Disassembly of the Xiaomi column: how to open the case without damage

Xiaomi portable speakers are popular devices with excellent value for money, but even they sometimes require repair or cleaning. Disassembly of the case may be necessary to replace the battery, repair the speakers, clean up dust or recover from moisture. However, improper opening often leads to damage to the latches, break plumes or loss of leakage — especially in waterproof models like the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for different Xiaomi speakers, a list of tools you need, and key nuances to help avoid typical errors. We will examine both classic options like the Mi Portable Speaker, and more complex devices with a smart home system, such as the Mi Smart Speaker. If your column stops turning on, wheezing or quickly discharges, here you will learn how to start diagnosing.

What tools will be needed to disassemble

Without the right set of tools, it is almost impossible to disassemble a Xiaomi column — plastic latches are fragile, and screws often use custom screws.

• 🔧 A set of screwdrivers with bats: PH00, PH0, T4, T5 (for most models, and Y0.6 for some smart speakers.
• 📱 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (2-3 - To carefully separate the body, metal tools will leave scratches!
• 🔥 Hair dryer or thermo-air station (for models with adhesive connection, for example, Mi) AI Speaker).
• 🧲 Magnetic mat or container – so as not to lose small screws and springs.
• 🔍 loope USB-microscope – will help to see the marking of components and small details of soldered joints.

For waterproof models (IPX7) Prepare a sealant (for example, LOCTITE 577) and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning contacts. If you plan to solder, take a soldering iron with temperature adjustment (maximum 350)°C) and flux solder.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker and Mi speakers AI Speaker uses disposable plug screws (they break when you first unscrew). If you don't plan to reassemble the device, be prepared to lose tightness.

Preparation for disassembly: what to do before opening

Before you take up the screwdriver, follow a few critical steps that will save you from short circuit, data loss (in smart speakers) and other problems:

1. Turn off the power. If you have a battery, discharge it to 0% and leave it for 24 hours. For network models, remove the plug from the socket.
2. Take off all accessories. Disconnect the strap (if any), the case, the speaker safety net.
3. Take a picture of the look, and it's especially important to capture the location of the buttons, connectors and stickers, and that's going to help with the reverse build.
4. Check the warranty. Disassembly of the case automatically voids the warranty Xiaomi. If the device is warranty, first contact the service center.

For smart speakers (Mi Smart Speaker, Mi) AI Speaker additionally:

• 📱 Untie the device from your Mi Home account via the app (Devices section) → Settings → Remove the device).
• 🔄 Backup your settings if possible (some models store data in the cloud).

If you've been in water, don't turn it on or disassemble it right away. Put it in a silica gel bag for 48 hours. Attempting to open a wet column will corrosion the contacts!

The classics are called Mi Portable Speaker, Mi Outdoor.

Xiaomi’s classic portable speakers (Mi Portable Speaker, Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker) are similarly designed, with their body clamped together with latches and a slack. 4-6 We're going to use the Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker as a process:

Step 1: Removing the back cover

1. Turn the column over and find rubber plugs (usually 4 pcs) - they hide the screws. Carefully tuck them with a plastic blade.

2 Unscrew the screws with a screwdriver. T5 (sometimes PH0). In some models, one of the screws may be under a warranty sticker - it will have to be damaged.

3. Insert the mediator into the gap between the front and rear panels (start at the corner next to the connector) USB-C). Carefully drive the tool around the perimeter, dissociating the latches.

Step 2: Battery disconnection

After removing the cover, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery (usually 18650 or lithium-polymer package).
• 🔊 Board with speakers and amplifier.
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna (thin wire in isolation).

First thing you do is disconnect the battery - it is connected through the connector. JST 2.0 Use a plastic blade to gently lift the connector. Don't pull the wires, they're often soldered to the board and can come off!

Step 3: Dismantling speakers and boards

1. Unscrew the screws fixing the fee (usually) 3-4 batter PH00).

2. Disconnect the speaker plumes. They can be:

• 🔌 On the jacks (greatly pull up).
• 🔥 The squirrels (a soldering iron will be required).

3. Remove the board. Pay attention to the labeling of components, which will help in the diagnosis of malfunctions.

⚠️ Attention: In Mi Outdoor speakers, speakers are often glued to the body with double-sided tape. Don't pull them by force - warm up with a hair dryer (60-80).°C) and gently apply.

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If the screws do not unscrew, drop on them. WD-40 Or isopropyl alcohol and wait 5-10 minutes, which will help dissolve the oxides and avoid breaking the slime.

Disassembly of smart speakers (Mi Smart Speaker, Mi) AI Speaker)

Xiaomi Smart Speaker (Mi Smart Speaker, Mi) AI Speaker is more difficult to understand because of:

• 🔒 Adhesive connection of the body (dryer will be required).
• 🛡️ Additional protection of microphones (nets, rubber gaskets).
• 🤖 Processor and memory (risk of damage in careless disassembly).

