Why you may need to remove the cover and what risks it carries
Removing the back cover of Xiaomi 5 Plus is an operation that owners face when replacing the battery, repairing the camera or cleaning from dust. However, the design of the smartphone does not involve easy access: the manufacturer uses glue and latches to ensure the tightness of the case. Incorrect dismantling can lead to plastic cracks, damage to plumes or even loss of water protection (if the model supported the IP- certification).
Unlike the flagship models with a metal body, the Xiaomi 5 Plus has a plastic back panel, which simultaneously simplifies and complicates the process. On the one hand, plastic is less prone to deformation when heated, on the other hand, it is easier to break with excessive force. If you have never disassembled smartphones, it is worth thinking three times before you start working.
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔧 What tools will be needed to safely remove the cover
- 🔥 How to Prepare a Smartphone to Minimize Risks
- 📸 Step-by-step instructions with photo and video examples
- ⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Preparation: tools and conditions for work
Before you start disassembling, make sure you have everything you need, and the absence of at least one tool can cause permanent damage to the body or internal components.
- 🔨 Plastic mediators/scapula (2-3) - for gently putting the lid on
- 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature) 60-80°C)
- 🧲 Suction - helps create an initial effort to separate the panel
- 📏 Thin screwdriver (cross, 1.5 mm) - for twisting screws under the lid
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — glue-residue
- 📦 Container for screws - so as not to lose small details
Also prepare the workplace:
- 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting (better to use a desk lamp).
- 🧹 Remove all unnecessary items — the lost screw can get into the smartphone.
- 📱 Turn off the device and remove the SIM- memory card (if any).
- 🔋 Charge the battery to 30-50%, which is a safe level for manipulation.
If you don’t have experience, practice on an old, unnecessary phone or watch Xiaomi 5 Plus video disassemblies on YouTube. Pay attention to the locations of the latches – they are usually located around the perimeter of the lid, especially at the bottom (where the charging connector is).
⚠️ Warning: Don't use metal tools to lid up! They leave scratches and can puncture the battery, causing a fire.
Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover without damage
Now, to the process itself, follow the instructions carefully, because every step is important to preserve the integrity of the smartphone.
Step 1: Heating the body
The glue that the lid is glued to becomes elastic when heated. Turn the dryer on at a minimum temperature (60-70°C) and evenly warm the back panel for 2-3 minutes. Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm so as not to overheat the plastic.
Pay special attention to the edges of the case, which is where the glue is concentrated. Don't heat the screen or the camera area!
Step 2: Creating an initial gap
Apply the suction cup to the top of the lid (near the camera) and pull up slightly. If the lid doesn't lend itself, repeat heating. Once there's a small gap (1-2 mm), insert a plastic mediator into it.
Don't pull too hard -- the plastic can crack. If the suction cup doesn't hold, try sticking it on tape.
Step 3: Careful separation of the cover
Swipe the mediator around the perimeter of the lid, gradually increasing the gap. Move from the top corner to the bottom, repeating the heat with a hairdryer if necessary.
- 📍 Around the charging socket (bottom)
- 📍 Side by side, next to volume buttons
- 📍 At the top, near the headphone jack (if any)
If the cover "does not want" to separate in some place, do not apply force - it is better to warm up this area again.
Heat the entire perimeter of the hull |
Mediator inserted into gap 3-5 mm|
All latches on the sides are snapped |
The battery is not swelled or deformed-->
Step 4: Final Check
When the lid is almost separated, make sure there are no unclicked clamps left. Usually the last "resistance point" is at the bottom. Carefully lift the lid and put it aside.
Under the lid, you'll see:
- 🔋 Battery (stick or taped)
- 📸 Camera module with flexible plume
- 🔌 Connectors for display loops and buttons
- 🛠️ Rotors securing a metal frame
⚠️ Warning: Don't touch plumes with your bare hands - static electricity can damage chips. Use an antistatic bracelet or at least touch a grounded metal object before work.
