Why do Redmi Note 5 owners want to remove the back cover?
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed Whyred) was released in 2018 and is still popular with users due to its balanced characteristics and affordable price. However, over time, even reliable equipment requires maintenance: a bloated battery, a break in the speaker or camera, replacing the charging plume – all this forces owners to look for ways to disassemble the device.
The main problem is that the Redmi Note 5's back cover is glued around the perimeter and is further latched, making it difficult to remove without special tools. Many users risk damaging the case or display by trying to tamper with a knife or plastic card. In this article, we will discuss safe disassembly methods, necessary tools and typical errors that lead to expensive repairs.
Before you start, evaluate your skills: if you've never taken a smartphone apart, you might want to go to a service center, but with the right approach, even a beginner can do the job in 15 to 20 minutes.
What tools will you need to disassemble?
To remove the back cover of the Redmi Note 5, you will need a minimal set of tools, but you can do without them.
- 🔧 Plastic mediators or suction cups - for careful putting of the cover (metal tools can scratch the body).
- 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station - for softening the glue (temperature 60-80)°C).
- 📏 Thin plastic card or spatula - to evenly separate the lid around the perimeter.
- 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, 1-1.5 mm) - for unscrewing screws under the lid.
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — for removing glue residues after disassembly.
If you don't have a hair dryer, you can use hot water in a plastic bag (apply it to the back cover for 2-3 minutes), but this method is less reliable. You can also use a magnifier or a magnifying glass - the latches on the Redmi Note 5 are small and easy to miss.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use knives, screwdrivers or other metal objects to lid the lid! The risk of scratching the case or damaging the fingerprint plume (located under the lid) is extremely high.
The cost of a full set of tools for disassembling smartphones on AliExpress or in local electronics stores starts from 300-500 rubles. If you plan to disassemble the device regularly, the investment will pay off quickly.
Preparing the smartphone for dismantling: steps before removing the lid
Before you start disassembling, you need to properly prepare the Redmi Note 5 to avoid damage or loss of data.
Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-card and memory card (if installed)
Charge the battery by at least 30% (to avoid accidental shutdown when connecting the plumes)
Backup your data (photos, contacts, messages) via Mi Cloud or your computer
Prepare a clean, well-lit workplace (preferably with an antistatic mat)
Remove the cover and protective film (if any) so that access to the latches is not interfered with.-->
Pay special attention to the battery. If it swells, disassembly should be carried out extremely carefully - puncture or deformation of the lithium-ion battery can lead to fire, in which case it is better to contact the service immediately.
Also check if your device has expired warranty period, if the smartphone is still under warranty, self-disassembly will cancel it, and you can find out the warranty expiration date from the Mi Service app or the device number on the Xiaomi website.
💡
If you're disassembling a smartphone to replace a battery, pre-order the original 4,000mAh battery (MBP04), which is often smaller and fails faster.
Step-by-step: how to remove the back cover of the Redmi Note 5
Now, to the most important step, which is to remove the lid, follow the instructions carefully so that you do not damage the latches or plumes.
- Heat the glue. Turn the dryer on to the minimum power (or set the temperature 60-70 ° C) and evenly warm the back cover for 2-3 minutes. Keep the dryer at a distance of 10-15 cm so as not to overheat the plastic. Pay special attention to the edges - there are concentrated latches.
- Take a plastic mediator or suction cup and carefully try to plug the lid on the bottom edge (from the USB-C connector side). If the lid does not respond, warm up for another 1-2 minutes.
- Perimeter compartment. Once there's a gap, insert a plastic shoulder blade into it and slowly lead along the edge, separating the lid. Be careful around the fingerprint scanner, there's a plume going through!
- Remove the lid. Once all the latches are snapped, carefully remove the lid. Don't pull it sharply, it's connected to the fingerprint scanner plume (if you have one in your model).
If the lid is not heated, maybe the glue is too old and dried, and then you can try to drip the isopropyl alcohol around the perimeter of the lid, and it will dissolve the glue, but you need to be careful not to let the alcohol get inside the device.
| Problem with disassembly | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The cover does not separate despite heating | The glue is dried or applied too thick a layer | Repeat heating or use alcohol to soften |
| A crackling or crunching can be heard with the underdog | Plastic latches are breaking | Stop the disassembly and warm up the lid again. |
| The lid was separated, but the plume remained. | Fingerprint scanner's plume is not disconnected | Carefully disconnect the plume from the motherboard |
| After removing the cover, the smartphone does not turn on | Damaged battery plume or motherboard | Check the connection of all plumes and contacts |
⚠️ Warning: If you hear a characteristic cracking, it could be that the plastic latches break, and then the lid will not fix well after assembly, and you will have to glue it back.
What to do after removing the cover: further actions
When the lid is finally removed, the internal structure of the Redmi Note 5 will open before you.
- 🔋 Battery – takes up most of the space, glued to the body.
- 📱 Motherboard - located under a metal screen, it is connected to the camera plumes, speaker and buttons.
- 🎤 The speaker and microphone are at the bottom of the device.
- 📷 Main and front cameras - plumes go to the motherboard.
- 🔄 Fingerprint scanner plume is thin and fragile, easily damaged.
If your goal is to replace the battery, the next step is to disconnect the battery plume from the motherboard.
- Carefully tuck the black connector of the battery plume with a plastic blade.
- Unscrew the screws that fix the metal plate above the battery (if any).
- Put a plastic card on the battery, starting at the edge, and if it's glued, use isopropyl alcohol to soften the glue.
Other repairs (such as a speaker or camera replacement) will require a complete disassembly of the device, including the removal of the motherboard.This is a more complex procedure, and without experience, it is better not to take risks.
How do you check if you have purchased an original battery?
Common Mistakes in Disassembly and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling the Redmi Note 5, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:
- 🔥 Overheating of the cover with a hair dryer, if the temperature exceeds 80°C, plastic may warp or melt.Use a thermometer or keep a hair dryer at a safe distance.
- ⚡ Damage to the fingerprint scanner plume, which is very thin and often breaks when the lid is not removed carefully, always check if it is disconnected before the lid is removed completely.
- 🔋 Short circuit when the battery is disconnected. If you touch the metallic instruments of the battery contacts, a spark can occur. Use plastic or wooden blades.
- 📱 Loss of screws or latches. The screws in the Redmi Note 5 are small and easily lost. Store them in a magnetic container or on sticky tape.
Another common problem is the wrong build, and after repair, the smartphone may not turn on because of:
- Unconnected battery plume or display.
- Badly fixed lid (if the latches are broken).
- Getting dust or debris under the screen.
To avoid these problems, take photos of each stage of disassembly and mark the location of the screws. For example, the screws of the motherboard and battery mounting may differ in length - if they are confused, you can damage the board.
💡
If the smartphone doesn't turn on after assembly, the first thing you do is check the battery plume connection, and 90 percent of the time, it's the battery plume that's the problem.
How to glue the back cover back: assembly tips
Building a Redmi Note 5 after repair is as important as disassembling it, and if the lid is not properly fixed, it needs to be re-sticked.
- Surface cleaning. Remove old glue from the lid and body of your smartphone with isopropyl alcohol and a lilac-free wipe. The glue residue can interfere with the tight fit.
- Apply new adhesive: Use 3M double-sided tape (0.2-0.3 mm thick) or special glue for smartphones (e.g. B-7000) and apply it with a thin layer around the perimeter of the lid, avoiding the speaker and microphone area.
- Hold the lid tightly, and you can hold it tightly, and you can use rods to fix it better, or you can put a heavy book on the lid for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Check the gaps. After gluing, make sure there are no gaps between the lid and the body. If there are, repeat the procedure with a new layer of glue.
If you use tape, cut it into strips 3-5 mm wide and stick it around the edge of the lid, leaving holes for the speaker and microphone, which will help avoid problems with sound after assembly.
After the lid is glued, check:
- Does your fingerprint scanner work (if you have one in your model)?
- Are there any extraneous sounds when you press the lid (this may indicate poor fixation).
- Is the smartphone charged (sometimes the charging plume shifts during assembly).
⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone starts to overheat or discharge quickly after assembly, it is likely that the battery is not connected correctly or damaged.