Peripherals from Chinese giant Xiaomi are deservedly popular due to their stylish design and affordable price. However, like any electronics, the Mi Mouse or Portable Mouse series of wireless manipulators may require intervention over time. Most often, users face the need to replace the battery, clean the optical sensor from dust or restore a severed button plume. It would seem simple task, but the design of modern gadgets often hides surprises.
Incorrect opening attempts can cause plastic latches to break or damage a fragile PCB. In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of dismantling various models, focusing on hidden screws and the subtle nuances of working with the adhesive layer, learn how to safely open the case without leaving traces and scratches, and understand what tools are really necessary for quality repairs.
Before you start taking action, it is important to assess your strength and the presence of a basic set of tools. Electronics repair requires accuracy, not strength. If you have never disassembled gadgets, carefully study each step of the instructions. Remember that any interference with the device can affect its further warranty, so weigh the pros and cons.
And we're going to use specialized terms to help you better navigate the design of the device, like PCBs, which are the heart of your mouse, and microswitches, which are responsible for clear clicks, and understanding these elements will allow you to not only disassemble the device, but also make a good diagnosis of it.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The quality disassembly begins long before you pick up the screwdriver. The first thing you need is a perfectly clean, well-lit workplace. The desk should be free of unnecessary objects and the surface should be soft so as not to scratch the glossy plastic of the case. A special antistatic mat is ideal, but you can use a regular dense towel or a sheet of paper at home.
A set of tools for working with miniature electronics should be selected with great care. Standard home screwdrivers often have too thick stingers that can lick the screw hats or damage the plastic. For Xiaomi Mouse, you will need:
- 🔧 Thin cross screwdriver (size) PH00 or PH000) — screw-tool.
- 🔧 Flat screwdriver with sting width 1-2 mm for plugging.
- 🔧 Plastic spatula (spooger) or mediator - to open the body without scratches.
- 🔧 Tweezers with thin curved ends - for extracting small details and plumes.
Special attention should be paid to the cleanness of the hands and tools. Fat spots from the fingers can remain on the inside of transparent plastic or get on the contacts. It is recommended to wipe all metal parts of the tools with alcohol beforehand. Also remember to use isopropyl alcohol to degrease surfaces before gluing.
The organization of space is critical. The screws in these devices are microscopic, and losing one of them can make assembly impossible. Use a magnetic tray or just put the parts in the order you shot them in, and this will help avoid confusion, especially if you're disassembling the device for the first time.
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Use a piece of paper that has the disassembly steps drawn with a marker, and put the screws directly on the painted squares, which will help you not lose anything and easily collect everything back.
Anatomy of the device: search for hidden screws
Xiaomi engineers are known for their minimalism, and their mice are no exception. At first glance, it may seem that the body is monolithic and has no visible entry points. However, the design always presupposes the possibility of maintenance, just the entrances are often disguised. The main mounting places are usually two: under Teflon legs (glides) and under decorative stickers.
The first thing you need to do is flip your mouse and look carefully at the bottom panel. In the classic Xiaomi Mi Mouse, the screws are hidden under large Teflon sliding mats. You have to gently tamper with a thin blade or needle. Act slowly, trying not to tear the Teflon, as the ripped edges will interfere with the slip after assembly.
⚠️ Attention: When peeling off the glides, there is a high risk of damage. If you plan to disassemble them regularly, get a set of spare Teflon legs of the appropriate size in advance.
In some versions, such as the Mi Portable Mouse, the screws can be hidden under the brand logo or rubber plug in the battery compartment. Carefully feel the surface with your fingers or inspect in bright light at an angle to notice the slightest indentations or heterogeneity of the coating. Sometimes the screw is closed with a simple paper sticker with a serial number.
Once you find potential attachments, you need to carefully remove the masking layer, and if it's a sticker, you can try to remove it whole and glue it back, but most often you have to use a new glue or double-sided tape. To work with Teflon, you better use a hairdryer: light heating will soften the adhesive layer, and the leg will be removed without tearing.
It's important to understand the difference between screws and plastic latches. Screws require rotation, and latches require careful unwinding. Trying to unscrew the latches will break the plastic, and trying to unclutch the screw will lick the thread. Visually, screws usually have a characteristic cross or slit, while latches are smooth plastic hooks around the perimeter.
What do I do if the screw is slime?
The process of opening the case and dismantling the board
Once all the screws are twisted, the most critical moment comes, the separation of the halves of the body. Don't just try to tear them with your hands, even if it seems that there is nothing else to hold there. Inside there may be thin plumes connecting the top with the buttons and the main PCB. A sharp movement will lead to a break in the contacts.
Take a plastic blade or a mediator and start walking along the junction between the top and bottom of the body. Move around the perimeter, slightly unclutching the halves. You'll hear the characteristic clicks -- these are plastic latches opening. Act consistently, don't get stuck in one place so that you don't break a particular lock.
When the case is sufficiently unclasped, don't open it completely. First, estimate the length of the connecting wires. If they are short, further manipulations will have to be done very carefully, perhaps without even turning the board. In some Xiaomi models, the top lid with buttons is connected to the board with a thin plume that requires extreme accuracy.
Removing the main board usually requires you to unscrew 1-2 more screws that lock it in the bottom bowl, and then the board is easily pulled out with a pin, and notice the location of the springs or rubber bands, if they are in the wheel scroll design, and these little pieces tend to fly out and get lost at the most inopportune moment.
☑️ Deconstruction procedure
Diagnostics and maintenance of internal components
Once you have access to the insides, you can do a full diagnostic of the device. Most often, double-clicking or button sticking problems involve oxidizing the microswitch contacts or getting debris under them. Dust, wool, and crumbs can block the mechanism, making the mouse unstable.
To clean, use a soft brush and compressed air. If you have isopropyl alcohol, you can gently wipe the contacts. If you have a scroll wheel problem (snip, back scrolling), you need to clean the encoder. Often, a drop of a special spray for contacts or a gently pinching the metal locks of the encoder helps.
If the purpose of disassembly is to replace the battery, then it is important to observe polarity. In wireless mice Xiaomi often use batteries such as AA or built-in Li-Ion batteries. When working with a soldering iron to replace the battery, act quickly so as not to overheat the Li-Pol cell, which can be dangerous.
Look at the circuit board tracks for microcracks, which can occur when a mouse falls or when you press hard, and if you find a wire that's severed, you can solder it back with a thin solder, and the key is not to close the adjacent contacts, because the density of the mounting in these devices is very high.
⚠️ Warning: Never use water or aggressive solvents to clean the board.Only high-purity isopropyl alcohol or special electronics products.
Compatibility table and model specifications
Different Xiaomi mouse models have their own design features, and below is a comparison table that will help you understand what features you may encounter when disassembling a particular modification.
| Model | Type of food | Location of screws | Feature of disassembly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mouse | 1 x AA | Under the Teflon legs | We need to warm the legs with a hair dryer. |
| Mi Portable Mouse | 1 x AA | Under the sticker in the bay | Very tight body |
| Mi Dual Mode | Built-in Li-Ion | Hidden under the decor | Ration required to replace the AKB |
| Gaming Mouse | Built-in | Combined | Lots of small latches |
As you can see from the table, the approach to each model is different. If the normal version is simple enough to unstick the legs, then the game versions can have a more complex system of mounts. Always look for information on the specific revision of the device, as the manufacturer can make changes to the design without notice.
Knowing the type of power is also important. If you change the built-in battery, make sure the new cell has the same dimensions and voltage. Using the wrong voltage battery can knock the power controller out instantly. Always check the labeling before buying a replacement.
Assembly and performance check
The assembly is done in reverse order, but with one important correction: now you have the experience, and you know where the fragile places are. Set the charge in place, making sure that all the connectors are snapped to the end. The plumes should lie flat, without clamps or tension.
When you connect the halves of the body, first snap the corners, then walk around the perimeter, gently pressing your fingers until the characteristic click. Don't use force. If the halves don't come together, there's a wire or a plume that's interfering, or there's a screw that's not fully twisted.
Once the body is fixed, put the screws in place. Don't pull them over! The plastic in these devices is soft, and the excessive force will cause the screw to just turn in the body of the body of the body, and you can't fix it anymore. You just need a slight sense of resistance.
The final step is to install Teflon legs. If the old ones are damaged, make sure to stick new ones. Without them, the mouse will scratch the surface of the mat and slide poorly. Degrease the surface with alcohol, remove the protective film from the new glid, and gently glue, smoothing from the center to the edges so that there are no air bubbles left.
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The quality of gluing of Teflon legs directly affects the accuracy of the cursor positioning and the durability of the bottom panel of the mouse.