Why do Redmi 6A owners have to take off the lid?
The Xiaomi Redmi 6A, released in 2018, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and maintainability. However, over time, even this “unkillable” device has typical problems: a bloated battery, a faulty speaker or the need to clean up dust. 90% of the time, it requires removing the back cover to fix these problems, an operation that seems simple only at first glance.
The Redmi 6A design involves adhesive mounting of the lid, rather than traditional latches like flagship models, which means that improper exposure can lead to cracks in plastic, damage to plumes or even tearing off antenna contacts. In this article, we will discuss a unique method of disassembly using improvised tools that minimizes risks and is suitable even for beginners.
Before you start, consider that the warranty on the device after self-disassembly is canceled. If your Redmi 6A is still warranty, you should contact the Xiaomi service center. For everyone else, go to the step-by-step instructions!
Training: tools and materials
For a careful removal of the cover you will need:
- 🔧 Plastic spatula (or mediator) – necessarily not metal, so as not to scratch the body
- 🔥 Hair dryer (or building dryer at minimum power) for softening the glue
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ — to remove glue residues (do not use acetone!)
- 📦 Suction cups (optional) – help lift the cover after heating
- 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, size) PH00) — screw-off
- 🧻 Soft fabric - so as not to scratch the screen during disassembly
⚠️ Warning: Do not use knives, screwdrivers or other metal objects to lid the lid! The risk of damage to internal components (especially the flexible battery plume) is extremely high. The plastic blade must be thin (0.1-0.2 mm) and flexible.
If you don’t have specialized tools, you can replace them:
- 💳 Instead of a spatula, an old bank card (cut corners so they don’t scratch)
- 🔥 Instead of a hair dryer, hot water in a plastic bag (put your phone in a hot water bag for 2-3 minutes)
Step-by-step: how to remove the cover without damage
The Redmi 6A disassembly process consists of 5 key steps.
- Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-This will prevent short circuits from heating up.
- Heat the back cover with a hair dryer for 1-2 minutes, holding it at a distance of 10-15 cm The temperature should be tolerant for the hand (≈50-60 ° C. The glue under the cover becomes elastic at this temperature - this is critical for safe removal.
- Tap the lid with a plastic spatula, starting at the lower left corner (there is a notch for the tray). SIM-The weakest place to attach the card is the blade, and insert it no deeper than 1-2 mm!
- Move around the perimeter, gradually detach the lid. If you feel resistance, heat the problem area again.
- Remove the lid completely and put it aside.
☑️ Check before removing the lid
⚠️ Warning: If the lid fails after heating, don't force it! Most likely the glue hasn't softened enough. Reheat it 1-2 times for 30 seconds. Forced tearing will cause cracks in the antenna attachment areas (upper and lower body parts).
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi 6A. Here are the most common of them and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use of metal tools | Scratches on the body, damage to plumes | Use only plastic shoulder blades or a bank card |
| Dryer overheating of the cover | Deformation of plastic, detachment of paint | Keep the hair dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm, do not heat for more than 2 minutes |
| A sharp lid-break | Breakage of antenna contacts or battery plume | Gradually check for no resistance |
| Heating only one site | The glue stays hard elsewhere, the cover breaks | Evenly warm up the entire perimeter of the cover |
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If you find that the glue is still on the phone after you remove the lid, don't try to scrape it with your nail or a screwdriver. Moisten the cotton cotton-coat disc in isopropyl alcohol and gently wipe the surface. The alcohol will dissolve the glue without harming the plastic.
Pay special attention to the battery plume, which attaches to the motherboard and can come off when the lid is not neatly removed. If you are planning to replace the battery, it is better to disconnect the plume immediately to avoid short circuit.
What to do after the lid is removed?
When the lid is successfully removed, the Redmi 6A’s interior design will open up in front of you.
- 🔋 Battery replacement is the most common reason for disassembly. - Redmi battery 6A glued to the body, so to extract it will need to gently undercut it with a plastic blade and disconnect the plume.
- 🔊 Speaker repair - if the sound is quiet or distorted, check the speaker's contacts on the motherboard. Often the problem is solved by cleaning the contacts with alcohol.
- 📸 Camera replacement: The rear camera module is attached with two screws. Unscrew them and carefully remove the camera without touching the lens.
- 🧹 Dust Cleanup – Use a soft brush or compressed air can to remove dust from the motherboard and connectors.
How to check the tightness after assembly?
If you have removed the battery cover, be sure to check the capacity of the new battery using the AccuBattery app (available on Google Play). The new battery should show a capacity of at least 2900-3,000 mAh (the original capacity of the Redmi 6A is 3000 mAh).
How do I get my phone back?
The Redmi 6A assembly after repair is as important as the dismantling.
- Check all the plumes, they should be tightly connected, without distortion, and pay special attention to the battery plume and touch screen.
- Remove the old glue from the lid and body with alcohol. Residues of glue can interfere with the tight fit.
- Apply new adhesive (optional) – if the lid is not tight, use 3M 9448A double-sided tape (sold in electronics stores).
- Press the lid evenly around the perimeter, and then put the phone under the heavy book for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Check the functionality – turn on the phone and test the sensor, camera, speakers and charging.
💡
If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, the first thing you do is check the battery plume connection, which is 80 percent of the time the problem is, and don't plug the charger in until you've made sure all the contacts are in place!
If you notice that the touchscreen doesn't work after assembly or the display flickers, chances are the screen plume is not tightly connected. Carefully remove the lid again and check its mounting. In Redmi 6A, the screen plume is located at the top of the device and is fixed by a latch - it is easy to not press.
Alternative methods of removing the cover
If you do not have a hair dryer or plastic shoulder blade, you can use alternative methods:
- 🧊 Hot water method: Place the phone in a closed plastic bag. pour hot water into a bowl (≈60°C) and put the phone packet down for 2-3 minutes. Pull out the phone and immediately start putting the lid on with the shoulder blade.
Magnet method
- Apply a powerful neodymium magnet to the lid at the place of attachment of the battery.
- Carefully pull the magnet upwards - sometimes the lid will come off without heating.
⚠️ Warning: The hot water method is only suitable for phones without obvious mechanical damage to the body. 6A If you have cracks, moisture can get in and cause corrosion of your contacts.
Another way to do this is to use a thread.
- Push a thin nylon thread (such as from kiper tape) between the lid and the body.
- Carefully cut the thread back and forth as if you were cutting butter.
- Gradually move around the perimeter until the lid is removed.
This method requires patience but minimizes the risk of damage to the cover.