Disassembly of Xiaomi smart watches: from Mi Band to Watch S3 – safe dismantling with your own hands

Xiaomi’s smartwatches can be decomposed for many reasons: battery replacement, dust cleaning, screen or button repairs, and sometimes just out of curiosity. However, improper dismantling often causes permanent damage to flexible plumes or detachment of the display, especially in models with adhesive mounting of the case. In this article, we will examine how to carefully open popular devices — from the budget Mi Band 6/7 to the flagship Xiaomi Watch S3 — which tools will be required and what to pay attention to not to turn the gadget into a “brick”.

It's important to understand that even if you've never held a screwdriver, breaking a smartwatch is a task that can be done with the right approach. The key is patience and consistency. We won't convince you that it's easy (spoiler: some models will have to mess around), but with our instructions, the chances of success will increase significantly. And if you doubt yourself, you better go to the service center. But if you don't hesitate, read on!

What Xiaomi models can be disassembled independently?

Not all Xiaomi smartwatches are equally repairable, for example, the Mi Band 3/4/5 is disassembled relatively easily thanks to the latches, but the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Watch S1 require heating the case to separate the display.

• 🔧 Mi Band 3/4/5/6/7/8 — It's a simple design with a plastic case and latches, and the risk of damage is minimal.
• 🔧 Xiaomi Mi Watch/Watch Color – Medium difficulty level.It takes mediator and patience to unplug the screen.
• 🔧 Xiaomi Watch S1 / S2 / S3 — complex disassembly due to metal body and adhesive attachment.
• ⚠️ Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro – high risk of damage to plumes.

If your model is not on the list, don’t worry: the disassembly principles for most Xiaomi devices are similar, the main thing is to understand the type of attachment of the case (latch or glue) and the location of vulnerable elements ( plumes, battery).

Disassembly tools: what will be needed?

Without the right tools, it’s almost impossible to disassemble a Xiaomi smartwatch. Here’s the minimum set you’ll need:

Some craftsmen try to get away with specialized tools using knives or credit cards, and that's a big mistake -- you're almost guaranteed to scratch the case or damage the plumes. For example, in the Mi Band 7, the flexible cable of the display is so close to the edge that one wrong move can tear it off the board.

⚠️ Note: If you are disassembling a waterproof model (5) ATM), Xiaomi Watch S2, After the autopsy, the leakage will be broken, and the repair will require special glue and press.

How to disassemble Mi Band 6/7/8

Let's start with the most popular lineup, the Mi Band fitness bracelets, which are considered the easiest to disassemble, but there are nuances here.

Turn off the bracelet from charging and turn it off.

Remove the strap (if it is removable)

Prepare the workplace: clean surface, good lighting

Take a picture of the bracelet from all sides (useful when assembling)-->

Step 1: Remove the lid. Turn the bracelet over and find a small gap between the body and the lid (on the sensor side). Carefully insert the plastic mediator and slowly guide it around the perimeter until the lid is snapped. Don't force it - the latches must respond without squeaking!

Step 2: Unplug the battery. Under the lid, you'll see the battery glued to the board. In the Mi Band 6/7, it's plugged in through the connector, and in the Mi Band 8, it's soldered. If the connector is, gently unplug it with tweezers. If soldering is the best thing to do is not risk without a soldering station.

Step 3: Remove the board. You can take the board off after you turn off the battery, it's usually attached to latches or double-sided tape, and carefully inspect it for damage or oxidation (especially if the bracelet wasn't on).

The main thing is to make sure that all the latches are locked and the battery is connected correctly.

• 🔋 Battery contact (possibly moved connector).
• 🔌 Integrity of the display plume (in the Mi Band 8 it is particularly fragile).
• 🛠️ Correct installation of the vibrator (if removed).

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If the Mi Band doesn't respond to charging after disassembly, try to clean the contacts on the board and battery with alcohol. Often the problem lies in oxidation.

Disassembly Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3: difficulties and solutions

The Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3 is a much more complicated watch, because of the metal body and the adhesive mounting of the display. You can't do without heating, and the risk of damage to the plumes is higher. If you've never disassembled such devices, practice on something less valuable.

Step 1: Heat the body. Turn the dryer on to medium power (temperature) ~60–70°C) and warm up the edge of the screen evenly for 2-3 minutes, this will soften the glue. Do not overheat - you can damage the battery or display!

Step 2: Separate the screen. After heating, apply the suction cup to the display and gently pull up. If the screen doesn't lend itself, warm up the edges again. Once there's a gap, insert the mediator and slowly guide it around the perimeter. In the Watch S3, the display plume is on top - don't pull the screen too hard to pull it off!

Step 3: Turn off the plumes. Under the screen, you'll see a board with multiple flexible cables, and you'll have to detach them in the following order:

1. The display plume (usually fixed by a latch).
2. Sensor plume (in some models glued).
3. Battery connector (caution - you can shorten it!).

⚠️ Attention: In Xiaomi Watch S2 The battery is glued to the body very firmly. Don't try to tear it off by force - use a thread or a special glue solvent (for example, isopropyl alcohol).

After removing the board, check it for damage. If the clock didn't turn on before the disassembly, check:

• 🔍 Integrity of tracks near the charging connector (a common problem after falls).
• 🔋 Battery voltage multimeter (should be) ~3.7–4.2 V).
• 📱 Antenna contact Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (watch S3 They're on the right of the battery).

Common Mistakes in Disassembly and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to a device failure, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1. Overheating. Many beginners heat their watches with a hair dryer at maximum power, forgetting that there is a lithium battery inside, consequences: battery bloating or detachment of the display. Solution: use a temperature no higher than 70°C and heat in short intervals.
2. Using metal tools, knives, screwdrivers or blades that scratch the body can puncture plumes, so that's plastic mediators and special blades.
3. Sloppy handling of plumes. In the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro, the plume of the display is thinner than a hair, it is easy to tear. Solution: fix the fee before disconnecting the plumes (for example, scotch).
4. Loss of screws or parts. Mi Band screws are easily lost, and without them, the body will not be tightly assembled. Solution: use a magnetic mat or a container of cells.

Another common problem is damage to the waterproof seal, and in 5 ATM models (such as the Watch S2), the leakage is broken after disassembly, and you'll need to repair it by:

• 🧴 Apply a thin layer of silicone lubricant to the sealer.
• 🔥 Warm up the body with a hair dryer for better adhesion of glue.
• 💧 Check the tightness by immersion in water (only after full assembly!).

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If you're disassembling a battery replacement watch, make sure to use an original or certified battery. Cheap ones can swell or not hold a charge.

How to make out Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro: features of the flagship

The Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro is one of the most challenging self-disassembly models, combining adhesive display mount, brittle plumes, and a compact board with many small elements. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better contact the service.

Differences from other models:

• 🔧 Two-layered body: the upper part (with a screen) and the lower part (with sensors) are glued together.
• 🔋 Battery soldered: its replacement requires a soldering station.
• 📡 Antennas in the body: with careless disassembly, modules can be damaged GPS or NFC.

Disassembly order:

1. Warm up the edge of the screen with a hair dryer (70°C, 3-4 minutes).
2. Use a suction cup and a mediator to separate the upper part of the body.
3. Disconnect the plumes in order: display → sensor → battery.
4. To replace the battery, you will need to solder off the contacts or use a special adapter.

⚠️ Warning: The Watch 2 Pro has a charging controller that often fails when shorted. If the watch doesn't charge after assembly, check it with a multimeter (resistance between contacts should be ~200 kom).

What to do after disassembly: diagnosis and assembly

After successful disassembly, you need to check all the components before reassembling.

Check the fee for chipping or oxidation

Check the battery with a multimeter (voltage 3.7-4.2 V)

Make sure all the plumes are intact and not torn.

Test the buttons and sensor (if possible)

Clean the alcohol charging contacts-->

If you have been disassembling a battery replacement watch before installing a new one:

• 🔋 Check the polarity (plus/minus must match the original).
• 🧲 Stick the battery to double-sided tape or special glue.
• 🔌 Connect the connector carefully, without bending the plume.

When assembly, follow the reverse order, but pay attention to:

• 🔗 Latches of the body: in the Mi Band they must click.
• 🌡️ Temperature: If you used heating, let the watch cool before turning on.
• 💧 Tightness: If the model is waterproof, check the seals.

After assembly, turn on the clock and check:

• 📱 Connection to the telephone (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Charging (connect to the cable).
• 🎯 Sensor and button operation.

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If the screen flickers or doesn't respond to touch after assembly, it's likely that the plume is not tightly connected. Take the clock apart again and check for the fixation of the connector.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions