Modern wireless headphones such as the Xiaomi AirDots 2 (also known as Redmi Airdots 2 or Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2) have become incredibly popular due to their affordable price and good sound. However, like any portable electronics, they are prone to wear, especially their charging cases, which suffer from charging cycles and mechanical damage. Often users are faced with a situation where the case stops holding the charge, the indicator flashes incorrectly or does not light up at all when connecting the cable.
In such cases, it may be necessary to open the device, to replace a failed lithium polymer battery, to clean oxidized contacts or to fix problems with the power controller. It is important to understand that disassembling the case is a delicate process that requires accuracy and special tools, since the device body is assembled on latches and glue without visible screws.
Before you start dismantling, you need to assess the risks: self-intervention deprives you of warranties, and inept actions can damage the plumes or even burn the battery. However, if you are willing to act carefully, this guide will help you to bring your accessory back to life. We will look at all the stages of work, from tool preparation to final assembly, paying special attention to the location of the plume of the cover, which is easily damaged if you open it neatly.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
High-quality electronics disassembly begins long before the first movement of the screwdriver. You will need to organize a well-lit workplace with a hard surface so that small details do not get lost. To work with Xiaomi AirDots 2, you will need a minimal but specific set of tools that will avoid damage to the plastic case.
The main tool will be a thin metal blade or a special mediator to open the cases. Plastic cards here may not cope with dense latches, and metal tools require extreme caution to leave no traces on the glossy surface. Also prepare a thin cross screwdriver (usually the size of PH00 or PH000), tweezers with curved ends and a sucker for neatly pulling the lid.
- ๐ง Thin metal blade or scalpel for separation of halves of the body.
- ๐ Tweezers for working with small plumes and battery.
- ๐งน Isopropyl alcohol or contact cleaner for board service.
- ๐งฒ Magnetic mat or container for sorting screws and small parts.
Don't forget to be safe when working with lithium polymer batteries. They can't be piercing, bend at a sharp angle or heat above acceptable temperatures. If you notice a bloating battery during the disassembly process, stop working immediately and ensure that the cell is safely disposed of.
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Use an antistatic bracelet or periodically touch a grounded metal object to remove static electricity from your hands and not damage the electronics.
Algorithm of opening the case of the charging case
The process of opening the Xiaomi AirDots 2 case does not involve external screws, which is the standard for modern portable electronics. The entire body is held by internal plastic latches located around the perimeter of the connection of the upper and lower covers, and your task is to carefully separate them without damaging the plastic.
Start by looking for the junction between the halves of the body. Put a thin blade or mediator into the gap, trying to act closer to the end faces, where the main locks are usually located. Don't try to turn the tool as a lever, this will lead to chips. Move around the perimeter, gradually snapping the locks, which emit a quiet click on release.
โ๏ธ Case opening procedure
Pay special attention to the area around the LED indicator. In some versions, the plastic light diffuser can be soldered or pressed tightly against the top cover. If you sloppy jerk, you can damage the LED itself or its seat on the board.
What to do if the body does not open?
Once all the latches are free, don't rush to split the halves abruptly. Inside is a plume connecting the board to a button or an indicator on the lid. A sharp movement is guaranteed to cause the contacts to break, making repair impossible.
Dismantling of internal boards and components
When you successfully remove the top cover, you'll see the inside of the case, and the main piece is a circuit board with a charge controller, which is located at the bottom of the case, and it's mounted either on screws or on plastic ledges, and the plume from the lid fits in.
The first thing you need to do is turn off the battery. In Xiaomi AirDots 2, the battery connector is usually a white plastic connector that needs to be gently tucked with a nail or a plastic spatula. Don't pull the wires, because you're more likely to pull them off the battery itself. If the connector is soldered directly, you'll need a soldering iron and the skills to work with it.
| Component | Function | Type of attachment |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Energy accumulation | Clay/Vint |
| Management fee | Charge/discharge control | Screws/Prease |
| LED indicator | Status visualization | Pike/Press |
| Contact pins | Charging headphones | Pike. |
Removing the board often requires unscrewing one or two microscopic screws. Use a magnetic screwdriver to avoid dropping the fixture inside the case. Once the screws are removed, the board may remain in place due to the contacts of charging pins that are inserted into the corresponding holes in the case.
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The main difficulty at this stage is not to damage the thin tracks on the board when bending contacts or removing the battery.
If your goal is to replace the battery, then after the plume is turned off and the board is removed (if necessary), you need to remove the old battery, which is often attached to double-sided tape, carefully tuck it into a spatula, trying not to deform the housing of the new battery.
Battery replacement and contact maintenance
The most common reason for resorting to repairing the Xiaomi AirDots 2 case is battery degradation. Over time, the capacity drops, and the case stops charging the headphones even after short use. The new battery should have the same dimensions and voltage (usually 3.7V) as the original.
When you install a new battery, it's important to get the polarity right, and if you have a mixed plus and minus, you can instantly disable the charge controller, and if the connectors are different, you'll have to gently re-sweeten the wires, color-coded: red plus, black minus.
- ๐งผ Clean the charging pins inside the case with alcohol to remove the oxides.
- ๐ Check the voltage of the new battery with a multimeter before installation.
- ๐ Make sure the lid is not clamped during assembly.
- ๐งช Use isopropyl alcohol to degrease gluing sites.
In parallel with the replacement of the battery, it is recommended to conduct an audit of the contact areas, which often accumulate sulfur and oxides that interfere with normal current, wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol until the characteristic shine appears.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never use water or aggressive solvents to clean the board.Only pure isopropyl alcohol of high concentration (90% or higher) is safe for electronics.
Once you have the new battery installed and the contacts cleaned, put the case back together, but don't snap the case completely yet. Connect the charge and check if the light is on, and if the LED is flashing or on, the circuit is assembled correctly.
Typical errors and precautions
In the process of dismantling Xiaomi AirDots 2, beginners often make mistakes that turn a simple repair into a complete replacement of the device. One of the most common problems is damage to the plume connecting the lid to the main board. This wire is very thin and breaks when opened sharply.
Another mistake is to use excessive force to snap the case, so if you hear a crunch, it means that the plastic breaks or the internal wiring is clamped, everything has to fall into place with a light effort, and it's also dangerous to leave the case open during testing, because you can accidentally close the contacts of the battery.
Can I charge the case without a lid?
Pay attention to the insulation condition of the wires inside the case. If you build the case in a sloppy way, the sharp edge of the plastic can wipe the insulation, causing the insulation to close some time after the repair, and use a thin layer of insulating tape or thermousilage to protect the vulnerabilities.
โ ๏ธ Warning: If the case starts to warm up after assembly, immediately disconnect it from charging.This is a sign of short circuit or wrong polarity of the battery.
Remember that the sealing of the device after opening will be broken. The case can get dust and moisture, so try to connect the halves of the body as tightly as possible or use a thin layer of sealant around the perimeter.
Device assembly and final inspection
The final step is to assemble the Xiaomi AirDots 2 case. Make sure all wires are stacked in their seats and do not protrude beyond the body, otherwise they will be snacked when snapped. Carefully combine the halves of the case, starting on one side, and gradually press along the perimeter until characteristic clicks.
Check the mechanical button (if you have one on your model) and the smoothness of the lid opening. Nothing should jam or creak. If the lid opens too tight, you may have mislaid the battery plume or wire.
Do the final test: put the headphones in the case and connect it to the charger. The indicator should catch fire, and the headphones should start charging. If everything is working correctly, your repair can be considered a success.
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Successful assembly is when all the latches have fallen into place without gaps, and the device functions normally.
Don't throw away old parts right away. Save a faulty battery for proper disposal, as throwing it into a regular trash can is prohibited by environmental regulations.