How to get out SIM-Xiaomi card with a needle: safe instructions for all models

Why the tray for SIM-The cards get stuck and when you need a needle

Tray for SIM-The cards in Xiaomi smartphones are a small but critical element that sometimes causes problems, and most often users are faced with the tray not extending when pressing a button or jamming after a phone falls. 90% of cases are due to mechanical clogs: dust, dirt, or strain of sealing gum, and that's where a paper clip or needle comes in, and they allow you to tuck the tray neatly without damaging the connector.

But why doesn't the manufacturer make the button more reliable? It's about the compactness of modern smartphones: in Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 or models. POCO F5 The tray is integrated into a thin case, and any reinforcement of the mechanism will increase the thickness of the device, and according to service centers, only 3% of calls are related to a breakdown. SIM-Tray – other problems are solved at home.

Before you grab the needle, make sure that the problem is the mechanics.

  • πŸ”„ Restart the phone – sometimes the tray is blocked due to a failure in the communication module.
  • πŸ“± Check if the flight mode is on (in rare cases, this affects the mechanism).
  • πŸ” Light a flashlight into the slot of the tray - perhaps a foreign object is visible.
πŸ“Š Which Xiaomi model is having trouble with? SIM-tray?
Redmi Note 10/11/12
POCO X3/X4/X5
Mi 11/12/13
Another model
There was no problem.

What tools are suitable instead of a special key

Manufacturer completes Xiaomi smartphones with a special key for extraction SIM-It's a tray, but it gets lost in the first few days of use, and fortunately, the tools at hand are good, as long as they're thin, strong and non-magnetic:

Tool.PlusesConsSuitable for models
Paperclip (uncurved)In every home, the optimal thicknessCan bend with a strong pushAll models.
Needle (sewing or medical)Strong, sure to hit the hole.Acute - the risk of scratching the bodyAll except the Xiaomi Mix Fold
Toothpick (sharpened)Soft, doesn't scratch metalToo thick for some modelsRedmi 9A/10A, POCO M3/M4
PinThin and strongShort - uncomfortable to holdFlagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra)

⚠️ Warning: Never use scissors, knives or metal objects with burrs - they will damage the tray's O-ring, and dust will enter the phone later. If only a thick object (for example, a nail) is at hand, wrap its tip with tape, leaving only 1-1.5 mm free.

For dual-models SIM-tray (for example, Xiaomi) 12T Pro) the hole may be standard, in which case the needle is better than the clip - its diameter usually does not exceed 0.6-0.8 mm, which is ideal for accurate pressing.

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If you travel frequently and change SIM-card, buy a magnetic key for the tray - it is attached to the case and always at hand.

Step-by-step: how to pull the tray with a needle

Now, let's get to the point, and it's important to be careful not to damage the spring mechanism inside the tray, and here's the universal guide for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models:

  1. Turn off your phone. This is not necessary, but it is recommended to avoid accidental tapping on the screen and failure of the communication module.
  2. Find a tray extraction hole located on the end of the phone (usually on the top or side). In Xiaomi 13 Lite and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ models, the hole can be hidden under a rubber plug.
  3. Insert the needle at a 90Β° angle. Press with force, but do not turn the tool - this can damage the mechanism.
  4. The tray should extend 1-2 mm. After that, you can pull it out with your fingers. If the tray does not come out, do not press harder - try to sway the needle left and right.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for extraction SIM-tray

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Attention: If the tray is only halfway out and stuck, don't try to pull it out with pliers - this deforms the guides. Instead, gently press the tray back before clicking, then try again.

For models with a hybrid tray (SIM + microSD, for example, the POCO X5 Pro), the process is similar, but be careful: when extracting, do not lose the small spring that holds the memory card.

What if the tray fell out with the spring?
If the spring is still in the phone, gently insert it back with tweezers, and if the spring is lost, the tray will not fix, you will have to replace the mechanism in the service center.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even a simple operation like extraction. SIM-The tray, maybe not as planned.-5 Mistakes that users make and how to prevent them:

  • πŸ”§ Pressing too hard, and it causes the needle to bend through the metal plate inside the tray. Solution: press smoothly, with a gradual increase in force.
  • πŸ”„ Repeat attempts after failure. If the tray does not come out with 3-4 attempts, then the problem is more serious (for example, the mechanism will bend.
  • 🧲 The use of magnetic tools: a magnetic field can damage a compass or NFC-Solution: Check the tool with a magnet before using it.
  • πŸ’¦ If you remove the tray after bathing your phone, there may be water inside. Solution: Dry your phone 24 hours before manipulating it.
  • πŸ”© Use a screwdriver. Even the smallest screwdriver is too wide for the hole. Solution: take a paper clip or a needle.

Xiaomi owners with IP53/IP68 protection (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) should be especially careful, with rubber membrane covering the tray opening if damaged, the phone will lose its dust protection. Before removing the tray, clean the hole with a dry toothpick.

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If after removing the tray, the phone stopped seeing SIM-check if the contacts in the slot are bent. carefully bend them back with a thin screwdriver (when the phone is turned off!).

What to do if the tray is permanently stuck

If none of the methods helped, and the tray does not respond to the press, then one of the serious breakdowns has occurred:

  1. Deformation of the guides (for example, after the fall of the phone).
  2. Infection of a foreign object (sand, metal shavings).
  3. Breakdown of the spring mechanism (most often in older models of Redmi 4X or Mi A1).

In these cases, self-extracting can make the problem worse.

  • πŸ“ž Contact the authorized service center Xiaomi – the replacement of the tray mechanism will be performed in 15-30 minutes.
  • πŸ› οΈ If you’re an experienced user, disassemble the phone yourself (but remember that this will take away the warranty).
  • πŸ”§ Temporarily use eSIM (if your model supports, for example, Xiaomi 13 or the same model). POCO F4 GT).

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to heat the body with a hairdryer or pour into the hole WD-40 β€” It's going to damage the internal components, and you also don't have to knock your phone on a hard surface, because it can rip the plumes off the motherboard.

The cost of replacing the tray in the service varies from 500 to 1500 rubles depending on the model. For flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the price is higher due to the complexity of disassembly.

How to Prevent Problems with SIM-future-tray

To avoid getting stuck in the tray, follow the simple rules:

  1. Clean the hole regularly. Once a month, blow it with compressed air (such as a can of keyboard cleaning).
  2. Don't change. SIM-Every tray extraction wears out the machinery. If you have to switch between operators often, use a double tray. SIM eSIM.
  3. Use a tray neck case to protect the hole from dust and accidental pressing.
  4. Don't drop the phone. Hitting the end of the hull is the main cause of the tray's deformation.

For models with a retractable mechanism (for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), the rules are even stricter: avoid getting sand or small debris into the crevices. If you are often on the beach or in dusty conditions, seal the tray hole with tape (but remember to remove it before removing it). SIM-map!).

If you are planning a long trip and will change frequently SIM-In the cards, practice removing the tray in a calm environment beforehand, and in 70% of cases, the problems arise from nervous movements - users press the needle crookedly or too hard.

Video Instructions and Alternative Methods

If the text instruction seems complicated, watch the video from the official Xiaomi Russia channel (insert a link to the current video).

Alternative methods of extracting the tray (if the needle is not at hand):

  • πŸ“Ž Scotch, stick a piece of tape to the tray and pull it, if the tray is extended 1-2 mm.
  • 🧲 Magnet. Hold a powerful neodymium magnet to the end of the phone -- sometimes the tray moves from its place.
  • πŸ”₯ Warm air. Heat the body with a hair dryer (not higher than 50).Β°C) - the metal will expand and the tray may come out.

⚠️ Note: The magnet method does not work on aluminum-body models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, because the magnetic field is shielded by metal, and don't use superglue to extract the tray, it will get in and lock the mechanism permanently.

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If the tray is removed, but the phone does not see SIM-card, clear the card and slot contacts with an alcohol tampon!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I remove the tray without a needle if it is stuck?
Yes, but it's risky. Alternatives: Use a plastic card (like a discount card) by putting it in the gap between the case and the tray. Move the card back and forth until the tray is pushed out. If the tray is visible but it doesn't come out, try to gently nail it (only if you're sure you won't bend the mechanism). If nothing works, tap your phone slightly on your palm (not on the table!) - sometimes the vibration helps move the tray.
What to do if water gets into the hole for the tray?
Don't try to pull the tray out! Step-by-step: Turn off your phone and don't turn on at least 12 hours. Place the device in a bag of silica gel (in shoe boxes) or rice. After 12 hours, check the hole with a toothpick -- if there's no moisture, you can try to extract the tray. ⚠️ If the tray is not removed after drying, do not use force - an oxide could form inside, which blocks the mechanism.
Why not after the replacement? SIM-The phone doesn't see the card?
Causes and solutions: πŸ”Œ Get out the tray and see if the contacts are bent. SIM-You can bend them carefully with a needle. πŸ“Ά Incompatibility with operator. SIM-mapping 4G/5G (old-fashioned SIM It may not work on new phones). πŸ”„ FAIL: Restart your phone or reset your network settings in Settings β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks β†’ Resetting settings.
Can I use a tray without a spring?
Technically, yes, but it's inconvenient and dangerous: the tray will not be locked, the tray may fall out when vibration (call, notification), dust and moisture will enter the crevice, temporary solution: wrap the tray with tape so that it sits tighter in the nest, but it is better to replace the spring in the service (costs 100-300 rubles).
How to remove the tray in Xiaomi Black Shark or other gaming smartphones?
In gaming models (Black Shark 4/5, POCO F3 GT), the tray is often located on the upper end and may have additional fixation. Features: The extraction hole can be deeper than in conventional smartphones - use a longer tool (such as an unbended stationery clip). In some models, the tray is blocked by a mechanical switch (a lever next to the hole). Before pressing the needle, move the lever to the UNLOCK position. Don't be afraid if the tray comes out with a characteristic click - this is normal for gaming smartphones.