How to gently open the back cover Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 3 proven ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2018, but its maintainability leaves much to be desired. If you need to replace the battery, speaker or charging plume, the first thing you have to do is remove the back cover, a task that many people think is impossible without specialized tools. In this article, we will discuss three working methods for opening the case, talk about hidden latches and pitfalls, and give recommendations on how to avoid damage to fragile elements.

The Redmi Note 5 design (codenamed whyred) involves adhesive mounting of the lid and lots of plastic latches around the perimeter. Unlike the flagship models, there are no screws under the lid - the entire body is held on glue and clips. This makes it easier to disassemble on one side, but increases the risk of breaking the mount or breaking the fingerprint plume if you do not open it properly. We tested all the methods in practice and identified the safest one, you can use it even without any experience of repair.

Preparation for the disassembly: what will be needed

Before you start opening the Redmi Note 5, make sure you have everything you need, and if you don't have one tool, you can damage the body or the internal components.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or guitar mediator (thickness 0.3-0.5 mm). Metal blades can not be used - they scratch the body and can close contacts.
• 🧲 Screen suction cup (optional, but simplifies the process) even the cheap one from the phone repair kit will do.
• 🔥 A hair dryer or a thermo-air station (at least 1000 watts) needed to soften the glue - without heating the lid will not respond.
• 📦 The screw container (if you plan to take it apart further) in the Redmi Note 5 screws are small and easy to lose.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) Or a special adhesive solvent that will help clean up the adhesive residue after the autopsy.

If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use hot water (not boiling water!), but this method is less reliable: moisture can get inside the case. The alternative is to leave the phone in direct sunlight for 10-15 minutes, but this only works in hot weather. The glue on the Redmi Note 5 begins to melt at a temperature of 60-70°C is enough for a careful opening.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a building dryer at maximum power! hot air flow can warp the plastic frame or damage the battery. Keep the dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm and evenly warm all sides of the body.

Also prepare the workplace:

• 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting.
• 🧹 Remove all unnecessary items – small details are easily lost.
• 📱 Put soft cloth (such as microfiber) under your phone to avoid scratching the screen.

Method 1: Classic method with mediator and hair dryer (the safest)

This is a method that works for most users and is minimally risky, and we recommend starting with this one, and the idea is to heat the adhesive evenly around the perimeter of the case and gently apply the lid to the plastic tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-This will prevent the contacts from accidentally closing.
2. Warm up the back cover in a circle, paying special attention to the corners. Keep the hair dryer at medium power and do not stay in one place for longer than 5 seconds.
3. Stick the suction cup closer to the bottom of the phone (where the charging connector is), and if there's no suction cup, you can do without it.
4. Insert the mediator in the gap between the lid and the frame at the connector USB-C. Carefully run them along the side face to separate the glue.
5. Repeat the procedure for all sides. The lid should start to "go away" with the characteristic crack of the latches.
6. Remove the lid by pulling it up, and if you feel resistance, warm up the problem area again.

Important nuances:

• 🔍 On the Redmi Note 5, the most stubborn latches are located near the volume buttons and the camera.
• 🚫 Do not apply excessive force - plastic clips break at a pressure of more than 2-3 kg.
• 🔋 If the battery is swelling, the lid may sit tighter, in which case, warm up longer (up to 20–25 seconds on the side).

Will the glue warm up all over the perimeter?|Is a plastic mediator used?|Is the phone off the power?|Is there a place for small details?-->

⚠️ Warning: After removing the lid, don't pull the fingerprint scanner plume - it attaches to the motherboard and easily detachs! The plume goes from the top of the lid to the center of the phone.

Method 2: Disassembly without a hair dryer (cold method)

If you don't have a hair dryer, you can try to open the Redmi Note 5 in a cold way, but it requires more precision and strength. It's good for emergencies, but the risk of damage to the latches is higher.

Algorithm of action:

1. Place the phone in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. The cold will make the plastic more brittle, and the latches can burst under pressure.
2. Take out the phone and immediately start to pull the cover with the mediator, starting at the corner near the connector. USB-C.
3. If the lid doesn't lend itself, wrap the phone in a towel and gently tap the edges (not on the screen!) with a wooden screwdriver handle. Vibration will help loosen the glue.
4. Repeat the poking with the mediator until the lid begins to move away.

