Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi 4A: How to remove the back cover and not break the phone

Xiaomi Redmi 4A — One of the brand's most popular budget smartphones, released in 2016, although simple in design, disassembling this device requires caution: improper removal of the back cover can damage the fingerprint scanner plume (if it is in your modification), break the battery contacts or even cracks on the plastic case. This article will help you avoid typical mistakes and disassemble as safely as possible – whether it’s battery replacement, dust cleaning, or repairing internal components.

It is important to understand that the back cover of Redmi 4A It's not removable in the usual sense, it's glued to the body with double-sided tape and it's additionally fixed with latches around the perimeter. Unlike Xiaomi's flagship models, which often use screws, it's all based on glue and plastic clips. This simplifies the design, but makes it harder for beginners to disassemble. If you've never taken a smartphone apart before, we recommend that you get to know the theory first, which will save you time and nerves.

In this article, you'll find not only a step-by-step photo instruction, but also a list of tools you need, tips for working with adhesives, and answers to frequent questions — for example, what to do if the lid fails or the proximity sensor stops working after dismantling. Particular attention is paid to the heating method for softening the adhesive, the only safe way to separate the lid without the use of brute force.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start removing the back cover, make sure you have everything you need, and even one tool can damage the body or internal components, and here's the minimum kit you'll need:

• 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) to separate the lid from the body. Metal tools can not be used, they will scratch the plastic.
• 🔥 A hair dryer or a thermo-air station to heat the adhesive layer. Optimal temperature: 60-80°C (not higher!).
• 🧲 Suction (optional) – helps to lid after heating, but is not always effective due to the glossy surface of Redmi 4A.
• 📦 Spin container – if you plan to disassemble the phone further (for example, to replace the battery), the screws are easy to lose.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — cleaning the residue of glue after removing the cover.
• 🔋 New bilateral scotch (e.g, 3M 9448A) — If you plan to collect the phone back.

Also, make sure that the workplace is clean, well-lit and draft-free, that dust or wind can bring debris inside the case, and that bright light can help you notice the little details, and if you're working on a desk, cover it with a soft cloth, and it will keep the screen from scratching when you flip the phone over.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a household hair dryer at maximum power! The hot air flow can melt plastic clips or damage the screen. It is better to use a temperature-adjusted building hair dryer or heat the cover in short intervals (10-15 seconds each).

If you don't have a hair dryer, you can try an alternative method - softening the glue with a heat gun or even hot water (but the latter is risky and requires caution).

Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover Xiaomi Redmi 4A

Now, to the process itself, follow the instructions strictly by step, which minimizes the risk of damage, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you're doing this for the first time.

Step 1: Turn off the phone and retrieve SIM-map

Before disassembly, be sure to turn off the smartphone and get a tray for SIM-This will prevent short circuits from accidentally coming into contact with the board. To remove the tray, use a paper clip or a special key (comes with the phone).

Press and hold the power button → Select "Switch off" → Wait for the full shutdown → Remove the tray SIM- cards

Step 2: Heating the back cover

The adhesive layer that glues the lid becomes elastic when heated. Take a hair dryer and evenly warm the back of the phone for 1-2 minutes, holding it at a distance of 5-10 cm. Pay special attention to the edges - there the glue usually holds stronger.

The temperature should not be above 80.°C. To check if the lid is heated enough, gently touch it with your finger, it should be warm, but not burning. If you don't have a thermometer, focus on the tactile sensations.

Step 3: Separation of the cover with a plastic blade

Once heated, take a plastic blade and start pulling the lid on the bottom edge (on the charging connector side). Put the blade in 1-2mm and gently along the body, gradually separating the lid. You hear the characteristic clicks — these are plastic latches breaking. Don't worry, this is normal.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, don't force it -- you better warm up the problem area again. The main rule is, it's better to warm up longer than break the clips.

Heat the entire perimeter of the lid.|Scapula inserted at the bottom edge|No sudden movements.|The phone is on a soft surface.-->

Step 4: Complete removal of the lid

When the lid is separated around the perimeter, gently lift it, starting at the bottom edge. Be careful: a fingerprint scanner plume (if your model has one) or antenna contacts may be glued to the lid. Don't pull the lid sharply - first make sure nothing holds it from the inside.

If the plume is in the way, you have to unplug it from the board. To do this, gently attach the connector with a plastic blade (not metal!). 4A commonly ZIF-connector -- it opens up.

⚠️ Note: In some versions of Redmi 4A (For example, in the Indian market, a fingerprint scanner can be soldered into a board. If you see that the plume is not going to the connector, but directly to the chip, don't try to tear it off! In this case, you can only partially remove the lid without completely tearing it off.

What is under the cover: a review of the insides of Redmi 4A

After successfully removing the lid, you'll see the inside design of the smartphone. - Xiaomi Redmi 4A Everything is compact, but logically:

• 🔋 Battery -- takes up most of the space, glued to the body. Detached through the plug on the board.
• 📱 The motherboard is under the battery, it's screwed, it's got the processor, the memory, the communication modules.
• 📡 Antenna contacts – thin metal strips at the edges connecting the board to the lid.
• 🔊 Speaker and microphone – the speaker is usually located at the bottom, the microphone is next to the charging connector.
• 📷 Camera - the main camera module is screwed to the board, the front camera - separately, in the upper part.

If your goal is to replace the battery, then after removing the lid, you need:

1. Disconnect the battery connector from the board (use a plastic spatula).
2. Carefully tuck the battery in and pull it out. It's also glued, so you might need extra heat.
3. Clean the installation site from glue residues with isopropyl alcohol.
4. Install a new battery and connect it to the board.

If you plan to disassemble completely (for example, to replace the charging connector or repair the board), be extremely careful with flexible plumes. They are fragile and easily break when handled sloppy, better take a picture of the location of all the screws and plumes before disconnecting them, this will help with the reverse assembly.

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If you remove the dust lid, use a soft brush and a compressed air balloon. Don't blow with your mouth - moisture from your breath can settle on the board and cause corrosion.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Redmi. 4A. Here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔥 Overheating of the lid - if you heat the hair dryer too long, the plastic can deform. Solution: heat in short intervals (10-15 seconds) intermittently.
• 🔪 Using metal tools -- they scratch the case and can close the contacts on the board. Solution: use only plastic or wooden blades.
• 💥 Sharplying the lid, it causes the plumes to break or the latches to break, so move the shoulder blade slowly, listening to the snaps of the latches.
• 🔌 Forgetting to disconnect the battery - working with the battery is dangerous (risk of short circuit). Solution: first thing you do after removing the lid, turn off the battery connector.
• 🧲 Loss of screws at Redmi 4A Solution: fold them in separate containers or stick them on tape in order of extraction.

Another common problem is that antenna contacts are damaged, and they're thin metal strips glued to the lid, and if you tear them off, the network signal and Wi-Fi will deteriorate, and to avoid that, check the lid for the contacts that are glued to them and carefully separate them with a plastic blade before you remove the lid.

If the phone does not turn on after assembly, check:

1. Is the battery connector connected?
2. Is the motherboard damaged (look for blackened elements).
3. Are all the plumes (especially the display and power buttons) installed correctly?

⚠️ Attention: If the touchscreen or display stopped working after the disassembly, the screen plume probably left. 4A It's attached to the board at the top, and carefully disconnect it and reconnect it, and if there's a problem, the plume could have been damaged when you dismantled it.

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The most common breakdown in the dismantling of Redmi 4A — If you have a model without this sensor, the risk is much lower.

How to put your phone back together: sealing tips

Building the phone after repair or cleaning is as important as disassembling it, and if you seal the lid wrong, you can get dust or moisture inside, which will corrosion the board. Here's how to do it right:

Step 1: Surface cleaning

Before assembly, be sure to clean:

• The edge of the body (where the glue was).
• Inside the lid.
• Contact antennas and plumes.

Use isopropyl alcohol and a lilac-free napkin. Do not use acetone or other aggressive solvents, which can damage the plastic.

Step 2: Applying new glue

The original glue after removing the lid loses its properties, so it needs to be replaced.

• Double-sided scotch 3M 9448A — slender, durable, leaves no traces.
• Clay. B-7000 — elastic, water resistant, but takes time to dry (2-3 hours).
• Special glue for phones (e.g. Tesa 61395)

Stick tape around the perimeter of the case, leaving holes for the speaker, microphone and connectors. Don't overdo it, excess glue can squeeze out and interfere with assembly.

Step 3: Installation of the cover and fixation

Carefully place the lid in place and press it evenly around the perimeter. Start at the top (where the camera is) and gradually descend down. Make sure all the latches are in place - you should hear the characteristic clicks.

After assembly, check:

• Do all buttons (power, volume) work?
• Is there a backlash between the lid and the body?
• Whether the speaker, microphone and antennas are functioning (check the network signal and Wi-Fi).

If the lid is not tight, maybe there is not enough glue or the latches broke during dismantling, in which case you can additionally paste the problem areas with tape or use clips for phones (sold in parts stores).

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To check the leakage after assembly, hold the phone to a bright light, and if there are gaps between the lid and the body, then the glue is not applied uniformly enough.

Frequent problems after disassembly and their solution

Even if you did everything right, you might have problems after you build it, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If the speaker or microphone stopped working after the disassembly, their contacts most likely left. 4A The speaker is attached to the board through the connector, and the microphone is soldered. Check the integrity of the soldering and if necessary, re-drink the contacts (this requires skills with a soldering iron).

If you have a charging problem (the phone is not charging or charging slowly), check the USB-Type C connector. Often when disassembling it, it shifts or becomes contaminated. Clean it with alcohol and check the fixation on the board.

Alternative methods of removing the lid (if nothing helps)

If the standard heat and spatula method didn't work, you can try alternative methods. They're more risky, but sometimes necessary.

Method 1: Use of thread

Take a thin kapron thread (like a guitar string or a fishing line) and squirt it between the lid and the body. Holding the thread at both ends, gently saw it back and forth, as if you were cutting oil. This method requires patience, but allows you to separate the lid without heating.

Method 2: Hot water (extremely!)

If you don’t have a hair dryer, you can submerge the bottom of the phone (where the charging connector is) in hot water (60–70).°C) 10-15 seconds. The glue will soften and the lid will move. Important: don't wet the phone completely and dry it immediately after the procedure! This method is risky and can lead to moisture getting inside, so use it only as a last resort.

Method 3: Disassembly through the screen

If the lid doesn't work, you can try to take the phone out the other side, through the screen.

1. Heat the front of the phone (as in replacing the display).
2. Substitute the screen with a plastic spatula and separate it from the body.
3. Disconnect the display and battery plumes.
4. Remove the motherboard - after that, the lid is usually removed without problems.

This method is more complex and requires experience, but sometimes it is the only way out if the glue is too strong.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembly through the screen increases the risk of damage to the display or plume of the touch screen. If you are not sure about your skills, you better contact the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions