Budget smartphones, such as the Xiaomi Redmi 4A, often face mechanical damage due to the characteristics of the materials of the case. Despite the affordable price, this device has a completely maintainable design, which allows owners to independently replace failed components.
Before starting the dismantling, you need to be aware of the risks and prepare the workplace. Disassembly of the housing always begins with a power outage, but in the case of non-shattered structures, this cannot be done without first opening, so it is extremely important to act consistently and not use excessive force where the elements are connected by glue or tight plumes.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of dismantling all the main components of the device, learn what tools will be required for work, how to safely disconnect the plumes and what to pay special attention to when building.
Tools and workplace preparation required
Good workplace preparation is key to successful repairs and safety of small parts. You will need a flat surface with good lighting to see tiny screws and connectors. It is recommended to use a magnetic mat or containers with cells to sort the fasteners, as the screws can differ in length and thread.
To work with Redmi 4A, you'll need a standard mobile wizard toolkit, a set of screwdrivers that includes small cross bits, and plastic blades that are needed to open the case without damaging the plastic.
- 🛠️ Precision screwdriver set (PH000, PH00) screw-twisting.
- 🔧 Plastic spatula (mediator) and metal scalpel for lid scalpel.
- 🌡️ Thermophen or heating pad to soften the glue under the display (if you need a screen replacement).
- 🧲 Tweezers with curved ends for careful extraction of plumes.
Pay special attention to safety. There is a risk of damage to the battery when working with it, so avoid using metal tools in the immediate vicinity of the battery. If you plan to replace the display, heating the case will be a mandatory step to soften the fixing glue.
⚠️ Note: Before starting any work, be sure to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card: Attempting to open a tray or disassemble a phone with an inserted card can damage the motherboard contact areas.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
Removal of the back cover and primary access
The process of dismantling the Xiaomi Redmi 4A begins with the removal of the back cover, which is made of plastic and is mounted on latches around the perimeter. Unlike more expensive models, there are no screws hidden under plugs, which simplifies the initial stage. However, the plastic case can be fragile, especially if the phone has previously fallen.
Put a plastic blade in the joint between the back cover and the frame at the bottom corner of the device, closer to the charging connector. Carefully swipe the tool along the side face, snapping the plastic locks. You will hear the characteristic click when the latch is released. Don't try to tuck the lid from one edge - move around the perimeter, gradually increasing the gap.
Once all the latches on the sides are pressed, you can gently lift the bottom of the lid. Then you should push the blade to the top of the body, bypassing the camera and flash. It is important not to damage the fingerprint scanner plume if your modification is equipped with a fingerprint sensor, although in the base version 4A it is often not.
- 📱 Start the opening from the bottom corner at the MicroUSB connector.
- 👂 Move along long edges, controlling the pressure.
- 🔍 Examine the perimeter for cracks before opening.
When the lid is completely detached, put it in a safe place, and you will have access to the internal layout, where the main elements are covered with metal screens and plastic slats, and at this stage you can see the battery and the bottom board with the charging connector.
Dismantling of the battery and lower board
In the Redmi 4A, the battery takes up a significant portion of the interior space and is glued to the body, and it requires careful removal to avoid piercing the cell shell, first detaching the battery plume from the motherboard, first unscrewing the protective metal bar.
Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that lock metal screens on the motherboard and the lower boards. The screws can be of different lengths, so remember or mark their location. Once the screens are removed, the battery plume connector will be available. Carefully tuck the connector into a plastic blade or nail as you move from edge to center.
What to do if the battery is swelling?
Xiaomi often has a special tongue to extract the battery itself, but the 4A may not have one, or it may come off, so you have to gently tuck the battery in with a plastic card or a shoulder blade starting at the bottom edge. If the battery sits tight, you can slightly warm up the back wall of the case (already removed) with a hair dryer to soften the glue.
The bottom board, which is the charging connector and the microphone, is mounted with several screws to the plastic case. Unscrew them and remove the board. Pay attention to the rubber plugs of the dynamic speaker (polyc), they must remain in their places or be carefully repositioned to a new board when replaced.
| Component | Firming | Features of withdrawal | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back cover. | Plastic latches | Perimeter spatula autopsy | Latch break, plastic cracks |
| Battery | Adhesive tape | Scapula squashing, heating | Puncture of the shell, fire. |
| Lower fees | Screws, plume. | Spinning screws, turning off the plume | Trail break, stubble loss |
| Metal screens | Rotors of different lengths | Perimeter twisting | Confusing screws during assembly |
⚠️ Warning: Never use metal tweezers to smack the battery.Puncture of a lithium polymer battery leads to instant ignition and chemical burn.
Once you turn off the battery and remove the lower board, you get access to the main nodes, and the charging connector in this model is replaced with the lower board, because it's soldered directly on it, which makes repairs easier, but requires a compatible part.
Replacement of the display and work with the touch screen
The most difficult part of dismantling Xiaomi Redmi 4A is to replace the display module. the screen in this model is glued to the plastic frame of the body around the perimeter. For quality repairs, it is recommended to buy a display module assembled with a frame, which eliminates the need for gluing and the risk of damaging the matrix.
If you have a frameless module, you have to dismantle the old screen. You have to heat the front panel of the device to a temperature of 80-90 degrees. Use a thermophen, evenly warming the surface for 2-3 minutes. Do not hold the hair dryer too close so as not to melt the plastic of the case.
After warming up, insert a thin plastic card or a special suction cup into the end of the screen. Slowly drive the tool along the incision, cutting the adhesive layer. Act extremely carefully: the matrix is very fragile, and any excess pressure will lead to spots or cracks. The glue in the Redmi 4A is quite viscous, so heating is mandatory at each stage of detachmentation.
- 🔥 Warm up the screen perimeter evenly without lingering on one point.
- 💳 Use a thin mediator to cut the glue under the matrix.
- 🧼 Clean the remnants of old glue with alcohol before installing a new module.
After removing the old module, degrease the seat with alcohol. Apply a thin layer of special B-7000 glue or use pre-applying adhesive tape on the new module. Let the glue dry slightly (about 1-2 minutes), then gently apply the new screen and press around the perimeter.
Disconnection of plumes and motherboard
The motherboard in Redmi 4A is located at the top of the case and is covered with a metal screen. To remove it, you need to unscrew all the screws around the perimeter of the screen and remove it. Under the screen you will see the main connectors: the display, touch screen, front camera and main speaker.
Turning off the plumes requires care. The connectors in Xiaomi's budget models can be quite tight. Use a plastic blade by putting the connector up from the bottom up. Don't pull the plume itself, it will cause it to break. First, release the connector from the lock, then remove it.
After you turn off all the plumes, unscrew the screws that hold the motherboard itself to the case, usually 4-6 of them. Also, remember to disconnect the antenna wire (coaxial cable) if it goes to the top of the board. The antenna connector is removed with a slight swaying upward movement.
⚠️ Warning: When removing the motherboard metal screen, check if there is any protective film or insulation underneath, and if it is not there, it may cause a short circuit after assembly.
Remove the board by lifting it slightly over the edges. Notice the speaker and proximity/light sensors, which can be glued to the case or on a separate board. When installing a new board, make sure that all contacts match and the screws are twisted with the same force.
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When you reassemble, connect the battery first, and then insert the display and touchscreen plumes, which will test the performance of the screen until the final fixation of the case.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The Xiaomi Redmi 4A build is done in reverse order but requires special attention to detail.Make sure all plumes are snapped to a characteristic click.Metal screens should fit tightly to the board, without skewing.Swipe the screws cross-curl to ensure uniform pressing.
Before you install the back cover, make sure you run the initial test of the device, plug the battery, press the power button, check the screen response, vibration and sound. If everything is working correctly, you can lock the lid. Press the perimeter until all latches click.
The final step is to test the basic functions: make a test call, check the microphone, Wi-Fi and touch screen. Make sure that the corners of the display are free of lights, and the cover sits flat, without gaps. If you used glue for the screen, the device may take several hours to fully polymerize.
- 🔌 Check to connect all plumes before twisting the screws.
- 🔊 Test the sound and microphone before the body is fully assembled.
- 📸 Take a photo with cameras to check the focus.
Replacing components correctly extends the life of your gadget, and following these instructions will save you a significant amount of money on the services of the service center, the main thing is to take your time and carefully monitor each movement.
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The success of repairing Redmi 4A depends on the accuracy of the plumes and the correct heating of the glue when replacing the screen.