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 β other problems are solved at home.
Before you grab the needle, make sure that the problem is the mechanics.
- π Restart the phone β sometimes the tray is blocked due to a failure in the communication module.
- π± Check if the flight mode is on (in rare cases, this affects the mechanism).
- π Light a flashlight into the slot of the tray - perhaps a foreign object is visible.
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. | Pluses | Cons | Suitable for models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paperclip (uncurved) | In every home, the optimal thickness | Can bend with a strong push | All models. |
| Needle (sewing or medical) | Strong, sure to hit the hole. | Acute - the risk of scratching the body | All except the Xiaomi Mix Fold |
| Toothpick (sharpened) | Soft, doesn't scratch metal | Too thick for some models | Redmi 9A/10A, POCO M3/M4 |
| Pin | Thin and strong | Short - uncomfortable to hold | Flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) |
β οΈ 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Insert the needle at a 90Β° angle. Press with force, but do not turn the tool - this can damage the mechanism.
- 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.
βοΈ Preparation for extraction SIM-tray
β οΈ 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?
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:
- π§ 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.
- π 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.
- π§² The use of magnetic tools: a magnetic field can damage a compass or NFC-Solution: Check the tool with a magnet before using it.
- π¦ If you remove the tray after bathing your phone, there may be water inside. Solution: Dry your phone 24 hours before manipulating it.
- π© 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:
- Deformation of the guides (for example, after the fall of the phone).
- Infection of a foreign object (sand, metal shavings).
- 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.
- π Contact the authorized service center Xiaomi β the replacement of the tray mechanism will be performed in 15-30 minutes.
- π οΈ If youβre an experienced user, disassemble the phone yourself (but remember that this will take away the warranty).
- π§ Temporarily use eSIM (if your model supports, for example, Xiaomi 13 or the same model). POCO F4 GT).
β οΈ 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:
- Clean the hole regularly. Once a month, blow it with compressed air (such as a can of keyboard cleaning).
- 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.
- Use a tray neck case to protect the hole from dust and accidental pressing.
- 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):
- π Scotch, stick a piece of tape to the tray and pull it, if the tray is extended 1-2 mm.
- π§² Magnet. Hold a powerful neodymium magnet to the end of the phone -- sometimes the tray moves from its place.
- π₯ 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.
β οΈ 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!