How to remove the back cover Xiaomi Redmi 3: full analysis

Owners of the popular budget smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 3 often face the need to access the internal components of the device, which can be caused by the desire to replace the bloated battery, break the battery. SIM-A map that's stuck in a tray, or just dust the speaker, but the design of this device doesn't involve frequent disassembly by the user, making the process of removing the lid unobvious to the beginner.

The main difficulty is that the back panel is glued around the perimeter with a special adhesive compound, the adhesive solidifies over time, requiring preheating to soften, trying to remove the lid "cold" or using brute force is almost guaranteed to lead to cracks in the glass or deformation of the metal frame.

Before you start any manipulation, you need to make sure that you have the right tools and prepare the workplace. The safety of your device and your hands depends on the accuracy of each step. In this article, we will discuss all the steps in detail, talk about pitfalls and help you avoid the common mistakes that often occur when you first get acquainted with the design of Redmi 3.

Tools and workplace preparation required

You can't disassemble the plumes properly without specialized, albeit inexpensive, tools, and you can't use knives, pins or sharp metal objects because they damage the plumes or break the battery, and you'll need a minimal set that you can find in any radio parts store or order online.

Special attention should be paid to the heating source. Many people use regular household hair dryers, but they often do not give enough temperature or, conversely, overheat the local area. The optimal solution is a temperature-adjusted thermophen or a special heating pad for smartphones. If there are no such devices, a powerful hair dryer will do, but you will have to warm longer.

To protect the screen from scratches during operation, cover the table with a soft cloth or use a special silicone mat. Also remember to completely turn off the device before starting work. Even when the circuit is off, there may be residual voltage in the circuit, so working with a discharged battery is safer.

• 🔧 Plastic spatula (mediator) or thin metal scalpel (use extremely carefully).
• 🌡️ Hair dryer for construction or household heating glue.
• 🧤 Thin rubber gloves to protect against cuts and fat on details.
• 🧲 Magnetic substrate for screws so as not to lose them in the process.

⚠️ Never direct a jet of hot air directly into a camera or speaker – this can damage the membranes and lenses inside the modules.

Preparing your workspace isn't just a formality, it's a key to success. Good lighting will allow you to see the smallest details and not miss hidden screws. Make sure there are no flammable objects nearby if you use a powerful thermophen.

Safety and warm-up of the body

The most critical step is heating the back cover. The Redmi 3 uses a two-part glue that becomes plastic at around 80-90 degrees Celsius. Insufficient heating will cause the cover to simply crack when it tries to break away, and excessive one can damage the display or cause the battery to bloat.

You need to warm up evenly, waxing a hair dryer over the entire surface of the back panel. Pay special attention to the edges, because that's where the main contour of the adhesive layer is located. Warming time is usually 2 to 4 minutes depending on the power of your tool. Periodically touch the surface (carefully!) - it should become hot, but not burning.

If you use a suction cup, attach it to the bottom of the lid, closer to the logo or slightly lower, but not too close to the edge so that the glass does not burst from the point pressure. After warming up, try to slightly pull the suction cup up, creating a microscopic gap between the frame and the lid.

• 🔥 Warm up the body with circular movements, without holding the hair dryer at one point longer. 3-5 seconds.
• 👐 Use a suction cup to create initial tension, but don't pull it all out.
• 👀 Visually control the state of the glass: the appearance of rainbow spots indicates overheating.

It's important to understand that thermal exposure changes the properties of materials. The metal frame expands and the glass behaves differently. The sudden temperature changes can cause microcracks that will manifest later. So let the device cool down a little after the first stage of heating if you feel the temperature is too high, and then repeat the procedure.

Rear panel dismantling process

Once the glue has softened, the most critical moment comes: the gap formed from the suction cup (or in the corner if the suction cup did not help), you need to insert a thin plastic card or a mediator. The movements should be sliding, parallel to the plane of the lid, not perpendicular to it.