Let’s look at the Mi Smart Speaker:

Step 1: Heating and removing the top panel

1. warm up the upper part of the body with a hair dryer (where the buttons are located) for 2-3 minutes at a temperature of 80-100°C. It'll soften the glue.

2. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the top and bottom of the case. Start at the corner next to the power connector.

3. Carefully drive the shoulder blade around the perimeter, repeating the heating if necessary. Do not make excessive efforts - there may be plumes of microphones inside!

Step 2: Turn off the plumes and battery

After removing the top panel, you will see:

• 🎤 4 microphones (located in a circle).
• 🧠 Primary fee with processor MT8516 similar.
• 🔋 Battery (usually glued).

First, disconnect the battery (connector) JST Then gently disable the plumes:

1. Display plume (if any).
2. Microphone plumes (they are fragile - do not rot!).
3. The control button plume.

Step 3: Dismantling speakers and boards

1. Unscrew the screws fixing the board (bit) Y0.6 or T4).

2. Remove the board by holding it by the edges. Don't touch the components -- static electricity can damage the chips!

3. The speakers in smart speakers are often wired to the housing. Unscrew them and check the integrity of the diffusers.

Typical Disassembly Problems and How to Avoid Them

Even with a careful disassembly, you can face unexpected challenges, and here are the most common problems and ways to solve them:

• 🔩 If the screw screw is licked, use: Rubber tape between screwdriver and screw (increases grip), screw extractor (sold in tool stores).
• 🧲 Lost parts. Screws and springs are easily lost. Solution: Use a magnetic mat. Sort parts into groups (e.g., "cover screws," "board screws").
• 🔥 Damaged plumes. If the plume breaks: Clean the contacts carefully and solder a new connector. Use a wired alternative (e.g., solder the wires directly).
• 💧 Corrosion marks. If the column has been in contact with water: Clear the board with isopropyl alcohol and a toothpick. Put a contactol on the contacts (for example, Contact). CLEANER).

Another common mistake is the wrong assembly. If the speaker makes extraneous noises after assembly, check:

• Density of the speakers to the body (should sit without gaps).
• Integrity of rubber gaskets (they extinguish vibrations).
• Correctness of connection of the phase of speakers (plus to plus, minus to minus).

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If the speaker is quieter after disassembly, it's likely that the speaker has shifted or damaged the tightness of the body.

How to collect the column back: tips and check

Building a Xiaomi column after disassembly requires as much attention as the autopsy itself. Here are the key points to avoid problems:

1. Checking components before assembly

Before you assemble the device, make sure that:

• 🔋 The battery is charged (at least up to 30%) – this will help to immediately check the performance.
• 🔊 The speakers are connected correctly (phasing "+" And the "-" will make a bad sound.
• 📶 Bluetooth antenna is not damaged (if it is broken off, solder or replace it).

2. Sealing (for waterproof models)

If your column has protection IPX7 (For example, Mi Outdoor, before assembly:

1. Apply a thin layer of silicone sealant to the joints of the body.
2. Check the integrity of the rubber seals (replace if necessary).
3. Twisting the screws with a force of 0.5-0.8 N·m (do not pull!).

3. Post-assembly testing

After assembly, perform a check:

1. Sound: Play the test track at different frequencies (bass, high).
2. Bluetooth: Connect the speaker to the phone, check the stability of the connection.
3. Charging: Connect to the network and make sure the indicator is on.
4. For waterproof models, lower the column in the water for 10 seconds (no power!).

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Smart Speaker doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi after assembly, reset your settings via the Mi Home app (hold the reset button for 10 seconds).

When the disassembly will not help: cases for the service center

Not all malfunctions of Xiaomi speakers can be fixed on their own. Here are situations when it is better to contact the service:

• 🔥 The amplifier chip burned, requires a hot-air soldering station and experience with the air. BGA-component.
• 💾 Firmware problems: Smart speakers (Mi Smart Speaker) may require flashing through UART or JTAG.
• 🔋 Bloated battery, which is associated with the risk of fire, you should trust the specialists.
• 🎛️ PCB damage, oscilloscope diagnostics and replacements required. SMD-component.

If you're not sure about your skills, consider the cost of repairing vs. the cost of a new speaker, for example, replacing the board in the Mi Portable Speaker can cost 70-80% of the cost of a new device.

For smart speakers (Mi) AI Speaker) self-repair is complicated by the need:

• Keeping an account attached to Mi Home.
• Microphone settings (they are calibrated in the factory).
• Updates to the firmware through service utilities.

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If the Xiaomi speaker does not turn on and does not respond to charging, in 60% of cases the power controller is to blame (for example, the power controller is responsible for the battery, SY6974 or BQ24072). Replacing him requires soldering skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi speakers