Why you should take out the Redmi Note 5A and what you need to know before you start
Disassembly of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A (codenamed ugg) can be necessary for many reasons: replacement of the charging connector, cleaning from dust, repair of the display or battery. However, this process requires care - the model is assembled on latches and glue, and improper actions can damage the plumes or body. Unlike flagships, low-cost Redmi often lacks protection from moisture (IP-certification), so disassembly is simplified, but the risk of damage to internal components remains.
Before you start, evaluate your skills: if you've never disassembled smartphones, practice on an old device or watch video disassembly. The main difficulty is to disconnect the battery without damaging the plume and properly remove the motherboard, which is attached to screws and double-sided tape. Also note that after disassembly, the enclosure can fly off, which will affect dust protection (if any).
In this instruction, we will consider:
- 🔧 Necessary tools and their analogues
- 📱 Step-by-step process with photos and nuances
- ⚠️ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- 🔋 Features of replacing the battery, display and connectors
Preparation: tools and security
To disassemble the Redmi Note 5A, you need a minimal set of tools, without which the risk of damage to the device increases significantly.
- 🔩 Screwdriver cross (PH00 or PH0) — It's a phone repair kit.
- 🪛 Plastic blades/mediators to disengage the body. Metal tools can leave scratches!
- 🔥 Dryer or thermoair station - for softening the glue (especially when replacing the display).
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or container - so as not to lose screws (there are about 10 pieces).
- 🔋 Insulation or capron tape - for fixing plumes during cleaning.
Also, prepare your workspace: a table with good lighting, no carpets (screws are easily lost) and an antistatic bracelet (optional, but recommended for chip protection). If you replace the battery, buy the original battery with a capacity of 3080 mAh in advance - cheap analogues can swell or quickly fail.
⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone was in water or fell from a height, disassembly can be dangerous! Bloated battery or damaged contacts can lead to a short circuit.
I turned off my smartphone and pulled it out. SIM-map|Prepared all the tools.|I took a picture of the location of the screws (if I understand it for the first time)|Wearing an antistatic bracelet (optional)|Checking the battery for bloating.
-->
Step-by-step dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A: from the case to the motherboard
Start with a power outage. Turn off your smartphone and wait for a full stop (the vibration should end when you turn off).
- Removal of the back cover: Redmi Note 5A covers the latches and glue, gently tuck it with a plastic blade on the bottom edge (near the charging socket). If the cover does not respond, warm up the edge of the case slightly with a hair dryer (temperature is not higher than 60 ° C. Do not apply force - you can break the latches!
- Spinning: Under the lid, you'll see ~10 screws. They're all different in length! Remember or take a picture of which screw comes from. Use a magnetic screwdriver to keep the screws from falling out. Long screws usually attach the motherboard, short screws usually attach a metal screen.
- Battery disconnect: Battery glued to the case. To remove it, apply the plastic blade only from the arrow's point (usually next to the connector). Don't pull the plume! First, disconnect the battery connector from the motherboard. What happens if you damage the battery plume? When the plume breaks, the smartphone will stop charging or turn on. In some cases, the power controller on the motherboard may burn up, which will require expensive repairs.
- Motherboard extraction: The board is mounted on screws and double-sided tape. Carefully lift it with a shoulder blade starting at the top. Be careful with the camera and display plumes - they're fragile! If the board doesn't move, check if all screws are unscrewed.
Once you remove the board, you'll have access to all the components: the speaker, the vibrator, the connectors and the cameras, and you'll need to heat the adhesive around the perimeter of the screen and carefully separate it with a mediator to replace the display.
💡
If the screws are boiling, drop a little alcohol or WD-40 on them and wait 1-2 minutes. Do not use force - the thwarted thread will complicate the assembly!
Table: Location of key components of the Redmi Note 5A
| Component | Location. | Difficulty replacing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Under the motherboard, glued. | ⭐⭐ (middle-class) | Risk of damage to the plume in case of careless removal |
| Charging connector (Type-C) | The bottom of the fee, soldered. | ⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched) | Requires a soldering iron and microsoldier skills |
| Main camera. | Top of the board, on a flexible plume | ⭐ (low-key) | It is easy to detach, but the plume is fragile. |
| Display module | Front, glued around the perimeter. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (high-pitched) | Requires warm-up and careful separation |
| Dynamician and microphone | The lower part of the body, under a metal screen | ⭐⭐ (middle-class) | Often clogged with dust |
Important: When replacing a display or battery, be sure to use original parts or certified counterparts. Cheap Chinese copies may not fit the connectors or cause sensor problems.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi Note 5A. Here are the most common problems and ways to prevent them:
- 🔧 Torn screws: Use a screwdriver with the correct sting size. If the screw does not go, do not press harder - try to drip alcohol or use a rubber pad for better grip.
- 🔋 Battery plume damage: Never pull the plume! First disconnect the plug on the board, then gently lift the battery on the opposite side.
- 📱 Cracked display when removed: Warm up with a glue dryer (60–70)°C) and use thin mediators (0.1-0.2 mm). Take your time, the glue must soften.
- 🔌 Short circuit: Before assembly, check if there are any foreign metal particles (screws, shavings) on the board.
Another common problem is that the sensor is broken after assembly, and this happens when the display plume is not fully inserted into the connector or damaged, check the connection's reliability and, if necessary, clean the contacts with alcohol.
⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, check: Is the battery connected (the connector should click), is there any damage to the motherboard (blackened cells, bloated capacitors). Is all screws twisted - an unfixed board can close the contacts.
💡
The most vulnerable part of disassembly is the display and camera plumes, which cost 30 to 50 percent of the cost of a smartphone to replace, so work carefully!
Battery replacement: nuances and battery choice
The Redmi Note 5A battery is one of the weakest parts of the model, and after 2-3 years of operation, the capacity drops by 30-40%, and the operating time is reduced to half of the original one. Replacing the battery can return the smartphone to a second life, but there are a few nuances:
- 🔋 Battery selection: Original battery is labeled BM47 or BM48 (The alternative is batteries from the ZMI or Baseus with the same capacity (3080 mAh). Avoid "enlarged" batteries for 4000-5000 mAh - they will not fit in the case or damage the charging controller.
- 🔥 Glue: The new battery should come with double-sided tape. If it is not, use heat-glue (for example, use a hot tape, B-7000), But don’t put too much on it, it will make the next disassembly more difficult.
- ⚡ Calibration: After replacement, fully discharge and charge the battery 2-3 times so that the power controller correctly determines the new capacity.
Replacement process:
- Disconnect the old battery (as described above).
- Clean the installation site from glue residues with alcohol or acetone.
- Stick the new battery, starting at the top edge. Don't press too hard, you can damage the lithium polymer cells.
- Connect the plume and check the voltage with a multimeter (should be ~3.7-4.2V).
If the smartphone does not charge after replacement, check:
- Polarity of the connection of the plume (plus / minus should not be confused).
- Integrity of the connector on the motherboard (sometimes the contacts are oxidized).
Assembly: reverse order and testing
The Redmi Note 5A is built in reverse order, but with some features:
- Plugs: Lastly, when the board is already fixed by the screws, this will prevent accidental pulling when you install the lid.
- Screw them cross-curl to avoid board skewing. Start with corner screws.
- Back cover: Before installing, check that all latches are in place. If the lid does not sit tightly, warm it up with a hair dryer (50-60 °C) for a better fit.
After assembly, turn on the smartphone and check:
- 📶 Network operation (SIM-map, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).
- 🔊 Sound in the speaker and microphone.
- 📷 Cameras (main and front).
- 🔋 Charging (plug the charger and make sure the current is going on).
If something doesn’t work, take the device apart again and check:
- Connect antenna plumes (responsible for network and Wi-Fi).
- Battery and charging connector contacts.
- Integrity of flexible plumes (often broken when sloppy assembly).
💡
Once assembled, reset (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) if the smartphone is buggy, which will help avoid software conflicts after repair.