Installation SIM-The cards in the Xiaomi Redmi 5 smartphone are a seemingly simple procedure that every new owner of the device faces, but the design features of the tray and the contact requirements require careful attention to avoid damaging the delicate elements of the communication system. Incorrect installation can cause the phone to stop seeing the network, and in the worst case – to mechanical damage to the slot or the card itself.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of preparing, removing the tray and installing the chip correctly. You will learn about the nuances of the hybrid slot that is characteristic of this model, and understand how to avoid typical beginner mistakes.
Before you start physically affecting the body of the device, you need to make sure that you have prepared the workplace. Bright lighting and a clean table surface will be your best assistants in this matter. Lack of haste will allow you to carefully combine all the faces of the map with the guides of the tray.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
The first step is to organize the space where the manipulation will be performed. To work, you will need the Redmi 5 smartphone itself, new or current. SIM-Nano-SIM map and tray extraction tool, and the phone usually comes with a paper clip, but if it's lost, a thin needle or even a straightened paper clip will do.
It's critical to make sure your hands are dry and clean. Fat spots or moisture can disrupt contact between the gold pads on the map and the pin connectors inside the phone. If there's visible contamination on the map, you can gently wipe them with a soft cloth without pile, but don't use aggressive chemistry at all.
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Use a magnifying glass or turn on a flashlight on another phone to better consider the marking on the tray and the beveled corner SIM-pre-installing.
It is also important to determine your type in advance. SIM-The Xiaomi Redmi 5 requires the Nano format, which is the smallest of the common standards. If you have a larger card (Mini or Micro), it must either be replaced by a carrier or gently trimmed along the contour using a special stencil, although the latter option is less reliable.
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi 5 with the screen turned off or on.
- 🔧 Metal clip, needle or special key to remove tray.
- 💳 SIM-Nano-SIM card with activated tariff plan.
- 🧼 Soft lilac fabric for cleaning contacts (if necessary).
Features of the design of the Redmi 5 tray
Tray for SIM-The Redmi 5’s maps are a combination design that often causes confusion among users, and are an elongated plastic or metal element that hides in the end of the body. It is important to understand that this slot is hybrid, which imposes certain restrictions on the combination of installed modules.
On the surface of the tray, you can see two notches for cards and one additional area. SIM-The second card can be used either for the second SIM, The third compartment, if present in your revision, is for the memory card only, but the classic Redmi 5 circuit is most often used circuitry.'2 SIM" or "1" SIM + 1 SD".
What is a hybrid slot?
Notice the shape of the notches. They have a bevelled angle that exactly matches the bevelled angle on the plastic frame. SIM-It's not just a design decision, it's a mechanical key that prevents the card from being placed on the wrong side.
| Position in the tray | Type of card | Network priority | Compatibility with SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (internal) | Nano-SIM | 4G/3G/2G | Not compatible. |
| Slot 2 (external) | Nano-SIM / microSD | 4G/3G/2G | Alternative to SIM 2 |
| Contacts | Gold spraying | - | It requires cleanliness. |
The process of removing the tray from the body
To extract the tray, look for a small circular hole on the bottom end of the device, which is located next to the Micro-USB charging connector and speaker. Be careful, there may be a microphone hole nearby, which is often confused with a well for extraction. The diameter of the tray hole is slightly larger, and it is closer to the edge of the frame.
Put the tip of the paper clip or needle perpendicular to the body into the hole. You don't have to inject the tool deep, you just have to get into the spring mechanism. Press with moderate force until you click the characteristic tray, you have to extend it a few millimeters, and then you can gently tuck it with your nail.
⚠️ Warning: Never use a tray of a shill, knife or other sharp objects with a wide base to extract it, which can damage internal mechanisms or scratch the body, and in the worst case, punch through the hole, hitting the battery or board.
If the tray is not pushed, don't use excessive force. Try to slightly change the angle of the needle or check if the hole is clogged with dust. In rare cases, the mechanism can jam, and then professional intervention will be required, but most often the problem is solved by the correct positioning of the tool.
Proper installation of SIM-card in the tray
After you remove the tray, carefully examine the shape of the tray, and the plastic has the outlines that show how the map should lie. SIM-cards (the golden part) should always look downwards, to the inside of the tray, and the beveled angle should coincide with the shape of the notch.
Take a Nano-SIM card and carefully place it in the appropriate notch. The card should lie flat, not protruding beyond the edge of the tray and not staggering. If the card dangles, it means that it is installed in the wrong groove or the wrong side is chosen. Xiaomi models often use a spring-like fixing mechanism, so the card can "jump" a little, but must be fixed on the sides.
☑️ Pre-installing check
If you plan to use a memory card, make sure you don't mix up the slots.In some Redmi 5 revisions, the second slot only supports microSD cards of a certain size, although officially stated support for up to 128GB. Installing two memory cards at the same time is impossible due to the physical design of the tray.
Installation of the tray back to the smartphone
When the cards are placed in their cells, you need to put the tray back into the phone body. Hold the tray strictly horizontally so that the cards don't fall out in the process. Put it in the groove on the end of the device, keeping it in the orientation: usually the bevelled corner of the tray or the marking helps determine the right side, but the easiest way to try to insert it flat - if it doesn't come in, flip it.
Push the tray with your fingers to the point. Don't use push tools to avoid damaging the rubber seal (if any) or the plastic itself. The tray should level with the frame of the case and not protrude out. If there is a gap, it means it is inserted to the end or skewed.
⚠️ Attention: If the tray is entering with great difficulty, do not press it with force. Remove it and check if the cards are correctly placed. SIM-cards prevent the complete immersion of the tray in the case, which can lead to a breakdown of the mechanism.
After successful installation, turn on your smartphone. MIUI automatically detect a new SIM-If you have two cards, the phone will suggest that you set them up for phone calls and mobile Internet. SIM 1 has default priority, but it's easy to change in settings.
Network setting and problem solving
After turning on the device, go to the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks. Here you will see the status of each card installed. If the card is displayed but the network is not, check if the activation slider is on for the particular slot. Also make sure that the correct type of network is selected, for example, Preferred 4G.
In case the phone says "No" SIM-If you want to use a card or an emergency call, try the following: First, wipe the card contacts with a wipe or an alcohol wipe; second, check the card on the other phone to make sure it doesn't malfunction; and third, make sure the tray is fully recessed in the case.
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If the phone can't see SIM-card after rebooting and cleaning contacts, the problem may be in the hardware of the slot or the card itself, requiring replacement from the operator.
Network settings reset sometimes helps. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Recover and Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile internet and Bluetooth settings. This action will not delete your personal data, but will return network settings to factory values, which often resolves software conflicts.