Disassembly of Xiaomi headphones: a step-by-step guide with photos and tips

Xiaomi headphones are some of the most popular wireless headsets on the market due to their value for money, but over time, even these can fail: the microphone stops working, the sound in one of the headphones disappears, or charging problems begin. In most cases, repairs are cheaper than buying new ones, but you need to be able to properly disassemble the device.

This article will help you disassemble Xiaomi headphones of different series (AirDots, Buds, Hybrid, etc.) without damage, describing each step in detail, from preparing tools to assembling back. We will also talk about typical errors that lead to a breakage of the board or battery, and give recommendations for diagnosing faults.

If you've never done electronics before, don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds, it's about patience and accuracy, and for those of you who are afraid of damaging the device, we've put together a list of critical points to pay special attention to.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

Before you start disassembling, prepare the tools you need, and without them, you risk scratching the body, breaking the latches, or damaging the internal components.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or opener to neatly separate parts of the body, metal tools can leave scratches.
• 🔨 Thin screwdriver (cross or flat, 0.8-1.0 mm) for spinning small screws. Phone repair kit is fine.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – so as not to lose screws and small details.
• 🔍 A magnifying glass or magnifying glass will help you see small contacts and soldering joints.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) and cotton swabs - for cleaning contacts and boards from oxidation.
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (optional) – if you need to solder off the battery or other components.

For some models (for example, Xiaomi AirDots Pro 2) you may need a special suction cup to remove the top cover, since the body is especially tightly glued. If you do not have soldering experience, it is better to purchase heat glue for reverse assembly in advance - the original glue loses its properties over time.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use a knife or other sharp objects to separate the body! This is almost guaranteed to result in scratches or chipped plastic. If the latches do not lend themselves, warm the body with a hairdryer (temperature no higher than 60°C) - the glue will become softer.

Preparation for the disassembly: what to do before the beginning

Before you start using tools, follow a few important steps:

1. Completely discharge the headphones - this minimizes the risk of short circuit when working with the board.
2. Take photos of the headphones from all sides – this will help to properly assemble them back, especially if you are doing repairs for the first time.
3. Check the warranty, if the headphones are warranty, the disassembly will cancel it, and in some cases, it is better to contact the service center.
4. Prepare the workspace — make sure there is no debris, dust or liquids on the table — and it is better to cover the surface with white paper so that you don't lose small parts.

If you're disassembling headphones because of a sound or microphone problem, try resetting them to factory settings before disassembling them.

1. Put the headphones in the case.
2. Press and hold the button on the case for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Wait until the headphones reset.

If the reset didn't work, start disassembling. At this point, it's also helpful to check if the problem is software-based. For example, Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro headphones have connection glitches due to outdated firmware. Update firmware through the Mi Home app before disassembling the device.

Step-by-step: how to disassemble headphones Xiaomi

The disassembly process may vary slightly depending on the model, but the overall scheme is the same for most Xiaomi headphones. Consider the universal algorithm using the example of Xiaomi AirDots 2 (one of the most common models).

Step 1: Removal of the upper body cover

Xiaomi headphones usually consist of two parts: the top (with LED) and the bottom (with a speaker).

1. Take a plastic mediator and gently insert it into the gap between the top and bottom of the case.
2. Smooth movements, hold the mediator around the perimeter until you hear a click - this means that the latch is released.
3. Repeat the procedure from the opposite side. Don't put too much effort into it -- if the body doesn't respond, warm it up with a hair dryer.

In some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4), the top cover is glued, in which case it needs to be gently tucked and slowly torn off, applying a force perpendicular to the body, if the glue is too strong, use a thread or fishing line, slashing it under the lid and sawing movements separate parts.

Step 2: Removing the board and battery

After removing the cover, you will see:

• A board with a microphone, antenna and control buttons.
• Battery (usually soldered to the board or glued to the body).
• Dynamic (can be glued or fixed with latches).

Carefully unplug the plumes (if any) and remove the board. In some models, the board is attached to the screws - they need to be twisted out. Pay attention to the polarity of the battery (plus and minus are usually marked on the board). If you plan to replace it, take a picture of the location of the contacts.

⚠️ Warning: In Xiaomi Hybrid headphones, the board is often glued to the body with heat glue. Don't try to tear it off by force, warm it up with a hair dryer (70-80 °C) and gently tuck it in with a mediator.

Step 3: Diagnostics and repairs

Now that the headphones are disassembled, you can begin to diagnose:

• 🔋 Charging problems: Check the contacts on the board and in the case for oxidation. Clean them with alcohol.
• 🔊 No sound: Check the integrity of the speaker wires and soldered connections on the board.
• 🎤 Microphone Fails: Inspect the microphone module on the board - often the problem is soldered contact.
• 🔄 Headphone not turned on: Check the battery with a multimeter (voltage should be ~3.7V).

If you find oxidized contacts, clean them with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Use a soldering iron with a thin sting (no more than 30 watts) and a flux solder. Xiaomi headphones often use 0.4 mm increments of chips — they will require a magnifying glass and a stable hand to solder.

Step 4: Reverse Assembly

Collect the headphones in reverse order:

1. Set the charge on the spot and fix it with screws (if any).
2. Connect the plumes and speaker.
3. Apply a thin layer of thermal glue to the edges of the case (if the original glue has lost properties).
4. Combine the upper and lower parts of the body, evenly pressing them against each other.

Check the headphones after assembly, and if they don't turn on, disassemble them again and check if you've forgotten to plug in any plume or contact.

Disassembly of specific models: features and nuances

While the general disassembly principle is the same, some Xiaomi models have their own characteristics.

For active noise cancellation (ANC) models like the Xiaomi Buds 3 Pro, be especially careful with microphones - they are located very close to the board and easily damaged.If you disassemble headphones due to ANC issues, check the integrity of microphone membranes and soldered connections on the board.

Xiaomi AirDots Youth Edition headphones often break the control button, and if it doesn’t work, the problem is usually oxidizing the contacts or breaking the button itself, in which case it can be replaced with a similar one (for example, from a donor board).

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If you're disassembling headphones because of a connection problem, check the antenna module (the thin golden track on the board) before soldering. Often the problem is solved by cleaning the contacts with alcohol.

Common Mistakes in Disassembly and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to the final breakage of the headphones, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔥 Dryer board overheating -- if the temperature is above 80 °C, small components can be soldered off. Use a temperature-adjusted thermo-air station.
• 🔧 Loss of screws or springs – always work on the magnetic mat and check the number of parts before and after disassembly.
• 💧 If you get alcohol on a speaker, it can damage the membrane. Just apply alcohol to a cotton swab, don't drip directly.
• ⚡ Short circuit when checked with a multimeter – always check the voltage in the correct mode (DC for battery).
• 🔊 Speaker damage when assembled - don't press it too hard, otherwise the sound will become hoarse.

Another common mistake is battery soldering wrong, so if you confuse polarity, the board will burn up without recovery, and always check the (+ and -) label on the battery and board before soldering.

If you're soldering chips for the first time, practice on an unnecessary board. Xiaomi headphones often use BGA- chips, which require special care. For soldering, it's better to use a soldering station with hot air, rather than a regular soldering iron.

⚠️ Warning: In Xiaomi Buds 4 headphones, the board is coated with protective varnish. If you damage it when cleaning with alcohol, it can lead to corrosion. Use only lilaless wipes and minimal fluid.

How to check headphones after repair

Once assembled, you need to make sure that the repair went well. Here's a step-by-step checklist to check:

1. Charging: Put your headphones in your case and make sure the charging indicator lights up. Check the charge level in the Mi Home app.
2. Connection: Try connecting your headphones to your phone. They should be defined as Mi True Wireless or similar.
3. Sound: Turn on the music and check both earphones for sound. Pay attention to the balance (there should be no one-way skewing).
4. Microphone: Call a friend or record a voice message to make sure the microphone is working.
5. Touch control: Check the activation of touches (pause, track switching, call voice assistant).
6. ANC (if any): Turn on noise cancellation and check how it handles external sounds.

If any of the items does not work, take the headphones apart again and check:

• Integrity of soldered joints.
• Correct connection of the plumes.
• Cleanliness of contacts (especially if the problem has appeared after cleaning with alcohol).

If the headphones are getting worse after repair, the battery may be worn out and need to be replaced, and on average, the lithium-polymer batteries in the headphones last 2-3 years, after which their capacity decreases markedly.

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If the headphones are unstable after repair (switching off, distorting the sound), the problem may be poor contact of the board with the case. Try adding a little solder to the mass or using conductive glue.

Where to buy spare parts for repairing headphones Xiaomi

If you need parts for repair (battery, speaker, board, microphone), they can be bought in the following places:

• 🛒 AliExpress is the biggest choice, but shipping can take up to a month.Look for sellers rated above 98%.
• 🏬 Local service centers – some workshops sell used parts from donor devices.
• 🌍 eBay or Amazon is fast shipping, but prices are higher than on AliExpress.
• 🔧 Specialty stores (e.g. Fixez, RepairUniverse) – sell components for electronics repair.

When buying a battery, pay attention to its capacity and size. For example, for Xiaomi AirDots 2, a 3.7V 40mAh battery with dimensions of 15×10×3 mm is suitable. If you buy a larger battery, it will not fit into the case.

To replace the speaker, it is important to choose a model with the same impedance (resistance). Most Xiaomi headphones use a speaker with an impedance of 32 Ohms. If you put a speaker with a different resistance, the sound will be quiet or distorted.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a replacement board, make sure it’s right for your model. For example, the boards from Xiaomi AirDots and Xiaomi AirDots Pro are not interchangeable, despite the similarities.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions