Xiaomi Redmi 5A, despite its budget class, has proven to be a reliable device that can last several years. However, time does not spare electronics: a broken screen, a worn-out battery or a failed charging connector are common problems that owners face. Self-disassembly of the device can be a great way to save money on the services of the service center and extend the life of the gadget.
Before you start dismantling, it's important to understand that the design of this smartphone does not involve easy access to the internal components without special tools. The back cover here is plastic, but it is attached to a lot of screws and glue, which requires care and patience. Wrong actions can damage the plumes or even the board fails.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the Redmi 5A’s complete disassembly process, focusing on the nuances that are often kept quiet in surface manuals, which tools you will need, how to safely disable the battery and what to do if the screws do not unscrew, and proper preparation is the key to successful repairs.
Tools and workplace preparation required
A screwdriver is not enough to disassemble a smartphone properly; you will need a set of specialized tools to ensure the safety of both the device and your hands, first and foremost a Phillips sized cross screwdriver #00 or #0, as screws in Xiaomi’s budget models are often small and easily broken when using the wrong tool.
The second important element is the suction cup and the mediator (plastic blade), which are needed to neatly separate the back cover, and metal tools are highly undesirable because there is a high risk of damaging plastic latches or, worse, breaking through a lithium-ion battery.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers with a magnetic tip
- 📱 Suction cup for lifting back cover
- 🛠 Plastic mediator or card for opening
- 🔥 A hair dryer or thermophen to soften glue
- 🧲 Magnetic screw-sorting mat
The workplace should be well lit and free of foreign objects. It is recommended to use an antistatic mat or at least a clean, dry surface. Small screws tend to fly and get lost in the most unexpected places, so order on the table is not just an aesthetic, but a prerequisite for successful assembly.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
Primary dismantling and removal of the back cover
The process of opening Xiaomi Redmi 5A It starts with the removal of the tray for SIM-This is a standard procedure that must be done first, so as not to damage the mechanism when you try to remove the lid. Use a special clip or a thin needle to press into the tray hole.
And then there's the most important step, which is the detachment of the back panel, and unlike many modern smartphones, the lid is not only held on glue, but also on screws hidden under stickers or in hard-to-reach places, but the main fixation is still the perimeter glue, and you need to warm up the edges of the device evenly to soften it.
⚠️ Warning: Do not overheat your smartphone! The heating temperature should not exceed 80-90 Celsius, keep the hair dryer at a distance. 5-7 cm from the body and constantly move it so as not to melt the plastic or display matrix.
After warming up for 1-2 minutes, gently tuck the lid with a suction cup at the bottom, closer to the charging connector, and create a small gap. Insert a mediator into the resulting gap and, passing it along the perimeter, snap the plastic latches. Movements should be smooth, without sharp jerks, so as not to break the mounting of the case.
Once all the latches are freed, don't rush to remove the lid completely. It can be connected to the main board with a thin plume of the power button or speaker if the wiring has been laid out of the standard. Carefully inspect the insides before the final compartment.
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If the lid is not removed after snapping all the edges, once again slightly warm up the corners of the device - it is there that the glue freezes most strongly.
Removal of protective metal frame and power outage
And when you take the back plastic panel off, you'll see a metal frame that covers most of the internal components, and it's mounted with a lot of screws around the perimeter, and the number can vary, but in Redmi, you can see it. 5A usually around 10-12 All screws must be twisted and unfolded according to their location.
If you confuse them when you reverse assemble, there is a risk of damaging the internal threads or even punching through the body, hitting the battery. It is recommended to use a magnetic mat with markings or simply spread the screws in rows in the order in which they were twisted.
Remove the metal frame, you get access to the main nodes of the smartphone. The first thing you need to do is to disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard, a critical step that will turn off the device and minimize the risk of short circuit when working with other components.
- 🔋 Carefully bend the battery latch locker
- 🔌 Disconnect the display and touchscreen connectors
- 📡 Remove the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth antenna module
- 🎤 Turn off button and speaker plumes
Use a plastic blade to turn off the plumes, and you need to smear the connector from the bottom, at the connection to the board, rather than pulling the wire itself. Sharp movements can lead to a break in the tracks or break the connector on the board, which will require soldering and more complex repairs.
What to do if the screws are rusted?
Replacement of the battery and work with the glue layer
In the Xiaomi Redmi 5A, the battery occupies a significant portion of the interior space and is often glued to the plastic body with double-sided tape. Over time, the glue loses its properties, but in older devices it can hold very tightly.
Do not attempt to tamper with metal objects or force the battery center. Puncture of the lithium cell shell leads to instant ignition and possible explosion. It is safest to use a thin line or a special plastic card, carefully cutting the adhesive layer.
| Component | Type of attachment | Difficulty withdrawal | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back cover. | Glue + latches | Medium | Plastic cracks |
| metal frame | Screws (10-12 units) | Low. | Loss of screws |
| Battery | The glue layer | Tall. | Fire, bloating. |
| Maternity fee | Screws + plumes | Medium | The plume break |
If you're planning to install a new battery, be sure to remove the residue of old glue from the body surface. The new battery should fit tightly, without skewing. You can use a special B-7000 glue or double-sided electronics tape to fix it, but you can't apply glue directly to the battery itself, it's only fixed at the edges or on the case.
After installing a new battery, take your time to close the lid. First, plug the plume in and check if the device is switching on and showing the correct charge, which will avoid re-disassembly in the event of a new battery failure.
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The main rule of operation with the battery is no mechanical deformation, and if the battery is swelled, you need to remove it with extreme caution, avoiding punctures.
Dismantling of display and touch screen
Replacing the display with a Redmi 5A is one of the most common reasons for disassembly, and the screen in this model is a module where the matrix and the touchscreen are soldered together, which makes it easier to replace, but requires care when disconnecting the plumes that pass under the metal plates.
To take the screen off, you have to completely dismantle the metal frame that was mentioned earlier, and often the plumes of the display and touchscreen are pressed by metal clipplates, screws attached, and you unscrew them, you get access to the connectors, and remember the location of each plume, because they can be of different lengths and shapes.
⚠️ Attention: Display plumes are very thin and sensitive. Any scratch or room can cause stripes to appear on the screen or complete absence of image.
The perimeter screen module itself is also planted on glue, and when you install the new module, you need to clear the frame of the old glue and degrease the surface with alcohol, the new glue is applied in a thin strip, after which the module is gently pressed along the edges, and even fit ensures that there is no gaps and dust inside.
In some cases, if only glass is broken and the image is intact, users will try to replace only the touchscreen. However, at home, it is almost impossible to split the glass and matrix on the Xiaomi Redmi 5A without special equipment (separator and laminator), so the entire module is changed.
Assembly of the device and verification of functionality
The way you build your smartphone is reversed, but it requires even more care. Start by plugging in the battery plume and checking the device's response. If the screen catches fire and the MIUI logo comes on, the main nodes are working correctly, and then you can turn off the power and continue building.
When you set a metal frame, make sure that all the plumes are stacked in their channels and not clamped, especially antenna wires and button plumes. Screw the screws cross-cross, gradually tightening them to distribute the pressure evenly. Don't pull the screws - the plastic cracks easily.
The final step is to put the back cover in place. Before you stick it, check all the buttons, vibrator, speaker and microphone, make sure the cameras are clear, and the proximity sensor responds to the hand, and if everything works, apply a new layer of glue or tape, and press the lid tightly around the perimeter.
- ✅ Check the sensor and image performance
- ✅ Test the sound in the speaker and through headphones
- ✅ Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work
- ✅ Check the charging and operation of the microphone
Allow the glue to dry for a few hours before you use your smartphone or put on a case, which will keep the case tight and protect the insides from dust. Properly assembled Redmi 5A will last you a long time.