Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite: How to change the control buttons

The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, the global version of the popular Redmi 6 Pro, has proven to be a reliable metal-body device. However, mechanical controls tend to wear out faster than electronic components. Over time, owners face the problem of when volume or on buttons stop responding to presses, stick or require excessive effort.

Restoring the operation of controls is a process that requires care, but is quite affordable for self-implementation with basic skills. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to change buttons on the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, replace the plume or micro solder switches, returning the phone to comfort of use.

Do not ignore the malfunction, as a jammed switch can lead to battery discharge or an endless cycle of reboot.Timely repair will avoid more serious consequences for the motherboard.

Diagnostics of malfunction of control buttons

Before you start disassembling a device, you need to accurately determine the nature of the breakdown. Often the problem lies not in the switch itself, but in the software failure or contamination of contacts. If the button on the Android One device does not respond, try first to perform a software reset or check for conflicting applications.

When software methods are powerless, physical intervention is required, mechanical damage can be caused by moisture, dust, or simply the release of a microswitch resource, and often by the swelling of the battery, which starts to press on the plume from the inside of the housing.

⚠️ Warning: If the power button is stuck in the pressed state, immediately remove SIM-tray and try to gently unclose the case to break the contact, otherwise the battery will run out of power or the phone will go into a cyclic reboot.

For a precise diagnosis, remove the back cover and disconnect the button plume from the motherboard. If the phone reacts when you connect a new plume (or carefully close the contacts with tweezers), then the problem is the mechanics. If there is no reaction even when you directly close the contacts on the board, the power controller may be damaged.

Tools and workplace preparation required

You can’t repair quality without the right tools. To work with the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, you will need a specialized set, since the design of the smartphone involves the use of many small screws and fragile plumes. The main tool will be a set of screwdrivers with Phillips bits (cross) of various sizes.

The most important element is a suction cup or a thin plastic blade to open the case. Metal tools are not recommended, as there is a high risk of damaging the screen or scratching the aluminum frame, you will also need tweezers with curved ends and a mediator to snap the internal latches.

  • πŸ”§ Precision screwdriver set (PH000, PH00)
  • πŸ›  Plastic blades and mediators for opening
  • 🌑 dryer or heat pad
  • 🧲 Magnetic screw-sorting mat
  • 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol and toothbrush for cleaning

Special attention should be paid to the organization of the workspace. All screws should be folded in a certain order, since the Mi A2 Lite uses fasteners of different lengths. An assembly error can lead to damage to the thread or failure of the board components.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for repairs

Done: 0 / 5

The process of disassembling the smartphone Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite

Disassembly begins with turning off the device and removing the tray SIM-The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi A2 The Lite is glued around the perimeter, so it needs to be warmed up. Use a hair dryer, evenly warming the edges of the back panel during the course of the process. 2-3 minutes before the temperature 80-90 degrees Celsius.

After warming up, insert the suction cup into the bottom of the back cover and pull up slightly to create a gap. Insert a plastic mediator into the resulting gap and, as you run it along the perimeter, snap the glue away. Don't inject the tool too deeply so as not to damage the fingerprint scanner plume or the main camera plume.

Once you remove the lid, you'll see a metal frame screwed with lots of screws. You often only need to remove the bottom of that frame to access the buttons, but in some cases, you need to disassemble completely. Unscrew all the visible screws, including those hidden under the stickers.

⚠️ Attention: The fingerprint scanner plume is glued to the inside of the back cover, and unplug its connector from the board very carefully, by first snapping the locking plug.

Remove the metal protection, you will have access to the battery and the bottom plume where the buttons are located. Carefully disconnect the battery connector before any manipulation with other plumes to prevent short circuit.

πŸ“Š What caused the breakage of the buttons on your Xiaomi?
Moisture/liquid ingestion
Mechanical wear (frequent pressing)
The fall of the smartphone
Battery bloating
I don't know, it just stopped working.

Replacement of the volume button plume and switching on

The most common solution is to replace the plume with buttons completely. In the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, this module is a flexible board with microswitches installed on it. To replace it, you need to carefully unstick the old plume from the body.

Use tweezers or a spatula to fit the edges of the plume. Act slowly, because the adhesive base can be strong enough. After dismantling, clear the seat of glue residue with alcohol. Set the new plume, making sure it fits tightly and the connector is properly oriented.

Connect the plume to the motherboard before the characteristic click. Check the buttons until the case is fully assembled: plug the battery, turn on the phone and check the reaction to pressing. If everything works correctly, you can start building.

