteries can have the wrong dimensions and swell, which in the closed case of the monoblock creates excessive pressure on the screen. When installing a new cover, be sure to remove all the remnants of the old glue with alcohol or a special solvent.
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The general rule of disassembly is, "Seven times, one times, cut." Always check for plumes connecting the lid to the main board before removing the rear panel completely.
Assembly and sealing of the shell
The final step is to install a new back panel, using a special glue sealant (usually a B-7000 or a T-7000) or a pre-made adhesive frame tape that you can buy from parts stores. Apply the glue with a thin, continuous line along the perimeter of the fat-free frame. Remove the glue immediately before it dries.
Carefully align the lid with the body, starting on one side. Press tightly around the perimeter. For better fixation, you can use stationery gums, wrapping them around the smartphone for 15-20 minutes until the glue catches. Complete polymerization of the glue takes about 24 hours, so it's best not to put the phone under load on the first day.
After assembly, check whether the touchscreen responds, whether the volume buttons are working, whether the network sees, and if there are problems with the signal after disassembly, the antenna contact, which is often located on the inside of the back cover or on the end of the frame, may have been damaged.