Have you noticed that your Xiaomi screen has started to rise, the body has deformed, and the back cover is coming off with a characteristic squeak? These are sure signs that the battery has swelled, a problem that smartphone owners face after 2-3 years of operation. Battery bloating does not just spoil the appearance of the gadget: it is a direct security threat, since a damaged battery can ignite or explode when overheated, charged or even mechanically exposed.
In this article, we’ll look at why this happens (spoiler: it’s not just charging times and cycles that are to blame), how to safely remove a bloated battery from Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi, where to put it back for recycling, and whether you can replace the battery yourself — or trust the service center, and also learn which Xiaomi models are most often affected by this problem and how to prolong the life of a new battery after replacement.
Why the battery in Xiaomi smartphones is swelling: 5 main reasons
The lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries Xiaomi has installed are designed to last 500 to 1,000 charge cycles, but even when used carefully, the battery can swell ahead of schedule, and here are key factors that speed up the process:
- 🔋 Deep discharges: If the phone often discharges to 0% and lies in this state for days, the chemical processes inside the battery are disrupted, which leads to gas formation.
- ⚡ Overheating when charging: use of non-original chargers (especially with higher voltages) 5V/2A) Or charging in direct sunlight accelerates degradation.
- 📱 Mechanical damage: Falls, bumps, or even a strong squeezing of the phone in your pocket can disrupt battery integrity.
- ❄️ Extreme temperatures: Xiaomi operation at the same time −10°C or higher +40°C destroys the structure of the electrolyte.
- ⏳ Battery time and quality: cheap third-party batteries (e.g. Redmi low-end models) 9A or POCO M3) They are faster than the original ones.
Interesting fact: in 2021, Xiaomi recalled a batch of Redmi Note 8 Pro smartphones due to battery defects that swelled even when properly operated. If you have this model, check the serial number on the manufacturer's website.
Signs of Battery Bloating: How to Recognize a Problem Early
Sometimes the battery is not always bloated immediately, and sometimes the process begins with subtle symptoms that can be easily confused with other malfunctions.
- 📲 The screen "steps away" from the body: gaps appear on the edges of the display, and when pressed, a crunch is heard.
- 🔌 The phone does not hold a charge: even after full charging, the battery sits down in 1-2 hours.
- 🔥 Overheating without load: the device heats up in standby mode or with minimal use.
- 📵 Spontaneous reboots: The phone turns off at 30-40% charge or does not turn on without connecting to the network.
- 🔊 Deformation of the back cover: the lid is arched, and under it a bulge is visible (especially noticeable if you put the phone on a flat surface).
You can check suspicions with a simple test: put Xiaomi on the table with the screen up and slightly press the center of the back cover. If the phone springs or there is a soft resistance under the finger, it is 100% a sign of bloating. Don't ignore it!
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If the battery is swelling but the phone is still working, turn it off immediately and disconnect it from charging, even a slight gas build-up increases the risk of fire when heated.
What to do if the battery is already swelling: step-by-step instructions
The rule is, don't try to puncture or compress a bloated battery, which can cause toxic gases or ignition.
- Turn off the phone and disconnect the charger. If the power button doesn't respond, press the power button + volume up for 10-15 seconds.
- Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if there is a slot): they may be affected by further manipulation.
- Do not turn the device on until the battery is replaced. Even when it is turned off, the bloated battery remains dangerous.
- Contact the service center or prepare for a self-replacement (more on this below).
If you are replacing the battery yourself, you will need:
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (cross, flat, torks) T3–T5).
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station for softening glue.
- 📱 New battery (original or qualitative analogue).
- 🧲 Screen removal suction cup (if the battery is glued to the display).
Turn off the phone and remove the cards|Prepare tools and a new battery|Working on non-combustible surfaces|Have a fire extinguisher on hand (in case of emergency)|Take a picture of the location of the plumes before disassembly-->
Can I replace the battery in Xiaomi by myself?
