How to Open Xiaomi Headphones: Instructions for 10+ photo-and-warning models

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless accessories on the market due to the price-performance ratio, but even they are not immune to breakdowns. Dust, moisture, a discharged battery or mechanical damage often require disassembling the device. However, improper opening of the case can lead to irrevocable breakage of the microphone, speaker or control board. In this article, we will understand how to open Xiaomi headphones of different series – from the budget Redmi AirDots to the flagship Buds 4 Pro – with minimal risk, using improvable and professional tools.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi's headphone design has changed with each generation: it's glued together, clips snapped, and some models (like the Buds 3 Pro) even use hidden screws under stickers. We've analyzed official service manuals, repair shop experience, and user reviews to gather up-to-date disassembly techniques. If you've never done electronics repair, start with simpler models (like the AirDots S), as flagship versions require jeweller accuracy.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start opening your headphones, make sure you have everything you need, and the lack of the right tools is the main cause of damage to the body or internal components.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (thickness 0.1–0.3 mm) – for disconnecting glued parts without scratches.
• 🔨 Set of screwdrivers (cross-haul) PH00, flat 1.5 Mm, five-point Torx. T3/T4).
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal air station (for softening the glue in models with a sealed body).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – so as not to lose small parts (screws, springs).
• 📸 Smartphone with camera – capture each step of disassembly for reverse assembly.

If you are planning to clean or replace the battery, prepare:

• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Removing glue residues and cleaning contacts.
• 🪛 Tweezers with thin ends - for working with plumes and wires.
• 🔋 Multimeter – to check the battery voltage before replacing.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use metal blades or knives to open the case! even a small pressure can damage the Bluetooth antenna or microphone module located in the box.

Before disassembling, completely discharge the headphones (up to 0%) - this will reduce the risk of short circuits in case of accidental battery damage. Also, we recommend working on an antistatic mat or at least grounding your hands by touching a metal object (for example, a heating battery).

How to determine the type of mounting of the body: glue, latches or screws

Xiaomi headphones are designed by series and year of release, for example, early models (AirDots Youth, AirDots Basic) were assembled on plastic latches, and modern ones (Buds 4 Pro, Buds 5) – combine glue. + To avoid breaking the body, first determine the method of attachment:

To check for screws, inspect the body for:

• 🔍 Stickers or rubber stoppers (often hide fasteners).
• 🕳️ Slits between parts of the body (indicate latches).
• 🔧 Decorative grilles (can mask screws).

⚠️ Note: In the models of Buds 4 Pro and later, a two-component glue is used, which when heated above 80°C becomes liquid, but hardens again when cooled.If you are not planning to replace the case, use acetone or a special adhesive solvent to facilitate disassembly.

For models with ultrasonic welding (for example, Buds 5 Pro) disassembly at home is not recommended - it requires a professional tool (ultrasonic scalpel) and experience.

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If you are not sure about the type of attachment, try to gently tamper with the case at the junction of plastic and silicone tip - often there are latches or glue.

How to open Redmi AirDots and AirDots S

Redmi AirDots’ budget models (including S, 2, 3) are similarly designed, so the instructions are suitable for everyone, and the main difficulty is the fragile latches that are easy to break when you open it sloppy.

Step 1: Removing the silicone tips

Carefully pull the tip off the body, it should be removed effortlessly, and underneath it you'll see a metal speaker grille. Don't try to remove it, it doesn't interfere with disassembly and it's attached to glue.

Step 2. Separation of the hull

Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the front and back of the body (on the side of the button). Carefully lead the instrument around until you hear the clicks of the exit latches. Don't apply force - if the body does not respond, then there is a hidden screw.

Silicone tips removed|Slits checked for screws|Prepared mediator thickness of 0.2 mm|The camera is ready to record the process-->

Step 3: Find Hidden Spins (for AirDots S)

In the AirDots S model, a screw is hidden under a rubber plug on the inside (near the charging contacts) PH00. Carefully put a needle in the cork and unscrew the screw, and only then you can detach the body.

Step 4: Extracting the fee

After the autopsy, you'll see:

• 🔋 Battery (stick to the back cover).
• 🎛️ Board with microphone and Bluetooth module (attached to latches).
• 🔊 Dynamic (soldered to the board with flexible wires).

Disconnect the speaker plume (take it carefully with the mediator) and remove the board. Don't pull the wires, they're often soldered to the contacts and can come off.

⚠️ Warning: In AirDots 3, the board is attached to the case with a small Torx screw T3 And if you don't unscrew it, you can damage the Wi-Fi antenna when you disassemble it.

Disassembly of flagship models: Buds 3 Pro, Buds 4 Pro and newer

Xiaomi’s flagship headphones are more complex in design, with hidden screws, glue, and brittle plumes. For example, Buds 4 Pro uses double-sided scotch. 3M to lock the battery, and the board is attached to the case through flexible connectors, which are easily damaged.

Step 1: Removal of the decorative grille

The speaker grille in the Buds 3 Pro and above is glued to remove it.

1. Heat the grille with a hairdryer (temperature 60–70)°C) for 20-30 seconds.
2. Put it on the edge with a mediator and pull it up gently.
3. Under the bar you will find 2 Torx screws T3 — unscrew them.

Step 2: Separation of the body

The body is glued around the perimeter.

• 🔥 Heated with a hair dryer (80)°C, 1-2 minutes) for softening the glue.
• 🧊 Cold method: Place the headphone in the freezer for 10 minutes - the glue will become brittle.

After heating, insert the mediator into the slot and carefully lead around. In Buds 4 Pro, there are 4 additional plastic latches, which will emit a characteristic click when disconnected.

Step 3: Remove the battery

The battery is glued to the back cover with double-sided tape to remove it.

1. Put a plastic spatula on the battery.
2. If the tape does not go away, drop the isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery and wait 1-2 minutes.
3. Don’t pull the wires – they are soldered to the board!

⚠️ Attention: Buds 5 Pro uses a lithium polymer battery with overheating protection, if damaged, it can ignite! If the battery is swelling, do not try to open it yourself, and dispose of the headphones according to the rules for handling lithium batteries.

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In the Buds 4 Pro and later models, the control board and the battery are connected by a flexible plume - it cannot bend more than 45 times.°, Otherwise, the tracks will be damaged.

Cleaning and repair after opening: what can be done on your own

After successfully disassembling Xiaomi headphones, you can:

• 🧹 Clean the speaker and microphone of dust (use a soft brush and alcohol).
• 🔋 Replace the battery (the cost of a new one is from 200 to 800 rubles depending on the model).
• 🎛️ Re-sweeten charging contacts (if the headphone is not charged in the case).
• 🔊 Restore the sound when the speaker wire breaks (a soldering iron and solder are needed).

Cleaning the speaker:

Use this:

• Soft brush (for example, for the camera lens).
• Compressed air (Cylon, but don’t blow with your mouth – saliva can oxidize contacts!)
• Cotton swab soaked in alcohol (to remove sticky residues).

Do not use metal objects – they can scratch the speaker membrane, which will lead to distortion of the sound.

Battery replacement:

When buying a new battery, pay attention to:

• 🔋 Capacity (must match the original) ±10%).
• 📏 Dimensions (even 0.5 mm difference can interfere with assembly).
• 🔌 Connector type (in Buds 3 Pro and later used connector) JST 1.0).

Soak the battery wires point-by-point without overheating the board. The soldering iron temperature is no higher than 300.°C.

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If you've made the sound quieter after cleaning, check if the speaker's membrane has shifted, and then you can press the blunt side of the toothpick carefully, and sometimes it restores the sound.

Headphone Assembly: How to Avoid Mistakes

Reverse assembly is often harder to disassemble. Here are the key points:

1. Check the location of the plumes - they should lie flat, without inflections.
2. Secure the battery on double-sided tape (use) 3M 9448A securely).
3. Make sure the latches of the case are fixed - if at least one did not click, the earphone will rattle.
4. Check the control button - it should be pressed without jamming.

For models with adhesive connection (for example, Buds 4 Pro):

• Apply a thin layer of glue LOCTITE 401 or B-7000 perimeter.
• Squeeze parts of the body with a scab or fix with a rubber band for 10-15 minutes.
• Do not turn on the headphones for 1 hour – the glue must be completely polymerized.

⚠️ Note: If the headphone does not turn on after assembly, check: 🔌 State of battery contacts (possibly oxidized during soldering). 📶 Bluetooth antenna integrity (it can come off when sloppy disassembly). 🔧 Correctness of connection of the plume speaker (frequent error - inverted connector).

After assembly, be sure to test:

• 🔋 Charging in the case (the indicator should burn).
• 🎵 Sound on both headphones (check the balance in Bluetooth settings).
• 🎤 The microphone (record the voice message).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi headphones.

Top.-3 rookie-buyer:

1. Loss of screws - in Buds 3 Pro they are tiny (length 2-3 mm). Use a magnetic mat!
2. Damage to the speaker membrane when cleaning. Never blow into the speaker with your mouth - moisture and saliva particles will make the sound worse.
3. Ignoring the test after assembly, like if you don't check the microphone right away, you're going to have to re-disassemble the earpiece.

If you doubt your abilities, contact the service center.The cost of dismantling Xiaomi headphones in the workshops is from 500 to 1500 rubles, which is often cheaper than buying new ones (especially for flagship models).

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In 80% of cases, when headphones are broken, they are damaged by the plumes or contacts of the battery, and always check their integrity before assembly.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions