Replacing a mobile operator or installing a microSD card are standard operations for smartphone owners, but in the Xiaomi Redmi 9 model, this process has its own design features. The tray in this device is combined, which requires careful attention to avoid damaging the contacts or the mechanical part of the case. Many users face difficulties precisely because of the lack of understanding how to properly interact with the rounded edges of the device.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to remove a SIM card from the Xiaomi Redmi 9 without resorting to forceful methods that often lead to breakdowns. You will learn about the location of the hole, the types of cards supported and the precautions that must be followed before starting to work with the SIM tray.
Before you start mechanically impacting the housing, it's important to make sure the device is prepared to retrieve the communication module. Ignoring basic safety rules can lead to short circuits or software errors in the definition of the network. Let's look at the preparatory stage, which is often overlooked.
Preparation of the device before removal of the tray
The first and most important step before removing the SIM card from the Xiaomi Redmi 9 is to completely shut down the smartphone. Although current technology allows hot replacement, in the budget models of the Redmi and Poco series, this can cause a software failure or temporary loss of the network.
Make sure the workspace is well lit. The tray extraction hole is located on the bottom end, next to the USB Type-C connector and speaker, and has a small diameter. Poor visibility increases the risk of tool slipping and scratching the frame or, worse, damage to the internal components.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to remove the tray while the phone is on, if important data is being recorded on a memory card or files are being transferred over the mobile network.
Prepare a special tool that comes with the box. If the original paper clip is lost, you can use a thin needle or a straightened paper clip. The main requirement is that the tool diameter should not be more than 1.2 mm so as not to get stuck inside the mechanism. Using too thick objects can damage the ejection mechanism.
Location of the hole and types of trays in Redmi 9
In the Xiaomi Redmi 9, engineers used a combined slot that allows you to install two SIM-Nano-SIM and one microSD card at the same time, which is different from some other models where the memory card shares space with the second SIM.
The extraction hole is on the bottom of the device, and if you flip the smartphone over the screen to your side, you'll see a circular hole on the right of the charging connector, and there's often a microphone micro-hole next to it, which is not exactly a SIM card slot, and a puncture of the microphone will cause a serious breakdown.
The tray itself is shaped like a card cutout, with one side designed for two Nano-SIMs, and the reverse side (or the next cell depending on the revision) for microSD. It is important to remember the orientation of the cards, as improper installation can lead to the tray not entering the end or contacts not closing.
For clarity, consider the differences in the configurations of slots:
| Slot type | Supported cards | Features of installation |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (Nano-SIM) | Operator SIM card | The cut angle should coincide with the pattern |
| Slot 2 (Nano-SIM) | Second SIM card | It is located next to the first slot. |
| Slot 3 (MicroSD) | Memory card up to 512 GB | Contacts are directed down to the screen. |
Step-by-step instructions: how to get a SIM card
The extraction process is quite simple, but requires care. Take a tool to extract (a clip) and point it perpendicular to the hole at the end of the case. Make sure you aim at the center of the tray hole, not the microphone hole next to it.
Press the tool slightly until you have a characteristic click or a sense of resistance, and once the mechanism is triggered, the tray will move a few millimeters. Don't pull the tool sideways, act strictly in a straight line so that you don't bend the spring inside.
☑️ Checklist for extraction SIM
Grab the protruding part of the tray with your fingers and smoothly pull it out. If the tray does not respond, do not use excessive force. You may not press the mechanism deeply enough, or there is pollution inside. You may gently sway the tray to release it.
Once extracted, inspect the contacts on the map and in the tray itself. If you're planning a SIM replacement, carefully remove the old card from the cell. MicroSD cards sometimes require a light tap to make them jump, but in Xiaomi's combined trays, they're usually just taken out with your fingers.
⚠️ Warning: Never use a stationery knife or sharpened objects to remove the tray.A sharp edge can slip and damage the display or body, and leave metal shavings inside the phone.
What to do if the tray is stuck or not taken out
The situation where the tray SIM-It gets stuck, it doesn't get very common, but it can cause panic, and it's often caused by the deformation of the staples inside the machine, or by the dust, and if you don't pop out after you press the tray, try to press it with your finger a little bit, and then repeat the extraction procedure.
Sometimes users confuse the SIM card hole with a reset hole (which is not in the classic form in this model) or a microphone. If you tried picking in the wrong place, stop immediately. If the tool entered the correct hole but the tray jammed, try using a thinner needle.
There's a double-press method. Carefully insert the paperclip, press it to the end, release it, press it again. This can help to shake the stuck mechanism, but if the tray is not moving at all, you better go to the service center so that you don't break the motherboard.
Why can a tray jam?
If the tray is removed but the memory card is stuck inside, don't shake the phone. Try gently tucking the edge of the card with a nail or a thin plastic tool. Metal objects here are dangerous to use because of the risk of closing contacts.
Correct installation of maps and formats
Once you successfully remove the SIM card from the Xiaomi Redmi 9 and perform the necessary manipulations (change operator, clear contacts), the assembly stage begins. It is important to follow the format of the cards: Nano-SIM is used for SIM cards, which is the smallest of the common ones.
Micro-SIM or Standard SIM cards require trimming or adapters, but you have to be careful with adapters, which increase the thickness of the module, and the tray can enter or get stuck, and you'd better ask the operator for a new card of the right size.
- 📱 Make sure the cut out corner of the card matches the pattern on the tray.
- 💾 The microSD memory card is set by contacts downwards, towards the phone screen.
- 🔒 The tray should enter smoothly, without the need to press on the body of the phone.
Put the tray back into the phone, keeping the orientation. Usually, the rounded corner of the tray corresponds to the shape of the hole. Push the tray until the characteristic click, which signals that the map has fixed and the contacts are connected.
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Tip: Before installation, wipe the SIM card and memory card contacts with a soft dry cloth. Fat marks from the fingers can worsen the signal or lead to a card reading error.
Checking the work and eliminating errors
After you install the tray, turn on your smartphone. MIUI It's going to automatically identify new cards, it's going to show up on the screen, it's going to show you a sign-up notice, or it's going to suggest you set up a memory card "SIM-No card found, try restarting the device again.
A common problem is the loose tray fit. If you feel that the tray has not fully entered the case, remove it again and check if there is no debris or villi, also make sure that the map is in its cell and does not bulge.
You can check the status of the cards in the phone settings. Go to Settings. → About the phone or settings → SIM-This shows the signal strength and status of each card you have installed, and if one of the cards is not visible, try erasing the contacts with a smoother).
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is heated in the tray area SIM-card or quickly discharged after replacing the SIM card, there may have been a short circuit of contacts.
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The main conclusion: The correct orientation of the cards and the use of the right tool is the key to a successful replacement of the SIM card without damaging the expensive Xiaomi Redmi 9 smartphone.