Disassembly Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite: step-by-step guide with photos and tips

Why do you want to know about Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite?

The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, launched in 2018, is still popular with users due to its balanced performance and affordable price. However, over time, even reliable equipment requires repairs, from replacing the battery to cleaning the connectors or recovering from a fall. Disassembling the device is the first step to any internal repair, but without knowing the nuances you can damage fragile components.

This article will help you disassemble the Mi A2 Lite safely, avoiding common mistakes, and we will look at the tools, sequence of actions, and unique design features of this model that distinguish it from other Xiaomi smartphones, such as the non-standard attachment of the battery plume or the fragility of the plastic case when heated.

Before you start, evaluate your skills: if you've never taken a smartphone apart, you'd better go to a service center, but if you're willing to take a chance, follow the instructions carefully.

Preparation: Tools and precautions

You'll need specific tools to disassemble the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, and a regular screwdriver or knife won't work here, because the risk of damage to the case or the board is too high.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3 - for neat tweaking of the body. Metal tools will leave scratches.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station to soften the glue under the back cover. Optimal temperature: 60-70°C.
• ⚙️ Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00 and the five-pointed Pentalobe P2) — different types of screws.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or tray - so as not to lose small details (screws, latches).
• 📸 Smartphone for photography – capture each step so as not to confuse the order of the assembly.

Important: before disassembly completely turn off the smartphone and remove SIM-A memory card. The battery in the Mi. A2 Lite is not removable, so its disconnection will occur only after opening the case.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a dryer at maximum power - overheating can deform the plastic case or damage the screen. Keep the device at a distance of 10-15 cm and evenly warm all the edges.

Also prepare your workspace: a clean desk with good lighting, no carpets or puffy surfaces (small details are easily lost).If you disassemble your phone because of fluid, dry it in rice or silica gel for at least 24 hours.

Step 1: Remove the back cover

The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite is attached to glue and plastic latches. To remove it, you first need to soften the glue with heat. Turn the dryer on at medium power and warm the edges of the body around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. Pay special attention to the area near the USB-C connector and volume buttons - there is more glue.

After warming up, take a plastic mediator and gently insert it into the gap between the body and the screen. Start at the lower left corner (near the charging connector) and slowly drive the tool along the edge, snapping the clamps. Don't put too much effort into it -- if the lid doesn't lend itself, warm up the area again.

• 🔹 On the upper part of the body (above the screen) latches are especially fragile - act extremely carefully.
• 🔹 If you hear a crack, stop right now. It could be the sound of a snap or a plume.
• 🔹 Do not poke the lid with a knife or metal objects – this leaves scratches and can damage antenna lines.

When the lid is almost detached, don't remove it completely, it's still connected to the smartphone with a thin fingerprint plume (if your model is equipped with one), gently lift the lid and unplug the plume by pulling the black tongue of the connector on the motherboard.

Step 2: Shutting off the battery

When you take off the lid, you'll see the battery glued to the body. First rule of safety: before you manipulate the board, you need to turn off the power. In the Mi A2 Lite, this is done by disconnecting the battery plume from the motherboard.

The battery plume is located at the top of the device (under metal protection) and is fixed with a black connector. Carefully tuck the connector with a plastic shovel or tweezers, pulling up. Don't pull the wires - they are very thin and can come off!

⚠️ Warning: If after the battery is turned off, the smartphone accidentally turned on (for example, due to the closure of contacts), immediately disconnect the plume again!

Once the battery is turned off, you can start removing the metal protection of the motherboard, which is mounted on 8 to 10 different size screws, and remember the location of each screw, because it's easy to confuse them when you build them, which can damage the board.

Step 3: Removal of motherboard and child modules

The Mi A2 Lite motherboard is mounted to the body with screws and connected to other modules through plumes, and to remove it, first disconnect all the connectors:

1. Screen plume (located under metal protection, fixed by a latch).
2. Camera plume (thin black connector at the top of the board).
3. The power button plume (a small white connector next to the battery).
4. Antenna cables (glued to the board, disconnected last).

Once the plumes are unplugged, unscrew all the circuit board screws. The Mi A2 Lite uses three types of screws:

• 🔩 Cross (PH00) — mounting-board.
• 🔩 Five-pointed (Pentalobe) P2) — protect against self-repair.
• 🔩 Rotors with rubber gaskets - under speakers (do not lose gaskets!).

When all the screws are unscrewed, gently raise the board on one side. If it doesn't respond, check if you forgot to disconnect any plume. Don't force it, the board may break or damage the contacts on the case.

Step 4: Disassembly of additional modules

After removing the motherboard, you can start disassembling the remaining components: speakers, vibromotor, cameras, etc. In the Mi A2 Lite, these modules are attached in different ways:

• 🔊 The speaker is glued to the body, removed after warm-up with a hair dryer. Be careful: under the speaker is a thin mesh that is easy to break.
• 📷 The main camera is mounted on two screws and a plume, and the plume is very fragile, don't bend over it.
• 🔄 Vibromotor - soldered to the board, removed only when completely disassembled (for example, to replace).
• 📶 Antenna lines - glued to the lid, when removing, do not pull them by the wires.

If you want to replace the battery, you can start removing it after you've taken the board, and the battery in the Mi A2 Lite is glued to the body with double-sided tape to remove it.

1. Warm up the battery with a hairdryer (no higher than 60°C!).
2. Carefully tuck it with a plastic spatula from the edge.
3. If the tape does not lend itself, put a thin guitar string or line under the battery and "saw" it, separating the glue.

⚠️ Warning: Do not puncture the battery with sharp objects - this can lead to fire! If you notice a bloating battery, do not disassemble the phone yourself - contact the service.

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If you are replacing the battery, check the multimeter voltage before installing the new one. It should be within 3.7-4.2 V. If the voltage is below 3.5 V, the battery may not charge.

Step 5: Assembly of the device

The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite is a process no less responsible than disassembly. The main rule is: act in reverse. Start by installing the child modules (camera, speaker, vibrator), then fix the motherboard and connect all the plumes.

Pay particular attention to the following points:

• 🔌 The plumes must be tightly inserted into the connectors. If the plume is not fixed, check if the latch tongue is bent.
• 🔩 The screws -- just use the ones that were in their seats. The screws are different in length from the speakers and the board!
• 🔋 Battery - before gluing the new clean the case of old glue with alcohol.
• 📱 Back cover - before installing, check that all latches are in place and not broken.

After assembly, don't turn the smartphone on immediately. First, plug it into a 10- to 15-minute charge so the battery gets a little charged. Then check all the modules.

1. Screen (no broken pixels, touch sensitivity).
2. Cameras (focus, lack of artifacts)
3. Speakers and microphone (sound, no wheezing).
4. Volume and on buttons.
5. Fingerprint sensor (if any).

If something is not working properly, disassemble the device again and check the connection of the plumes, most often problems arise from a poorly inserted screen or camera plume.

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The most common mistake in assembly is the screws that are tangled up, the screws from the speakers are longer than the screws of the board, and if you swap them, the board can warp or close.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with a careful disassembly, there can be problems, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the smartphone overheats or discharges quickly after assembly, the problem is most likely the wrong installation of the battery or thermopaste (if you took it off), in which case it is better to contact the service.

Also note the tightness of the case, if after disassembly the phone lost protection from dust and moisture (IP-Certificate, avoid use in wet conditions.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions