Disassembly Xiaomi Redmi 5: step-by-step guide with photos and expert advice

The Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and maintainability, but over time, even this “unkillable” device can have problems: a bloated battery, a faulty speaker or a cracked screen, and if you decide to fix the device yourself, disassembly is the first and most important step.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions on how to disassemble the Redmi 5 from each step, a list of tools you need, and unique tips to avoid typical errors that damage the plumes or motherboard. We will learn how to properly remove the back cover, disconnect the battery and get to the internal components without damaging them. And if you have never taken your smartphones apart before, don’t worry: our guide is designed even for beginners.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you get started, make sure you have everything you need. Without the right disassembly tools, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 can turn into a nightmare: broken latches, torn plumes or scratches on the body.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators (2-3 - for tidy lids. Metal tools can scratch the body.
• 🔨 The screwdriver. PH00 — The usual screwdriver can rip the slats off.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container to keep the screws small. Redmi 5 has 12 of them!
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal air station - to soften the glue under the battery (if you plan to replace it).
• 📸 Smartphone for photography – fix the location of plumes and screws before disconnecting.

Also, prepare the workplace: it should be well lit, clean and without static electricity, put soft cloth on the table (such as a microfiber) so that the screen does not scratch. SIM-A memory card, even when it's off, it can get a short circuit if you're not handling the battery properly.

⚠️ Warning: If your Redmi 5 has been in water or has been hit hard, disassembly can be dangerous! corrosion on the board or damaged components can cause fire when connected to the power.

Step 1: Removing the back cover - how not to break the latches

The back cover of the Xiaomi Redmi 5 is mounted on plastic latches and a thin layer of glue. The main mistake of beginners is trying to smack it with a knife or a metal screwdriver. This almost always ends in chips or cracks. Instead, use a plastic mediator and follow the instructions:

1. Start at the bottom right corner (near the charging socket). Carefully insert the mediator into the gap between the lid and the body.
2. Smoothly drive the tool along the edge, gradually increasing the gap, and you'll hear slight clicks, as the latches snap.
3. Once the lid starts to rise, don't pull it out of the way! Use the mediator to pull all the corners to loosen the glue evenly.

If the lid doesn't lend itself, you can heat it up slightly with a hair dryer (60°C) to make the glue more elastic. But don't overheat, it can warp the plastic. When the lid is removed, you'll see the battery, the motherboard and a few plumes. Don't touch them with your hands, because static electricity can damage the chips.

Step 2: Shutting down the battery – why it’s critical

The battery in Redmi 5 is soldered to the motherboard, but before any manipulation with the insides, it must be turned off. Even when the smartphone is turned off, it consumes minimal current, and short circuiting when working with the board can put it out of order.

To disconnect the battery:

1. Find a black plume with a red wire -- this is a battery connector -- that's located next to the bottom edge of the board.
2. Carefully put a plastic spatula or tweezers on the connector.
3. Make sure the contacts are not closed. You can put a piece of tape under them.

If you're planning to replace the battery, you'll have to defrost it, and you'll need a soldering iron with a thin stinger (30 watts maximum) and solder, but you'll have to remember that without soldering experience, you'd better leave it to the professionals, because the risk of damage to the board is too high.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is blown up (the lid is raised or you can see bumps on it), do not try to puncture or bend it! This can lead to fire.

Step 3: Removing the motherboard - connectors and traps

The Redmi 5 motherboard is mounted on 12 screws of different lengths, and remember their location — if you mix them up, you can damage the board or the case, and we recommend that you place them on a magnetic mat in order to extract them or take pictures of each step.

Once all the screws are screwed, you need to raise the board carefully, but first disconnect all the plumes:

• 📱 Display plume (at the top of the board, under a metal screen).
• 🔊 Dynamics and microphone plume (lower left corner).
• 📶 Antenna cables (thin gold wires glued to a board).

Pull the connectors up with only a plastic tool and pull them upwards, not side to side, and the display plume is particularly fragile, and it will cost you a lot to replace it. 30-50% smartphone.

Step 4: Disassemble the front panel - screen and buttons

If you need to replace the screen, the sensor, or the front camera, you have to disassemble the front panel, which is the hardest part, because the display module is connected to the frame with double-sided tape and brittle plumes.

Algorithm of action:

1. Heat the screen with a hair dryer (temperature) 50-60°C) during 2-3 minutes to soften the glue.
2. Insert a plastic spatula into the gap between the screen and the frame (start at the bottom edge).
3. Slowly move the blade along the edge, separating the display. If the glue does not respond, repeat the heating.
4. When the screen separates, disconnect the sensor and display plumes from the board.

The Volume and Power buttons are attached to separate flexible boards. To remove them, gently tuck the metal latches on the inside of the case. Don't lose the tiny springs under the buttons, without which the keys will stick.

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If the screen cracks, stick tape on it before heating, which will prevent fragments from entering the case and protect your hands.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi Redmi 5, here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:

• 🔧 The snatched slats on the screws - use a screwdriver PH00 with a magnetic tip and do not apply excessive force.
• 🔋 Damage to battery plume - do not pull the wires, only the connector!
• 📱 Cracked screen when separated - heat it evenly and use suction cups for careful lifting.
• 🔥 Overheating of the board when soldering - work with a soldering iron for no longer than 3 seconds in one area.

Another common problem is the loss of screws. Redmi 5 has 12 screws, all of which are of different lengths. If you mix them up, the board may not fit in or damage the components, and to avoid that, you can either fold the screws on the magnetic mat in order of extraction or sign them.

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The most vulnerable part of disassembly is the display plume, which costs 30-50% of the cost of a smartphone, so work with it as carefully as possible.

When disassembly is inappropriate: alternatives to repair

Not always a standalone dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 5 is justified, here are the cases when it is better to contact the service or consider buying a new device:

• 💧 Liquid ingress – corrosion on the board may be invisible but lead to short circuit.
• ⚡ Power problems (not charged, spontaneously switched off) – often associated with a charging controller that requires soldering.
• 📉 Older model – if the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of a new smartphone, it makes sense to upgrade.

Average prices for repairs of Redmi 5 in service centers (2026):

• Battery replacement: 1,500–2,500 ₽.
• Screen replacement: 3,000–5,000 ₽.
• Maintenance of the motherboard – from 4000 ₽ (depending on the fault).

If you still decide to disassemble your smartphone yourself, but you are faced with difficulties, do not force the details, it is better to pause, revise the instructions or seek help from experienced wizards on forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi 5