Open the tray for SIM-The cards in Xiaomi smartphones seem like a simple task - as long as it doesn't jam, break or a paper clip is lost at the most inopportune moment. - Even in the new Redmi Note 13 Pro models+ or POCO F6 The problem is that the tray doesn't extend, the paper clip bends, and in some cases, the mechanism just sticks when the phone falls. In this article, we'll look at all the possible ways of extraction, from the standard (using a tool) to the emergency (if the tray is stuck or broken).
Xiaomi has a variety of tray designs, and budget models like the Redmi A2 often use a hybrid slot (SIM + microSD), and flagships like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra have two separate trays, and we’ve taken these nuances into account and put together instructions that will fit any model of the brand launched since 2018, and you’ll also learn what to do if the tray doesn’t lock after you install the card or falls out when you vibrate.
1. Standard method: tool for tray extraction
Every Xiaomi smartphone comes with a metal clip (sometimes plastic) if you lose it, any thin needle, pin, or even an unbended stationery clip will do, the main thing is that the diameter does not exceed 0.8-1 mm, otherwise you risk damaging the mechanism.
How to properly open the tray:
- 🔍 Find the extract hole on the side of the phone (usually on the right or top). POCO X6 The Pro and Redmi Note 12 are located on the top end.
- 📍 Put the tool in the hole all the way up, it's going to be a little click. Don't push too hard. It's enough to press it lightly.
- 🖐️ After clicking, pull the tray with your fingers. If it doesn't move, try again (the tool may not have reached the hold).
⚠️ Warning: Do not use toothpicks or wooden sticks - they can break inside the hole.If the tool is stuck, do not try to pull it out with pliers: contact the service center.
Turn off your phone (recommended for safety)|Check that the tool is straight and not bent.|Make sure the hole is not clogged with dust.|Don’t apply force – the tray should be easily extended-->
2. Alternative tools: what to use if there is no paper clip
If you don't have a standard tool, you can use the tools at hand, the main rule is that the object must be thin, strong and not bendable.
- 📎 Paperclip (expanded stationery or for paperwork).
- 🪡 A needle from a sewing machine or a thick sewing needle.
- 🔑 Screwdriver key (thin end).
- 📌 A pin or a pin (without a ball at the end).
- 🎧 Headphone rod (if it is metallic and thin enough).
Inappropriate items (risk of damage to the phone):
- ❌ Dental cleanings (break and clog the mechanism).
- ❌ Knives or scissors (too thick, can scratch the body).
- ❌ Plastic objects (bent and do not create the necessary pressure).
⚠️ Warning: If you use a needle, wrap the tip with tape, leaving only the tip open, and this will prevent the hand from slipping and damage to the body.
3. The tray is stuck or not extended: what to do
If the tray doesn't respond to the tool press, the causes can range from clogging to deformation after falling, and let's look at three of the most common scenarios and how to solve them.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The tray is not fixed after installation SIM-map | Dust or debris in the machinery | Blow the hole with compressed air (a balloon for engineering) |
| The tray extends halfway and gets stuck. | Deformation of guides after impact | Carefully tray plastic card (see method 4) |
| The tool is not pressed (no clicking) | Breakdown of the spring mechanism | Contact the service center (self-repair is not recommended) |
| The tray falls out when vibrating. | Wear of the retainer | Put a piece of tape on the back of the tray for density |
If the tray is stuck inside, try the following:
- Place the phone down on a soft surface (such as a towel).
- Tin it at an angle of 45 ° and several times slightly hit the end with your palm (from the side of the tray).
- Try to press the tool again - sometimes the vibration helps to move the mechanism.
What to do if the tray breaks inside the phone?
4. Emergency method: extraction of the tray without a tool
If you don’t have anything on hand, you can try to pull the tray out with a plastic card (bank, discount) or a thin plastic blade, which is suitable for models where the tray protrudes above the body at least 0.5 mm (for example, the Redmi 9A or POCO M4 Pro).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your phone to avoid accidental tapping.
- Insert the edge of the plastic card into the gap between the tray and the case.
- Carefully keep the map along the end, trying to tamper with the tray.
- As soon as the tray moves, pull it with your fingers.
⚠️ Note: Do not use metal objects (knives, coins) - they will scratch the body and can damage the antenna lines inside the phone).
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If the tray is not protruding above the body, try to apply a strong magnet (such as a speaker) to the hole to extract it.
5. Features of trays in different models of Xiaomi
The design of trays in Xiaomi smartphones differs depending on the series and year of release. Here are the key nuances that should be considered:
- 📱 Redmi Note 10/11/12: the tray is located on the upper end, often "sticky" due to moisture.
- 📱 POCO F3/F4/F5: hybrid (SIM + microSD, tray brittle - don't push too hard.
- 📱 Xiaomi 12/13/14: two separate trays (for the SIM and eSIM, the opening to extract is very small - you need a thin needle.
- 📱 Redmi A1/A2: tray often falls out due to a weak fixator (solved by a substrate of scotch).
- 📱 Black Shark 5/6: The tray is hidden under a rubber cap (you need to first remove it).
In eSIM-enabled models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), the physical tray may be missing or used only for the second tray. SIM-Before extracting, check if eSIM is activated in the settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → eSIM).
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In the smartphones Xiaomi 2023-2026 (for example, Xiaomi 14 or POCO F6) trays have become thinner and fragile. when extracting, apply minimal force – they break more often than in older models.
6. How to avoid a tray breakage: prevention
To make the tray for SIM-The cards lasted longer, follow the simple rules:
- 🧹 Clean the hole regularly to remove dust (you can use a toothpick soaked in alcohol).
- 💧 Avoid moisture – even a small amount of corrosion can block the mechanism.
- 🔄 Don't change. SIM-cards too often: each time the tray is removed, the spring-loaded fixator wears out.
- 📦 Keep your phone in a case with a notch for the tray - this will protect against accidental pressing.
- 🔧 If the tray began to “luft”, put a piece of thin double-sided tape under it (this will strengthen the fixation).
If you travel frequently and change SIM-If you want to use a nano-SIM adapter or switch to eSIM (if your model supports it), this will reduce the load on the mechanical tray.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Many users make the same mistakes when removing the tray, which leads to breakdowns.
- Pressing the tool too hard, it can bend the lock or push it inside the body, and just a click is enough, you don't have to push it too hard.
- Use of inappropriate items: Toothpicks, matches and other soft materials break down and clog the mechanism.
- Removing the tray when the phone is on. In rare cases, this can cause a modem to malfunction (especially in models with MediaTek). SIM-map.
- Installation SIM-There's a diagram on the tray that shows you the right position, and if you put the card in the wrong way, the tray won't fit in.
If after removing the tray, the phone stopped seeing SIM-map, check it out:
- 🔄 The card is installed correctly (the chip must be directed downwards).
- 📶 Are there any damages to the tray contacts (clean them with a swallow).
- 🔧 Have you broken your network settings (Settings)? → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choice of network).