Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphones, despite their age, remain popular due to their robust design and functionality. However, owners often face the need to physically remove the MicroSD drive. This can be caused by the desire to transfer files to a computer, replace the card with a more capacious one, or simply fix a software failure that requires a complete shutdown of the media.
Unlike modern flagships, where trays are often combined and require special care, Redmi 5 procedure is relatively simple, but has its own technical nuances. Wrong actions can lead to damage to contacts or a software error of the file system.
In this guide, we will discuss the process of preparing, searching for a slot, extracting and then checking the card, and we will focus not only on the mechanics, but also on the software part, since safe extraction in the Android operating system is a critical step before physical contact with the device.
Preparation of the device for the recovery of the storage device
Before picking up a paper clip or key for a SIM card, you need to perform a number of software actions. The MIUI operating system installed on Redmi 5 actively works with files on an external medium.
The first step should always be to programmatically disable the card. To do this, unlock your smartphone screen and go to the settings menu. Find the storage section, which may be called differently in different versions of the firmware, but most often it is Settings → Advanced Settings → Memory.
In the menu you will see information about internal memory and external memory. SD-Click the menu button (three dots in the corner) or find the Remove button. SD-The system will warn that some applications may stop working. Confirm the action. Only after the notification of a successful shutdown appears can you begin physical manipulation.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove a memory card while writing, downloading files or updating applications.The status bar activity indicator should not flash when you turn off.
Make sure your hands are dry and there is no static electricity on the surface where you will be working.The metal contacts of the card are sensitive to oxidation and mechanical damage, so it is best to avoid touching the golden part with your fingers.
☑️ Preparation for extraction
Slot location and necessary tools
Xiaomi Redmi 5 slot for the SIM-The card and memory card are located on the top end of the case, and this is standard for the budget segment of the period of release. SIM-One MicroSD card and one microSD card at the same time.
To extract, you'll need a special key that comes with the phone, which is a metal bracket with a pointed end. If the original tool is lost, a regular stationery clip that is straight-lined, or a thin needle, will do, the main thing is that the tool is thin enough to enter the hole, but strong enough to withstand pressure.
So if you look at the end of the device carefully, you'll see a small circular hole next to the elongated tray, and that's where you put the tool, and don't confuse this slot with the microphone holes, which are also located on the body, but are smaller in diameter and are in the recesses of the speaker grid.
💡
Use the tool in good light. The hole to extract the tray is very small, and in low light it is easy to get to the wrong point by scratching the body.
Don't try to tamper with nails or blunt objects.The fixing mechanism in Redmi 5 is tight enough, and without using the extraction hole, you risk damaging the phone's side frame or breaking the tray itself.
Step-by-step instructions for removing the tray
The extraction process requires confident but careful movements: Take the smartphone in one hand, position it so that the upper end is directed away from you or up, and take the tool with the second hand to extract.
Insert the tool point perpendicular to the tray hole. You should feel a slight stop. Press with enough force to make the mechanism click and the tray extend a few millimeters, at which point the spring mechanism will release the lock.
Once the tray is out, remove the tool. With your fingers, gently pull the tray over the edge and remove it completely from the phone body. Don't pull sharply so as not to damage the internal contacts that may catch on to the edges of the hole.
| Phase | Action. | Expected output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insertion of the instrument | The tool enters the hole to the point. |
| 2 | Pressing | The tray is pushed out by 2-3 mm |
| 3 | Extraction | The tray is fully removed by hand |
| 4 | Access to the map | Memory map visible in the bay |
If the tray is not pushed, do not use excessive force. Try to change the angle of the tool slightly or slightly rotate it around the axis to catch the inner lever of the mechanism.
What to do if the tray is stuck?
Features of the design of the Redmi 5 tray
The tray in Xiaomi Redmi 5 has a specific shape, typical for devices from 2017-2018, it is a metal frame with a plastic insert or an all-metal structure with cutouts under the cards.
Unlike the older models, where cards were simply inserted into slots, it uses a locking system due to the density of the landing. SIM-cards - on the other, or all three slots are on the same plane depending on the revision of the fee.
Notice the bevelled corner of the memory card, which is the key to getting the card right, and if you try to insert the card on the wrong side, it just won't fall into the designated area. Don't push it, it can break the plastic guides inside the tray.
- 🔍 Check the tray for dust and pile that may have accumulated inside the phone.
- 💾 Make sure the memory card contacts are pointing down (to the phone contacts) when installing.
- 📐 Check if there are mechanical deformations or cracks on the tray.
The metal part of the tray also acts as a screen and heat sink, and when it's tightly attached to the body, it's a stable connection, so it's important to get a distinctive click when you build it.
Extracting the map and precautions
Once you have the tray, the process of extracting the memory card itself becomes elementary, but there are some nuances here, too. The microSD card in the Redmi 5 slot is kept by friction and tight fit.
Carefully press the protruding edge of the card or touch it with a nail. It should easily come out of the nest. If the card sits very tightly, do not use metal tools to avoid closing contacts and damaging the chip.
⚠️ Warning: Don't touch the card's golden contacts with your fingers. The fatty layer from the skin can oxidize over time and lead to poor connection or reading errors.
If you plan to store the card separately, put it in an antistatic bag or a special case. Do not leave the card on the table with contacts upwards, as static electricity or dust can harm it.
In some cases, users notice that the map is difficult to extract, which may be a sign that the tray was not fully installed the previous time, and the map hit the edge of the hole of the case, in which case you need to act with utmost care.
Possible problems and solutions
Even if you follow all the instructions, there can be unexpected situations, and one of the most common problems is that the tray doesn't get inserted back or comes in with a lot of resistance, which almost always means that the cards are not aligned correctly in the slot.
If the tray doesn't come in, don't push it. Take it out and check the position. SIM-They must lie strictly in their grooves and not protrude outside the tray. Any bulge will interfere with the entrance to the case.
Another problem is that the phone doesn't see the card after you put it back in, in which case, check if it's inserted correctly, and it's also possible that the contacts get dusted when they're extracted, wipe them with a soft, dry cloth, and try again.
If, after retrieval and re-installation, the system writes "SD-"card corrupted," try connecting it to your computer via an adapter and check for file system errors. You may need formatting, but it will delete all data.
💡
If the tray does not enter the phone, do not use force in any case, this will cause the internal guides to break.