Portable speaker systems from the brand Xiaomi have proven to be reliable and stylish devices, but over time, even high-quality equipment requires maintenance. Most often, users are faced with the need to replace a failed battery, repair the speaker after moisture or clean the internal components from dust. Self-disassembly of the case allows you to save a significant amount of money on the services of the service center, if you perform all the actions carefully and consistently.
The dismantling process has its own peculiarities depending on the specific model, whether it is a compact Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker or the more massive Mi Square Box. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the steps of opening the device, the necessary tools and hidden screws under rubber plugs, which are often overlooked, which leads to breakage of latches.
Before you start active, make sure that the device is completely discharged or, conversely, has a minimum charge to eliminate the risk of short circuit when working with the board. Safety is the number one priority when interacting with lithium polymer batteries. Next, we will move on to the preparation of the workplace and the selection of tools.
Tools and workplace preparation required
The quality of disassembly of electronics is impossible without a specialized set of tools. Using inappropriate items such as kitchen knives or sewing needles often damages the plastic elements of the case and scratches on decorative panels. To work with portable acoustics Xiaomi you need a minimal but effective set.
Most of the screws in Xiaomi devices have a cross-shaped pin size PH0 or PH00, but some models may also come with rare variants such as the Torx. Plastic mediators or blades are also critical to opening the case without damage.
- ๐ง A set of precision screwdrivers (cross and flat)
- ๐ ๏ธ Plastic blades and mediators for opening
- ๐ก๏ธ Hair dryer or heating platform for softening glue
- ๐งฒ Magnetic mat or organizer for screws
Organize the workspace so that light falls evenly and fine details are not lost. It is recommended to use an antistatic bracelet or periodically touch a grounded metal object, so as not to damage electronic components with a static charge. Cleanliness and order are the key to successful completion of repairs.
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Use a magnetic mat or a piece of paper with sectors drawn to arrange the screws in order of their extraction, which will help not to confuse the fasteners of different lengths when they are reassembled.
Design features and types of mounting of the body
Xiaomi engineers have different build strategies for their devices, and understanding the type of attachment is key to successful opening. Most portable speakers use a combination of screw joint and plastic latches, and some moisture-resistant models use industrial adhesive.
Visual inspection of the case allows you to identify entry points. Often visible screws are hidden under decorative elements such as rubber legs, logos or fabric inserts. Hidden fasteners are a common practice aimed at preserving the aesthetic integrity of the device. If there are no screws at all, then the body is held exclusively on latches and adhesive layer.
Particular attention should be paid to models with a metal case, where dismantling requires increased care, metal is worse bends than plastic, and the risk of denting when using a metal tool is very high, in which case heating is a mandatory stage of preparation.
Why can't we use metal blades?
Step-by-step instruction: removal of the external grid and dismantling of the screws
We start the immediate disassembly process by removing the external protection elements. In the Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker series, the first step is to remove the bottom rubber cap, which hides the charging port and the mount screws. Carefully tuck the edge of the plug into a thin plastic blade.
If your model has a fabric braid, it often requires removing the top or bottom speaker grid. It can be attached to the perimeter glue. Use a hair dryer to heat the edges of the grid to 60-70 degrees Celsius. This will soften the glue and allow the mesh to be removed without tearing the fabric.
Once the decorative elements are removed, the screws will open to your attention, unscrew them all using a magnetic screwdriver to avoid dropping the fastener inside the case, remember or photograph the location of the screws of different lengths, as their rearrangement can damage the thread or break the internal components.
โ๏ธ Primary dismantling
It's important not to put too much effort, because if the screw doesn't twist, it might be filled with paint or a thread lock, and then just heating the area around the screw for a short time will help to weaken the lock.
Opening of the main hull and disconnection of the plumes
Once you remove all the visible fixtures, the most critical step is to split the halves of the body, insert the plastic mediator at the junction between the top and bottom of the case, move around the perimeter, gradually breaking the plastic latches, and a characteristic click will signal a successful snap.
Don't try to push the halves of the body all the way. Move in sequence, releasing the latches one by one. A sharp force can break the plastic, and then it will be impossible to assemble the device back without gaps. If the body does not lend itself, check again for hidden screws.
When the case is open, don't make any sudden movements, there may be plumes inside that connect the control buttons, the display board, or the speaker to the main motherboard, and carefully examine the insides and find the connectors.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Never pull the plume to open the case further! First, disconnect the connector. A sudden movement is guaranteed to cause the contacts to break and the electronics to fail.
Use a plastic blade to detach the plumes. Connectors often have a lock that needs to be bent upwards before removing the plume. Act delicately, as the contacts on Xiaomi boards are quite fragile.
Battery replacement and dynamic head maintenance
Once you have access to the insides, you can replace the main power source. The battery in portable speakers is usually glued to the body with double-sided tape. To extract it, gently tuck the edge of the battery with a plastic card or a spatula. Don't use metal tools to pick the battery - this can cause it to ignite.
If the purpose of disassembly was to replace the speaker, then after disconnecting the wires (which are often soldered to the board or connected through the connector), the old emitter can be removed from the seat.
When installing a new battery, make sure that its performance (voltage and capacity) is consistent with the original. Usually this is indicated on the old battery sticker. Once you connect a new battery, check the voltage with a multimeter before final assembly.
| Component | Type of attachment | Withdrawal tool | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | Adhesive tape | Plastic spatula | Puncture of the hull, fire |
| Dynamician | Glue/Spins | Tweezers/Driver | Membrane break |
| Management fee | Screws/Groses | Screwdriver PH00 | Pinching SMD-element |
| plumes | Connectors (ZIF) | Plastic mediator | Breaking the tracks |
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When replacing a battery, always use original or certified analogues, as the power controller of the speaker may not work properly with cheap cells of unknown origin.
Assembly of the device and check of performance
The assembly is done in reverse sequence. Before you snap the case, be sure to run a test turn on. Connect the battery, press the power button and check for sound, charge indication and Bluetooth operation. This will save you time if you forgot to plug in some plume.
Make sure all wires are in their channels and not clamped by the body. Excessive pressure on the wires can cause them to be rubbed and short-circuited in the future.
When you connect the halves of the body, first snap the corners, then move to the center. Make sure there are no gaps. If there are gaps, check if all the screws are in place and if the internal guides are correctly standing. The final tightening of the screws is done cross-to-cross to ensure that the pressure is evenly distributed.
โ ๏ธ Warning: If the speaker doesn't turn on after assembly, don't panic. Take it apart again and check the density of the battery connector. Often the problem is with the incomplete plug.