Why Redmi Note 7 Decommissioning Needs a Special Approach
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has become one of the most popular budget phones of 2019 thanks to a combination of performance, camera and durable body. However, its design has an important feature: the back cover is glued to the frame not only around the perimeter, but also in the area of the fingerprint scanner, which makes it difficult to disassemble. Many users face the problem of damaging the plumes or peeling the sensor when trying to remove the lid “by eye”.
Unlike models with removable covers (for example, Redmi). 4X), It requires heat and special tools, and without preparation, it's a risk of damage. FPC-The display or battery connectors exceed 60 percent, which is data from service centers. In this article, we'll break down a unique disassembly algorithm that takes into account the weak spots of this particular model, which minimizes the risks even for beginners.
Important: the procedure voids the warranty if it is still valid. For devices with a faulty display or bloated battery, we recommend first contacting the service - disassembling yourself in such cases can be dangerous.
What tools you will need: full checklist
To carefully remove the cover of the Redmi Note 7 is not enough one mediator — you need a set of tools, some of which can be replaced by improvised tools.
- 🔥 A construction dryer (power 1600-2000 W) or a thermal air station. Alternative: an iron with a steam generator (less safe).
- 📏 Plastic mediators (thickness 0.1-0.2 mm) Guitar mediators or bank cards (but they are less flexible) are suitable).
- 🧲 Suction cups (40-50 mm diameter) You can use suction cups for car windows.
- 🔧 Screwdriver. T3 Important: Don't confuse it with the screws under the lid. T2 — It's not a good fit!
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ Do not use acetone, it damages the oleophobic coating of the screen.
- 📦 Container for screws (a magnetic board or ice tray is suitable).
☑️ Preparation of the workplace
Professionals also use ultra-thin metal blades (0.08 mm) to separate the adhesive in the fingerprint scanner area, but beginners are better off without them - the risk of piercing the plume is too high. If you do not have a hair dryer, you can use the hot water method (described below), but it is less reliable for this model.
Step-by-step: how to remove the cover without damage
The process of disassembling the Redmi Note 7 is divided into 3 stages: heating, separation of the cover and fixing the plumes. Follow the algorithm in strict order - skipping steps increases the risk of damage to flexible boards (FPC).
Stage 1: Heating of the housing
Turn the dryer on at 80-90°C (if you have an adjustment) and direct the air flow to the edge of the lid, moving around the perimeter.
- Corners near the USB-C connector (the thickest layer of glue there is).
- Area under the fingerprint scanner (heat 20-25 seconds longer than the rest of the areas).
Heat time: 3-4 minutes to evenly soften the glue. Do not overheat - temperatures above 100 ° C can deform the plastic frame!
Stage 2: Separation of the cover
After heating:
- Attach the suction cup to the bottom of the lid (above the Redmi logo).
- Carefully pull up - a gap of 1-2 mm should appear.
- Insert a plastic mediator into the gap and slowly lead it along the edge, separating the glue.
Critical area: upper left corner (there is a plume of the antenna). If the cover does not respond, repeat heating for another 1-2 minutes.
What to do if the cover is too tight?
Stage 3: Fixing of plumes
After the lid is removed,
- Unplug the battery (unscrew 2 T3 screws and disconnect the connector).
- Fix the lid with tape to the table with the inside side upwards - this will prevent accidental closure of contacts.
💡
If you see a bloated battery (more than 1 mm bulge) after removing the lid, DO NOT TRY to remove it yourself!
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Analysis of service centers shows that 8 out of 10 breaks in self-disassembly Redmi Note 7 associated with three critical errors, which are easy to avoid if you know the weak points of the model:
⚠️ Warning: Don't press the center of the lid after heating! The fingerprint sensor is attached to the two-way tape, and the pressure can tear its plume off the motherboard. Repairing this damage costs 30-50% of the cost of a smartphone.
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Use a knife instead of a mediator | Scratches on an aluminum frame, damage to the display plume | Use only plastic or nylon tools |
| Heating over 100°C | Deformation of plastic clips, detachment of the oleophobic screen covering | Control the temperature with a thermometer or by touch (the body should be hot, but not burning) |
| Sharp compartment of the lid | Breakage of the plume of the fingerprint scanner or antenna module | Move the mediator smoothly, with a force of no more than 0.5 kg |
| Neglect of battery fixation | Short circuit when tweezers accidentally touch contacts | Turn off the battery first, even if you plan to only work with the lid. |
Another common problem is that you can't scrape it with a knife, remove it with isopropyl alcohol with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, and then apply a new layer of B-7000 glue (sold in electronics stores) around the perimeter of the frame to make it easier to assemble.
Alternative methods: when there is no hair dryer
If you do not have a construction dryer, you can use one of two proven methods, but with reservations:
Method 1: Hot water (for emergency cases)
Place your smartphone in a zip-zip-zip-zip bag and lower in water at 60-70 ° C for 5-7 minutes. The glue will soften, but:
- 🚫 Risk of moisture getting under the lid - 20% (even in the package).
- 🚫 Not suitable for devices with damaged sealant (for example, after falls).
Method 2: Iron with steam
Wrap your smartphone in a cotton cloth and iron with steam for 3-4 minutes, keeping the iron 2-3 cm away from the body.This method is less effective for the Redmi Note 7, as:
- 🔥 The steam condenses on cold metal parts, which can cause corrosion.
- ⏱ Heating time increases by 2 times compared to the hair dryer.
💡
Both alternative methods increase the risk of smartphone damage by 30-40% compared to using a hair dryer. Use them only if there are no other options, and be prepared for the possible consequences.
What to do after successfully opening the lid
When the lid is finally removed, the internal structure of the Redmi Note 7 will open before you. Here are the key elements you will see (top down):
- Fingerprint scanner (connected to the motherboard with a flexible plume).
- Battery (12 screws T3 fasten metal plate).
- Camera (mounted on a separate module with heat sink).
- Antenna modules (black and silver stripes on the sides).
If your goal is to replace the battery, remember that this model uses a battery with a five-pin connector (not a three-pin one, as in the newer models). BM47 (marking).
⚠️ Note: When assembly, do not tighten the motherboard mount screws with a force of more than 0.3 Nm. Clamped screws can cause the board to deform and loss of the fingerprint sensor or camera signal. Use a dynamometer screwdriver or tighten "up to light resistance".
When Disassembly Is Not Justified: Signs of Critical Failures
Some of the Redmi Note 7's breakdowns can't be repaired at home without specialized hardware, and here are some signals that the device is better to include in the service:
- 🔋 The battery swelled by more than 2 mm (seen on a raised cover or screen).
- 📱 On the screen vertical stripes after falling (damaged plume or matrix).
- 🔌 The smartphone does not turn on and does not respond to charging (possibly KZ on the board).
- 📡 No network after self-disassembly (damaged) RF-module).
It is especially dangerous to ignore a bloated battery. According to Xiaomi Service, 15% of these cases end in fire when trying to retrieve at home. If you notice that the lid “plays” when pressed or there is a gap between it and the frame, immediately turn off the device and contact the service.
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