Pros of the method:

• ✅ No need for a hair dryer or special tools.
• ✅ Suitable for urgent repairs (for example, if the phone is not turned on).

Cons:

• ❌ High risk of breaking latches - after such disassembly, the lid can dangle.
• ❌ The glue does not soften, so more effort is required.
• ❌ Not suitable for phones with a bloated battery (can damage the battery).

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If the lid starts to move away but hits the print plume, don't pull it any further! Better put the lid back in place and warm it up again, and then try again, starting on the other side.

Method 3: Disassembly with a string (for experienced)

This is a technique used in service centers for phones with a heavily glued lid (for example, after replacing the battery), which requires skill, but allows minimal damage to the latches.

• 🎸 Guitar string (thinest, caliber 0.010–0.012).
• 🔪 Two plastic mediators or credit cards.
• 🧴 Alcohol to clean glue residue.

Instructions:

1. So, put the lid on the first one (as in the first one).
2. Insert a string between the lid and the frame at the connector USB-C. For this, you can use a needle or thin tweezers.
3. Stretching the string along the side face, holding it with mediators on both sides (like a saw). Move the string back and forth to cut the glue.
4. Repeat the procedure for all sides except the top (where the print plume is).
5. Carefully lift the cover, starting at the bottom corner.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔝 Minimal pressure on the latches - they remain intact.
• 🔝 Suitable for phones with damaged adhesive layer (for example, after a fall).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires skill - you can scratch the body or cut the plume.
• ⏳ It takes longer (15-20 minutes vs. 5-10 in the first method).

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with a careful disassembly, many users make mistakes that lead to breakdown. TOP-5 The most common joints and ways to prevent them:

Pay special attention to the fingerprint scanner plume. In the Redmi Note 5, it goes from the top of the lid to the motherboard and is mounted on the connector. FPC. If you pull the plume by accident, you can solder it back, but it requires a soldering station and experience.

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If you see that the print plume is ripped off after you take off the cover, don't panic! You can temporarily lock it with tape (without tension) and take it to the service, the main thing is not to lose the plume and not to contaminate the contacts.

What to do after successfully opening the lid

Congratulations, if you've finished this section, it means the lid has been successfully removed, but the work doesn't end there.

1. Clean the glue off the lid and the frame of the phone. Use isopropyl alcohol and cotton swab. Don't rub too hard, you can erase the markings on the plumes.
2. Check the integrity of the sealing gum (if any) in the Redmi Note 5, it is often forgotten to install it back, which leads to dust.
3. Take a picture of the screws if you're going to take them apart. The phone uses screws of different lengths, and it's easy to confuse them.
4. Unplug the battery before further disassembly. To do this, attach the battery connector with a plastic blade (it is under a metal cover).

If your goal is to replace the battery, consider the following nuances:

• 🔋 The new battery must be the same capacity (4,000 mAh) and with the same connector.
• 🔌 When connecting a new battery, check that the insulating film on it matches the original one.
• 🔧 To glue the cover back, use bilateral tape 3M or special glue B-7000.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after assembly, check: Is the battery plugged in (the connector should sit tight), is the contacts on the motherboard closed (look for foreign objects), the integrity of the power plume (it goes from battery to board). In 80% of cases, the problem is solved by re-disassembly and checking connections.

How to close the lid back: 3 reliable methods

Many users successfully remove the lid, but they have the problem of fixing it when they reassemble it. The original Xiaomi adhesive is disposable, it loses its properties after opening, and we tested three ways and identified the best one.

Recommendations for sealing:

1. Apply glue or tape point by point around the perimeter of the lid, retreating 2-3 mm from the edges (so as not to squeeze under pressure).
2. Press the lid and fix with strubs or heavy books for 10-15 minutes.
3. Do not turn the phone on for at least 1 hour after gluing - the glue must be polymerized.

If the lid creaks or dangles after gluing, then there's not enough glue.

• Remove the lid and add glue to problem areas.
• Check if the slats are disturbing (sometimes they break when disassembled).
• Make sure that the sealing gum (if any) is flat.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5