How to open a slot for you SIM-maps in Xiaomi Redmi 7A Keyless: A step-by-step guide

Xiaomi Redmi 7A — One of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it has a weak spot: a tiny tray for the smartphone. SIM-What if the key is lost, broken or simply not available? In this article, we will analyze 5 working ways to open a slot without the original tool, evaluate their safety and give recommendations on how to avoid damage to the case or internal components.

It is important to understand that improper manipulations can lead to damage to the sealing gum (if any), jamming of the tray or even breakage of the connector. SIM-So before you start, read the warnings and choose the method that is right for your situation. If your smartphone is warranty, you should contact the service center so you don't lose your right to free repairs.

Why can't you use sharp objects?

Many users panic at the first clip, needle, or knife they find, a dangerous mistake that can be costly to repair, because the tray extraction hole in the Redmi 7A has a well-defined diameter (about 0.8-1 mm) and its internal mechanism is sensitive to lateral loads.

What happens if you use the wrong object:

• 🔹 Needle or pin – too thin, it will fall inside and can damage contacts SIM-Cards or microphone (located next to the slot).
• 🔹 Knife or scissors - the blade is wider than the hole, it will scratch the body and deform the lock tray.
• 🔹 Toothpicking – the wooden tip crumbles and clogs the mechanism, leading to jamming.

⚠️ Attention: If after an unsuccessful attempt the tray stopped fixing or falls out at the slightest movement - this is a sign of failure of the spring mechanism. SIM-cards, which in the service will cost 1,500-2,500 ₽.

Method 1: Use of a paper clip (correct method)

A paperclip is the closest analogue to the original key, but only if it is properly prepared. You will need a standard sized metal clip (not decorative or plastic).

1. Untighten the paperclip so as to obtain a straight wire length of 3-4 cm.
2. Bend one end at an angle of 90°, leaving 1-1.5 mm of a straight section (this will be a working tip).
3. Insert the bent end into the hole to extract the tray to the end, then press with a force of 1-2 kg (no more!).
4. The tray should be extended by 1-2 mm - after that it can be pulled out with your fingers.

If the paper clip does not enter the hole:

• 🔧 Check if there is any debris or dust left in it (you can blow or clean it gently with a soft brush).
• 🔧 Make sure the tip of the paper clip is not thicker than 0.8 mm (sweat it with sandpaper if necessary).

Check if the phone is turned off (recommended, but not required)

Light the key hole with a flashlight

Make sure the paper clip has no burrs.

Press the hole perpendicular to the body, without distortions-->

Method 2: Use of adhesive tape (for trays without a fixator)

This method is suitable if the tray is not fixed by the spring (this happens after previous unsuccessful attempts to extract).

• 📏 Scotch or insulation 1-1.5 cm wide.
• 🔪 Plastic card or mediator (for subverting).

Instructions:

1. Stick a piece of tape to the end of the tray (where it protrudes from the body by 0.5-1 mm).
2. Carefully pull the tape up, while putting the tray up with a plastic card from the opposite side.
3. As soon as the tray moves from its place, remove it with your fingers.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use superglue or double-sided tape, which can leave marks on the body or damage the tray. If the tape breaks, do not try to re-adhere it to the same place: the glue loses traction.

Method 3: Disassembly of the body (extreme case)

If the tray is jammed and other methods fail, you have to disassemble the smartphone in a partial fashion, which is neat and only suitable for users with electronics experience.

• 🔧 Plastic mediator or guitar mediator.
• 🔧 Screwdriver. T3 or T4 (back-coat).
• 🔧 Thin-ended tweezers.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the memory card (if installed).
2. Heat the back cover with a hair dryer (50–60°C) for 1-2 minutes to soften the glue.
3. Insert the mediator into the gap between the lid and the body (start at the bottom corner) and gently slap it.
4. Once you remove the lid, you'll see the tray mechanism, and you'll pick it up with tweezers and pull it up.

Method 4: Using ear sticks (for delicate extraction)

Ear sticks can be a lifeline if you're afraid of damaging the case, and this is a good technique for the Redmi 7A because the key hole is wide enough.

• 🧻 Cotton swab with plastic rod (not wooden!).
• 🔪 Cotton pruning scissors.

How to proceed:

1. Cut the cotton wool from one end of the stick, leaving 3-4 mm bare rod.
2. Insert the cropped end into the hole to remove the tray.
3. Press with force until you feel the tray moved.
4. Pull the protruding edge of the tray with your fingers.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Minimum risk of damage to the body (plastic is softer than metal).
• ✅ Suitable for users with no experience.
• ✅ The stick doesn't break inside the hole.

💡

If the stick doesn't enter the hole, squeeze the rod lightly with pliers to reduce the diameter. Don't overdo it, the plastic must remain strong.

Method 5: Contacting the service center (guarantee cases)

If none of these methods worked or you are afraid of damaging your phone, the best way to do this is to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center.

• 📱 Phone for warranty (self-automatics cancel it).
• 🔧 The tray jammed after falling or getting moisture.
• 🛠️ You are not sure about your electronics skills.

The cost of extracting the tray in the service:

Before the service visit:

• 📋 Check if the warranty is maintained after repair.
• 📋 Ask for a check and a warranty card for the work performed.
• 📋 If the phone was in water, don’t hide it – it will affect the diagnosis.

💡

Even if you successfully removed the tray yourself, check it for damage: insert and remove several times. If it dangles or does not fix, contact the service to replace the spring mechanism.

What to do if the tray is broken completely?

If after all the manipulations, the tray does not fix in the body or falls out at the slightest movement, this means that the spring mechanism has broken or the guides have deformed.

Option 1: Interim solution (for one) SIM-map)

• 📶 Use only one slot (for example, for nano-SIM) and leave the other one empty.
• 📶 Secure the tray with tape on the back side (carefully so as not to close the contacts).

Option 2: Permanent solution

• 🛠️ Replacement of the module SIM-cards (cost - 1,500-2,500) ₽).
• 📱 Switch to eSIM (if your carrier supports this technology).

⚠️ Note: If you decide to secure the tray with tape, make sure that the glue does not get on the contacts SIM-This can cause network loss or card damage.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the extraction of the tray SIM-maps 7A