What to do after removing the lid: advice on further actions
Now that the lid is removed, you can start the main task of replacing the battery, cleaning or repairing it.
1. Battery operation
If you remove the cover to replace the battery, remember:
- 🔋 The battery in the Xiaomi 5 Plus is glued to the body, and it will require isopropyl alcohol (it dissolves glue) or a special suction tool to extract it.
- ⚡ Do not puncture or bend the battery - this can lead to a fire.
- 🔄 A new battery must be original or from a proven manufacturer (e.g., ZMI or Baseus).
2. Treatment of plumes
The camera and display plumes are extremely fragile.
- 🛠️ Use plastic tweezers, not metal tweezers.
- 🔧 Lift the latches of the connectors carefully - they often break.
- 📸 Don't pull the camera plume -- it can come off the module.
💡
If you remove the dust lid, use a soft brush and a can of compressed air. Don't blow with your mouth - moisture from your breath can condense on the board.
3. Reverse assembly
When you install the lid back:
- 🧹 Make sure there is no dust or debris inside the enclosure.
- 🔥 Reheat the edges of the lid with a hair dryer (this will help the glue to grip better).
- 🔧 Tighten the screws cross-to-cross to avoid distortion.
If after the assembly of the smartphone does not turn on, check:
- 🔌 Whether all the plumes (especially the battery and display) are connected.
- 🔋 Is the battery installed correctly (is there any gaps)?
- 🛠️ Are there any foreign screws or parts left inside?
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi 5 Plus, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of metal tools | Scratches, plume damage, battery puncture. | Use only plastic mediators and shoulder blades |
| Excessive heat by a hairdryer | Deformation of plastic, detachment of paint, damage to the display | Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm, the temperature is not higher than 80 ° C |
| Force in the detachment of the lid | Plastic cracks, plume break | Warm up the glue longer, use the suction cup for even effort |
| Incorrect battery removal | Puncture, fire, damage to the body | Soften the glue with alcohol, use a suction cup for the battery |
| Loss of screws or parts | Incorrect assembly, backlashes, broken buttons | Use a magnetic mat or container for parts |
Another common problem is damage to waterproof pads, and if your Xiaomi 5 Plus had moisture protection (even basic), it's likely to be broken after disassembly.
- 💧 Avoid getting moisture on your smartphone.
- 🛡️ Purchase a hydrophobic coating for boards (e.g., Nano-Coating).
- 📱 Use a cover with additional protection.
What to do if the cover is broken when removed?
Alternative methods: when the standard method does not work
Sometimes the Xiaomi 5 Plus cover is not amenable even after heating and using mediators, and in such cases, alternative methods can be tried:
1. The thread method
This is a good way to do this if the glue is too strong.
- 🧵 Capron thread (e.g., from guitar strings or fishing line 0.2-0.3 mm).
- 🔥 Hazel-softening.
- 🧲 Suction cup to create the initial gap.
Strip the thread into the gap between the body and the lid and gently saw it around the perimeter, as if cutting off the glue. This method requires patience, but minimizes the risk of damage to the lid.
2. Use of special devices
In the electronics repair tool stores are sold:
- 🛠️ Smartphone opener kits (with suction cups and shoulder blades of various shapes).
- 🔧 Guitar mediators are thinner and more flexible than standard ones.
- 🧲 Magnetic screwdrivers for screws (so as not to lose them).
If you plan to do repairs regularly, such kits pay off quickly.
3. Contact the service center
If you are not sure of your abilities or the lid is damaged, it is better to contact professionals.The cost of removing the back cover in the service is usually 500-1500 rubles, which is cheaper than repairing after a failed self-disassembly.
In Moscow and St. Petersburg, you can contact:
- 📍 Xiaomi Service Center (official centers, list on mi.com).
- 📍 Service centers "Svyaznoy" or "M.Video" (if the warranty is still valid).
- 📍 Local workshops (read reviews before your visit!)
💡
If your Xiaomi 5 Plus is guaranteed, disassembling it yourself will lead to its loss, in which case contacting the service center is the only correct option.