Changing a mobile operator, switching to a new SIM card or having to reinstall the chip when moving are situations that every smartphone owner faces. In Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, the procedure for retrieving the memory card is usually standardized, but has a number of nuances depending on the specific model and year of release of the gadget. Mistakes can lead to a slot breakage or damage to the chip itself, so it is important to understand the mechanics of the process.
Modern Chinese smartphones are equipped with combined or separate trays, and in some rare cases, there are models with built-in memory, where the extraction requires partial disassembly of the case. The security of your data and the integrity of the hardware depends on the accuracy of manipulation. In this article, we will discuss all known methods of extraction, including emergency methods for stuck trays.
Before you start physically impacting the device, you need to make sure you identify the type of tray on your device, which will avoid unnecessary pressure and potential damage. We'll look at the classic paper clip, the extraction method for monoblock structures and the action in case the mechanism is jammed.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
The first step before any technical manipulation is to organize a safe space. You will need a smooth, well-lit surface, preferably with a soft coating, so that in the event of a fall, small details will not be lost or broken. Turning off the smartphone is a must, since extracting the SIM card to a hot one can lead to software failure or damage to the chip contacts.
The main tool for the procedure is a special metal needle, which comes with a phone box. If the original paper clip is lost, you can use a stationery clip, straightening one of its ends, or a thin sewing needle. The main requirement for the tool is the strength and sharpness of the tip so that it can activate the hidden mechanism of the lock inside the hole.
- 🔧 Original needle key from the delivery kit or quality replacement made of tempered steel.
- 💡 Bright lamp or table light for a good view of the end of the device.
- 🧤 Antistatic gloves (optional) to protect electronics from static electricity.
It is not recommended to use toothpicks for this purpose, as the tree can split inside the hole and block the mechanism completely, and avoid using knives or other sharp objects with a wide blade that can damage the case or scratch the frame of the smartphone.
☑️ Readiness for extraction SIM-map
Classic method of extraction through the hole
The vast majority of Xiaomi models, including the popular Redmi Note and Mi series, use a standard micro-hole extraction mechanism, which is usually located on the lower or upper end of the case and has a characteristic round shape.
Insert the needle point perpendicular to the surface of the body directly into the center of the hole. Don't be afraid to press hard enough -- the lock mechanism requires a certain amount of effort to act. You should feel a slight click and spring resistance, after which the tray will slightly push outwards. Don't tilt the needle up or down, act strictly straight so as not to bend the tool and damage the internal guides.
⚠️ Warning: If the tray doesn't leave after confident pressing, don't use excessive force. Check if you've confused the SIM card hole with the microphone hole, which is often located nearby and looks very similar.
Once the tray has jumped, gently tuck its edge with a nail or tweezers and remove it completely from the case. Pay attention to the orientation of the map: the tray always has a cutout in one of the corners that corresponds to the shape of the SIM card. The card installed incorrectly may not be determined by the system or, worse, get stuck when re-installed.
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If the tray is tight, try to slightly tap your finger on the end of the smartphone in the area of the hole while pressing the needle - vibration will help the mechanism unlock.
Features of the design of trays in different models
Xiaomi engineers use different types of trays depending on the price segment and year of release of the device. Understanding the type of your tray will help avoid errors when installing a second SIM card or MicroSD memory card. In budget models, a combined slot is often found, where one side is designed for a SIM card and the other for a memory card.
Flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 or 14 Pro often use separate trays or hybrid variants that support two Nano-SIM SIM cards. It is important to note that in some regions, versions of smartphones are sold without memory card support, and trying to shove the card where it should not be will lead to breakage.
| Type of tray | Support for SIM | Support for MicroSD Support | Examples of models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1 or 2 pcs. | Yes (instead of the 2nd SIM) | Redmi Note 10, Mi 11 Lite |
| Separate | 2 pcs. | Yeah (separate slot) | Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ |
| Single | 1 pc. | No. | POCO F5, some versions of Redmi |
| eSIM | Virtual | No physical tray. | Xiaomi 14 (global version) |
Special attention should be paid to devices with support for eSIM technology. In such smartphones, the physical tray may be absent at all or be intended for only one physical card, while the second number is activated programmatically. No tools are required to extract the SIMS, as the operator profile is deleted through the settings in the Settings menu. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
Situations when the tray cannot be removed (without a hole)
There is a category of devices, especially older or specific regional versions, where the SIM card tray is located under the back cover. In such smartphones, for example, some models of the Redmi Go series or early Redmi, you need to first remove the back panel. This requires care so as not to damage the plastic latches.
The process begins by looking for a small recess at the end of the case, which is designed to snap the lid, and by inserting a nail or a plastic card into that gap, you need to navigate smoothly along the perimeter of the device, and the back cover is removed by the designer principle, allowing access to the battery and slots underneath.
You'll find one or two slots underneath the battery. They can be made as metal locks that need to bend, or as outbound runners. Unlike modern end trays, it often uses the Micro-SIM or even Mini-SIM card format, so make sure your card fits the size.
⚠️ Warning: When removing the back cover, never use metal objects (knives, screwdrivers), as there is a high risk of damaging the battery or shortening contacts, which can cause fire.
What to do if the battery is not removable, but there is no tray?
What to do if the tray is stuck or broken
One of the most common problems users face is jamming the mechanism, which can be due to dust, deformation of the tray, or if the previous owner tried to remove it with a blunt object, if you feel resistance when you press the needle, but the tray does not come out, maybe the inner spring has jumped off or the guides have hushed up.
At home (you can try) the following method: take a thin blade (like a stationery knife) or tweezers with thin sponges. Carefully tuck the edge of the tray, while pressing the needle on the unlock mechanism. Movements should be microscopic. Sharp jerks are strictly forbidden, as they can lead to the final breakage of the plastic ears of the tray.
- 🧲 Try using a powerful neodymium magnet wrapped in a thin fabric to pull out a metal tray if it is even slightly outstretched.
- 💧 If the cause is sticky dirt, a drop of alcohol (isopropyl) can dissolve the contamination, but act carefully so that the liquid does not get deep inside.
- 🔨 In extreme cases, if the tray is plastic and already broken inside, its remains are carefully removed with tweezers under increasing.
If the tray is removed, but the SIM card is left inside and not pushed out, don't shake the phone abruptly. Turn it down with a hole and knock it slightly on the palm of your hand. If the card is stuck dead, it's better not to pick it with needles, so as not to damage the contacts, but to contact the master.
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The main problem with the jamming is the deformation of the tray. If you can remove it, make sure that before re-installing it, you check if it is even, putting it on a smooth surface.
Installation of a new SIM-mapping and inspection
After successfully retrieving an old card or preparing a place for a new one, you need to install the chip correctly. Make sure the card cutout is symmetrical to the cutout on the tray. Modern Nano-SIM cards are very small and easy to flip. Contacts should look down (to the board) unless otherwise indicated in the diagram on the tray.
Insert the tray back into the case until the characteristic click. It should come tightly and level with the body. If the tray protrudes or enters with difficulty, it means that it is inserted incorrectly or turned over. Do not leave the phone with the slot open or not fully closed, as this violates the tightness and protection against dust.
Once the device is turned on, go to the settings and check the network status. If the network is on but there is no Internet, you may need to set up APN hotspots. If the phone says "Sim card not detected", try to wipe the contacts of the card with a soft wipe or an alcohol wipe.
To check the signal quality and network performance, you can use an engineering menu or special applications. Enter the code ##4636## in the dialer to access the test menu (does not work on all firmware), here you can see the signal level in dBm and switch network modes.
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Periodically (once every six months) remove and wipe the contacts of the SIM card with alcohol. Contact oxidation is a common cause of network loss and spontaneous smartphone reboots.