You bought a IP- Xiaomi camera and you had to take it apart, maybe you had to clean the lens, replace the battery, or fix a software failure through a hardware reset. In this article, we'll go into detail on how to open the case without damage, what tools you'll need and what to look for when working with different models, from Mi Home Security Camera 360° 1080p to Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 2K Pro.
It's important to understand that disassembling a camera would void the manufacturer's warranty if it's still valid, but in some cases -- for example, when dust gets inside the lens or the battery is discharged -- self-repairing can save time and money, and we've put together proven methods that service center wizards use and adapted them for home use.
If you’ve never been a consumer electronics expert, don’t worry: Xiaomi’s soap design provides relatively easy access to internal components, and the key is to follow the instructions and not put too much effort where it’s not required.
What Xiaomi models are “soap boxes”?
The term "soap box" among users is fixed for compact IP-cameras Xiaomi with a round or oval body, here are the main models that are most often disassembled at home:
- The 📷 Mi Home Security Camera 360° 1080p (first generation) is the most common model with a Micro-USB connector.
- 📷 Mi Home Security Camera 360° 2K is an improved version with 2304×1296 resolution and support for H.265.
- 📷 Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 2K Pro is a model with support for AI- recognition and a slot for MicroSD.
- 📷 Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080p is a budget version without a rotary mechanism.
Structurally, all of these devices are similar: the body consists of two parts (front and rear), which are fastened by latches or screws under a special screwdriver, the main differences are in the location of the speaker, microphone and mounting of the lens.
Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures
Before you start, make sure you have everything you need. Here's the minimum toolkit:
- 🔧 Plastic blade (or mediator) - to separate the latches of the housing.
- 🔧 Screwdriver T5 or T6 (depending on model) - for screws on the rear panel.
- 🔧 Tweezers to extract small parts, such as plumes.
- 🔧 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (optional) - if the body is glued together.
- 🔧 Antistatic bracelet - to avoid damage to electronics by static electricity.
Also prepare the workplace:
- 📌 Brush soft tissue (such as microfiber) to avoid scratching the body.
- 📌 Use screw containers - they are small and easily lost.
- 📌 The lighting should be bright – many of the details inside the camera are miniature.
⚠️ Warning: If the camera was in cold or high humidity, allow it to acclimate for at least 2 hours at room temperature. Condensation inside the case can damage electronics when disassembled.
☑️ Checklist before disassembly
Step-by-step: how to open the case of Xiaomi soap
Consider a universal disassembly method on the example of Mi Home Security Camera 360° 1080p. For other models, the process may differ slightly (for example, the number of screws or the location of the latches).
Step 1: Removing the back cover
1. Turn the camera down on a soft surface.
2 If there is a rubber plug on the back (usually covering a Micro-USB connector or a memory card slot), gently tuck it with a nail or plastic spatula.
3. Under the plug, you will see 1-2 screws (usually a screwdriver T5 or T6). Unscrew them and put them in a container.
4 If there are no screws, the body is held on the latches, insert the plastic blade into the gap between the front and rear, and carefully swipe the perimeter, disconnecting the latches. Start on the side opposite to the power connector.
Step 2: Unconnecting the plumes and access to the board
After removing the back cover, you will see:
- 🔋 Battery (if the model is wireless)
- 📶 Wi-Fi antenna (thin wire soldered to board).
- 🖥️ Basic board with speaker, microphone and camera connectors.
Carefully unplug all the plumes by pulling the plastic connectors (not the wires!). If the battery is glued, put a plastic blade on it, but don't use metal tools to avoid piercing it.
⚠️ Warning: On some models (e.g., the Mi Home Camera 2K Pro), the lens plume is very brittle. If it is damaged, the camera will stop transmitting the image and the entire module will need to be replaced.
Step 3: Removing the front panel with a lens
The front of the body is usually attached to 2-3 screws (under a T3 or T4 screwdriver) and latches. After unscrewing the screws, carefully raise the panel - it is connected to the board with a flexible plume. Don't pull it sharply!
