Disassembly Xiaomi Mi Max 2: a complete guide with photos and nuances

Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is a iconic phablet with a 6.44-inch screen and a capacious 5,300 mAh battery, released in 2017. Despite its age, the device is still in demand due to its maintainability and availability of spare parts. However, the disassembly of this smartphone has a number of features: non-standard rear lid mounting, a fragile fingerprint scanner plume and the risk of damage to the flexible screen. In this article, you will find step-by-step photo instructions, a list of necessary tools, and critical nuances that even experienced crafts.

It's important to understand that the Mi Max 2 disassembly is different from most modern Xiaomi because of the designs of 2017. For example, there is no smoothly removable suction lid, it is held by 16 miniature latches, and the battery is glued to the body with high-strength double-sided tape. If you plan to replace the display, battery or speaker, without special tools and knowledge of the sequence of actions, the risk of damaging the device exceeds 70%. Next, we will analyze the process from preparation to assembly, paying attention to the most difficult stages.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start disassembling the Xiaomi Mi Max 2, make sure you have everything you need. The absence of at least one tool can lead to permanent damage - for example, trying to lid a knife instead of a mediator is almost guaranteed to damage the plastic latches.

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00, flat 1.5 mm, five-pointed T5 screw-tray SIM)
• 📱 Plastic mediators (2-3 pc, thickness 0.1–0.2 mm) or special suction cups for smartphones
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (to soften battery adhesive, temperature 60–80)°C)
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or organizer (to avoid losing screws - in the Mi Max 2 there are 23 pieces of different sizes!)
• 🛠️ Tweezers with curved ends (to detach plumes)
• 🔋 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ (glue-residue)
• 📸 Smartphone for photography (fix the location of plumes and screws at each stage!)

Special attention is paid to the organization of the workspace. Take your phone apart on a clean table with good lighting, preferably use an antistatic mat or at least a grounded metal surface. The screws in the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 have 4 different sizes (from 2.5 to 5 mm), and their entanglement will damage the thread in the case. Also prepare small packages or containers for grouping fasteners in the stages of dismantling.

⚠️ Note: If you are disassembling the Mi Max 2 to replace the battery, note that the original batteries of this model have a built-in thermistor (temperature sensor). Installing a cheap analog without a thermistor will lead to charging error and rapid degradation.

Removing the back cover: the most important stage

The back cover of the Xiaomi Mi Max 2 is mounted on 16 plastic latches and a thin layer of glue around the perimeter, the main difficulty is the uneven distribution of the latches: 8 of them are located on the sides, and the remaining 8 are in the upper and lower parts. If you pull the lid sloppy, it can crack in the area of the antenna lines (the plastic is thinner).

1. Turn off the phone and remove the tray. SIM-card (a five-point screwdriver will be required) T5).
2. Heat the edges of the cover with a hair dryer (60–70°C) for 1-2 minutes to soften the glue. Don't overheat - the plastic can deform!
3. Insert the mediator into the gap between the lid and the case at the USB-C connector. Carefully drive it along the side edge until you hear clicks of the snapping clips.
4. Repeat the procedure for the rest of the parties, without trying to immediately tear off the lid – it is held on the plume of the fingerprint scanner!

When all the latches are snapped, lift the lid on the side of the USB-C connector by 1-2 cm and gently unplug the fingerprint scanner plume (it is glued to the lid). Use tweezers to keep the contacts from breaking. If the plume breaks off, the scanner will stop working, and it will cost 30-50% of the cost of the phone to replace it.

Battery Disconnection: Why It's Critical to Do It First

Once the lid is removed, the first thing you need to do is turn off the battery, even if you don't plan to replace it. In the Mi Max 2, the power board stays on until the circuit is physically broken, and accidental circuitry with a metal tool can disable the charging controller or processor. The battery here is glued to the body with 3M 9448A double-sided tape, which requires a delicate approach.

Instructions for disconnection:

1. With a plastic mediator, gently tuck in the black battery connector (located at the bottom of the board, next to the USB-C connector). Pull by the tongue of the connector, not by the wires!
2. If the connector is not amenable, drop a little isopropyl alcohol on the area around it - this will dissolve the glue.
3. After turning off, check the voltage on the battery contacts with a multimeter (should be 0 V).

If you need to remove the battery completely (for example, to replace it), do this:

• 🔥 Warm up the body with a hair dryer (80)°C) for 3-5 minutes, evenly rotating on the surface of the battery.
• 🧊 Put a plastic blade on the side of the connector and slowly pull up. If you feel resistance, warm up again.
• 🧴 Remove the remains of the glue with alcohol and clean the contact area on the board.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi Max 2 battery is connected to the board not only power wires, but also a thin plume NTC-A thermistor will cause a Not Charging error when you install a new battery, make sure that the plume is connected!

Removal of the motherboard: the order of disconnecting the plumes

The Mi Max 2 motherboard is attached to the body with 11 screws of different sizes and connected to the periphery with 7 plumes. The main mistake of beginners is to try to pull the board without disconnecting all the connectors. This leads to a break in the contacts of the display or camera.

After you turn off all the plumes, unscrew the circuit board screws (start with the corner ones) and carefully remove it. Notice the metal screen above the processor, which is mounted on a thermal paste and can stick to the board. Don't pull it by force, but just spin it slightly from side to side.

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If the screws don't twist, don't put too much effort into it -- there's a lot of slug-slime problem in the Mi Max 2. Instead, use a rubber band, put it on the screw head and press it tightly with a screwdriver, which will increase the grip.

Screen replacement: nuances with flexible plume and glue

The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 display is one of the most vulnerable parts of the device, and its replacement is complicated by the fact that the plume of the display and sensor are combined into one module and passes under the battery. If you disassemble the phone specifically for a replacement screen, stick to this sequence:

1. Remove the battery (see section above).
2. Unplug the black protective tape over the display connector (it is glued to the board).
3. Carefully lift the connector lock up and remove the plume.
4. Warm up the screen edge with a hair dryer (60°C) to soften the B-7000 glue.
5. Use suction cups to lift the display evenly. Start at the bottom edge.

When installing a new screen:

• 🎨 Apply a new layer of glue B-7000 or bilateral tape around the frame.
• 🔌 Connect the plume to the board and fix it with tape to avoid overbending.
• 📏 Level the screen in the center before the final fixation - skews will lead to uneven gaps.

⚠️ Note: The Mi Max 2 uses a flexible plume with a signal amplifier (a small board on the display plume). When you change the screen, this amplifier must remain on the old module and be transferred to the new one.

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When you change your screen in Xiaomi Mi Max 2, be sure to transfer the signal amplifier from the old plume to the new one. It's a small green board soldered to a flexible cable. Without it, the touchscreen won't respond to touch!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced wizards make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi Mi Max 2. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 The fingerprint scanner plume is damaged when the lid is removed abruptly. Solution: unplug the plume until the lid is completely removed.
• 🔧 Tangled screws are in type 4 fasteners, solution: spread them out on containers with signatures (e.g., camera, board, screen").
• 🔥 Overheating of the board in soldering causes the components to detach. Solution: Use a thermo-air station with a temperature of no more than 300.°C.
• 📱 The antenna wires are broken, they're fragile and glued to the lid. Solution: last thing you can do is unplug them, tweez them gently.
• 🔋 Short circuit when connecting the battery. Solution: always check the voltage on the board with a multimeter before assembly.

Another common problem is that the vibrator is broken after assembly, and 90% of the time it's because its plume (a thin white wire) is not fully inserted into the connector on the board. Check the locking of all the connectors before final assembly!

Phone Assembly: Reverse Sequence and Testing

The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 should be assembled in reverse order, but with a few critical points in mind:

1. Before installing the battery, clean the contact platform on the board with alcohol.
2. Make sure that all plumes (especially the display and cameras) are fixed by the plugs.
3. When installing the back cover, start by snapping the top, then gently pressing the sides.
4. After assembly, do not turn on the phone immediately - wait 10-15 minutes for the glue to grasp.

After turning on, be sure to test:

• 🔋 Charging (plug the charger and check the indication).
• 📸 Cameras (front and main, including autofocus).
• 🔊 Speakers and microphone (record voice message).
• 📶 Communication (check signal level and operation) SIM-map).
• 👆 Touch screen (especially edges – there are often problems).

If the phone does not turn on after assembly, check:

• Connect the battery (the connector should sit tight).
• Integrity of the plume of the power supply (often rubbed with careless assembly).
• Short circuit on the board (call the multimeter).

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If the phone shows the wrong charge level after replacing the battery (for example, 0% with a full battery), calibrate: completely discharge the device, then charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions