Disassembly of Xiaomi fitness bracelet: a step-by-step guide with photos and warnings

Xiaomi fitness bracelets are some of the most popular wearables on the market, thanks to a combination of price, functionality and design. However, even such compact gadgets sometimes require disassembly: to replace the battery, repair the display, clean the moisture or modify. But before you take on the screwdriver, it is important to understand that disassembling the Mi Band or Smart Band bracelet is not a designer's assembly. There are no standard screws, and the body is sealed, which makes the process risky for the untrained user.

In this article, we'll look at how to properly open the bracelet from different generations -- from the Mi Band 4 to the Smart Band 8 Pro, what tools you'll need, and what errors can turn into failures, and you'll also learn where you can trust the service center to disassemble, and when you can do it yourself. If you've never held a soldering iron or dealt with microelectronics, some steps will seem difficult -- but with our instructions, even a beginner can gently get to the insides of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the Xiaomi bracelet will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and the manufacturer does not provide for custom repairs - all models are designed as non-dismountable. In 90% of cases, after opening, the tightness of the case is violated, which can lead to moisture and corrosion of the boards.

What Xiaomi models can be disassembled independently?

Not all Xiaomi fitness bracelets are equally repairable. 1/2/3 They have a simple design with latches, whereas the Smart Band 8 Pro is equipped with adhesive joint and fragile AMOLED-Below is a table evaluating the complexity of disassembly for popular models:

ModelDifficulty disassembling (1-10)Principal risksFrequent reasons for disassembly
Mi Band 44/10Damage to the display plume, separation of battery contactsBattery replacement, moisture cleaning
Mi Band 5/66/10Rupture of flexible cable, damage to heart rate sensorReplacement of the display, button repair
Mi Band 77/10Breakage of the hull latch, damage NFC-antennaeReplacement of the battery, recovery after falling
Smart Band 8 Pro9/10Cracks AMOLED-screen, touchpad detachmentDisplay repair, vibration motor replacement
Mi Band 8 (standard)5/10Damage to sealed gasketsCleaning contacts, replacing batteries

If your model is not listed in the table, be generation-oriented: the newer the bracelet, the more complex its construction. For example, the Mi Band 3 can be disassembled even with a knife, whereas the Smart Band 8 Pro will require specialized tool and experience with microelectronics.

πŸ”§ Tip: Before disassembling, check if your problem is software malfunctions. Often the bracelet "does not turn on" due to a discharged battery or a glitch of firmware. Try charging the device during the course of the test. 1-2 Reset your settings through the Mi Fitness app.

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi model do you understand?
Mi Band 4/5/6
Mi Band 7/8
Smart Band 7/8 Pro
Another model
I don't know.

Tools required: what will be needed for disassembly

Without the right tools, it’s almost impossible to disassemble a Xiaomi bracelet β€” you’ll either damage the body or break the internal components.

  • πŸ”¨ Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (to unscrap the body) are suitable for smartphone repair tools.
  • πŸ”₯ Hair dryer or thermo-air station (for softening the glue in Mi Band 7 models)+). Temperature - no higher than 80Β°C so as not to damage the fee.
  • πŸ”§ Screwdriver. T3 or T4 (For spinning screws in the Smart Band 8 Pro. Most Mi Bands don't have screws - the body is held on latches.
  • 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver or tweezers (to keep the small parts from being lost) The screws in the bracelets are tiny and easy to drop.
  • πŸ“¦ Part container (e.g., LEGO tray) The broken bracelet consists of 15-20 small-scale.
  • 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) (Do not use acetone, it will damage plastic!

For models with adhesive connection (for example, Smart Band 8 Pro) additionally require:

  • 🧴 Clay. B-7000 Or similar (for reverse assembly) Normal superglue is not good, it's too fragile.
  • πŸ“ Thin plastic card (for neat tweaking of the case) Metal tools leave scratches.

⚠️ Note: If you disassemble a waterproof bracelet (5) ATM), After assembly, the leakage will be broken. To restore water resistance, you will need professional equipment (ultrasonic bath, sealant).

Turn off the bracelet from charging and let it cool (if it is heated)

Remove the strap (in most models it unfastens)

Prepare a workplace with good lighting

Take a picture of the bracelet from all sides (in handy when assembling)

Charge the battery on. 30-50% (discharged battery can swell when heated)-->

Step-by-step: how to disassemble the Mi Band 5/6/7

The Mi Band 5, 6 and 7 are similarly designed, so the instructions are suitable for all three generations. NFC-module that is attached to the board by a separate plume.

Step 1: Removal of the strap and preparation

Unplug the strap from the bracelet body. Most models have it on the latches, pull the strap away from the body with effort. ~1-2 If the strap is glued (rarely, but it happens), gently apply it with a plastic blade.

Step 2: Separation of the body

Mi Band Corps 5/6/7 It's made up of two parts, clamped together with glue and latches, to separate them:

  1. Place the bracelet with the screen down on a soft surface (such as a napkin).
  2. Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the front and back of the case (start with the corner next to the button).
  3. Carefully drive the mediator along the seam, alternately snapping the clamps. Apply a moderate force - if the body does not yield, do not press harder, and heat it with a hairdryer (temperature). ~60Β°C).

Step 3: Extracting the fee

After the separation of the body, you will see:

  • πŸ”‹ Battery (stick to the back cover).
  • πŸ“± Basic board with display and sensors.
  • πŸ”Š Vibromotor (small black cylinder).

To get the pay:

  1. Disconnect the display plume (it is fastened by a latch - put it with a plastic spatula).
  2. Carefully unfurl the contacts of the battery (if you plan to replace it) or disconnect the connector (in some models).
  3. Remove the board by holding it by the edges - don't touch the chips!

πŸ’‘ A useful tip: If you're disassembling a battery replacement bracelet, the new one should have the same capacity and size. 6 battery will do 125 mAh sized 35Γ—20Γ—3.5 The use of a larger battery capacity can lead to overheating.

What to do if the body does not separate?
If you heat it with a hair dryer and try to blow the mediator, the body doesn't respond, maybe the glue is too strong: 1. Increase the temperature to 70-80Β°C (not higher!). 2. Try to gently tap on the body with a plastic tool - vibration will help to weaken the glue. 3. If nothing works, use a thin string (like a guitar string) to cut the glue seam. This method is risky - you can damage the board!

Features of disassembly Smart Band 8 Pro

The Smart Band 8 Pro is the most difficult model in Xiaomi’s lineup to disassemble.

  • πŸ”© 4 screws T3 under the back cover (hidden under the sticker).
  • 🧴 Glue around the perimeter (heating required).
  • πŸ“± AMOLED-display with brittle glass (risk of cracks in a careless opening).

Step-by-step process:

  1. Remove the sticker from the back cover (it hides the screws).Use a hair dryer to soften the sticker glue.
  2. Unscrew 4 screws with a screwdriver T3. Don’t put too much effort into it – the thread is soft.
  3. Heat the body with a hairdryer (70-80Β°C) during 2-3 minutes, evenly walking around the perimeter.
  4. Put a plastic blade on the back cover, and start at the corner next to the button, and there's less risk of damaging the plumes.
  5. Disconnect the plumes: πŸ”Œ Display plume (latch at the top). πŸ”‹ Battery connector (unsold or disconnected depending on the revision). πŸ“Ά antenna NFC (squirt).

⚠️ Warning: The Smart Band 8 Pro uses a dual-layer board, if you don't pull it out, you can tear the top layer off of the sensors, and if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to the service.

The critical detail is that in this model, the battery is soldered to the board, not connected through a connector.Β°C and experience with SMD-component.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

Mistake.Effects of consequencesHow to avoid
Use of metal toolsScratches on the body, short circuit on the boardUse only plastic or wooden mediators
Hydrogen overheatingDeformation of plastic, detachment of the displayKeep the temperature not above 80Β°C, heat evenly
Sharp disconnection of the display plumeBreaking contacts, vertical stripes on the screenClick the clamp of the plume, rather than pulling the plume itself.
Getting glue on contactsShort circuit, unstable operation of sensorsApply glue only to the edge of the body, use B-7000
Incorrect battery installationBloating, overheating, quick dischargeCheck the polarity, use the original battery

πŸ”§ Expert advice: If the bracelet is not turned on after assembly, check:

  • πŸ”‹ Battery connection (contact often leaves).
  • πŸ“± Integrity of the display plume (if damaged, the screen will remain black).
  • πŸ”Œ Charging contacts (clean them with alcohol).

πŸ’‘

The most common cause of breakdown after disassembly is damage to the flexible plume of the display. 80% of the time, a "broken pixel" or vertical stripes on the screen appear precisely because of the sloppy disconnection of the plume.

How to put the bracelet back together: sealing tips

The bracelet assembly after disassembly is no less responsible than the autopsy itself.

  1. Restore tightness (if it is important to you).
  2. Secure all the plumes and contacts.
  3. Monitor all sensors.

Step-by-step assembly process:

  1. Clean the contacts with isopropyl alcohol (especially battery and charging).
  2. Apply the glue to the edge of the body (thin layer).For the Mi Band 5/6/7 enough glue around the perimeter, for a Smart Band 8 Pro will require a sealant for waterproof devices.
  3. Connect the plumes in reverse order: First, the display plume (click the lock), then the battery (solder or plug the connector). Last β€” NFC-antenna (if any).

Combine the latches of the body

Twisting the screws.

Smart Band 8 Pro

⚠️ Warning: Don't turn on the bracelet immediately after assembly. Let the glue dry during assembly. 1-2 If you've used a waterproof sealant, the drying time increases to 12 hours.

πŸ’§ Pressurization test: To check if water resistance is broken after assembly, follow the following steps:

  1. Place the bracelet in a silica gel bag for 24 hours (to remove moisture).
  2. Put a soap solution on the body and squeeze the bracelet slightly, and if bubbles appear, the leakage is broken.
  3. Do not immerse the bracelet in water for inspection! this can lead to short circuit.

πŸ’° Cost of repair in the service: If you are not confident in their abilities, here are the approximate prices for repairs in official and unofficial services:

Type of repairOfficial service (β‚½)Informal service (β‚½)
Battery replacement1500-2500800-1500
Replacement of display2000-35001200-2000
Repairs after moisture2500-40001500-2500
Replacement of vibrator1200-2000600-1200

πŸ’‘

If the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of a new bracelet, it is more cost-effective to buy a new model.β‚½ It is not appropriate if the new bracelet costs $5,000.β‚½.

FAQ: Frequent questions about dismantling Xiaomi fitness bracelets

❓ Can you make Mi Band 8 without a hairdryer?
Theoretically yes, but the risk of damage to the case or board is much higher.Mi Band 8 It uses adhesive, and without heating, the latches can break, and the alternative is to use a thin plastic map and cut the adhesive neatly around the perimeter, but that's going to take a long time. 20-30 minute.
❓ What to do if the bracelet is not charged after disassembly?
The reasons may be: The charger connector on the board is damaged (check the contacts under the microscope); the battery plume has gone (reconnect it); the power controller has failed (replace the board); first, clean the charge contacts with alcohol and check if they are bent.
❓ How to check if it works NFC post-assembly?
Install the app NFC Tools on your smartphone and try to count the tag from the bracelet. If the app can't see the device: Check the connection NFC-antennas (thin black wire) Make sure the antenna is not closed to the body (use the multimeter in vertebrae mode).
❓ Can I increase the battery capacity when replacing?
Technically yes, but it is fraught with problems: πŸ”₯ Overheating due to incompatibility with the charging controller. πŸ“‰ Rapid degradation (non-original batteries lose capacity for the first time) 3-6 months). πŸ’₯ Risk of bloating and damage to the board: we recommend using only original batteries or certified analogues (for example, from the same source). ATL).
❓ How to restore water resistance after disassembly?
Completely restore the plant sealing (5) ATM) It's not possible to do it at home, but you can improve your protection: Put a silicone sealant on the joints of the body (like Dow Corning 7091). Use an ultrasonic bath to remove moisture from the internal cavities. After assembly, place the bracelet in a vacuum bag with silica gel for 24 hours. ⚠️ Even after these measures, it is not recommended to swim with a bracelet or take a shower.