The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 has become a landmark device that offered a frameless design and ceramic body long before it became the mainstream standard. However, the monolithic design of ceramics and glass makes the process of repairing or replacing components extremely difficult for the untrained user. Disassembling this device requires not only specific tools, but also a high degree of accuracy, since the risk of damage to fragile elements is much higher than in conventional plastic cases.
The main challenge is that the back cover is glued around the perimeter with a powerful adhesive compound, and the interior space is tightly packed with components. Any careless movement can lead to cracks in the ceramics or damage to the display plumes. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the step-by-step dismantling algorithm so that you can safely replace the battery, screen or other modules.
Before you start physical intervention, make sure you have all the necessary fixtures and a workplace.Heating the case to 80-90 degrees Celsius is a critical step, without which unfettering the ceramic back without chipping is almost impossible. Ignoring the temperature regime is almost guaranteed to destroy the back panel when trying to tamper with it.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
A good disassembly starts with the right organization of the space: you will need a clean, well-lit desk, preferably with an antistatic mat, to eliminate the risk of damage to electronics by a static charge. You also need to prepare a toolkit, as standard home fixtures will not be enough to work with the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2.
First of all, get a professional heating element. This can be a special heater for phones, a temperature-adjusted thermophen or, in extreme cases, a quality electric heating pad. A normal hair dryer can not warm the adhesive to the desired temperature evenly. To work with the adhesive layer, you will need thin metal blades, suction cups and a plastic mediator.
Don't forget the screwdriver set. The design of the smartphone uses a variety of screws, including cross screws and possibly special screws with an asterisk. The accuracy of the tools is key here, because the torn screw hat inside the case will create huge problems in assembly, and you will need tweezers with curved ends to work with small plumes.
- 🛠️ Heating equipment: thermophene, heater or heating pad for softening glue.
- 🔧 Screwdriver kit: cross (PH000, PH00) and slits for screws of different calibers.
- 📦 Tools for opening: suction cups, thin metal blades, plastic mediators.
- 🧲 Organizer: magnetic mat or containers for sorting screws by disassembly stages.
It's important to understand that the ceramics that make the case conduct heat differently than metal or glass, that take longer to heat up, but also cool down longer, which gives you some advantage when you're working, but uneven heating can cause thermal shock and microcracks that will only become visible after the device cools down.
⚠️ Warning: Never start putting the lid on unless the body is heated evenly throughout the area.Cold areas of glue will keep the lid firmly, causing it to collapse instantly under the pressure of the shoulder blade.
Removal procedure for back cover
The most important step is to separate the back from the frame. Start by removing the tray. SIM-So you can use the card to keep it running, and then you can turn it on and heat the back surface, and the temperature should be palpable, but not melting, the plastic inside, and the optimal range is about 85 degrees Celsius.
After warming up for 5-7 minutes, install a suction cup at the bottom of the back cover, closer to the center, but not on the camera. Carefully pull the suction cup upwards, creating a small gap between the ceramics and the frame. In the resulting gap immediately insert a thin metal blade or a special blade for opening.
Move the shoulder blade along the perimeter, trying not to dive deeper than 3-4 mm, so as not to touch the battery or plumes. Movements should be sliding, cutting glue, not stabbing. If you feel strong resistance, reheat the area. Exercise special care in the area of the fingerprint scanner and the main camera module.
☑️ Checklist for lid removal
When the glue is cut all around the perimeter, gently lift the lid, and underneath it you'll see a metal plate covering most of the components, and don't try to pull the lid off with a jerk, and check if the fingerprint scanner plume is still glued, which can connect the lid to the board in some modifications, or be very close to the opening area.
Dismantling of protective plates and battery
Once you take the ceramic back off, you'll see the inside of it, and the top of it is a large metal plate covering the motherboard and the plume connectors, and it's fixed with a lot of screws of different sizes, and you'll have to twist them out and spread them out in a strict way, because the screws can be a fraction of a millimeter long, which is critical to the integrity of the board.
When you remove the top plate, you get access to the connectors, and the first thing you do is you turn off the battery plume, and this is done with a plastic blade or a nail, and you gently lift the connector up, and then you can continue to work after the battery is turned off to avoid short circuits.
The battery in the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is also glued, but less aggressive than the lid. Under the battery are important plumes of the display, so you can not pull it up. First you need to unstick special tongues or use a plastic card to gradually separate the battery from the bottom of the case, moving from the top edge.
| Component | Type of attachment | Risks of withdrawal | The necessary tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back cover. | Perimeter adhesive layer | Destruction of pottery, chipping | Heater, suction cup, spatula |
| Protective plate. | Screws (different lengths) | Thread failure, board damage | Sets of screwdrivers, tweezers |
| Battery | Glue strip | Battery puncture, plume break | Plastic card, heating (optional) |
| Display plume | Clamp connector | Contact break, damage to tracks | Plastic spatula |
When working with the battery, be extremely careful. Damage to the lithium polymer cell can cause it to ignite. If the battery is swelling, you need to work with it doubly carefully, trying not to put pressure on the center of bloating.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to use metal tools to smack the battery. Any puncture of the shell will cause an instant chemical reaction with the release of heat and smoke.
Replacement of the display module
If your goal was to replace the screen, then after removing the battery and the lower plastic frame (which is also held on glue and screws), access to the matrix is opened. The screen in the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 occupies almost the entire front panel and is attached to the metal frame.
To replace the module, you need to disconnect the touchscreen plume and the arrays from the board. They are under protective metal casings that also require screws to be twisted. Once the plumes are turned off, the screen can be removed. The new part is recommended to be checked for performance before installation, simply by connecting the plumes and turning on the phone, without permanently gluing the module.
The reassembly is done in reverse order, and it's important to clean the frame of the old glue before you install the new screen, and to fix it, you use a special glue B-7000 or E-8000, which is applied in a thin strip around the perimeter, and the excess glue is removed immediately before it freezes.
- 📱 Dismantling plumes: disconnect the connectors of the display and touch screen from the motherboard.
- 🧹 Cleaning: Remove old glue and dust from the frame for the perfect fit of the new module.
- 🧪 Testing: Check the new screen and touch screen before the final gluing.
- 🧴 Fixing: Apply a new layer of glue and tightly press the module until drying.
Often, users are faced with a situation where after replacing the touchscreen, the touchscreen ceases to respond to touch, this can be due to poor contact of the plume or damage to the connector itself during installation.
Working with the motherboard and camera
Removing the motherboard is rarely required, usually to replace the charging connector (which is on a separate board at the bottom) or repair the audio codec.The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 board sits tightly in its padding and is closed with multiple layers of protection.
To access the bottom USB-C connector, you need to remove the bottom plastic panel that's underneath the battery, which is also glued and screwed, and underneath it is a daughter board with a microphone and a charging connector, connected to the main board with a flexible plume.
When working with the camera, remember that the optical stabilization (OIS) in the main camera module is very sensitive to shocks. Remove the camera module strictly vertically, without swaying it, so as not to damage the lenses or the mechanism of the stabilizer inside.
The camera system requires calibration in service, although basic functions will work after self-replacement, but the quality of the photo in poor light can deteriorate due to lost focus.
⚠️ Warning: The main camera plume is in close proximity to other components. When installing the board, make sure that the plume is not clamped or has no cavities, otherwise the camera will give an error or show a black image.
Assembly of the device and checking leakage
The final stage is assembly. It requires the same care as disassembly. Make sure all the screws are back in place. It's especially important not to confuse long and short screws: a long screw twisted into a hole for a short one can break through the board or rest against it, creating a point of tension.
To stick the back cover, use a quality adhesive. Apply it evenly around the frame. Once the lid is installed, it is advisable to place the smartphone under the press (or tightly wrapped with rubber bands) for several hours to polymerize the adhesive, which will ensure the necessary tightness and strength.
After assembly, turn on the device and check all the basic functions: communication, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, speaker, microphone, vibration and charging. Pay special attention to the proximity sensor, which is implemented in frameless smartphones is non-standard (ultrasonic sensor in the lower end).
If all the features are working correctly, you can consider the repair successfully completed. Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 is ready for use again. Remember that after opening the warranty on the device (if it was still valid) is lost, so you take all the risks.