The situation when it is urgent to replace a SIM card or memory card, and the company clip is lost in the bowels of a box with wires, is familiar to many smartphone owners. SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 7 is tightly packed in the case, and this device, released in 2019, is still in active use due to its reliability, but the design of the slot requires careful handling.
There are many household items that can replace a special key, but it is important to understand that the locking mechanism of the tray is quite sensitive to mechanical damage. Careless use of force or use of too thick a tool can lead to breakage of the microswitch inside the housing.
In this article, we’ll look at safe and effective ways to extract the tray without using a regular ejector key. You’ll learn which tools are best for this task and which items to stay away from so as not to damage the Redmi 7. Following simple precautions will help you replace the SIM in a few minutes without visiting the service center.
Why the tray does not open and what is the risk
The design of the SIM card slot in modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi Redmi 7, is based on the principle of mechanical latching. Inside the case, there is a spring mechanism that locks the tray. When you press on the end of the key, it shifts the lever, and the spring pushes the tray out. If the mechanism is jammed or you use the wrong tool, you can easily damage the internal guides.
The main danger when using improvised tools is the diameter of the tool. If the object is too thick, it may not get into the hole to the end, and you just scratch the body. Too thin and soft object, such as a regular toothpick, can break inside the hole, which will require dismantling the smartphone to remove the debris.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects, such as sewing needles or pins, without first tipping the tip.A sharp needle can slip and scratch the screen or damage the plumes inside the case if it enters at an angle.
Also, you should consider that over time, dust and pile can get stuffed inside the slot, which makes it difficult for the machine to run, and in such cases, it requires not just pressure, but careful loosening of the dirt, and the use of excessive force on the metal tray can deform it, and it will stop climbing back.
Suitable alternatives to factory paper clips
The most obvious and affordable option is a regular paper clip, which is in almost every office or home, and in order to use it on the Xiaomi Redmi 7, you need to straighten one end to make it as straight as possible, and the diameter of the wire of the standard paper clip is perfect for a calibrated tray hole.
If you don't have a paper clip, you can use a medical needle, but as mentioned, the sharp tip is dangerous, and the best way to do this is to gently break the tip of the needle with pliers, or rub it against a stone to make it blunt, and this creates a safe extraction tool that doesn't damage the internal components.
- 💎 Carnation earring: The thin leg of carnation earrings often has a perfect diameter and a comfortable hat that is easy to hold onto.
- 📎 Paperclip: Classic option that requires minimal preparation (straightening).
- 🦷 Floss Dental Flass: In some models, the filament holder has a thin pointed end suitable for this purpose.
- 🖇️ Clamp-clamp (binder): Metal tendrils that are inserted into the clamp slots can also serve as a tool.
Steel is the best choice. Plastic items like toothpicks are a last resort, as the risk of them breaking inside the eject mechanism is very high.
Step-by-step: how to safely open the tray
Before starting the procedure, make sure that the smartphone is on a solid, flat and well-lit surface, which will allow you to clearly see the hole and control the angle of inclination of the tool. Take the selected object (for example, a straightened paper clip) and make sure that its end is flat and has no barbs.
Find a hole at the end of the case. On Xiaomi Redmi 7, the SIM card tray is located on the bottom of the device, next to the Micro-USB charging connector. Be careful: there may be a microphone hole nearby that looks similar but has a round shape and goes deep at an angle. It is strictly forbidden to insert the tool into the microphone!
☑️ Pre-mortem checks
Insert the tool into the hole perpendicular to the edge of the body. The movement should be confident, but smooth. When you feel a slight click and spring resistance, press a little harder. The tray should extend a few millimeters, after which it can be carefully pulled out with your fingers. If the tray does not come out, do not apply force - check the angle of inclination.
Tool compatibility table
Not all items are equally useful for this task. Below is a comparative description of popular alternatives that will help you choose the best option for your case.
| Tool. | Rigidity | Risk of breakdown | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office paperclip | Medium | Low. | Good for you. |
| Needle from syringe | Tall. | Medium (sharpness) | It requires a stop. |
| Wood toothpick | Low. | Tall (breaks) | Not recommended |
| Carnation earring | Medium | Low. | Perfect. |
As you can see from the table, metal objects are preferable to wooden or plastic ones. Plastic toothpicks often bend and do not transfer the necessary force to the lever, and wooden ones can split. If you only have a toothpick at hand, try using it as carefully as possible, without sharp jerks.
⚠️ Warning: If you use a needle or pin, be sure to wipe it with alcohol or antiseptic before contacting your phone.Dirt and oil from your hands can get inside the slot and oxidize the SIM card contacts.
What to do if the tray is jammed
Sometimes the tray doesn't extend even when it's exposed properly, and it can be caused by dust, tray deformation, or spring failure, and first of all, try to sway the tool slightly from side to side without removing it from the hole, and this will help to release the stuck villi or dust.
If the tray is only a millimeter out and stuck, try grabbing its edge with tweezers or a thin knife with a blunt blade. Pull carefully, while simultaneously pressing the retainer mechanism with a tool. The main thing is not to scratch the frame of the Xiaomi Redmi 7 body, which is often made of plastic or metal with coating.
The duct tape method
In cases where the tray doesn't respond at all, maybe the problem is deeper, the mechanical lock of the tray could have shifted, and in such a situation, it's better not to continue pushing, because you can push the tool deeper into the body, it's wise to consult a specialist or try to carefully remove the tray with a thin hook, hooking it on the edge.
Typical errors when retrieving a SIM card
One of the most common mistakes is trying to open the tray when the phone is on and in active use. Although modern security systems allow hot replacement, it is better to secure the data and turn the device off or put it into flight mode, this will prevent accidental failure of the data record to the memory card.
Another mistake is to use excessive force, and many users, without feeling a click, start pushing their weight, which causes the tool to go through the tray hole and hit the motherboard or battery. In Redmi 7, the space inside the case is compact, and the risk of damage to the plumes is very high.
- 🚫 Ignoring the angle of inclination: Pressure must be strictly perpendicular, otherwise the tool will slip.
- 🚫 Use of a knife: The knife blade is too wide and can damage the hole walls.
- 🚫 Lack of fixation: If the phone is on a soft surface (sofa, bed), the pressure of the tool will extinguish, and you may not calculate the force.
Also, users often confuse a SIM card slot with a memory card slot if they are located nearby. Xiaomi Redmi 7 uses a combined or separate slot (depending on the regional version), but the principle of opening them is the same.
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Before inserting the SIM card back, wipe its contacts with a soft dry cloth. Fat spots can lead to poor contact and network errors.
Installation of the map and inspection of work
After successfully removing the tray and replacing the SIM card or microSD, you need to properly install the tray back. Notice the shape of the cutout in the tray, which corresponds to the shape of the card chip. If you insert the SIM card incorrectly, the tray will simply not close or will protrude from the case.
Put the tray into the case until you click it. You don't have to push it too hard; if the mechanism is working, the tray will be level with the body. Once you turn on the phone, check if the device sees the network. The signal level indication and the operator name should appear on the screen.
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The correct orientation of the SIM card in the tray is the key to successful registration in the network. The cut corner of the card must match the marking on the tray.
If the phone doesn't see the SIM card, try removing the tray again and erasing the contacts. Sometimes it takes several attempts to get the card to sit in the connector correctly. In rare cases, you may need to clean the connector inside the phone with compressed air.