Why would you need to disassemble Xiaomi headphones?
Xiaomi’s wireless headphones are some of the most popular gadgets on the market due to their value for money. However, even the most reliable models (Redmi Buds 4 Pro, AirDots 3 Pro, FlipBuds Pro) can eventually fail: the microphone stops working, the sound in one earphone disappears or the battery dies, in which case disassembly becomes necessary – whether it is a battery replacement, cleaning contacts or repairing the speaker.
It’s important to understand that disassembling Xiaomi headphones leaves you with no warranty (if it’s still valid), and doing the wrong thing can permanently put the device out of action. However, with the right tools and the right tools, most of the work can be done yourself. In this article, we’ll look at how to open the headphones of different models, what tools you’ll need and what to look for to avoid damaging fragile components.
Before you start, consider your own strength: if you've never been able to understand electronics, you might want to go to a service center. But if you're willing to take a chance, read on.
What tools will you need to disassemble?
To cleanly disassemble Xiaomi headphones without damage, you will need a specialized set of tools, most of which can be found in electronics stores or ordered on AliExpress in mobile device repair kits.
- 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (thickness 0.1-0.3 mm) - for disengagement of the body without scratches.
- 🔨 A thin screwdriver with a cross-tipped tip (usually) PH00 or PH000).
- 🧲 Magnetic substrate or tray – so as not to lose small screws and parts.
- 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (for models with adhesive connection, for example, AirDots Pro 2).
- 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Cleaning contacts and removing glue residues.
- 📏 Tweezers with thin ends – for working with flexible plumes and wires.
Some models (such as the Redmi Buds 3 Lite) may need tape to fix plumes or B-7000 glue to reassemble. If you plan to replace the battery, pre-order a compatible battery – for example, AirDots is often suitable battery type 301230 capacity 40-60 mAh.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal blades or knives - they leave scratches on the plastic and can close contacts on the board. Also avoid overheating the body with a hairdryer: temperature above 80°C can damage the lithium polymer battery.
Step-by-step: how to open headphones Xiaomi (universal method)
Most Xiaomi wireless headphones have a similar design, so the disassembly algorithm will be similar for different models. Consider the process with the example of Redmi AirDots 2 (also known as Redmi Buds 2), which is suitable for other models. TWS-headphone.
Step 1: Preparing the workplace
- 📱 Place the headphones on a soft surface (such as a napkin or silicone mat).
- 🔋 Make sure the headphones are discharged – this will reduce the risk of short circuit.
- 📸 Take a picture of the headphone from all sides – it will help with the reverse assembly.
Step 2. Remove the top cover
In most Xiaomi models, the case consists of two parts glued together to separate them:
- Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the top and bottom of the case (usually it is near the LED or microphone).
- Carefully swipe the mediator around the perimeter, slightly pressing, and you'll hear the characteristic clicks, which are the snaps that are disconnecting.
- If the case does not respond, slightly heat it with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 70 ° C) for 10-15 seconds.
Step 3: Removing the board and battery
After removing the cover, you will see:
- 🔋 Battery (usually glued to the body).
- 📱 Printed circuit board with microphone, antenna and charging contacts.
- 🔊 Dynamics (can be glued or fixed with latches).
Disconnect the speaker plume (if any) and carefully remove the board by putting a mediator on it. Don't pull the wires!
Check the headphone model (instructions may vary)|Prepare all instruments |Relieve the headphones to 0% |Photograph the initial state |Work on a clean, illuminated surface-->
Features of disassembling popular Xiaomi models
While the general disassembly principle is similar, there are nuances in different Xiaomi models, and the key differences for the most common headphones are the following.
| Model | Type of hull attachment | Difficulty disassembling (1–5) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots (1-3 generation) | Latches + glue | 3 | Battery soldered to board, speaker on latches. |
| Redmi Buds 4 Pro | Glue + sealant | 4 | It requires a dryer to heat up. The speaker is glued, the plume is fragile. |
| Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2 | Ultrasonic welding + glue | 5 | It's hard to disassemble without damage. |
| FlipBuds Pro | Screws + latches | 2 | Rotors under rubber plugs. Easy to assemble back. |
| Redmi Buds 3 Lite | Just the latches. | 2 | The easiest model to disassemble, a two-sided tape battery. |
For example, in Redmi Buds 4 Pro, the body is particularly tightly glued — you can not do without a hair dryer. In FlipBuds Pro, you first need to remove the rubber plugs on the inside of the headphone, under which the screws are hidden.
Tip: If you're disassembling the AirDots Pro 2, be careful with the flexible speaker plume - it often breaks when it's not properly extracted. It's better to sell off the battery first and then remove the board.
What to do if the body does not separate?
Typical Disassembly Problems and How to Avoid Them
Even with care, you can run into difficulties, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
- 🔋 Battery damage -- don't pull the wires, just gently pull it with a plastic pickup. If the battery is swelling, don't try to prick it -- it can cause a fire.
- 📱 Speaker plume break - check to see if there are any latching latches before removing the board. In AirDots Pro, the plume is often glued - it needs to be carefully disconnected with tweezers.
- 🔊 Loss of small parts - use a magnetic mat and check if all screws are in place before assembly.FlipBuds Pro, for example, has pin screws under plugs.
- 🔥 Overheating of the body – if you use a hair dryer, keep it at a distance of 10-15 cm and do not direct the air flow to one place for longer than 10 seconds.
Another common problem is damage to sealing gums (e.g., in Redmi Buds 3 Pro) if they break, the earbuds will be worse when assembled, order spare seals in advance, or use superglue to fix.
⚠️ Attention: If the headphone stopped turning on after disassembly, check: Integrity of battery contacts (often detached when sloppy extraction). Correct connection of the speaker plume (in AirDots Pro it must be inserted before clicking). No short circuit on the board (look for darkening or swelling of components).
💡
Before assembly, clean the contacts of the battery and board with isopropyl alcohol - this will improve the connection and prolong the life of the headphones.
How to collect headphones back: tips for sealing
The assembly is often more difficult to disassemble, and the main task is to ensure that the body is tight, otherwise the headphones will lose protection from moisture (if any).
- Check all the details -- compare it to the photo you took before you disassemble -- make sure all the plumes and wires are in place.
- Secure the battery -- if it was on double-sided tape, use a new piece. For soldered batteries, check the soldering quality.
- Apply glue — for models with adhesive connection (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro) use glue B-7000 or similar. Apply a thin layer around the perimeter of the body.
- Squeeze the body - after assembly, tightly squeeze the two halves and fix them with tape for 10-15 minutes until the glue is grasped.
For models with screws (for example, FlipBuds Pro) it is important not to drag the mounts - this can damage the thread.
After assembly, check:
- 🔋 Are the headphones charged in the case.
- 🎵 Does the sound work in both headphones.
- 🎤 Is the microphone correct (record the voice note).
- 🔄 Is the sensory control working properly (if any).
💡
If after assembly, the headphones do not turn on, check the polarity of the battery - the red wire should go to the plus contact on the board.
When the Disassembly is Inappropriate: Alternative Solutions
Xiaomi headphones are not always disassembled, and in some cases it is easier and cheaper to buy new ones or contact the service.
- 💥 Bloated battery – if the battery is too inflated, replacing it may not solve the problem (other components may be damaged).
- 🔊 The speaker is damaged - in headphones Xiaomi often used indissoluble speakers, and their replacement will cost almost as new headphones.
- 📡 Problems with Bluetooth module – if the headphones do not connect to the phone, the charge is to blame, and its repair requires soldering of the chips.
- 💧 Fluid intake – even if the headphones are dry, corrosion on the board may appear later.
Alternative solutions:
- 🛒 Buy used headphones – on Avito or Yula you can find workers Redmi Buds for 500-1000 rubles.
- 🔄 Exchange under warranty - if headphones are warranty, contact the official Xiaomi service (even if the dismantling deprives the warranty, sometimes there is a counter check).
- 🔧 Professional repairs – in large cities there are services specializing in TWS-Average cost of repair: 800-1500 rubles.
If you still decide to disassemble headphones, but faced difficulties, check out the video instructions on YouTube – for example, the channels “Chinim Sam” or “Repair World” often publish detailed guides on Xiaomi repair.