Use this guide to remove or replace the screen on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 9.
If the frame is deformed, it's important to replace it to make sure the new screen will mount correctly and won’t suffer damage from uneven pressure.
Before disassembling your device, discharge the battery below 25%. The battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured, but the chances of that happening are much lower if discharged.
If your battery is swollen, [[What to do with a swollen battery|take appropriate precautions|new_window=true]].
Note: This guide instructs you to replace only the screen while leaving the original frame and motherboard in place. However, some replacement screens for this phone come pre-installed in a new frame (a.k.a. chassis), which requires a very different procedure. Make sure you have the correct part before starting this guide.
Before you begin this procedure, be sure to have a set of replacement adhesives for both the back cover and the screen.
Eject the SIM card tray
Insert a SIM card eject tool, a SIM eject bit, or a straightened paper clip into the hole on the SIM tray located at the left edge of the phone.
Press directly into the hole to eject the SIM card tray.
Remove the SIM card tray.
Heat the back cover
💡 Note: The back cover of the Redmi Note 9 is held in place by plastic clips ''and'' adhesive. It might require some force to release the plastic clips.
[https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|Prepare an iOpener|new_window=true] and apply it to the back cover for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
💡 Note: A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the phone—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.
Insert an opening pick
Secure a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen, as close to the edge as possible.
💡 Note: If the screen is cracked, the suction handle may not stick. Try [https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4MmKE22Cy2MavVZU|lifting it with strong tape|new_window=true], or superglue the suction handle in place and allow it to cure so you can proceed.
Lift the phone assembly with the suction handle to create a small gap between the assembly and the back cover.
💡 Note: In case you have trouble creating a gap, apply more heat to further soften the adhesive. Follow the [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|iOpener|new_window=true] instructions to avoid overheating.
Insert an opening pick in a steep angle into the gap you created. This might require some force.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner to slice the adhesive and release the plastic clips holding the back cover in place.
Release the plastic clips and slice the adhesive
Insert a second opening pick in a steep angle at the bottom edge of your phone.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner to release the plastic clips and to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Release the plastic clips and slice the adhesive
💡 Note: If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|new_window=true|Use your iOpener] to reheat it.
Insert a third opening pick in a steep angle at the bottom left corner of your phone.
Slide the opening pick along the left edge of your phone to release the plastic clips and slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert a fourth opening pick in a steep angle at the bottom right corner of your phone.
Slide the opening pick along the right edge of your phone to release the plastic clips and slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
⚠️ Caution: Do not try to separate the phone assembly from the back cover all the way yet, the fingerprint cable is still connected to the motherboard.
Open the phone assembly
Flip your Redmi Note 9 over.
⚠️ Caution: Avoid straining the fingerprint flex cable during the following procedure.
Carefully fold the back cover to the right side of the phone assembly like you would open a book from the back.
Slide the back cover underneath the phone assembly so that the phone assembly overlaps about one third of the back cover and the fingerprint cable is not strained.
Unfasten the motherboard cover screws
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the eleven 3.9 mm-long screws securing the motherboard cover.
Pry up the motherboard cover
Insert the tip of an opening pick underneath the bottom left edge of the motherboard cover.
Pry up the motherboard cover.
Remove the motherboard cover
Remove the motherboard cover.
Disconnect the fingerprint cable
Use a spudger to disconnect the fingerprint cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
Separate the phone assembly from the back cover.
Disconnect the battery cable
Use a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
Disconnect the display cable
Use a spudger to disconnect the display cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
Unfasten the loudspeaker screws
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the seven 3.9 mm-long screws securing the loudspeaker assembly.
Remove the loudspeaker assembly
Remove the loudspeaker assembly.
Loosen the display adhesive
Apply a [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|heated iOpener|new_window=true] or a heat gun to the screen to loosen the adhesive underneath. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.
💡 Note: The protective adhesive of the Redmi Note 9 is very strong and it's hard to get underneath the display panel in the beginning. It is likely that you have to reapply the iOpener more than once.
💡 Note: A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device.
Insert an iFlex
Once the screen is warm to touch, apply a suction cup to the bottom edge of the screen.
💡 Note: If your screen is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may allow the suction cup to adhere. Alternatively, [link|https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4MmKE22Cy2MavVZU|very strong tape|new_window=true] may be used instead of the suction cup. If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the screen.
Lift the screen with the suction handle to create a small gap between the screen and the frame.
Insert an iFlex in the gap between the midframe and the screen.
Insert an opening pick
Insert an opening pick above the iFlex.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner of the screen to slice its adhesive. Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Remove the iFlex.
Slice the adhesive
Insert a second opening pick and slide it to the bottom right corner of the screen to cut the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
💡 Note: If the adhesive becomes hard to cut, it has most likely cooled down. [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705|new_window=true|Use your iOpener] or heat gun to for 1-2 minutes to reheat it.
Insert a third opening pick underneath the bottom left corner of the screen.
Slide the opening pick along the left edge of the screen to slice the adhesive. Leave it in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
⚠️ Caution: When you slice near the front facing camera, insert only the tip of the opening pick (about 3 to 4 mm) to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.
⚠️ Caution: When you slice near the front facing camera, insert only the tip of the opening pick to avoid damaging or smearing the camera.
Insert a fourth opening pick at the top left corner of the screen.
Slide the opening pick along the top edge of the phone to slice the adhesive.
Leave the opening pick in the top right corner of the screen to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
Insert a fifth opening pick and slide it along the right edge of the phone to slice the remaining adhesive.
⚠️ Caution: Do not try to remove the display all the way yet, the display cable is still threaded through the frame.
Remove the screen
Thread the display flex cable through the gap in the midframe and remove the screen.
💡 Note: Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components from your old screen to your replacement part.
💡 Note: Apply new adhesive where it's necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
💡 Note: During reassembly, [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Pre-Cut+Adhesive+Sheet/113604|follow this guide|new_window=true] in case you're using a pre-cut adhesive card.
If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.
The best way to secure the new screen is to apply a sheet of custom-cut double-sided tape to the back of the screen.
Take your e-waste to an [[E-Waste|R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler|new_window=true]].
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some [[Troubleshooting Problems After a Repair|basic troubleshooting]], or ask our [link|https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Ask/Xiaomi+Redmi+Note+9|Answers community] for help.