Technically, yes, but it's risky, especially for beginners: Xiaomi models often have a battery glued to the body or screen, and power plumes are fragile. Disassembly errors can lead to:
- 💥 Short circuit (if the battery contacts are damaged).
- 📵 Loss of performance (for example, a touchscreen dump after a careless screen removal).
- 🔥 Fire (if the new battery is poor or installed incorrectly).
If you do decide, follow these tips:
- Watch the disassembly of your model on YouTube (for example, the process is different for the Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO X3 Pro).
- Use only original or certified batteries (e.g., from Xiaomi, Baseus or ZMI).
- Do not use force when disconnecting the plumes - they break easily.
Which Xiaomi models are the hardest to understand?
Where to put the bloated battery: recycling points in Russia and the CIS
Lithium-ion batteries are hazardous wastes, which cannot be thrown into ordinary garbage.
| Country. | Where to go | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | Shops "Svyaznoy", "M. Video", "Eldorado", items "Ecotechnologies" | Free, no purchase. In some cases, they give you a discount on a new battery. |
| Ukraine | Xiaomi service centers, stores "Foxtrot", "Citrus" | They accept up to 5 batteries a day. The EcoBattery program operates in Kiev. |
| Kazakhstan | Items "EkoZhas", shops "Sulpak", "Technodom" | In Almaty and Nur-Sultan, containers for electronic waste are operating. |
| Belarus | 21vek, Beltelecom stores | They accept batteries from any device, including Xiaomi. |
Before visiting, check by phone if they accept bloated batteries - some points only take entire batteries. If there is no suitable place, pack the battery in a tight box (for example, from shoes) and hand over to the nearest DEZ or eco-center as hazardous waste.
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Never throw a bloated battery into fire or water, and when exposed to moisture, lithium reacts to release poisonous gas, and when heated, explodes.
How to prolong the life of a new battery after replacement
Even Xiaomi’s original battery will last longer if you follow these rules:
- 🔌 Charge correctly: keep the charge level between 20% and 80%. Full discharge and 100% charge shorten lifespan.
- ❄️ Avoid extreme temperatures: don't leave your phone in the sun or in the cold.Optimum temperature — +10…+35°C.
- 📵 Turn off background processes: Close unused apps (especially instant messengers and games) that drain the battery.
- 🔄 Calibrate the battery: once every 2-3 months, discharge the phone to 0% and charge up to 100% without interruptions.
- ⚡ Use original charging: cheap adapters with AliExpress often do not meet the claimed characteristics.
For Xiaomi models with support for fast charging (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G or Xiaomi 12T Pro), the manufacturer recommends using branded chargers with Quick Charge 3.0+ or HyperCharge technology. They automatically adjust the voltage so as not to overheat the battery.
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Xiaomi has a hidden charging optimization feature in its settings. Activate it along the way: Settings → Battery → Charging Optimization (available on MIUI 12 and later).
How much does it cost to replace the battery in Xiaomi: prices 2026
The cost of replacement depends on the model of the phone, the type of battery and the region, and the average prices in Russia and the CIS are as follows:
| Xiaomi model | Cost of battery (ruble) | Cost of work (ruble) | Total (rupe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9A / 9C | 800–1 200 | 1 000–1 500 | 1 800–2 700 |
| POCO X3 / X3 Pro | 1 500–2 000 | 1 500–2 000 | 3 000–4 000 |
| Redmi Note 10 / 10 Pro | 1 800–2 500 | 1 500–2 000 | 3 300–4 500 |
| Xiaomi 11T / 12 Lite | 2 500–3 500 | 2 000–2 500 | 4 500–6 000 |
| Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro | 4 000–5 000 | 2 500–3 000 | 6 500–8 000 |
In official Xiaomi service centers, it will cost 20-30% more to replace, but you will get a battery warranty (usually 6 months). In informal workshops, the risk of running into a fake is higher, but some offer a guarantee for work (for example, if the phone does not turn on after the replacement).
⚠️ Warning: If your phone gets more discharged or overheated after you've replaced the battery, you're probably getting a low-quality battery!