Disassembly Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite: step-by-step guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite is a popular mid-range smartphone released in 2018, which is still in active use. However, over time, even such a reliable device can have problems: a discharged battery, a faulty speaker or a cracked camera glass. If you are faced with the need for self-repair, this article will help to disassemble the device without damage to the body and internal components.

It's important to understand that disassembling a smartphone is a process that requires care and preparation. Unlike the flagship models with a modular design, the Mi 8 Lite has a glue battery and a fragile display plume, which complicates the task. We will tell you what tools you need, how to properly separate the back cover without damaging the antenna contacts, and what typical mistakes beginners make, and you will find tips for reassembling and testing the device after repair.

If you have never taken a smartphone apart before, we recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the theoretical part – it will save time and nerves. For experienced craftsmen, we have prepared unique nuances specifically for the Mi 8 Lite, which are not found in universal guides (for example, the features of the motherboard mounting and the location of flexible plumes).

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need, and if you don't have even one tool, you can damage the body or the internal components, and here's the minimum kit you'll need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3) to separate the back cover. Metal blades can scratch the body.
• 🔨 Cross screwdriver PH00 — The usual screwdriver won't work because it's a risk of ripping off the slats.
• 🔋 Suction cup (2-3 It's a little bit like a scotch, and it's a little bit like a looped scotch.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station for softening the glue. Optimal temperature: 60-70°C (not higher!).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container to keep the screws small. The Mi 8 Lite has 12 different lengths.
• 📱 Tweezers with curved ends - for working with plumes and small details.

Also, prepare the workspace: it must be well lit, draft-free (so as not to blow dust) and antistatic (such as a rubber mat). If you work on a desk without protection, periodically touch the grounded object (such as a heating battery) to remove static electricity, which can damage the chips.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a knife or other sharp objects to separate the lid! In the Mi 8 Lite, the antenna contacts are located close to the edge of the body and are easily damaged. If the glue doesn't lend itself, warm the lid with a hairdryer again, rather than apply force.

If you are planning to replace the battery, pre-order the original battery with a capacity of 3350 mAh (article: MBJ4017). Cheap analogues often have lower capacity and can swell over time. To verify the authenticity of the battery after purchase, use the AccuBattery app to show the real capacity.

Step 1: Turn off and disassemble the back cover

The first and most important step is to detach the back cover, and in the Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite, it's glued all around the perimeter, so you can't just take it off.

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the tray for SIM-cards (use a paper clip or special key).
2. Warm up the lid with a hair dryer around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes, holding it at a distance of 5-7 cm. Do not stay in one place for longer than 10 seconds, so as not to melt the plastic.
3. Suction or tape slightly pull the lid from the bottom edge (from the connector side). USB-C). If it doesn’t give in, warm up for another 1 minute.
4. Insert the plastic mediator into the gap and carefully guide it along the edge, separating the glue. Do not deepen the mediator more than 2 mm - there are antenna contacts inside!

When the lid is separated by 2/3, Don't take it off completely, it's still connected to the body with a flexible fingerprint plume (if your model is equipped with one), gently lift the lid and unplug the plume by tweezing it with the black tongue of the connector. If the tongue is missing, the plume is attached with a latch, just pull it up.

If the lid is not amenable even after warming up, the glue may be too old and dry, in which case isopropyl alcohol may be used (90%+): Put a few drops on the edge of the lid and wait 1-2 minutes for the alcohol to dissolve the glue. Don't use acetone or solvents, they'll damage the plastic!

⚠️ Note: In some versions of the Mi 8 Lite (for example, for the Chinese market), there may be an additional metal screen attached to the screws under the cover. Don't confuse it with the motherboard! First unscrew all the screws of the screen, and then start detaching the plumes.

Step 2: Disconnect the battery and plumes

When you take the lid off, you'll see the battery covered in black film and some plumes, and the first thing you need to do is turn off the battery, and that will prevent you from shorting out as you disassemble it.

1. Find the battery connector - it is located at the bottom of the board, next to the USB-C port, and has an orange or red color.
2. Carefully tuck the connector into a plastic picker or tweezers, pulling it upwards. Don't use metal tools!
3. After turning off the battery, wait 1-2 minutes - this will discharge the residual voltage in the capacitors.

Now you can disconnect the other plumes. The Mi 8 Lite has five.

Before you unplug each plume, take a picture of the location of the plume, which will help with the reverse assembly. Pay special attention to the plume of the display: if it is damaged, the screen will stop working, and it will cost 30-50% of the cost of the smartphone to replace it.

💡

If the plume doesn't detach, check if it has a latch on it, which is often transparent and invisible at first glance in the Mi 8 Lite.

Step 3: Removing the motherboard and child modules

The motherboard in the Mi 8 Lite is mounted on 12 screws of different lengths. Remember the location of each one — if you mix them up when you build them, you can damage the board or the body. We recommend that you place the screws on a magnetic mat in order of their extraction or sign them.

After unscrewing the screws, gently raise the board on the right side (on the side of the volume buttons). Do not pull it sharply - it is connected to the body with two flexible antenna contacts (for Wi-Fi and the wi-fi). GPS). Disconnect them with tweezers by pulling the black connectors.

Now you can extract the entire fee. Pay attention to the following nuances:

• 📶 The antenna contacts are often glued to the body. Don't tear them off by force, warm them up with a hair dryer.
• 🔊 The speaker and the microphone can be soldered to the board, and if they're faulty, it's easier to replace the entire module.
• 📷 The cameras are mounted on screws under the cross screwdriver!

If you're looking to replace the battery, after you remove the board, you'll see the battery glued to the body. The Mi 8 Lite uses double-sided, high-strength tape, so you can't just take it off.

1. Plastic card or mediator for tampering with the battery.
2. Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) glue-dissolving.
3. Patience – the process can take 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Attention: Don't puncture the battery and rot it! Lithium polymer batteries can ignite if damaged. If the battery is swelling, work with safety glasses and gloves, or better contact the service.

Step 4: Replacing the Battery – A Step-by-Step Guide

If you get to this point, then the main disassembly is behind you. Now let's figure out how to replace the battery in Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite without damaging the body and the new battery.

First, make sure that the new battery is compatible with your model.The original battery has the following characteristics:

• 🔋 Capacity: 3350mAh (not to be confused with 3400mAh is a fake!).
• 🔌 Tension: 3.85V (standard for lithium polymer batteries).
• 🆔 Articulum: MBJ4017 or DM-BJ4017 (Chinese version).
• 📏 Sizes: 73.5 × 72.5 × 3.8 mm (check before buying!).

Replacement process:

1. Disconnect the old battery from the board (if you haven't already done so).
2. Apply isopropyl alcohol on the edges of the battery and wait 2-3 minutes. The alcohol will dissolve the glue, but will not damage the body.
3. Carefully apply the battery with a plastic card starting at the top edge. Don't use metal tools!
4. Remove the glue from the case and the new battery. Use a napkin dipped in alcohol.
5. Install a new battery starting at the bottom edge, make sure it's flat, uncontorted.
6. Connect the connector and check if the battery holds up without the extra glue. If not, use double-sided tape. 3M (non-superglue!).

After installing a new battery, take your time to assemble your smartphone. First, plug in the board and battery, then turn on the device and check:

• 🔋 The level of charge (must correspond to the real one).
• 🔌 Charging (plug the charger and make sure the current is going on).
• 📱 Heat (the battery should not be warmed above 40)°C when charging).

💡

If after replacing the battery, the smartphone does not turn on, check: is the battery connector correctly connected, is there any damage to the board plume, and is the contacts closed?

Step 5: Disassemble the display and replace the camera glass

If you want to replace the display or the camera glass, it's going to be more complicated. In the Mi 8 Lite, the screen is glued to the frame, and the camera is integrated into the motherboard, and we'll go through both.

Replacement of display

To take the screen you will need:

• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (temperature 70-80)°C).
• 📱 Suction cup for the screen (better two - for uniform lifting).
• 🗡️ Plastic mediators (3-4 pieces).
• 🧴 Clay. B-7000 or LOCA display-mount.

Process:

1. Warm up the screen around the perimeter for 3-5 minutes.
2. Suction suction the display from the bottom edge (from the "Home" button).
3. Insert the mediators into the gap and carefully guide them along the edge, separating the glue.
4. When the screen separates from the 2/3, Disconnect the plume (it is under the metal screen).

When installing a new display, apply a thin layer of glue around the perimeter of the frame and press the screen. Use a press or a heavy book to stick uniformly (weighing at least 1 kg). Do not turn on the smartphone for 2-3 hours to dry the glue.

Replacement of camera glass

The camera glass in the Mi 8 Lite often cracks when falling.

1. Remove the motherboard (as described above).
2. Warm up the camera module with a hairdryer (60)°C) and tweez the glass carefully.
3. Install a new glass, having previously cleaned the seat with alcohol.
4. Put the glue on. B-7000 at the edges and press the glass for 10-15 minutes.

After replacing, check the camera in the Camera app. If artifacts or blurring appear, it may be that dust has hit the lens - gently clean it with a lilac-free napkin.

Step 6: Reverse Assembly and Testing

Building your smartphone after repair is as important as disassembling, and the key here is to connect all the plumes and twist the screws into their seats.

After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:

• 📶 Network and Wi-Fi (if there is no signal, check antenna contacts).
• 🔊 Sound (speaker and microphone).
• 📷 Cameras (front and main).
• 🔋 Charging (plug the charger and make sure the current is going on).
• 👆 Sensors (fingerprint, proximity sensor, gyroscope).

If something's not working, don't panic. Go back to the showdown and check:

• Are all the plumes connected (especially the display and cameras)?
• Whether there is a cable somewhere (for example, under the battery).
• Are the contacts closed on the board (look at the subject of foreign objects).

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone overheats or discharges quickly after assembly, there is likely a problem with the battery or motherboard!

If everything is working properly, congratulations – you successfully dismantled and assembled Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite! Now all you have to do is stick a protective film on the screen and the back cover (if it was damaged).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Mi 8 Lite, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is that the fingerprint sensor is broken after assembly, and most often it's because the sensor plume is not connected or is not connected correctly.

• Is the plume connected to the motherboard (the connector is next to the battery).
• Will the sleeves be slacked (this may cause a break).
• Do you not have a dusty stain on it?

If the sensor doesn't work anyway, it might be damaged, in which case it'll have to be replaced, and the cost of a new sensor for the Mi 8 Lite is about 500 to 800 rubles.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions