Disassembly Xiaomi AirDots: how to open the headphone case without damage

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including AirDots Basic, AirDots Pro, AirDots models) 2/3 Redmi AirDots are known for their compact design and reliability, but over time, even these require cleaning, battery replacement, or microphone repair. The manufacturer does not provide easy access to the insides, and incorrect actions can lead to damage to the speaker or break contacts.

In this article, you will find detailed instructions with the photos, what tools you will need, how to gently open the case and what to do if the earphone stopped working after disassembly, we will also talk about the typical mistakes that users make, and give tips for safe assembly after repair.

If you’ve never read electronics, start by reading it. FAQ At the end of the article, you'll find answers to the most common questions. For experienced craftsmen, we've prepared unique nuances for disassembling AirDots 3 touch-controlled models that are not in the standard instructions.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

To accurately open the case Xiaomi AirDots you need a minimum set of tools, but without them do almost impossible. Do not try to open the earphone with a knife or screwdriver without an adapter - this is guaranteed to damage the plastic latches.

Main list:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator (or guitar) to separate the halves of the body.
• 🔩 Screwdriver. T5 or T6 (depending on the model) - for spinning screws inside.
• 🧲 Magnetic substrate or bowl - so as not to lose small parts (screws, springs).
• 🔍 Lupus or magnifying glass – contacts and soldering joints in headphones are tiny.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — for cleaning contacts and oxidation board.

In addition, the following may be useful:

• 🔥 Dryer or thermoair station - if the body is glued (relevant to AirDots 3).
• 🧷 Tweezers with thin ends - to work with wires of the microphone.
• 🔋 Multimeter – to check the chain after disassembly.

If you are planning to replace the battery, buy a new one in advance with the following options:

• 📏 Size: 3.7V 40-60mAh (most models).
• 🔌 Type of connector: with soldered wires (length) ~10 mm).

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Before disassembling, take a picture of the headphone from all sides – this will help to properly assemble it back, especially if you are repairing it for the first time.

Preparing the headphone for disassembly: important steps

Before you start opening the case, follow a few mandatory steps, which minimize the risk of damage and simplify the process.

1. Discharge the earphone completely. The battery can close when it comes into contact with metal instruments. 10-15 minutes after the last charge - this is enough to discharge the capacitors.

2. Clean the case of dirt. Rub the earpiece with a napkin dipped in isopropyl alcohol. This will remove the fat and dust that can interfere with disassembly.

3.Tag left and right headphones. If you disassemble both, use a marker or stickers - the internal boards may look the same, but have a different soldering (for example, the microphone only in one earphone).

Prepare the workplace:

• 🪑 Work at a table with good lighting.
• 🧊 Place the headphone on a soft substrate (such as a napkin) so as not to scratch.
• 📱 Keep a phone with this instruction or video guide on hand.

Step-by-step: how to disassemble the case of Xiaomi AirDots

The disassembly process varies from model to model, but the overall layout is the same, and below is a versatile, nuanced instruction for AirDots Basic, Pro and 3 Series.

Step 1: Separation of the upper cover

The earphone body consists of two halves, held together by latches and sometimes glue, insert a plastic mediator into the seam between parts of the body (starting on the side opposite the charging connector), carefully guide the instrument around, slightly pressing until you hear the flicks of the latches.

Attention! Do not force the side with the microphone (usually marked by a small hole) - there are thin wires that are easy to tear.

Step 2: Extracting the fee

After removing the cover, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery (sticked or fixed with double-sided tape).
• 🎵 Dynamics (round element with wires).
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna (thin copper track).
• 🎤 Microphone (a small black chip with wires).

Disconnect the battery by pulling it up with a mediator. If it's soldered, don't tear it off, then sell it off later. Remove the plate by holding the edges, without touching the contacts.

Step 3: Working with microphone and speaker

In AirDots Pro and AirDots 3, the microphone is often glued to the board to remove it:

1. Heat the area with a hair dryer (temperature) ~60°C) 10-15 seconds.
2. Carefully tuck the microphone in with tweezers.
3. If the wires are off, solder them back, observing the polarity.

Features of disassembling different models of AirDots

Xiaomi’s headphone design has evolved, and each model has its own “secrets”: the table below shows key differences that are important to consider.

For AirDots 3 and Touch-controlled Pro, make sure to use a hair dryer! Thermoclay, which glues the halves of the body, is not mechanically affected. Heat the body in a circle (do not direct the air flow to one place), then gently disconnect with a mediator.

In Redmi AirDots, the microphone is often soldered into a board. If it fails, it's easier to replace the entire board than to try to solder the microphone - its legs are thinner than hair.

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In AirDots 3, you can not use metal tools to open the case - the thermal glue melts unevenly, and the plastic can crack.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when disassembling Xiaomi AirDots, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1. damage to Bluetooth antenna

The antenna is a thin copper track glued to the inside of the body, and if you tear it off, the earphone will lose contact with the phone.

• 🔍 Use a magnifier to see the antenna before disassembling.
• 🖐️ Don’t pull for a fee – first disconnect the battery.

2. Microphone wire break

The wires in the AirDots are thinner than 0.1 mm. If you move sloppy, they break away from the board.

• 🔥 Heat the microphone area with a hairdryer before removing.
• 🧷 Use tweezers with silicone tips.

Dynamic damage

The speaker is attached to the body through a rubber ring, and if you move it, the sound becomes muffled.

• 🎵 Before assembly, check that the speaker fits tightly to the hole in the body.
• 🔊 After assembly, test the sound at different frequencies.

4 Short circuit after assembly

If the earphone doesn't turn on after the repair, it probably got locked somewhere.

• 🔋 Check the battery chain with a multimeter.
• 🧴 Clean the contacts with alcohol from the residues of flux.

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If after assembly the headphone is not charged, check the spring contacts in the charging case - they could oxidize or bend.

Cleaning and repair of internal components

After a successful disassembly, you can start cleaning or repairing, and this is what most often needs attention:

1. Cleaning speaker and microphone

Earwax and dust accumulate on the speaker grid and in the microphone hole.

• 🧹 Use a soft brush (for example, for painting).
• 💨 Blow the holes with compressed air (a balloon or compressor).
• 🚫 Do not use cotton swabs – the villi may remain inside.

Replacement of the battery

If the headphone is quickly discharged or does not hold the charge, the battery must be replaced.

1. Remove the old battery (if soldered) or disconnect the connector.
2. Salt a new battery, observing the polarity (+ and −).
3. Secure it with bilateral tape or heat glue.

Repair of charging contacts

If the earphone isn't charging in the case, the problem could be the spring contacts.

• 🔌 Integrity of springs (they should not be bent).
• 🧴 Clean the contacts with alcohol from oxidation.
• 🔍 Make sure there are no microcracks on the board.

4. Microphone recovery

If the person can't hear you, the microphone is the problem.

• 🎤 Integrity of wires (solder if they are broken off).
• 🔊 Microphone sensitivity (can be tested in the Sound Meter app).

Assembly of the headphone after disassembly: step-by-step algorithm

Getting Xiaomi AirDots back together is often harder than disassembling. Follow this algorithm to avoid problems:

Step 1: Inspection of components

Before assembly, make sure that:

• 🔋 The battery is securely secured.
• 🎵 The speaker is in its place (the hole in the body must match).
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna not dented or torn off.

Step 2: Laying the wires

Carefully stow the microphone wires and speaker so that they do not overbend or fall under the board. In models with touch control, check that the touch panel is flat.

Step 3: Closing the hull

You can combine the halves of the body and push until the snap of the latches. For models with glue (AirDots 3), use thermal glue or bilateral perimeter tape. Don't use superglue, it can hit the board and damage it.

Step 4: Testing

After assembly:

1. Connect the headphone to the phone and check the sound.
2. Test the microphone (call a friend or record a voice message).
3. Put the headphone in the case and make sure it is charging.

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If the earpiece is beeping or wheezing after assembly, it's likely that the speaker is shifted, take it apart again, and adjust the speaker's position relative to the hole in the body.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots disassembly