How to disassemble Xiaomi wireless headphones: a detailed guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi's wireless headphones are some of the most popular accessories due to their value for money. However, even the most reliable models (AirDots Pro 2, Redmi Buds 4, FlipBuds Pro) eventually fail: the microphone stops working, the sound disappears in one earphone or the battery is discharged. Most of the time, the problem is solved by self-repair, but you need to properly disassemble the case without damaging the internal components.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for different models, a list of necessary tools, as well as unique tips for disassembling without traces (for example, how to open the case without a special mediator or how to replace the heat glue). We will also analyze the typical errors that lead to a break in the board or speaker, and show how to avoid them. If you have never repaired electronics, do not worry: our instructions are designed for beginners.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

Before you start disassembling, prepare the workspace and tools, without which you risk damaging the body or the interior parts.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator (or guitar mediator plate) - for careful separation of parts of the body.
• 🔨 Thin screwdriver (cross or flat, size 0.8-1.0 mm) - for unscrewing screws in models with a collapsible body (for example, Xiaomi AirDots 3 Pro).
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermal air station - for softening the glue (if the body is glued together).
• 🧲 Magnetic substrate or tray - so as not to lose small parts (screws, springs).
• 📸 Smartphone with macro mode - for photographing the process (useful when reassembling).

If you don't have a mediator, you can replace it with a plastic card (bank or discount), but you need to be careful - it is less flexible and can leave scratches. For models with ultrasonic welding (for example, Redmi Buds 3 Lite), you will need an ultrasonic scalpel or a professional tool for boiling plastic - without it it it is almost impossible to disassemble the case.

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Before disassembling, put the headphones in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. The cold will make the plastic more fragile, and the body is easier to separate without deformation.

How to determine the type of mounting of the body

Xiaomi wireless headphones are assembled in three main ways, and the disassembly method depends on it:

1. Screw mount – the body is fastened by 2-4 miniature screws (most often in premium models, for example, FlipBuds Pro or AirDots Pro 2).
2. Glue connection - halves of the body glued with heat glue (typical for budget models: Redmi Buds 3, AirDots 2).
3. Ultrasonic welding is a molecular-level adhesive body (found in new models, such as the Buds 4 Pro).

To understand what method is used in your model, examine the seam between the halves of the body:

• 🔍 Screws – usually hidden under rubber plugs or stickers.
• 🧪 Glue - smooth seam, without visible fastenings, when pressed, the body slightly "plays".
• 🔊 Welding - the seam is perfectly smooth, the body does not lend itself even with a strong press.

Step-by-step disassembly of headphones with adhesive connection (on the example of Redmi Buds 3)

Models with adhesive housing (Redmi Buds 3, AirDots 2, Haylou GT1) are disassembled by a single algorithm, the main thing is to act carefully so as not to damage the plume of the speaker or battery.

Warm up the body with a hair dryer (temperature 60–80 °C, 2-3 minutes) |

Put the stitch on the mediator from the end (where there are no buttons)|

Carefully run the mediator around the perimeter |

Do not apply force - it is better to repeat warming up |

Take a photo of the insides before disconnecting the plumes-->

Step 1. Warming up the hull

Turn on the dryer at medium power and direct hot air to the seam of the case for 2-3 minutes. The glue will become softer and the halves will be easier to separate. Do not overheat - temperatures above 80 ° C can damage the battery or board.

Step 2. Separation of the hull

Put the mediator in the seam on the side opposite the buttons (there is usually less glue there), carefully swipe it around the perimeter, gradually increasing the gap. If the case does not respond, repeat warming up. ⚠️ Note: Do not use metal objects (knives, screwdrivers) - they will leave scratches and can close contacts on the board.

Step 3: Disconnect the plumes

After you have separated the body, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery (usually glued to the back cover).
• 🎵 Dynamic (attached to the front half).
• 📶 Board with Bluetooth module and buttons.

Disconnect the plumes that connect the speaker and the board (they can be soldered or connected through a connector). Use tweezers or a plastic spatula.

Disassembly of models with screw mounting (Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2, FlipBuds Pro)

Helical headphones are easier to understand, but there are some nuances: for example, in AirDots Pro 2, screws are hidden under rubber plugs, and in FlipBuds Pro, under a decorative speaker grid.

Step 1. Remove the plugs

Put rubber plugs (usually located near the charging contacts) with a thin screwdriver or tweezers, and underneath them you will find 2-4 screws, and in some models the plugs are glued to be carefully tweaked and removed, and then glued back after disassembly.

Step 2: Spinning the screws

Use a magnetic screwdriver to keep the screws from falling out. In FlipBuds Pro, the screws can be of different lengths -- remember which one to get confused when you build it. If the screw is "stopped," drop WD-40 or alcohol on it and wait 5 minutes.

Step 3: Separation of the hull

After unscrewing the screws, carefully disconnect the body. In some models, the halves are additionally glued together - use a mediator, as in the instructions for adhesive housings. ⚠️ Attention: FlipBuds Pro has a very short plume speaker. Don't pull the halves of the body to the sides - first disconnect the plume!

What to do if the body is soldered with ultrasonic welding (Buds 4 Pro, AirDots 3 Pro)

Ultrasonic welding is the most complex type of attachment, and it's almost impossible to disassemble this body without damage at home, but there are several methods:

• 🔨 Cutting the body - carefully saw the body along the seam with a hacksaw on metal (then glue it with epoxy resin).
• 🔥 Local heating - point heating the seam with a soldering iron (the risk of melting plastic).
• 💡 Chemical method - apply dichloroethane on the seam (dissolves plastic, but toxic!).

If you're not willing to take risks, you should go to a service center, but if the headphones don't work, you can try disassembling them to replace the battery or the speaker, and after cooking, you'll have to glue the body together, and cyanoacrylate glue will do that (for example, "Superglue Gel Moment").

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Ultrasonic welding doesn't recover from disassembly, and even if you can disengage the body, you can't reassemble it without glue or soldering.

Typical breakdowns and how to fix them after disassembly

Once you've done a successful disassembly, you might be faced with one of these problems. Here's how to solve them:

• 🔋 Battery swollen - replace with a new one (see model number, for example, BL-5B For Redmi Buds 3).
• 🎵 The speaker does not sound - check the integrity of the plume and contacts on the board (solder the ragged wires).
• 📶 Bluetooth is not working – the module may be damaged (you need to replace the board).
• 💧 Got moisture - dry the board with alcohol and hair dryer, replace oxidized parts.

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

1. Correct connection of plumes (especially the battery).
2. Integrity of contacts on the charging pad.
3. Battery polarity (plus/minus should not be confused).

⚠️ Warning: If after repair the earphone began to warm or discharge quickly, immediately turn it off - this is a sign of a short circuit.

How to collect headphones back: tips for sealing

Assembly is as important as disassembly, and if you don't seal it, it will get dust or moisture inside, and it will cause a new breakdown.

1. Clean the parts from old glue (use alcohol or acetone).
2. Check the plumes – they should be securely fixed, but not stretched.
3. Apply new glue: For adhesive cases: thermal adhesive (pistol + rods with a diameter of 7 mm). For screws: rubber adhesive (for example, Loctite 406) for plugs.

Secure the body.

For ultrasonic welders, after gluing, it is recommended to wrap the body with a seal over the seam for a day, this will increase the strength. Before using it, check the headphones for leakage by holding them under a stream of water (without dipping completely!). If moisture does not penetrate, the repair was successful.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of headphones Xiaomi