Xiaomi Redmi 4A: how to remove the back cover

Xiaomi Redmi 4A has become a hit in the budget segment, but the time of operation inevitably makes its own adjustments. Owners often face the need to replace the battery, which eventually loses capacity, or want to install a new rear panel instead of a broken one. The dismantling process on this model has its own characteristics that distinguish it from modern monoblocks with glass backs.

The main challenge that beginners face is finding mounting points. Unlike many modern gadgets, where the lid is held only on glue, it uses a combined method of fixing. The screws are hidden under a decorative stub at the bottom of the case, which often leads inexperienced users to use excessive force where it is not required.

Before you start any manipulation, it is important to prepare the workplace, you will need good lighting and no drafts, so that small parts do not fly away in an unknown direction, and you should also turn off the device in advance and make sure that it is not charging at the moment.

Necessary tools for safe disassembly

To do a good job without damaging the plastic case, you'll need a minimal set of tools. Using inappropriate items like knives or thick screwdrivers can cause chips on the frame or damage to the internal plumes. It's best to prepare a specialized repair kit.

The main tool will be a small cross screwdriver, usually a Phillips #00 or #0 size, which is the one you need to twist screws hidden under a plug, and an indispensable assistant will be a plastic blade or mediator, which will allow you to gently snap the latches around the perimeter of the device without risking damage to the plastic.

Don't forget to use a suction cup to create the initial gap between the lid and the frame. If you don't have a professional suction cup, you can use a regular household suction cup, as long as it stays securely on a smooth surface. To collect small screws, prepare a magnetic mat or a small container.

Finding and Removing Hidden Helices

The first step in any Redmi 4A disassembly is to release hidden fasteners, and many users mistakenly believe that the lid is only held on the latches, and start to poke it around the perimeter, a gross mistake that can cause the plastic ears of the mount to break.

Take a close look at the bottom of the smartphone. In the center, next to the Micro-USB charging connector, you'll find a small oval plug that can be colored or contrasted, and tuck it carefully with a thin tool or needle to extract.

And underneath the plug that's been removed, there are two screws that hold the bottom of the structure, and you twist them counterclockwise, and you take care not to break the thread, and then you can move on to disconnect the main body.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to unscrew the screws without removing the plug. This will damage the thread and inability to further disassemble without drilling the fastener.

Plastic latching technique

When the screws are removed, the most critical thing is the separation of the body. The plastic latches on the Xiaomi Redmi 4A are located around the perimeter and require careful handling. Sharp jerks can cause the mount ears to remain on the frame and the lid to deform.

Using a suction cup, create a small gap at the bottom of the smartphone, next to the screws that have just been twisted. Insert a plastic blade into the resulting gap. Smoothly drive the tool along the side face, feeling light clicks - this is a sign that the latches are successfully unlocked.

Move consistently, one side first, then the bottom, and then move to the top. Don't open the lid completely right away, because there may be plumes inside that connect the modules. Make sure the perimeter is fully free.

Disconnection of plumes and internal modules

When the lid is lifted, you will see the inside of the smartphone, and at this point it is important to exercise utmost caution, as some components can be connected to the motherboard with thin plumes.

First of all, you need to turn off the battery. Find the battery connector on the board and gently disconnect it, putting a plastic blade on it, and only after the device is de-energized can other modules, such as the display plume or the camera module, be safely turned off.

If your goal is simply to replace the back cover, you may not need to take a deep disassembly, but if you want to replace the battery or speaker, you'll have to keep going. Pay attention to the location of the main camera module and the speaker at the bottom.

To completely remove the lid, if it does not separate, check whether the battery is glued to the inside of the plastic. In some Redmi 4A revisions, the battery is fixed to double-sided tape to the lid, rather than the middle frame.

Battery replacement and maintenance

Often the cause of disassembly is the need to replace the power source. The battery in Xiaomi Redmi 4A has a capacity of 3120 mAh and over time loses its properties. When removing an old battery, do not use metal objects that can puncture the battery shell.

If the battery is glued to the body, use a hair dryer to warm up the back easily, the temperature should not exceed 60-70 degrees, so as not to damage the plastic elements, the heating will soften the adhesive layer, and it will be easier to remove the element.

When installing a new battery, make sure the contact group sits tightly in the connector. After connecting, check the device without fully assembling it: plug the charger and make sure the screen is responding and charging.

Assembly of the device and check of performance

The assembly process is reversed, but requires attention to detail. Make sure all plumes are stacked in their channels and not clamped by the body. Any compression of the plume can lead to unstable smartphone operation or complete failure of the module.

When you install the back cover, first snap the top, then the side faces, and then press the bottom until the characteristic snap of the screws. Twisting the two hidden screws and returning the decorative plug to place.

Once assembled, turn on the device and check the basic functions: touchscreen, speaker sound, vibration and charging. If everything works correctly, you can consider the procedure a success.

⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic. Remove the lid again and reconnect the battery connector - it may just not be fully inserted into the connector.

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Use a new double-sided tape to fix the lid if the old latches hold weakly, which will prevent backlash and squeaking of the case when used.

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The main secret of successful assembly is a sequence of actions: first plumes, then screws, and only then snapping the perimeter.