Introduction
Use this guide to replace a broken or defective AMOLED Screen & Digitizer in your Xiaomi Mi 8.
Due to the phone’s design, you must remove the lithium-ion battery to access the display cables. Reusing a deformed battery after it has forcefully been removed, is a potential safety hazard. In this case, replace it with a new battery.
Before disassembling your phone, 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.
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.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
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Apply a heated iOpener to the rear glass to loosen the adhesive beneath the edges. Apply the iOpener for at least two minutes.
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Secure a suction handle to the lower edge of the rear glass, as close to the edge as possible.
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Lift the rear glass with the suction handle to create a gap between the glass and the frame.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap.
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Slide the opening pick to the bottom right corner of the phone.
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Insert a second opening pick and slide it to the bottom left corner to cut the adhesive.
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Leave the opening picks in place to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert a third opening pick at the bottom left corner.
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Start to slide the opening pick from the bottom left corner along the side of the Xiaomi Mi 8 to cut the adhesive.
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As the adhesive cools down it gets harder to cut. If necessary use your iOpener to reheat it.
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Leave the opening pick in the top left corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert a fourth opening pick under the top left corner of the rear glass.
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Slide the opening pick along the top to cut the adhesive.
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Leave the opening pick in the top right corner to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert a fifth opening pick at the top right corner of the phone.
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Slide the opening pick along the right edge to cut the remaining adhesive.
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Carefully lift the rear glass and fold it to the left side to access the fingerprint flex connector.
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Remove the ten screws that secure the motherboard cover.
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Eight Phillips #00 screws (3.4 mm length)
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Two Phillips #00 screws (3.5 mm length)
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Slide an opening pick under the right side of the motherboard cover.
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Twist the opening pick sideways to pry up and slightly lift the motherboard cover.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery flex cable located at the bottom of the motherboard.
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Use an opening pick or plastic card to pry the battery out of its recess until you can get a good grip.
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Use a pair of tweezers to peel the display flex cable off the midframe. It is attached with mild adhesive.
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Apply a suction handle near the bottom edge of the phone.
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Use the suction handle to pull up the screen and insert just the tip of an opening pick under the bottom edge of the screen.
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Slide the tip of the opening pick to the bottom right corner. Leave it there to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert the tip of a second opening pick and slide it to the bottom left corner of the Xiaomi Mi 8 to cut the adhesive. Leave it there to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert a third opening pick at the bottom left corner of the phone.
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Slide the tip of the opening pick to the top left corner to cut the adhesive. Leave it there to prevent the adhesive from resealing.
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Insert the tip of a fourth opening pick at the upper left corner of the phone and slide it along the top edge to cut the adhesive. Leave it in the top right corner.
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Insert the tip of a fifth opening pick at the top right corner of the phone and slide it along the right edge to cut the adhesive.
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Slowly separate the screen from the frame and cut any remaining adhesive. Make sure the flex cable is no longer stuck to the frame and carefully thread it through its gap.
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Remove the screen.
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If possible, turn on your phone and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing the phone.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
The best way to secure the new screen is with a sheet of custom-cut double-sided tape. Apply the tape to the back of the screen, then carefully feed the display cable through the frame. Align the screen and press it into place.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.