Swipe the tool around the perimeter, gradually cutting through the adhesive layer. You'll hear the characteristic sound of separation of materials. If the tool is difficult, do not push harder, it's better to warm up the problem area again. Most often, the difficulties occur in the area of the camera module and flash, where the layer of glue may be thicker.

Once you've passed the entire perimeter, the lid should be easy to detach. But don't rush it off completely! Inside, you can have button plumes or antenna contacts that connect the back to the main board, and a sharp jerk will cause the plumes to break.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of Redmi 3 under the lid is a thin film with a NFC-Take the lid off slowly, visually monitoring the connections.

The lid is the final step of the first phase of the repair, so you put the panel on the clean surface with the outside down so you don't scratch the glass, and you have access to the insides, but the main board is still protected by a metal screen and plastic frames.

Disassembly of internal protection and access to the battery

Under the back cover, you'll see a plastic gasket frame and a metal screen covering the main board. Unlike today's monolithic designs, there are many screws here. They can be hidden under stickers or stubs, so take a close look at the surface.

Accessing the battery often requires removing a plastic frame that holds on multiple perimeter and latch screws. Unscrew the screws counterclockwise using a suitable sized screwdriver (usually a PH00 or PH000).

Once the frame is removed, you'll see the battery and the bottom board, the battery in Redmi 3 is glued to the body quite strongly, it can also require light heating and a plastic blade, and you need to tweak the battery from the connector side, trying not to damage the connector itself and puncture the battery body.

When working with internal components, it is important to observe static safety. Although the risk of static breakdown in modern smartphones is reduced, it is better not to touch the contacts of plumes and open tracks on the board with your fingers. Use antistatic gloves or regularly touch a grounded metal object.

Battery replacement and device assembly

If your goal was to replace the battery, after removing the old element, you should carefully clean the seat of the residue of the old glue. Use isopropyl alcohol or a special glue cleaner (B-7000), but do not pour the liquid directly on the board.

The new battery is mounted on fresh double-sided adhesive tape. Don't skimp on fixing, because the battery hanging inside the case is a source of short circuit and plume damage. Connect the battery connector to the board before you click, making sure it's up straight.

The assembly is reversed, the internal plastic frame is installed and screwed, then all the buttons and touchscreen are checked until the lid is finally glued, and only once the phone is turned on and responsive to touch can you apply new glue and press the back panel.

• 🔋 Use only the original battery or quality analogues with a protective board.
• 🧹 Degrease surfaces before applying new glue for better adhesion.
• 🧪 Check the phone before the final assembly.

⚠️ Warning: When installing a new battery, make sure the power connector is not bezel-clamped.This is a common error that causes the phone to stop seeing charging.

The final lid is best pressed with money bands or special clamps, leaving the phone for 1-2 hours to polymerize the glue. Don't turn the device on immediately, let the materials cool and fix.

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For better cap fixation, use a B-7000 or E-8000 glue, and apply it with a thin strip, avoiding camera and sensors.

Possible problems and solutions

Unforeseen situations can occur during the disassembly process, for example, the lid can crack even if handled carefully, in which case you should not panic: the cracked lid can be temporarily fixed with transparent tape or order a new one on marketplaces, since they are inexpensive for Redmi 3.

Another common problem is that the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, which often means that you didn't snap the display or battery connector well, you'd have to take the device apart again and reconnect the plumes, and also check if you forgot to plug the lower board plume (antenna cable) if it was disconnected.

If the battery is replaced, the phone may need to be calibrated, discharge the phone until it is completely turned off, then charge it to 100% off, and hold it for an hour. Then turn it on and use it normally until the next full discharge.

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The biggest challenge in disassembling Redmi 3 is the use of glue, and patience and heat solve 90 percent of the problems.

And software artifacts, too, are sometimes resets after the battery is turned off, or network errors are encountered, usually by simply restarting or resetting to factory settings if the problems are systemic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)