The popularity of wireless headsets from the Chinese giant has led to the fact that the issue of repairing these devices has become extremely urgent. Often users are faced with a situation when one of the headphones stops charging or the sound becomes quiet, and the only way out seems to be self-intervention. To disassemble Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds or newer models is not as difficult as it seems at first glance, but the process requires a certain skill and accuracy.
The challenge is that the manufacturer doesn't provide end-user service, so the case is monolithic. Inside the compact space, there are tiny components connected by the thinnest plumes, damage to which will lead to complete inoperability of the gadget. Before you start work, it's important to assess your risks: opening the case is guaranteed to deprive you of warranty if it was still in effect.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of dismantling different models, from classic Redmi AirDots to advanced versions with active noise cancellation. You will learn what tools you need, how to unplug the body without damage and what to pay special attention to when Assembly back. The most vulnerable place when disassembling is the area of the connection of the main board and battery, where soldering is performed by microscopic points.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To successfully perform the operation to "open" electronics, you will need a minimal but specific set of tools. The use of improvised tools such as knives or pins is strongly discouraged, as there is a high risk of damage to the internal elements or scratching the plastic. You will need a thin screwdriver such as Pentalobe or cross PH000, as well as a plastic blade (mediator) to crack the clips.
Special attention should be paid to the organization of the workspace. The surface should be clean, well-lit and preferably have a magnetic mat so that small screws do not fly around the room, also stock up with isopropyl alcohol to clean the contacts and glue B-7000 or analogue for subsequent sealing of the case.
Before starting work, be sure to discharge the device to a minimum or completely disconnect it from charging to avoid short circuits when in contact with the board.If the model has touch control, make sure it is software-enabled, although when disassembling this rarely helps to avoid accidental circuits on the board.
- 🔧 A set of precision screwdrivers (cross and flat).
- 🛠 Plastic blades and mediators for opening.
- 🧲 Magnetic mat or screw container.
- 🧪 Isopropyl alcohol and lilac-free wipes.
- 🔋 Electronics glue (B-7000, T-7000).
Tool preparation takes no more than five minutes, but saves hours of nerves in the process of finding a lost screw. Don't neglect the quality of tools: a cheap screwdriver can lick the edges of the screws, which will make further assembly impossible.
Design features TWS-Xiaomi models
Xiaomi engineers use different build methods depending on the price segment of the device. Budget models like the Redmi Buds 3 Lite or older AirDots are often assembled on latches and adhesive layer that softens when heated.The more expensive flagship versions may have extra screws hidden under silicone embroideries or decorative overlays.
Inside the case, there are usually two main modules: the main one, where the control board and Bluetooth module are soldered, and the auxiliary one, which contains the battery and speaker, and the connection between them is through a very thin and fragile plume that is easy to break when sloppy movement. Understanding this architecture is critical for safe disassembly.
Why is the body made indissoluble?
Active noise cancellation (ANC) models are particularly difficult, with even denser components and microphones in hard-to-reach locations, and damage to the microphone membrane during disassembly will cause the noise reduction system to malfunction.
Notably, leakproofness is not only a waterproofing feature, but also a way of holding basses, and if you break the integrity of the body when you build it poorly, it will make the sound flat and quiet, so the quality of the gluing that you do next has a direct impact on the acoustic properties.
- 🎧 Budget models are kept on glue and latches.
- 🔋 The battery is often glued to the inner wall of the body.
- 🔊 The speaker is closed with a grid that is easily damaged.
Knowing the specifics of a particular model allows you to choose the right opening strategy. If you are not sure about the type of attachment of your headset, it is better to search for teardown video for your audit number.
Step-by-step: disassembly of Redmi AirDots and analogues
To start with the most popular models that are most often repaired, the process of dismantling Redmi AirDots (and their clones like Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic) requires patience, the first step is to remove the silicone embroidery and carefully examine the inside of the bowl, sometimes there are hidden screws, but in 90% of cases they are not.
The main method of opening is heating. Use a low-temperature dryer or a special heating pad to soften the glue connecting the two halves of the body. You need to warm carefully, without overheating the battery, the temperature should not exceed 60-70 degrees Celsius. After heating, insert a thin plastic blade into the joint and slowly lead around the perimeter.
☑️ Preparation for disassembly
When the body starts to diverge, don't pull the halves abruptly. Inside, there may be a plume connecting the control button (if any) or an LED to the main board. Look at the insides: if you see wiring, carefully undo them or disconnect the connector if it's designed.
Then you take the battery out. In these models, it's often glued to double tape. Use a plastic card or a spatula to rattle the battery, but be very careful: a puncture of a lithium polymer battery can cause a fire. If the battery is swelling, you need to work with it with protective gloves and glasses.
⚠️ Warning: When heating the body with a hairdryer, do not keep the jet of hot air longer 30-40 seconds in one place so as not to deform the plastic or damage the speaker membrane.
After successful removal of all components, you can start diagnosing or replacing parts, and most often in these models, it is the battery that fails, which loses capacity after 1.5-2 years of active use.
Disassembly of advanced models: Redmi Buds 3/4 Pro and Xiaomi Earbuds
The Pro series is more complex and often has an active noise cancellation system, which uses a combination of screw joints and adhesive pads, and you need to remove all the visible rubber plugs and hoods, and underneath these can be the screws that you need to unscrew first.
Advanced models often have three or more parts, and focus on the headphone leg where the main board is located. When you open it, you'll see that the space is as dense as possible, and it's important not to damage the antenna terminals, which are often made in the form of thin wiring soldered to the board.
| Component | Location. | Disassembly risk | Tool. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | At the bottom of the leg. | High (fire) | Plastic spatula |
| Dynamician | In the head of the headphone | Medium (membrane gusting) | Tweezers |
| Management fee | Inside the legs | High (steel cliff) | Thin screwdriver |
| Microphones (ANC) | Outside. | Low (pollution) | Dry brush |
When working with boards Xiaomi Earbuds 3 Pro or Buds 4 Pro should consider the presence of proximity sensors, they are on the front of the board and closed with transparent plastic. Pollution or scratch on the sensor will lead to the fact that the earphone will not know whether it is on the ear or not, and the music will not be paused automatically.
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Use a magnifier or a macro image of your phone to see where the plumes are soldered before they are disconnected, and this will help avoid accidental contact breaks.
The assembly of these complex devices requires precision, all screws must be twisted with the same force, and glue pads must be replaced with new ones or cleaned of old glue, and leakproofness in noise reduction models is critical to their work.
Battery replacement and dynamics: technical nuances
The most common reason for disassembly is to replace a worn-out battery, and when you choose a new battery, pay attention not only to the dimensions, but also to the location of the contacts. TWS-There is no single standard for headphones, and even within the same Xiaomi model, different power cells can be used.
The soldering process requires minimal soldering iron skills. Use a soldering iron with a thin sting and a temperature of about 300 degrees. It is important not to overheat the soldering site, since the plastic around the contacts can melt, which will lead to a short circuit. Before soldering, be sure to get the contacts of the new battery and wires on the board.
If you want to change the speaker, make sure that the new speaker has the same resistance (impedance) and power parameters. Installing a speaker with a different resistance can cause sound distortion or even combustion of the amplifier on the board. Usually Xiaomi headphones use speakers with impedance 16 or 32 Ohms.
- 🔋 Observe polarity when connecting the battery (red - plus, black - minus).
- 🔊 Check the phasing of the speakers before final assembly.
- 🧵 Fix the wires with heat glue so that they do not hang inside.
When you replace the components, don't be in a hurry to seal the case. Connect the battery and check the device's performance. The indicators should catch fire, and when you connect to the phone, you should have a sound. Only when you make sure that you are working properly, you can start the final assembly.
⚠️ Warning: Never use superglue (cyanacrylate) to fix components inside headphones, and its pairs can settle on the membrane of the speaker or microphone and irrevocably spoil the sound.
Assembly, sealing and testing
The final stage is assembly, and it's important to not just connect the halves, but also restore the leakage, and the old glue needs to be completely removed from the edges of the case, and it's convenient to use isopropyl alcohol and a toothpick, and the surfaces need to be perfectly clean and low-fat.
Apply a new glue (B-7000 or T-7000) in a thin strip along the perimeter of one of the halves. Don't overdo it: excess glue can squeeze out or, worse, get inside on the speaker. After applying the glue, immediately connect the parts of the case and press them tightly together.
It takes time for the device to fully polymerize the adhesive. Leave the collected headphones under the press (for example, by holding them in a vise through a soft cloth or putting a heavy book) for at least 2-4 hours, preferably overnight. Early use can disrupt the seam and lead to re-sticking.
Once dry, check the build quality. The earpiece should sit tight in the case, the charge contacts should match. Turn on the device and check all the functions: pairing, sensors, microphone and volume level. If everything works correctly, the repair can be considered successful.
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High-quality sealing of the body is not only protection from moisture, but also the key to proper acoustic resonance and bass.
Remember that even after professional disassembly, the water resistance of the device can decrease, so you should not check the refurbished headphones in heavy rain or immerse them in water, even if they were originally IPX4 certified.
Frequent problems and solutions in repairs
In the repair process, enthusiasts often face a number of typical problems, one of which is that the headphone does not turn on after replacing the battery, most often it is due to poor contact or mixed polarity, and there is a possibility of a power controller failure that requires resetting or flashing, which is almost impossible to do at home.
Another problem is the quiet sound or lack of it in one channel, which can be caused by contamination of the speaker mesh with glue or dirt during disassembly, carefully inspect the speaker output hole and, if necessary, clean it with a soft brush soaked in alcohol.
If the sensor or button has stopped working after assembly, check if the plume or wire going to the control is transmitted. Often, when assembly, thin wiring is pressed by a sharp edge of the plastic of the body, which leads to a circuit break, in which cases, re-disassembly and isolation of the problem area is required.
⚠️ Warning: If you notice a bloating battery during the disassembly process, immediately stop work, place the element in a non-combustible container and dispose of it at a specialized reception point.
Electronics repair is always a lottery, especially when it comes to miniature devices, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can extend the life of your favorite gadgets and save a significant amount on buying a new pair.