We disassemble Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: how to carefully remove the back cover and not break the smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2018, which is still in active use. However, over time, many owners face the need to disassemble it: whether it is replacing the battery, repairing the charging plume or cleaning from dust. The main problem is the back cover, which is attached to glue and latches, and improper dismantling can lead to cracks or damage to internal components.

This article will help you understand how to remove the back of the Redmi 5 Plus without risking the device, and we will cover all the steps from tool preparation to finishing assembly, and also reveal the hidden nuances of mounting the lid, which are not written in the standard instructions. If you have never taken out a smartphone, do not worry: with the right approach, the process will take no more than 20 minutes.

Preparation for the disassembly: what will be needed

Before you start dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. The Redmi 5 Plus is not the most difficult disassembly machine, but without specialized tools, the risk of damage increases significantly.

• 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - for gently putting the lid. Metal tools should not be used!
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C) Even a medium-power household hair dryer will do.
• 🧲 Suction cups (optional) – help lift the lid after heating, but are not mandatory.
• ⚡ Screwdriver. T3 — for unscrewing screws under the lid (usually 10-12 pieces).
• 📦 Container for screws - so as not to lose small parts (you can use a magnetic mat).

Also, prepare your workspace: the desk should be clean, free of debris and small items that can get inside your smartphone; it is advisable to work on a soft substrate (for example, a silicone mat) so as not to scratch the case; if you do not have experience, practice on an old phone or watch Redmi 5 Plus video disassembly on YouTube to understand the sequence of actions.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a knife or screwdriver to lash the lid! metal easily cuts through plastic and damages plumes under the lid, especially in the area of the battery connector.

Step 1: Turn off and warm up your smartphone

The first and most important step is to completely shut down the power, and even if the battery is dead, press and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds to make sure there is no residual voltage. SIM-cards and memory card (if installed) as heating can damage them.

Then you need to heat up the glue that holds the lid.

1. Turn the dryer on at average power (temperature ~70°C).
2. Direct the hot air flow to the edges of the back cover, holding the hair dryer at a distance of 5-7 cm.
3. Heat in a circle for 2-3 minutes, paying special attention to the corners and area near the chamber.

If the case becomes too hot (you can not hold your hand for more than 3 seconds), pause for 1-2 minutes. Overheating above 90 ° C can damage the battery and screen.

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If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use hot water: pour it into a plastic bag, wrap it with a towel and apply it to the lid for 5 minutes, a less effective method, but it works in extreme cases.

Step 2: Careful putting the lid down

Once warmed up, the glue becomes elastic, and the lid should play a little bit when pressed. Take a plastic blade and start putting the lid on the lower left corner (near the charging connector), which is the safest place, because there are no plumes.

Put the blade in the gap 1-2 mm and carefully lead it along the edge, gradually increasing the gap. If the lid does not respond, do not apply force! Return to heating for another 1-2 minutes.

• 🔗 The adhesive anchors are thickened areas of glue in the corners, and they need to be heated separately.
• 🔌 Latches are plastic perimeter fixers, and they break when you're exposed to rough pressure.
• 📸 Area of the camera - here the cover is attached tighter, as there is a sealing ring.

Once the gap is wide enough (3-4 mm), you can use suction cups (if you have any), apply them to the center of the lid and pull them up while putting the spatula on, and if the suction cups don't work, don't rape the device, keep working with the spatula.

Cover heated all over the perimeter |Scape inserted in lower left corner | No resistance when the shoulder blade moves |Suction cups (if used) fit tightly-->

Step 3: Disconnecting plumes and screws

When the lid is removed, you'll see the inside of the smartphone. Don't touch anything with your hands -- static electricity can damage the chips! First of all, unplug the battery plume to avoid short circuit, and it's located at the bottom of the board and it's locked in with a small connector.

Next, unscrew all the screws that fix the metal plate (usually 10-12 pieces). Use a T3 screwdriver and make sure you don't break the thread. The screws on the Redmi 5 Plus are of different lengths, so remember which one was twisted from where. For convenience, you can take a picture of their location.

Once you remove the plate, you will have access to the main components: the battery, the motherboard and the camera. If you want to replace the battery, you can proceed to the next step. If you need a deeper dismantling (for example, replacing the display), you will need to disconnect additional plumes.

⚠️ Attention: The Redmi 5 Plus board has fragile elements: a microphone module (near the charging connector) and antenna contacts (on the sides!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

1. The latch breaks, which happens if you try to pull the lid off without heating it up, so you heat the corners up and use two blades at the same time.
2. Damage to the battery plume -- the plume is very thin and breaks when it's not neatly disconnected -- Solution: put a plastic blade on the connector, not a nail.
3. Loss of screws -- small parts are easily lost. Solution: use a magnetic mat or a container of cells.
4. Overheating the battery can cause it to bloat, so don't point the hair dryer at the battery, just heat the edges of the lid.

Another common problem is creaking after assembly, which occurs when the lid is not firmly on the latches or dust is trapped under it, and to avoid this, wipe the edges of the body with an alcohol tampon before assembly and make sure that all the latches are in place.

Build: How to put everything back in place

The Redmi 5 Plus is built in reverse order, but there are a few key points:

1. Before installing the lid, check the integrity of the sealing rubber around the chamber and connectors. If it is torn, replace it, otherwise moisture and dust will get inside.
2. Apply a new glue (e.g., B-7000) to the edges of the lid in a thin layer. Don't overdo it, excess glue can leak in.
3. Press the lid evenly, starting from the top edge (where the camera is located) and moving down.
4. After assembly, don't turn on the smartphone right away. Let the glue dry for 10-15 minutes.

If after the assembly of the smartphone does not turn on, check:

• 🔋 Is the battery plume connected.
• 🔌 Whether all screws are twisted (untwisted screws can close contacts).
• 📱 Are the display plumes damaged (if the screen is not lit).

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If after disassembly, artifacts appeared on the screen or the smartphone spontaneously reboots, most likely, the motherboard is damaged, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

Alternative ways to remove the cover

If the standard heat and spatula method didn't work, you can try alternatives, but remember, they're more risky and require carefulness.

thread method

You'll need a strong nylon thread (e.g., a fishing line 0.3-0.5 mm thick) and put it in the gap between the lid and the body and carefully saw the glue, moving the thread back and forth, which is suitable if the glue is too old and does not soften from heat.

Isopropyl alcohol method

Alcohol dissolves the glue, but can damage rubber seals. Apply a few drops of isopropyl alcohol (90%+) around the perimeter of the lid and wait 5 minutes. Then try to lid the lid with a spatula. Don't use acetone or solvents! - they break down the plastic.

Vacuum-suction method

If you have a powerful suction cup (like a glass-removal suction cup), attach it to the lid and pull it up. Preheat the case. This is effective, but it requires skill — if you pull unevenly, the lid can crack.

⚠️ Warning: Alternative methods increase the risk of smartphone damage, only use them if the standard method has failed and you are prepared for the consequences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi 5 Plus demolition