Disassembling the Xiaomi column: tools, step-by-step actions and repair tips

Xiaomi’s portable speakers are popular because of their combination of price, sound quality and compactness. However, over time, even the most reliable appliances can fail: buttons stop working, sound is distorted, or the battery runs out, and in such cases, disassembly of the speaker becomes necessary — whether for self-repair, cleaning speakers or replacing the battery.

In this article, we will discuss how to properly open the case of Xiaomi Mi Portable Speaker, Redmi Speaker and other models without damaging the internal components, what tools you will need, where the hidden latches are located, and how to avoid typical disassembly errors, and we will give recommendations for fault diagnosis and advise you in which cases it is better to contact the service center.

Warning: improper disassembly can lead to loss of warranty (if it is still valid) or breakage of the device. If you are not confident in your abilities, trust the repair to professionals. For those who are willing to act on their own, we will begin preparation.

What Xiaomi column models can be disassembled independently

Not all Xiaomi portable speakers are equally easy to disassemble, design depends on model, year of release and even batch of production, and below is a list of the most common devices that users often disassemble at home:

• 🔊 Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker (classic round model with blue backlight)
• 🔊 Xiaomi Mi Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker (rubber case, protection from dust and moisture)
• 🔊 Redmi Speaker (budget version with minimalist design)
• 🔊 Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker (smart speaker with voice assistant)
• 🔊 Xiaomi Mi Pocket Speaker 2 (compact model with carbine)

The most difficult to understand models with adhesive body joint (for example, some versions of the Mi Outdoor) — you need a hair dryer or a special solvent for glue. The easiest devices are latches, but there are nuances: plastic retainers often break when you open it neatly.

If your model is not included in the list, check its design for reviews on forums (for example, 4PDA Sometimes the manufacturer changes the mounts even within the same line!

Preparation for disassembly: tools and security measures

Before you start, you can pack everything you need, and the lack of the right tools is the main cause of damage to the case or the internal boards, and here's the minimum set.

• 🔧 Plastic mediators or shoulder blades (2-3 (S) to remove the stainless stains.
• 🔧 Screwdriver cross (PH0 or PH00) — for screws in some models.
• 🔧 Tweezers – to extract small parts (for example, rubber gaskets).
• 🔧 Dryer or thermo-air station - if the body is glued (heating to 60-80)°C softens the glue).
• 🔧 Isopropyl alcohol (90%+) — Cleaning contacts and removing glue residues.
• 🔧 Multimeter – to check battery voltage or speaker integrity.

Also, prepare your workspace: a clean tissue napkin (so as not to scratch the body), screw containers (if any) and a camera (to capture the disassembly process), the last point is especially important - photos will help you put the device back together properly.

⚠️ Warning: If the column was in water or in a wet room, dry it for at least 48 hours in rice or silica gel before disassembling!

Turn off the column from charging and turn it off.|Take photos of the body from all sides|Prepare the tools (mediators, screwdriver, tweezers)|Check for screws (usually under rubber legs)|Wear an antistatic bracelet (optional but recommended)-->

Step-by-step: how to disassemble the Xiaomi column

Consider the universal disassembly algorithm, using the Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker. The design of other models may be slightly different, but the general principle remains.

Step 1: Removing the back cover

On most Xiaomi speakers, the back panel is mounted on the latches to remove it:

1. Place the column with the front side down on a soft surface.
2. Insert a plastic mediator into the gap between the front and back panels (start with the corner where there are no buttons).
3. Carefully drive the mediator along the body, alternately snapping the locks, you will hear the characteristic clicks.
4. If the lid does not lend itself, slightly heat the body with a hairdryer (no more than 1 minute!) - this will soften the plastic.

In models with adhesive joint (for example, Mi Outdoor), after heating, pull the lid and slowly pull up, holding the column with the second hand.

Step 2: Battery disconnection

After removing the cover, you will see:

• 🔋 Battery (usually glued or fixed with double-sided tape).
• 🖥️ Printed circuit board with chips and connectors.
• 🔊 Speakers (can be screwed or inserted into the grooves).

First, disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits.

1. Find the power connector on the board (usually white with 2-3 contacts).
2. Carefully tweez it with tweezers or a mediator.
3. If the battery is glued, do not try to tear it off - it is better to heat it with a hair dryer and tuck it from the edge.

⚠️ Warning: If there are traces of oxidation (green coating) or bloated capacitors on the board, do not turn on the column until the problem is resolved.

Step 3: Extracting speakers and boards

Speakers in Xiaomi speakers are usually mounted with screws or inserted into slots with a rubber seal.

1. Then, put the sleeves in the back of the sleeves. PH0.
2. If the speaker sits tightly, slap it with a mediator with the edge, holding the body.
3. Then, take the last one out of the car, and then remove all the stains.

On the charge, pay attention to:

• 📱 Bluetooth module (frequent cause of connection problems).
• 🔌 Charging connector (clean it from dust with alcohol).
• 🎛️ Control buttons (check their contacts for oxidation).

Table: Frequent malfunctions and their causes

If your problem is not included in the table, study the error logs (if the speaker is giving out audio signals) or check the device through a Bluetooth scanner (for example, the nRF Connect app for Android).

How to collect the column back: tips and life hacks

Assembling is no less important than disassembly, here are the key points that will help to avoid mistakes:

1. Check all connectors: plumes of speakers and battery should sit tightly, without distortions.
2. Make sure the seals are intact: rubber gaskets around the speakers prevent dust and moisture from entering.
3. Secure the battery: If it was on double-sided tape, use a new piece.
4. Check the buttons: they should be pressed without jamming (clean the contacts with alcohol if necessary).

When you build the case, start on the opposite side of the connectors, so it's easier to combine the latches. If the lid doesn't sit tight, check:

• 🔹 Are the latches bent (you can be gently bent with tweezers).
• 🔹 Is the plume or wire interfering.
• 🔹 Are the speakers correctly installed (they should not rest on the lid).

Don't turn on the column right away -- let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure all the parts fall into place.

• 🔋 Charging (plug the cable and make sure the current is going on).
• 🔊 Sound (play the test track at different frequencies).
• 📶 Bluetooth connection (try connecting from your phone).

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If you've got the speaker running after assembly, but the sound is quieter, check if the speakers are compressed by the body, and sometimes it's enough to loosen the screws slightly to get the volume back.

When it is better not to disassemble the column by yourself

Despite the apparent simplicity, some breakdowns require professional intervention.

• 💥 Column swollen or deformed (risk of battery explosion!).
• 🔥 On the board, burned elements are visible (blackened chips, bloated capacitors).
• 💧 The device has been in water, and after drying it does not turn on (ultrasonic cleaning is necessary).
• 📡 Bluetooth module problems (requires flashing or chip replacement).
• 🔧 Requires a replacement microphone or antenna (needs soldering hair dryer and experience with the SMD-component).

It is also worth assessing the cost of repairs. For example, replacing the battery in the service will cost 1,000-1 500 rubles, and a new speaker - 800-1 200 rubles. If the speaker is older than 3 years, sometimes it is more profitable to buy a new one.

Forums often advise you to "sweat the capacitors" or "sweep the controller" yourself, and without experience, this can lead to a complete failure of the device, and if you are not sure about your soldering or diagnostic skills, do not take risks.

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Self-repair is justified only in case of simple malfunctions: battery replacement, cleaning contacts or speakers. Complex breakdowns (burnt board, Bluetooth problems) are better left to specialists.

Where to buy spare parts for Xiaomi speakers

If you need original or compatible parts, here are the proven sources:

When buying spare parts, pay attention to:

• 📌 Compatibility with the model (check with the seller).
• 📌 Customer reviews (especially battery quality).
• 📌 Warranty (parts are rarely given, but some sellers offer an exchange).

If you can't find the original part, look for analogues with the same technical parameters.

• 🔹 Diameter (e.g. 40 mm or 52 mm).
• 🔹 Resistance (Om).
• 🔹 Power (Watt).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the dismantling of Xiaomi speakers