Smartphone owners often face situations where their favorite photo accessory suddenly stops responding to commands or refuses to hold a charge. Xiaomi monopods are famous for their concise design and reliability, but even they are not immune to mechanical damage or wear of batteries. The question of how to disassemble a Xiaomi selfie stick becomes relevant when the warranty is already over and you do not want to throw the device away.
Self-disassembly requires care, as the design of such devices often does not involve maintenance. Plastic latches can be hidden under decorative elements, and careless movement will lead to cracks in the case. In this article, we will look in detail at the process of dismantling popular models such as the Selfie Stick Tripod and Mijia, so that you can safely replace the battery or fix the down button.
Before you start, you need to prepare your desktop and make sure you have the right tools. You don't need to use brute force, because it's guaranteed to break the mounts. Most Xiaomi models have a main screw hidden under a rubber plug at the bottom of the handle. Understanding the internal architecture of the device will help avoid common dismantling errors.
Tools and workplace preparation
To successfully disassemble a monopod, it is not enough to have only a screwdriver at hand. Modern gadgets are designed with specific tools that allow you to penetrate inside without damaging the external panels. You will need a set of precision screwdrivers, including a cross PH000 and a flat one, to work with small screws.
Plastic mediators or special blades to open the case will also be indispensable assistants. Metal tools such as knives or needles are highly undesirable, as they can easily damage internal plumes or scratch plastic. To fix small parts, prepare a magnetic mat or a container with cells.
- 🛠️ A set of precision screwdrivers (cross, flat, possibly Torx) T5/T6).
- 🔧 Plastic mediators or cards for opening latches.
- 🔦 A flashlight or a good lamp for lighting small details.
- 🧲 Magnetic stand or organizer for screws.
Workspace organization is as important as tools: provide good lighting and clean surfaces so that small screws do not get lost in the carpet pile or roll under furniture. If you have the opportunity, use an antistatic bracelet, although it is not a strict necessity to work with low-voltage electronics of monopods, but you will not be too careful.
⚠️ Warning: Before starting any work, be sure to disconnect the device from charging and make sure it is completely off.Working with an energized battery can lead to a short circuit.
☑️ Checking readiness for repair
Design features of Xiaomi monopods
Xiaomi devices and Mijia sub-brands typically feature a monolithic handle design that hides all electronics. Inside are a Bluetooth module, control board, speaker (in some models) and lithium-ion battery. Connecting body parts is most often done using hidden screws and tight plastic latches around the perimeter.
It's important to understand that in some models, such as the Xiaomi Selfie Stick Tripod, the top with the phone holder is removable, but the electronics are in the bottom handle.The disassembly of the tripod (legs) is not usually required for electronics repair, but may be needed to lubricate the hinges if they have started creaking or walking tightly.
| Model | Location of screws | Type of attachment | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Selfie Stick | Under the sticker downstairs. | Latches + 1 screw | Simple construction |
| Mijia Tripod | Inside the handle | Hidden screws. | There are tripod legs. |
| Bluetooth Remote | No external screws. | Just the latches. | Miniature remote |
The Mijia, which often comes with a separate Bluetooth remote, requires even more jewellery accuracy because of its miniature size, and is often soldered to the board, making it difficult to replace.
Why is it hard to find screws?
Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the handle body
The opening process begins with finding the entry point, and in most cases, you need to flip the monopod up and carefully inspect the bottom end, which may contain a rubber plug on the Micro-USB or Type-C charging port, as well as a hidden screw that is closed with a decorative sticker with a logo or technical data.
Carefully tuck the sticker with a thin blade or needle, and underneath it you find a screw that needs to be twisted out. After removing the screw, don't pull the body by force. Use a plastic mediator along the seam of the two handle halves, sequentially snapping the locks. Move around, gradually increasing the gap.
- 🔍 Carefully inspect the lower part for hidden screws under the stickers.
- 🔓 Use a thin plastic tool to separate the halves of the body.
- 🔄 Move around the perimeter to evenly release the latches.
- 🚫 Avoid jerks so as not to break plastic pins.
When all the latches are freed, the body will easily split into two, and inside you'll see a battery that occupies most of the volume, and a control board. Be careful, there may be thin wires from the trigger button or a speaker that can't be damaged by a sharp movement. If the halves of the body don't diverge, check if there's another screw left at the top of the handle.
⚠️ Warning: Plastic in older devices can become brittle. If the latches don't lend themselves, try to warm the body seam slightly with a hairdryer at a minimum temperature, but don't overheat the battery!
Replacement of the battery and work with electronics
After a successful opening, you can access the internal components, and most often, repairs are required because of the wear and tear of the lithium-ion battery, which stops holding the charge. The battery in Xiaomi monopods is usually standard sized and connected to the board via a connector or directly soldered.
If the battery is connected through a connector, it is enough to carefully disconnect it with tweezers, pulling the connector, not the wires. In the case of soldering, you will need a soldering iron and skills to work with it. The new battery should be selected with similar voltage characteristics (usually 3.7V) and dimensions to fit into the compartment.
When working with electronics, it is important not to damage the Bluetooth antenna, which is often made in the form of sealed wiring or a path on the board. Damage to the antenna will cause the monopod to stop seeing the smartphone at a distance of even one meter. Also check the status of the down button: it can accumulate dust or oxidize contacts.
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When buying a new battery, pay attention to the presence of a built-in protection board (BMS). Using elements without protection can cause the device to fail or fire.
After you change the battery, take your time to reassemble the battery, plug the battery in and check the device's performance by connecting it to your smartphone, if all functions are working properly, you can start the final assembly, make sure that the wires are not clamped by the case and are in the recesses intended for them.
Repair of the downhill button and Bluetooth module
If the problem is not the battery, but that the trigger button has stopped responding or is running again, you will need to diagnose the contact group. Inside the handle, the button is connected to the main board, either by a plume or by wires. A common cause of malfunction is oxidation of the contacts or a wire break at the fold site.
To repair the button, you may need to disassemble it neatly or replace it with a similar one. If you don't find the identical button, you can try to clean the contacts with alcohol or a special spray for electronics, in some cases, bending the contact plate to improve the pressure helps.
In situations where the device is not detected by the smartphone, but the battery is charged, the problem may lie in the Bluetooth module. It is almost impossible to solder the chip on your own at home because of its microscopic size and the need for special equipment, in which case it is more rational to replace the entire control board if you can find a donor.
- 🔌 Check the integrity of the plumes going to the button.
- 🧹 Clean the button contacts with alcohol or contact cleaner.
- 🔍 Check the charge for swollen capacitors or traces of moisture.
- 📡 Make sure that the Bluetooth antenna is securely secured.
⚠️ Note: When cleaning the board, use a minimum amount of liquid.
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Repairing the downhill button often comes down to simply cleaning the contacts, which returns the device to full functionality without costly replacements.
Assembly of the device and check of performance
The final step is to assemble the monopod. Put all the components in the case as they were originally located. It is especially important to place the battery correctly so that it does not hang around and press the board. Collect the halves of the body, combining all the guide pins, and gently press the perimeter until the characteristic snap of the latches.
Remember to twist the locking screw at the bottom of the handle and return the decorative sticker to the place. If the sticker has lost its adhesiveness, it can be gently fixed with a drop of B-7000 glue or replaced with a new one. After assembly, connect the device to charge and check the charge indication.
Do a pairing with your smartphone and take some test shots. Check the tripod legs (if any) and the stability of the structure. Successful assembly and stable operation mean that the repair went well and you saved money on buying a new accessory.