Slot for SIM-The cards in Xiaomi Redmi 7 are a small but important detail that is not possible to use mobile communication without. Many owners face difficulties in the first extraction of the tray: it can “stuck”, not respond to a press or simply be invisible. Especially often problems arise after buying a used phone, when the previous owner incorrectly inserted the card or deformed the mechanism.
In this article, we will look at all possible ways to open a slot, from the standard key to the tools at hand, and also tell you what to do if the tray is stuck or broken. You will learn which tools are safe for the Redmi 7, and which can damage the case or internal contacts.
Important: the design of the Xiaomi Redmi 7 differs from newer models (for example, the Redmi Note 10), where the slot is combined under 2 SIM + microSD. Here you use a separate tray only for nano-SIM (or two nano-SIM in the version with two slots), and its mechanism is more fragile. If you have never opened the slot on this phone, we recommend first examine its location and features.
Where is the slot for SIM-Maps in Xiaomi Redmi 7
In Redmi 7, the tray for SIM-The map is located on the left side of the body (if you look at the screen with the face), it is easy to identify by the:
- 🔍 Small oval hole with diameter ~1 mm is a socket for extraction.
- 📏 Metal edging, which slightly protrudes over the plastic case.
- 📱 Inscriptions. SIM or pictogram of the card near the hole (in some versions).
If you can't see the hole, maybe there's a protective film on the phone or a cover covering the slot. Redmi 7 doesn't have retractable trays on the top or bottom edge, just on the left. Don't confuse it with a microphone hole (at the bottom) or a headphone jack (top edge).
The photo below shows the exact location (clickable in enlarged form):
Note: On some Redmi 7 versions (e.g. Redmi 7A), the slot may be on the right, but in the base version it is always on the left.
What tools will be needed to open the slot
There are several types of tools that are suitable for retrieving the tray in Xiaomi Redmi 7. The main rule is: do not use sharp or metal objects that can scratch the case or bend the contacts inside the slot.
| Tool. | Is it okay? | Risks. | Where to find it. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard key for SIM (needle) | ✅ Perfect. | No. | It's included in the phone. |
| Paperclip (uncurved) | ✅ Yes. | Maybe bend. | Office supplies |
| Toothpick | ⚠️ Partially. | It'll break inside. | Home kit |
| Sewing machine needle | ✅ Yes. | Thin, neat, neat. | Sewing kit |
| Pin | ❌ No. | Too thick, scratches. | — |
If you have the original key from Xiaomi, use it — it has an optimal diameter (0.7-0.8 mm) and will not damage the mechanism. The clip must be unburbed before use so that the tip is flat and has no burrs. Never use knives, scissors or screwdrivers — this is guaranteed to spoil the slot.
⚠️ Warning: If you use a non-original tool, make sure the phone is turned off before removing the tray. In rare cases, static electricity can damage the contacts SIM-map.
Step-by-step: how to open a slot in Redmi 7
Follow this algorithm to avoid breakdown:
1. Turn off the phone (optional, but recommended)
2. Remove the case (if any)
3.Inspect the hole for debris
4. Prepare the tool (key or paper clip)-->
- Insert the tool into the hole at an angle of 45-60° Press it all the way, but don't put too much force -- just a click is enough.
- The tray will extend 1-2 mm. Carefully pull it with your fingers until it is fully removed. Don't pull the tool - just the tray itself!
- Check the status of the contacts. If they are bent or oxidized, clean them with a soft cloth (not cotton!).
If the tray is not extended:
- 🔄 Try turning the instrument in the hole to 90.° and push again.
- 🕯️ Light a flashlight - maybe garbage got into the hole.
- 🔧 If the slot is jammed, do not try to pull it out by force (see the section "What to do if the tray is stuck»).
In Redmi 7, the tray is fixed by a spring mechanism, if it is weakened (for example, after repeated use), the slot can fall out when vibrating, in which case the mechanism in the service center needs to be replaced.
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If the tray is tight, drop 1 drop of silicone lubricant (such as WD-40 Specialist) into the hole. This will facilitate the operation of the mechanism, but do not use oil-based oils - they corrode the plastic.
What to do if the slot for SIM-sticker
If the tray does not respond to the key press, the reasons may be as follows:
- 🔧 Mechanical breakdown – bent fixing brace inside the phone.
- 🧲 Garbage ingestion – dust, sand, or fabric fibers block movement.
- 💧 Corrosion – if the phone fell into the water, the contacts could oxidize.
- 🔄 Incorrect installation – the previous owner inserted the tray curved.
Solutions:
- Blow the hole with compressed air (such as a keyboard cleaner) and hold the phone down so that debris can escape under gravity.
- Use duct tape: glue the tape to the sticking edge of the tray and pull it. This works if the tray is extended by 1-2 mm.
- Disassemble the phone (for the experienced!) In Redmi 7, the back cover is removable, but requires a plastic blade and a hairdryer (60-70°C). How to disassemble Redmi 7 to access the slot Put the lid on the bottom edge where the latches are located. Carefully drive the blade along the body, heating it with a hairdryer. Once the lid is removed, the SIM slot will be visible - it can be removed with tweezers.
⚠️ Warning: If the tray broke inside the phone, do not try to remove it with a magnet or tweezers without disassembling. Contact the service center - self-manipulation can damage the motherboard.
How do you put it in? SIM-Map back: nuances for Redmi 7
The tray installation requires as much precision as the extraction. Redmi 7 has a few features:
- 📱 The tray is asymmetrical - it can be inserted in only one position (on one side there is a bevelled corner).
- 🔄 SIM-the card should lie with contacts down, and the cutout to the upper left corner of the tray.
- 🚫 Do not press the tray with your finger - insert it before clicking, then lightly press on the edge.
After installation, the phone does not see SIM-map:
- Check if the card is inserted correctly (sometimes it shifts when the tray is fixed).
- Restart your phone – Redmi 7 sometimes gets the settings of the communication module down.
- Settings menu → SIM-Maps and mobile networks select the slot manually.
A common mistake: users confuse the SIM tray with the microSD bay (in versions with support for memory cards). In Redmi 7, the memory slot is separate and located under the back cover (requires disassembly).
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If the phone stopped seeing SIM-If you're on a map after a fall, the problem might not be in the slot, but in the antenna module, and you need to have a diagnostic on the service.
Frequent slot breaks in Redmi 7 and how to avoid them
The design of the tray in Xiaomi Redmi 7 is not the most reliable. Here are the typical malfunctions and their causes:
| Problem. | Reason. | How to prevent |
|---|---|---|
| The tray falls out when vibrating. | Wear of the locking spring | Don't drop your phone, avoid hits. |
| Slot is not fixed. | Deformation of the plastic case | Do not press on the tray when installing |
| Phone can't see SIM | Oxidation of contacts | Keep your phone in a dry place |
| The tray is jammed. | Garbage intrusion | Blow the hole regularly |
If you change often SIM-Cards (for example, when traveling abroad), we recommend:
- 🔄 Use a spare tray (sold on AliExpress for a fee) ~100 rubles.).
- 🧴 Apply dielectric lubrication to guides 1 time per year.
- 📦 Store your phone in a dust-protected case (such as with silicone plugs).
In service centers, the replacement of the slot for Redmi 7 is performed in 15-30 minutes. the cost of the spare part is from 200 to 500 rubles., the work is about 1000 rubles.If the phone is warranty, repair will be free (provided that the breakdown is not through the fault of the user).
Alternative ways to extract SIM without a key
If you don't have a key or a paper clip, you can use the tools at hand, the main thing is that the object is thin, durable and not sharp.
- 📎 The handle rod (ballbar) melt the tip with a lighter to make it thinner, and insert it into the hole.
- 🧶 Knitting needle (thin, up to 1 mm in diameter) is better than a sewing needle.
- 🍝 Dental floss (if the tray is extended by 1-2 mm). Strip the thread into the slot and pull.
- 🔨 Thin drill (0.7-0.8 mm) only if other methods do not help!
Don't use:
- ❌ Knives, scissors, screwdrivers - scratch the body.
- ❌ Dental cleanses will break down inside.
- ❌ Matches are too thick and fragile.
If you are on a trip and urgently need to remove the tray, try contacting the communication salon (for example, the Messenger or MTS) - they usually have universal keys for the SIM.