How to disassemble Xiaomi fitness bracelet: from Mi Band 4 to Mi Band 8

The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness bracelets have long been one of the most popular wearables due to a combination of functionality and affordable price. However, even such reliable gadgets require repairs over time, from replacing the battery to cleaning contacts or recovering from moisture. Disassembly of the bracelet is the first and most important step in any repair, but the manufacturer does not provide easy access to the insides. Without knowledge of design features, you can easily damage the body, display or plumes.

In this article, we will discuss how to properly open Mi Band bracelets from different generations (from the 4th to the 8th version), what tools you will need, and what to look for to avoid turning the repair into a final breakdown. We will also look at typical beginner errors, how to carefully separate the display and how to check the health after disassembly. If you have never held a soldering iron or dealt with microelectronics, do not worry: with the right approach, even a beginner can disassemble the bracelet.

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start opening the case, make sure you have everything you need. The wrong tool is the main cause of damage: for example, using a knife instead of a mediator often leads to scratches on plastic or cut latches. Here is the minimum set you will need:

• 🔧 Plastic mediator (or guitar mediator) - for careful separation of parts of the body.
• 🔨 Thin screwdriver (cross or flat, depending on the model).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver or tweezers - so as not to lose small screws.
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (for models with adhesive display mounting).
• 📸 Smartphone for photography – capture each step so as not to confuse details during assembly.

Also, prepare the workplace: a clean surface without a pile (a silicone mat is perfect), good lighting and an antistatic bracelet (if you work with boards). Mi Band 7/8 bracelets have more fragile plumes than early models - their disassembly requires special care.

⚠️ Warning: Do not disassemble the bracelet on weight or over the carpet! Small parts (screws, springs) are easily lost, and it is almost impossible to find them later.

Design features of Xiaomi bracelets: what are the differences between models

All Mi Band bracelets are similar in design, but there are key differences that affect the disassembly process. For example, in the Mi Band 4/5, the body is fastened with latches and one screw, and in the Mi Band 6/7/8, there is added adhesive for sealing.

The Mi Band 7 Pro has additional water protection seals (5 ATM) so it is important to avoid damaging the rubber gaskets when disassembling. If you are planning to replace the battery, note that in newer models it is often soldered to the board rather than connected via a connector.

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Before disassembling the Mi Band 6/7/8, warm up the body with a hairdryer (temperature 60–70°C) for 1-2 minutes - this will soften the glue and facilitate the separation of parts.

How to disassemble Mi Band 4 and Mi Band 5

These are the easiest models to disassemble, so let's start with them. The rule is, don't use too much force. If something doesn't work, you've missed a latch or a screw.

1. Take the strap off. Take the bracelet capsule out of the strap carefully. In Mi Band 4, you press the button on the back, in Mi Band 5, you pull up with a little effort.
2. Remove the screw. Turn the capsule over and find a small hole under the rubber plug (Mi Band 4) or under the sticker (Mi Band 5). Put the plug on your nail or plastic spatula, then unscrew the screw with a screwdriver.
3. Separate the body. Put the mediator in the gap between the front and back of the body (start at the button side). Carefully guide the mediator around the perimeter until you hear clicks of the clamps snapping.
4. The plumes are disconnected. When you split the case, you'll see a board with a battery and a display, and the plumes are attached with connectors, and you need to carefully tweez them with a thin screwdriver or tweezers.

In the Mi Band 5, the display is additionally fixed with double-sided tape. To separate it, warm up the body with a hairdryer (no higher than 60 ° C!) and apply a plastic blade to the display from the corner.

⚠️ Warning: In the Mi Band 5, the vibratory motor plume is very thin, and if it is damaged, the motor will stop working, and you can't replace it separately, you have to change the entire board.

Disassembly of Mi Band 6, 7 and 8: work with glue fastening

Xiaomi's new models are more complex because of the improved moisture protection, which is a place where you can't do without heat and patience. The main problem is the glue that holds the front and rear of the body together, and if you try to separate them "in the forehead", you can break the latches or damage the display.

Disassembly algorithm:

1. Warm up the body. Use a dryer at minimum power (or a thermal air station at 70°C.) Warm up the body evenly, holding the hair dryer at a distance of 5-10 cm, for 2-3 minutes.
2. Separate the parts. Put the mediator in the slot at the button and slowly move it along the body, the glue will soften, and the parts will begin to diverge. If you feel resistance, warm up again.
3. Removal of glue residues. After separation, remove the glue residues with isopropyl alcohol or acetone (apply to a cotton swab, not on a board!).
4. Disconnect the display. In the Mi Band 6/7/8, the display is glued to the board. To separate it, warm up the display module with a hairdryer (no higher than 80°C!) and gently tuck it with a spatula.

The Mi Band 7 Pro also has a sensor. SpO₂ (It's a blood supply of oxygen that attaches to the back of the body, and when you disassemble it, don't pull the plume, it's very fragile!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

• 🔧 Broken latches of the case, because it's metal tools or too much effort. Always start with a plastic mediator!
• 🔥 Overheating board. If you heat the body with a hair dryer longer than 3 minutes or at a temperature above 80°C, you can melt the plastic or damage the battery.
• 💧 You get moisture on the board. Many people wash the case before disassembly -- you can't do that! Even drops of water can corrosion the contacts.
• 🔌 The plumes in the Mi Band are extremely thin. Never pull them, just gently pull them up from the edge.

Another common problem is the loss of screws. In some models (for example, the Mi Band 5), the screws are of different lengths. If you confuse them with places when you build them, the body may not close or the board will be damaged. Always take a picture of the screws' location before you unscrew them.

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The most vulnerable part of disassembly is the vibration motor plume, which damage causes the alert function to be lost.

What to do after disassembly: diagnosis and assembly

After a successful opening, you need to check the functionality of the components.

1. Visual inspection. Check the board for oxidation, bloated capacitors or burnt tracks. The battery should not be bloated, which is a sign of needing replacement.
2. Contact check. Make sure all the plumes (display, buttons, motor) are tightly connected. The Mi Band 6/7 often leaves the contact of the heart rate sensor.
3. Test turn on. Connect the bracelet to charge. If it doesn't turn on, check: Battery integrity (measure voltage with a multimeter - should be ~3.7-4.2V). Charging contacts (clean them with alcohol). Display plume (if the screen isn't glowing).

When assembly, follow the reverse order, but take into account a few nuances:

• 🔧 In Mi Band. 6/7/8 before gluing the body, apply a new layer of bilateral tape (thickness) 0.2–0.3 mm) at the edges of the display.
• 🔨 Screw the screws cross-curl to avoid skewing the board.
• 🧴 Use silicone lubricant for sealing (for example, WD-40 Specialist) on rubber seals.

⚠️ Warning: If the bracelet does not hold charge after assembly, the probable cause is damage to the power controller on the board. SMD-component.

When the Disassembly is Inappropriate: Alternative Solutions

It is not always economical to repair the bracelet, but here are some of the best ways to consider alternatives:

• 💸 The cost of repairs exceeds 50% of the price of a new bracelet, for example, replacing the fee in the Mi Band 7 can cost more than buying the Mi Band 8 on a stock.
• 🔋 Bloated battery: If the battery is swelling, replacing it will temporarily solve the problem, but the risk of re-blowning remains (especially when using non-original batteries).
• 🌊 Saltwater is injected. Corrosion from seawater often damages the board irreversibly, and even purging with alcohol may not help.
• 📱 An outdated model. 2/3 The parts are no longer being produced, and repairing them is a lottery.

If you don't want to repair the bracelet but want to save data, try retrieving information via Mi Fitness or Zepp (depending on the model), and you can back up the statistics in your account settings, which will then be transferred to the new gadget.

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Before you dispose of the bracelet, remove the battery, which will prevent fire in the landfill. In some cities, there are electronic waste points, where you can get discounts on new devices for the delivery of equipment.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi Mi Band