Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi 4X: how to carefully remove the screen at home

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but even such reliable devices have problems with the display over time: cracks, broken areas of the sensor or backlight. If you decide to replace the screen yourself, it is important to understand that disassembly of this device has its own nuances. Unlike flagship models, it uses adhesive connection of the display with a frame, not a modular design.

This guide will help you safely dismantle the screen without damaging the plumes or body.We will discuss the necessary tools, step-by-step process and typical errors that lead to a phone breakage. Note: the procedure requires patience and accuracy - in 90% of cases, damage to flexible plumes is due to excessive heating or improper use of the mediator.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. The Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) will require specialized tools to disassemble, a regular screwdriver will not work here. Here is the minimum set:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator (0.15-0.2 mm) to separate the screen from the body
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (power) 800-1200 W) - for softening the glue
• 🔩 Cross screwdriver PH00 — rear-cover
• 🧲 Suction cups (2 pcs) - for fixing the screen when lifting
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ — glue-cleaner
• 📦 Logs for screws - so as not to lose small details

It is critical to work in a clean, well-lit room without drafts. Dust or a sudden gust of wind can get under the screen and spoil the new module. Also prepare an antistatic bracelet or regularly touch grounded metal objects - static electricity is destructive to the motherboard.

⚠️ Attention: If your Redmi is 4X If you've been in water or been hit hard, disassembly can lead to a short circuit, and in such cases, you must first dry the device in rice or silica gel for at least 72 hours.

Step 1: Power out and disassemble the back cover

Start by turning off your phone completely. If the device doesn't respond to the power button, wait until the battery is completely discharged (this can take up to 24 hours).

1. With a hair dryer, heat the back cover around the perimeter for 2-3 minutes. The temperature should be 60-70 ° C - do not overheat!
2. Put a plastic mediator in the gap between the lid and the body by the headphone jack. Carefully drive it along the edge.
3. Once the lid starts to give in, remove it from the top. Be careful, there are flexible antenna contacts under the lid.

Under the lid, you'll see 12 screws of different lengths.

• 🔴 4 long screws (near the battery)
• 🟢 6 medium (on edges)
• 🔵 2 short ones (by camera)

Use a tray with a magnetic bottom or stick a layout scheme on paper.

Step 2: Disconnect the battery and plumes

When you remove the back cover, the first thing you need to do is turn off the battery.

1. Carefully apply the black battery connector with a plastic spatula. Do not use metal tools!
2. If the connector is "stopped", heat it with a hairdryer for 10-15 seconds at minimum power.
3. After turning off the battery, wait 2-3 minutes - this will discharge the residual capacitors on the board.

Now you can start detaching the screen plumes. Redmi 4X has two.

1. Main display plume (wide, white connector)
2. Sensor plume (thin, orange connector)

Use plastic tweezers to gently lift the fixing latches of the connectors. Never pull the plumes - they are soldered to the screen and can come off the board.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone still turns on when you press the power button after the battery is turned off, it means that the capacitors are not discharged. 10-15 Minute or short-term battery contacts (only for experienced users!).

Step 3: Heating and separating the screen from the frame

This is the most critical step. The Redmi 4X screen is glued all around the perimeter, and it will require uniform heating to separate it.

1. Set the temperature of the hair dryer at 80-90°C and heat the screen in a circle, paying special attention to the corners.
2. After 3-4 minutes, apply the suction cups to the bottom of the screen (where the Home button is located).
3. Pull up carefully – if the screen fails, continue heating for another 1-2 minutes.
4. Once a gap appears, insert a mediator and slowly lead it along the edge.

Key points:

• 🔥 Do not overheat one area for longer than 10 seconds – this can damage the polarizing film of the display.
• 🛠️ If the screen "creaks" when separated, this is normal - so the glue goes away.
• 🚫 Don’t use a knife or metal tools – they will scratch the frame.

When you completely separate the screen, you'll see a metal frame with the residues of double-sided tape glued to it. Don't try to clean it right away -- first, pull out all the plumes and put the screen aside.

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If the glue holds the screen too tightly, you can use a string or a guitar string, run it under the screen and gently saw the adhesive layer, while heating it with a hairdryer.

Step 4: Removing glue residues and preparing to install a new screen

Before installing a new display, you must carefully clean the frame of the old glue.

1. Apply the isopropyl alcohol to a microfibre cloth.
2. Gently wipe the frame, removing the glue residue. Use a toothpick for hard-to-reach areas.
3. After cleaning, dry the frame with a hair dryer at a minimum temperature.

The new screen will require double-sided scotch (recommended 3M 9448A or similar) cut it into 2-3mm wide strips and stick the frame around the perimeter, stepping 1-2mm from the edge. Don't close the speaker and microphone holes!

⚠️ Note: If you are installing a non-original screen, check the compatibility of the connectors. Some Chinese copies have inverted plumes or a mismatched number of contacts. Compare the new screen with the old one before installing.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi 4X.

• 🔋 Undisconnected battery – can lead to short circuit when working with the board.
• 🔥 Screen overheating - temperature above 100°C deforms the polarization film.
• 🛠️ Using metal tools – scratches the frame and damages the plumes.
• 🧲 Loss of screws - screws of different lengths, their entanglement leads to damage to the board.
• 📱 Untested new screen – 30% of unoriginal displays have defective backlights.

To minimize the risks:

1. Always take pictures of each stage of the disassembly – this will help to properly assemble the phone.
2. Use a magnifier to inspect the contacts on the board - oxidation or contamination can cause problems after assembly.
3. Before final assembly, check the operability of the new screen by connecting it to the board without fixing.

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The most common reason for a screen to fail after being replaced is a damaged sensor plume, and always check its integrity before turning off the old display.

Assembly of the phone and checking of performance

The new screen is installed in reverse order:

1. Carefully place the new display on the frame, combining the screw holes.
2. Connect the plumes in order: first touch, then display.
3. Fix the screen, evenly pressing it from the center to the edges.
4. Install the back cover and twist the screws (starting with the long battery).

After assembly, turn on the phone and check:

• 📱 Sensor performance (check multi-touch in Settings) → The phone. → All specifications → Test)
• 🔦 Lighting (whether there are dark spots or uneven glow)
• 🔊 The speaker and microphone (sometimes they are overlapped by an improperly installed screen)

If something's not working:

• Turn off the phone and check the density of the plumes.
• Clean the contacts with alcohol - sometimes oxidation interferes with the connection.
• Check if the screen is not covered by the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing the Redmi screen 4X