If you need to clean the lens, use:
- 🧴 Special napkin for optics (no pile).
- 💧 Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) to remove fatty stains.
Do not use regular wet wipes or paper – they leave scratches!
What to do if the body is glued together?
Frequent Disassembly Problems and How to Avoid Them
Even with a careful disassembly, you can encounter difficulties, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked the body. | Excessive force in the latch separation | Use plastic tools and heat with a hairdryer |
| The camera does not turn on after assembly. | Unconnected plume or battery | Check all connectors, especially the lens plume |
| The lens was left dirty after cleaning | Use of inappropriate means | Use only napkins for optics and isopropyl alcohol |
| Lost screw attachment. | Incorrect storage of small parts | Use a magnetic mat or containers with cells |
If the camera doesn’t work after assembly, check:
- All the plumes are connected before the click.
- Whether the back cover is skewed - this can block the on button.
- Is the battery contact area damaged (if removable).
💡
If the camera is squeaking or not rotating after disassembly, check the gears of the rotary mechanism. Often they become clogged with dust - just brush them.
Replacement of the battery in the soap Xiaomi
One of the most common causes of disassembly is battery discharge. Mi Home Security Camera 360° uses a 6700 mAh lithium-ion battery (2K- versions — 5200 mAh) and loses capacity over time, and the camera only holds charge for a few hours.
To replace:
- Disassemble the body as described above and get to the battery.
- Disconnect the power plume from the board (usually a white connector with 2-3 contacts).
- Carefully tuck the battery into a plastic spatula. It can be glued with double-sided tape.
- Install a new battery of the same model (e.g. BL-18 for the 1080p- version) and plug in the plume.
Where to buy a replacement? Original batteries can be found on AliExpress or in Xiaomi service centers, costing from 800 to 1500 rubles. Alternatively, batteries from third-party manufacturers (for example, Baseus), but their capacity may not match the declared.
⚠️ Warning: When replacing the battery, do not use metal tools - risk puncture and fire! If the new battery swells on the first charge, immediately turn off the camera and replace it.
💡
When buying a battery, check its voltage: for Xiaomi soaps it should be 3.7V or 3.8V. Batteries on 7.4V will not work!
Cleaning the lens and the rotary mechanism
Over time, dust gets on the lens, and dirt gets clogged into the rotary mechanism, causing the camera to creak or get stuck when it rotates, and cleaning will help restore smoothness.
Cleaning the lens
1. After disassembling, remove the protective glass of the lens (if it is removable). It is usually attached to a rubber seal.
2. Blow the lens with air from a can (to clean keyboards) or gently wipe with an optics wipe soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
3.Do not touch the inner lens - it is enough to clean the outer surface.
Cleaning of the turning mechanism
1. Remove the front panel with the lens (as described in step 3 of the disassembly instructions).
2 You will see the gears and motors that are responsible for rotation. Remove the dust with a soft brush (for example, for drawing).
3. If the mechanism creaks, apply silicone lubricant (1-2 drops) to the gears. Do not use WD-40 or other aggressive compounds!
Once cleaned, assemble the camera and check the smoothness of the rotation through the Mi Home app. If the problem persists, the gears may have worn out, in which case they will need to be replaced.
Resetting the camera to factory settings through disassembly
If the camera doesn't connect to Wi-Fi, it's stuck, or it needs a password that you've forgotten, you can do a hard reset, which doesn't always require disassembly -- it's usually enough to press the Reset button for 10 seconds, but if the button doesn't work, you'll have to do it through a board.
Instructions:
- Disassemble the body and get to the main board.
- Find the Reset button on the board (usually signed or circled in white).
- Connect the camera to power and press the button with a thin object (such as a toothpick) for 15-20 seconds.
- Release the button and wait for the reboot (the indicator blinks yellow).
If the reset didn't help, check:
- 🔌 Connect to a stable power supply (do not use USB- hubs).
- 📶 Wi-Fi signal – The camera doesn’t support 5GHz networks, only 2.4GHz.
- 📱 Version of the Mi Home app – upgrade to the latest version.