Modern smartphones, including the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, have switched to combined-type slots or separate trays that require careful handling. Unlike older devices where the battery was removed with a slight movement of the hand, all electronics are hidden under a single body, and access to contacts is through the end of the device. Proper installation of the communication module is critical, since careless actions can damage the contacts or the slot itself.
Many users are struggling precisely because they don’t know the design of the tray, which has a specific shape in this model. The tray in the Redmi Note 5 is hybrid: it supports either two Nano-SIM cards, one Nano-SIM card, and one MicroSD memory card. This means that it is physically impossible to use two SIM cards and flash memory at the same time, which is often a surprise to owners who plan to expand memory without losing a second SIM.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely remove the tray, which side to put the chip, and what to do if the phone does not see the network after installation. We will look at the technical details of working with the paper clip and determine how to avoid common errors leading to breakage of the mechanical part of the smartphone.
Tool preparation and completeness check
Before you start any manipulation of the case of the smartphone, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary tools at hand. The standard Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 trim usually includes a special key to extract the tray, however, it is often lost or thrown away by users by mistake along with the box. If the original tool is not available, it can be replaced by a regular stationery clip, a sewing machine needle or a special metal peak sold in electronics stores.
It is crucial that the tool chosen is thin enough but strong. Using objects that are too thick, such as toothpicks (which can break inside the hole) or blunt-ended pins, can lead to the tool getting stuck or damage to the push mechanism. The spring mechanism inside the hole is very sensitive to excessive pressure, so you need to act confidently but without fanaticism.
It's also worth preparing for yourself. SIM-The Redmi Note 5 requires the Nano-SIM format, which is the smallest of the existing standards. If your card is larger (Micro or Mini), it should be carefully trimmed along the contour or contact the operator’s salon for a free replacement with Nano-SIM with the preservation of the number.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Pay attention to the status of the contacts on the map itself. If you see scratches, oxidation or contamination on the gold chip, it is better to wipe them with a soft dry cloth beforehand. Fat spots from the fingers can worsen contact, leading to unstable network operation or complete absence of signal.
Slot location and extraction mechanism
In the Xiaomi Redmi 5/Redmi Note 5, the SIM card tray is located on the top end of the case. This is the standard location for many Xiaomi smartphones of the period, although in newer models, manufacturers often move the slot to the bottom end or to the left side. To avoid confusing the sides, flip the smartphone with the screen to yourself and look at the top edge.
You'll see a small, oblong hole next to a circular noise-cancellation microphone, and that's where you have to put a tool in, and it's important not to confuse the sim tray hole with the microphone hole, which usually has a grid inside, whereas the tray hole is just a neat, circular opening in the frame.
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Insert the paper clip strictly perpendicular to the phone's body. If you hold the tool at an angle, you risk scratching the frame or breaking the tip of the paper clip inside the mechanism.
After you've poured the hole, you put the tip of the paper clip or the key inside until you stop, and you feel a slight resistance of the spring, and then you apply a force that is directed directly into the body, and you hear a quiet click, and the tray will extend slightly outwards, after which you can put your nail on it.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to remove the tray unless it is pushed out after pressing.Repeated strong pressure or using tweezers to pull the closed tray is guaranteed to break the guides inside the housing.
Chip orientation and installation in the tray
The retrieved tray is a plastic or metal frame with two indentations. In the Redmi Note 5, the tray design allows you to install either two Nano-SIM cards, one Nano-SIM and a MicroSD memory card. The shape of the cutouts will not allow you to install the card incorrectly if you carefully monitor the match of the bevelled angle.
Take a SIM card and look at it. On one side, it has a bevelled angle. The same bevelled angle is present on the plastic tray. When you install it, the chip has to look down, so the contact pad (the golden lines) has to be pointed towards the smartphone screen when you insert the tray back, and if you put the card up with the contacts, the phone won't see it.
Carefully place the card in the appropriate recess. It should sit tight, without backlashes. If the card dangles, it means that it is either not fully inserted into the slots, or is incorrectly sized (for example, cut out a curve). In some cases, users use special adapters, but for permanent use this is not recommended, since the adapter can get stuck inside.
| Parameter | Slot 1 (Internal) | Slot 2 (External) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of card | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM or MicroSD |
| Support for 4G/LTE | Yes (main) | Yeah (on switching) |
| Max, memory capacity. | - | Up to 128GB (MicroSD) |
| Contact group | Golden contacts down | Golden contacts down |
If you plan to use a memory card, it is installed in a second slot, which is often located on the back of the tray or next to the first slot, depending on the revision of the board. The principle is the same: the bevelled angle should match the shape of the cutout, and the contacts look down.
What if the tray doesn't fit?
Inserting the tray back into the smartphone
Once you've successfully laid the cards, you have to put the tray back in place. This is a simple step, but this is where most of the failures happen because of inattention. The tray has a very specific side of the insertion. If you flip it over the other side up, it just won't go into the hole, but inexperienced users may try to force it.
The reference is the shape of the tray itself: one side is usually smoother or has a specific bevel that corresponds to the shape of the hole in the case. Combine the tray with the hole so that it enters easily, without resistance. You should see that the tray plane perfectly extends the line of the end of the smartphone.
With a smooth but steady movement, press the tray with your finger until you click it, and the tray should be level with the body and not protrude out by a millimeter. If there is a gap, then the mechanism is not latched, and you need to repeat the extraction and insertion procedure, checking the orientation.
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The tray should come in smoothly and snap with a slight click, and if you need a force, you've stopped halfway or you've chosen the wrong orientation.
After installing the tray, turn on your smartphone. Android with the MIUI shell should automatically identify a new SIM card, the operator’s welcome window will appear on the screen, and the signal level and network type icons (4G, 3G, H+) will appear at the top of the display (in the status bar).
Network setting and selection SIM-default-card
Once the physical installation is complete, you need to configure the software part. Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 supports two SIM cards at the same time, but for data transfer (internet) and voice calls, you can choose a priority card, this is especially true if the tariff plans of operators differ in the cost of minutes and gigabytes.
To set up, go to the Settings menu. Find the section. SIM-Maps and mobile networks (in some versions) MIUI It could just be called Two. SIM-Here you will see a list of installed cards with their names (usually the operator name or user name, such as "Work" or "Personal").
The following important parameters are available in this menu:
- Use for calls: Select the card from which the outbound calls will be made by default, or leave the "Always Ask" option so that the phone requests a choice before each set.
- Use it for the Internet: Specify the map through which the data will be transmitted, and this is the choice that determines the balance from which the money for the traffic will be charged.
- Card settings: Here you can turn on or off a particular SIM card, change its name or color icon for easy visual distinction.
Also in this section, check if Preferred Network Type is activated. Select Preferred 4G (LTE) mode for maximum performance. If 4G coverage is unstable in your region, the phone will automatically switch to 3G, but will try to stick to the speed standard.
Solution: the phone does not see the SIM card
Sometimes, after you install the card, the smartphone doesn't respond to it: there's no signal, it says "No SIM card" or "Insert SIM card." The first reason to rule out is a software failure. Try to restart the device. In 80% of cases, after you reboot the Redmi Note 5, it reads the module correctly.
If the reboot didn't work, check the cleanliness of the contacts. Remove the tray again and wipe the SIM card chip with a wipe or an alcohol wipe. Contact oxidation is a common problem, especially if the card was used on another phone or stored for a long time. Also make sure that the card is not physically damaged (cracks on plastic or chip).
⚠️ Note: If the phone is writing"SIM-The card is blocked and asks PUK-code, do not enter random combinations. PUK-The code will permanently block the SIM card, and it can be restored only by re-release from the operator.
Another reason may be frequency incompatibility or IMEI lock. Make sure your Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is not locked for a specific operator (relevant for devices brought from abroad), also check in the settings whether the flight mode or the SIM card restriction is accidentally enabled in the "Security" section or through third-party applications.
In rare cases, the problem lies in the tray itself or the contact group of the smartphone. If the tray moves, the signal appears, then disappears, perhaps the contacts inside the phone have become oxidized or weakened, in which case professional cleaning or replacement of the slot in the service center is required.