Disassembly Xiaomi AirDots: detailed instructions with photos and repair tips

Why should you take out Xiaomi AirDots?

Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones (including AirDots Pro, AirDots models) 2/3 Redmi AirDots are some of the most popular TWS-Despite their reliability, they can eventually fail: the volume goes down, the phone goes down, the battery goes down quickly, or the microphone stops working. In most cases, the causes lie in the contamination of the speakers, battery wear or damage to contacts.

Official service centers often refuse to repair headphones because of their low cost, offering to buy new ones instead. However, disassembling and self-repairing can save money and prolong the life of the device. In this article, we will explain how to carefully disassemble Xiaomi AirDots from different generations, what tools you will need and what to look for to avoid damaging fragile parts.

⚠️ Important: Disassembling the headphones gives you no warranty (if it is still valid), and there is a risk of damaging the membrane of the speaker or plumes, which will make the device non-repairable. If you are not sure of your skills, you should consult a specialist.

What tools will you need to disassemble?

For a neat dismantling of Xiaomi AirDots, you do not need professional tools - enough is enough of what is on hand or can be bought at the nearest electronics store.

• 🔧 Plastic blade or mediator - for separation of housings without scratches.
• 🔨 Thin screwdriver (cross or flat, 1.0-1.5 mm in size).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver or tweezers - so as not to lose small screws.
• 🔥 Dryer or thermo-air station (optional, for softening glue).
• 📸 A magnifier or macro lens will help you see small details.
• 🧴 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — purifier.
• 📦 Container for small parts (for example, a lid from a can).

If you are planning to replace the battery, prepare:

• 🔋 New battery (e.g., new battery, C103450 or C104450 different models).
• 🔌 A soldering iron with a thin sting (power up to 30 W).
• 🧵 Thermoclee or bilateral scotch for battery fixation.

Preparation for the disassembly: what should be done in advance?

Before you start disassembling, follow a few important steps:

1. Discharge the headphones completely, which will reduce the risk of short circuits when working with the battery.
2. Take photos of the headphones from all sides, which will help you put them back together, especially if you're doing a repair for the first time.
3. Check the model. Xiaomi AirDots, AirDots Pro and Redmi AirDots have different case mounts, like AirDots 3 Pro uses glue, and AirDots Basic uses latches.
4. Prepare your workspace. Use a light table or substrate to keep the small details from being lost.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones have recently been in a wet environment (for example, after rain or sweating), let them dry for at least 24 hours.

Step-by-step: how to disassemble Xiaomi AirDots?

The disassembly process is slightly different depending on the model, but the overall scheme is the same. Consider the universal method using the Xiaomi AirDots Basic (first generation).

Step 1: Separation of hulls

The headphone case consists of two parts: the top (with a button) and the bottom (with a speaker), which are connected by latches and sometimes glue.

1. Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the parts of the body (it is better to start from the side of the button).
2. Carefully twist the blade to separate the latches. Don't use excessive force - the plastic is fragile!
3. If the case does not respond, slightly heat it with a hair dryer (temperature not higher than 60 ° C) for 10-15 seconds.

Step 2: Extracting the fee

And when you separate the cases, you'll see a circuit board glued to the bottom, and it's connected to the speaker and the battery by thin wires.

1. Unplug the board with a spatula. Be careful not to pull the wires!
2. Disconnect the speaker plume (usually it is attached to a connector or soldered).
3. If the battery is glued, gently slap it on. In some models, it's soldered, and you'll need a soldering iron.

📌 Tip: If you disassemble AirDots Pro, pay attention to the touch panel - it is glued to the top of the case and easily damaged.

Step 3: Diagnostics and repairs

Now that the headphones are removed, you can:

• 🔊 Clean the speaker of dust and earwax (use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol).
• 🔋 Replace the battery (if it is swelling or does not hold charge).
• 🔌 Check charging contacts (often oxidized over time).
• 🎤 Test the microphone (may be contaminated or disconnected).

⚠️ Warning: If you notice a bloated battery, do not try to pierce or heat it - it can lead to fire. Carefully remove it and dispose of it according to the rules of your region.

How to replace the battery in Xiaomi AirDots?

The most common reason for repairs is battery wear. TWS-Headphones are 2-3 years old, and then they start to quickly discharge or shut down in the cold. It's cheaper to replace the battery than buying new headphones.

Which battery to choose?

For different models Xiaomi AirDots suitable batteries:

Buy batteries only from trusted sellers (like AliExpress with a rating above 98%) Cheap fakes can swell or not hold the charge.

Replacement

1. Solder off the old battery by heating the contacts with a soldering iron. Be careful - do not overheat the board!
2. Clean contacts from solder residues with a brazing or alcohol.
3. Salt a new battery, observing the polarity (+ and −).
4. Secure the battery with heat glue or bilateral tape.

Critical! After replacing the battery, be sure to check the voltage with a multimeter. It should be in the range of 3.7-4.2 V. If the voltage is below 3.0 V, the battery may not charge.

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If the headphones don't turn on after you change the battery, check the fuse on the board (a small black chip next to the battery), sometimes it burns out when you overheat, and you can only replace it at the service center.

Frequent mistakes in disassembly and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that cause headphones to break, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔨 The pressure on the body is too high. The Xiaomi AirDots plastic is thin and fragile. If the latches don't lend themselves, it's better to heat the body with a hair dryer rather than press it harder.
• 🔥 Overheating during soldering, the soldering iron temperature should not exceed 300°C and the heating time of the contact is more than 3 seconds.
• 💧 Alcohol hits the speaker. The fluid can damage the membrane. Use a cotton swab with minimal alcohol.
• 🔋 Wrong polarity when replacing the battery. + and − You'll get short circuits.
• 🧲 Loss of small parts. The screws and washers in AirDots are tiny. Use a magnetic substrate or a container.

⚠️ Warning: If the headphones don't sync after assembly, check the contacts on the board. Often the problem lies in oxidized or contaminated tracks. Clean them with alcohol and erasing (to remove oxides).

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The most vulnerable part of Xiaomi AirDots is the speaker plume, which often breaks off when it is disassembled, and if the sound disappears or distorts after assembly, the plume is likely damaged and requires soldering.

How to get Xiaomi AirDots back?

Assembly is as much a process as disassembly. If you don't connect the parts correctly, the headphones may not work or make extraneous noises.

1. Check all contacts. Make sure the speaker plume and battery are tightly connected.
2. Set the board up. It should be flat, non-skewed. Use the original glue or double-sided tape.
3. Connect the housings. Start at the button side, gently snapping the pieces until the characteristic click.
4. Check the leakproofness. If the case doesn't close tightly, it could be a wire or battery that interferes.

After assembly:

• Charge the headphones for 10-15 minutes.
• Check the sound, microphone and phone connection.
• If something doesn’t work, take the headphones apart again and look for the problem.

📌 Tip: If the button becomes less responsive after assembly, you've probably skewed the top of the body, disassemble the headphones and reassemble them, making sure the button is in place.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi AirDots disassembly