How to charge Xiaomi Redmi Airdots without a case: all working ways + warning

Xiaomi Redmi Airdots wireless headphones have been a hit thanks to a combination of price, sound quality and compactness. But what if the charging case is lost, broken or discharged at the wrong time? The official documentation does not provide for charging headphones without a case, but there are workarounds, both safe and risky. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, assess their effectiveness and warn about the possible consequences for the battery.

It is important to understand that the design of Redmi Airdots (including Airdots Basic, Airdots S and Airdots 2) does not involve direct connection to the power source. Charging contacts are hidden inside the case and interact only with the connectors in the case. This means that any manipulation of direct connection to electricity can cause the device to fail.

Why the manufacturer did not provide charging without a case

Xiaomi engineers deliberately refused the ability to charge headphones directly for several reasons:

• 🔋 Miniature battery: Each headphone has a battery capacity of only 40 to 50 mAh (depending on the model), which requires precise control of current and voltage, which only the original case provides.
• ⚡ Risk of overheating. Direct connection to USB or other power source may cause a voltage surge, which will lead to irreversible damage to the charging controller.
• 🛡️ Moisture protection: Contacts inside the enclosure are not class protected IPX4 (as in the case), so their exposure increases the risk of corrosion.
• 💰 Business model: Manufacturer's interest is in selling spare cases, not in supporting "handicraft" charging methods.

Despite these limitations, users have found ways to circumvent the system, and then we'll look at them in detail, from the safest to the most risky.

Method 1: Using another Xiaomi case or compatible models

The safest and most reliable method is to use a case from similar headphones.

• 🎧 Case from Redmi Airdots 2 (compatible with the first version on 80%).
• 🎧 Case from Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 (Contact compatibility check required).
• 🎧 Universal cases with adjustable magnets (for example, Baseus Blade).

Before buying a new case, make sure that:

1. The headphone charger connectors coincide in location and shape.
2. The magnets in the case are strong enough to keep the headphones in place.
3. The charge voltage of the case does not exceed 5V/1A (standard for Redmi Airdots).

⚠️ Warning: If the case from another model does not fix the headphones tightly, do not leave them on the charge unattended. Vibration or fall can cause a short circuit.

Method 2: Charging via a homemade adapter (for advanced users)

This method requires soldering skills and an understanding of electrical circuitry, and the idea is to create an adapter that mimics the contacts of the case.

• 🔌 A soldering iron with a thin sting (20–30 W).
• 🕯️ Flush and Flush (better acid-free).
• 🔋 power supply 5V/0.5–1A (for example, charging from a smartphone).
• 🧲 Two neodymium magnets (3×1 mm).
• 🔗 Multi-core wire cross section 0.1-0.2 mm².

Step-by-step:

1. Carefully open the body of one headphone (such as the Airdots S) to reach the charging contacts.
2. Sell two wires to the contacts: red — "+", Black is "-." Use heat glue to fix it.
3. Attach the magnets to the wires so that they match the magnets in the original case (this is necessary to trigger the charging sensor).
4. Connect the wires to the power source, observing polarity. The earpiece should start charging (the indicator will light up in red).

Use a soldering iron with grounding|Wear an antistatic bracelet|Check polarity with multimeter|Do not overheat the charge (max. 3 seconds)|Use the tape to isolate contacts-->

⚠️ Critical risks:

• Overheating the board can disable the microphone or speaker.
• The wrong polarity will cause the battery to fail instantly.
• Lack of current control can cause the battery to swell.

⚠️ Warning: If you've never soldered microelectronics, you'd better give up this method. Contact a service center - the cost of recovering from a failed soldering often exceeds the cost of new headphones.

Method 3: Wireless charging (modified models only)

Redmi Airdots does not officially support Qi wireless charging, but some users will adapt them to this standard.

1. Buy a flexible Qi receiver (for example, for smartphones).
2. Gently glue it to the back cover of the headphone, connecting to the contacts of the battery.
3. Use a charging pad with a capacity of not more than 5W.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No risk of short circuit.
• ✅ You can charge headphones indiscriminately.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It is difficult to ensure reliable fixation of the receiver.
• ❌ Charging takes 2-3 times more time.
• ❌ Risk of detachment of the receiver during heating.

💡

Before modifying, check if the Qi receiver is closing the microphone or speaker. Use thin models with a thickness of no more than 0.5 mm.

Method 4: Charging from a low-current power bank (emergency option)

If there is no case at hand, but there is a power bank with an exit 5V/0.5Ah, we can try the following:

1. Take two thin copper wires and clear the ends.
2. Apply them to the headphone contacts (usually they are symmetrically located on the back side).
3. Connect the wires to USB-Power bank connector, observing polarity.
4. Secure the design with tape and watch the charging indicator.

⚠️ Limitations of method:

• Charging time will be 3-4 hours (versus 1.5 hours in the case).
• The headphone will warm up - do not leave it unattended.
• There is a risk of damage to the controller during voltage surges.

Method 5: Restore a discharged battery (if the headphones are not turned on)

If Redmi Airdots are completely discharged and do not respond to the case, try to "resuscitate" the battery:

1. Place the headphones in the case and connect it to charging for 10-15 minutes.
2. If the indicator does not light up, remove the headphones and gently tap on the body (sometimes it helps to "shake off" the oxidation of contacts).
3. Try charging the case from another power supply (for example, from a laptop).
4. If nothing helps, disassemble the case and check the integrity of the spring contacts.

🔋 Signs of battery failure:

• Headphones are charged only in a certain position in the case.
• The working time was reduced to 30-60 minutes (at the initial 4 hours).
• One earphone is charging and the other is not.

⚠️ Warning: If the battery is swelling (as seen from the deformation of the case), do not try to charge it. This may cause a fire.

What can not be done when charging Redmi Airdots without a case

Some "people's" councils can permanently ruin headphones.

• 🔥 Connection to power supply >5B (like charging from a tablet or laptop) guaranteed to burn the controller.
• 💧 Using wet or oxidized wires, which will cause contact corrosion.
• 🔨 Disassembly of headphones without specialized tools. Redmi Airdots plastic case easily breaks when opened with a screwdriver.
• ⚡ Charging from the car lighter.Voltage in the on-board network is unstable and often exceeds 12V.

If you are not sure about your actions, you should use the services of a service center. The average cost of reconnecting with Redmi Airdots is 500-800. ₽, It is cheaper to buy new headphones.

💡

Any alternative charging method is a trade-off between speed and safety, and if you value headphones as a device, you'd better buy a new case or go to the service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about charging Xiaomi Redmi Airdots without a case