  • πŸ“± Carefully remove the old plume without damaging the adjacent components.
  • 🧼 Degrease the planting site with a new solution of isopropyl alcohol
  • πŸ”Œ Make sure that the plume connector has no cracks and oxides.
  • βœ… Test the performance before the final gluing of the body

If you have a quality original plume, the problem should be solved completely, but if the new plume also does not work correctly, the problem may lie in the connector on the motherboard.

Micro-switches: alternative to replacement

In some cases, finding a quality plume assembly can be difficult, or the problem is precisely the oxidation of the contacts inside the switch, and in this situation, micro soldering is possible, a more complex method that requires a blowtorch with a hairdryer and skills with small components.

The method is to solder out an old microswitch and install a new one. The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite uses standard-sized switches, but replacing them with a flexible plume requires a board fixation and the use of a low-temperature solder.

Hair dryer temperature: 320-350Β°C


Airflow velocity: Minimum




Type of solder: POC-61 fluxed

Put the flux on the contacts of the switch, warm it up to melt the solder, and carefully remove with tweezers. Clear the area, set a new button and solder it, a method that preserves the original plume, which is often preferred for collectibles.

⚠️ Attention: When soldering on a flexible plume (very easy) overheat the tracks and peel them off. Use heat pads around the soldering area to remove excess heat.

Where to buy quality components?
When buying plumes for Xiaomi, pay attention to the presence of gold spray on contacts. Cheap copies often have copper contacts that quickly oxidize. It is recommended to order parts labeled "Original" or "High Copy" from trusted suppliers specializing in parts for Xiaomi. Avoid the cheapest options on well-known marketplaces, as the resource of the buttons there can be less than a month.

Comparison of repair methods and cost of components

The choice between replacing the plume and soldering depends on your skills and the availability of parts. Replacing the module is easier and faster, but requires buying a whole node. soldering is cheaper in terms of component costs, but requires equipment.

Below is a table that helps you determine the method of repair depending on the situation.

CriteriaReplacement of the plumeMicro-buttonsCalling the service
DifficultyLow.Tall.Absent.
Equipment requiredScrewdrivers, shoulder blades.The soldering station, hair dryerProfessional
Implementation time30-40 minutes.15-20 minutes (with skill)1-3 days
Risk of damageMedium.High (for a beginner)Low.

The cost of the Mi A2 Lite plume varies by manufacturer, but usually does not exceed 10-15 dollars.Service service center services can cost more than the spare part itself, so self-repair is often economically justified.

πŸ’‘

Use a B-7000 or T-7000 glue to fix the back cover, apply it in a thin layer on the low-fat surface and let it dry for 2-3 minutes before pressing. Full polymerization takes 24 hours.

Device assembly and final inspection

After successful button replacement or repair, you need to assemble the smartphone in reverse order. Make sure that all the plumes (cameras, display, buttons, batteries) are tightly connected to the point. Unconnected plume can cause a module to fail.

Twisting all the screws of the metal frame, observing their length. A short screw in the long hole will not give the desired fixation, and a long one in the short can damage the board. Connect the battery and check the power button on the device.

Check all the features: menu volume, lock screen, fingerprint scanner. If everything is stable, apply a new glue to the frame and press the back cover. Lock the phone with rubber bands for 15-20 minutes for the initial glue grab.

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn on the phone immediately after assembly if soldering has been done. Let the device cool and weather the flux pairs to avoid corrosion of contacts.

Properly executed repairs will extend the life of your Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite for many years to come. Regular cleaning of the connectors and careful handling of the buttons will help to avoid a recurrence of the problem.

πŸ’‘

The most critical moment of repair is the careful detachment of the fingerprint scanner plume from the back cover, as it breaks when carelessly moving.

Can I use my phone if the switch button is broken?
You can use the "Twice tap to turn on" or "Schedule on" option if you've activated it before, and it helps to connect the charger, which can wake up the screen, but it's hard to use a smartphone without the on button, because you can't restart the system or turn off the device in a normal way.
Why does the phone not turn on after the button is changed?
Maybe the plume is incorrectly connected or completely connected, check the connector on the motherboard and the plume itself for cracks, and the problem may be a discharged battery or oxidation of contacts after moisture hits, try to leave the phone on charge for 30-60 minutes.
How to replace the glue for the back cover at home?
It is best to use specialized adhesives for electronics, such as the B-7000, T-7000 or E-8000. They retain elasticity after drying, which is important for cushioning. The use of superglue (cyanacrylate) is not recommended, as it becomes brittle and can damage the body on the next disassembly, and its vapors can settle on the camera.
How often should I change the buttons on Xiaomi?
In normal use, the life of the buttons is several years; frequent breakdowns are usually associated with extreme conditions: sand, moisture, heavy impacts or defects of components; there is no specific replacement schedule, repairs are made when a malfunction occurs.