How to open Xiaomi AirDots 2 without damage: instructions with photos and repair tips

Xiaomi AirDots 2 (and its Redmi AirDots 2/2S/Pro) are popular for their value for money, but over time, even such reliable devices can fail: the microphone stops working, the sound disappears in one earphone or the battery needs to be replaced. In such cases, many users are wondering how to gently open the headphone case without damaging the internal components.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions with photos, detailed descriptions of tools, and unique tips for disassembling without scratches and chips. We will also tell you what mistakes beginners most often make and how to avoid them. If you have never disassembled electronics, don’t worry: with the right approach, even a beginner can cope with the task in 15-20 minutes.

It's important to understand that disassembling AirDots 2 headphones is not warranty (if it's still valid), if the device is warranty service, you better contact the service center. Otherwise, go ahead!

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start opening the case, prepare everything you need, and the lack of the right tools is the main cause of damage to the board or battery.

• 🔧 Plastic blade or mediator (metal tools scratch the body!).
• 🔥 A hair dryer or thermo-air station (to soften the glue if the headphones are glued together).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver (cross, size) PH00 or PH0).
• 📦 Container for screws (so as not to lose small parts).
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) (clean-up).
• 📸 Smartphone for taking photos (fix every step!)

If you don’t have a hair dryer, you can use hot water (immerse the headphone in water at a temperature of ~60 ° C for 1-2 minutes), but this method is risky: moisture can get inside.

⚠️ Warning: Don't use a knife or screwdriver as a lever, it will cause cracks in the plastic. AirDots 2 is held on latches and glue, not screws!

Before disassembling, completely discharge the headphones (this will reduce the risk of short circuit) and work on a soft surface (for example, on a napkin) so as not to scratch the body.

Step 1: Removing the back cover of the headphone

Let's start with the hardest part, the back cover, and in Xiaomi AirDots 2, it's mounted on 4 latches and a thin layer of glue.

1. Put the headphone down (so as not to press the microphone).
2. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the corner where there are no connectors).
3. In light rotational movements, walk around the perimeter until the cover begins to move away.
4. If the cover does not respond, heat the body with a hair dryer (temperature ~70-80 ° C) for 30 seconds and try again.

Don't force it! If you hear a crunch, it means the latch has broken, in which case you can glue the lid back with superglue (but this is a temporary solution).

Check that the earphone is discharged |

Prepare a plastic spatula |

Heat the body (if necessary) |

Take a picture of each step-->

After removing the cover, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery (soldered to board).
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna (thin wiring).
• 🎤 Microphone (little black circle)
• 🔊 Dynamic (round element with grid).

⚠️ Warning: Don't touch the Bluetooth antenna with your bare hands -- static electricity can damage it. Use an antistatic bracelet or at least touch an earthed object before work.

Step 2: Unconnect the battery and board

Now you have to disconnect the battery to get to the board. In AirDots 2, it's soldered with two pins (plus and minus).

1. Carefully tuck the battery into a plastic spatula. It's glued, but not too much.
2. Solder the contacts with a soldering iron (power no more than 30 watts, temperature ~300 ° C). If there is no soldering iron, you can eat the wires with cutters, but then you will have to solder new ones.
3. Put the battery aside (don’t throw it on metal surfaces!).

And then you can take the board off. It's mounted on two screws (under the cross screwdriver) and one latch on the speaker side. Unscrew the screws and gently raise the board without pulling the wires.

If you need to replace the battery, take the original battery capacity of 43 mAh (for AirDots 2) or 55 mAh (for AirDots 2S).

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If soldering a new battery, use flux gel - it will prevent the oxidation of contacts and improve soldering.

Step 3: Disassemble the button and microphone

The control button and microphone in Xiaomi AirDots 2 are the most fragile elements, easily damaged when disassembled carelessly.

• 🔘 The button is mounted on plastic rails, and to remove it, press the back of the board carefully (it will pop out itself).
• 🎤 The microphone is glued to the body. Don't try to tear it off, you'd better heat it up with a hair dryer and shovel it.

If the button is not pressed or stuck, the problem may be:

• 🧴 Dust under the membrane (clean the alcohol).
• 🔧 Broken guides (button needs to be replaced).
• 📶 Oxidized contacts (clean with eraser).

The microphone in AirDots 2 often stops working due to a wire break or contamination of the grid. If it does not work after cleaning, check the integrity of the tracks on the board with a multimeter.

Step 4: Cleaning and repairing internal components

After the disassembly, it's time for prevention. Even if you've disassembled your headphones for one problem, check everything else:

• 🧹 Clean the speaker of dust (use a soft brush or compressed air).
• 🔌 Check charging contacts on the board (clean with alcohol if there is oxidation).
• 🔋 Measure the battery voltage (should be 3.7-4.2 V).

If the headphone is not charged, the reasons may be:

Do not use cotton swabs to clean, the villi may remain inside. Better take a toothpick with a wound microfiber.

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The most common cause of AirDots 2 malfunction is oxidation of charging contacts. Cleaning them solves the problem in 70% of cases!

Step 5: Building headphones after repair

Putting Xiaomi AirDots 2 back together is harder than disassembling.

1. Make sure all wires are connected (Bluetooth antenna, speaker, microphone).
2. Then, make sure you have two slacks (not a single one).
3. Stick the battery to double-sided tape (original glue can be bought in radio stores).
4. Close the lid, starting from the opposite side of the latches (so it sits evenly).

If the lid is not fixed, you can carefully warm it with a hair dryer (glue will become more elastic) or use superglue gel (apply point-by-point!).

⚠️ Warning: After assembly, check the headphones until full charge. If something is not working properly (for example, the button is working on its own), disassemble again - most likely, the board or button has gone crooked.

If the headphone does not turn on after assembly, check:

• 🔌 The correct battery connection (plus to plus!).
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna integrity (it could come off)
• 🔧 Whether the screws on the board are tightened (bad contact = no power).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling AirDots 2. Here are the TOP-5 misses and how to prevent them:

1. Broken lid latches. The reason is the use of metal tools. Solution: just a plastic scapula!
2. Bluetooth antenna breaks, because of the sharp tugging of the board. Solution: gently raise the board, holding on to the edges.
3. Short circuit in soldering, high temperature soldering iron, solution: use a 30 watt soldering iron and flux.
4. Loss of screws. No container. Solution: Use a magnetic mat.
5. The adhesive hits the speaker, and it's a sloppy application, solution: just stick it on the edges of the lid.

If you break the latch of the cover, it can be restored by:

• 🔥 Plastic soldering (use a soldering iron with a thin sting).
• 🧴 Epoxy resin (applied with a thin layer).
• 📎 Miniature brackets (can be bought in fashion stores).

If after repair the headphone is not synchronized with the phone, reset:

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds (the indicator flashes red).
3. Reconnect via Bluetooth.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions