Which side to insert SIM-map in Xiaomi: deal with the tray and chip

Why it is important to establish correctly SIM-map

Even experienced users sometimes face a problem: inserted SIM-Xiaomi has a card, and the network is not catching it, and 90 percent of the time it's just a trivial problem, because the chip's orientation is wrong in the tray, because the manufacturer doesn't always work through intuitive labeling, and the instructions in the box are often too concise, especially for Redmi's budget models and the product's design is not very intuitive. POCO, Where the savings on packaging are at the expense of information.

An installation error can lead not only to a lack of communication, but also to damage to the contacts on the motherboard. For example, if you insert nano-SIM "upside down" and apply force, chips on the map can scratch the gilded contacts in the nest. In service centers, such cases are classified as "non-warranty" - repair will cost 1.5-3 thousand rubles. So it is better to spend 5 minutes studying the nuances than then look for a master.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 🔍 How to determine the right side for nano-SIM and micro-SIM (yes, old Xiaomi still meets)
• 📱 Step-by-step schemes for popular models: from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra
• ⚠️ Typical mistakes and how to avoid them (including getting stuck)
• 🛠️ What to do if SIM-The card is not recognized even after installation.

Anatomy SIM-Xiaomi tray: where is up and where is down

Tray for SIM-Xiaomi's smartphone maps are standard, but with some nuances, and the rule is that the chip should be addressed to the contacts inside the phone, but how do you find them when the phone is assembled:

• 🔸 On most trays there is a notch (skid) in one of the corners - it should coincide with the notch on the SIM-map.
• 🔸 If there is no bevel, look for the Xiaomi logo – it is usually placed on the “front” side of the tray (the one that will be outside after installation).
• 🔸 In models with hybrid tray (SIM + microSD) the second slot is often marked with an icon 📁 — memory card inserted.

Important: in the Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and later, the tray can be asymmetrical — one corner is beveled harder. This is done to protect against improper installation. If the card does not enter easily, do not press — flip it.

Step-by-step instruction: how to insert SIM-map

Prepare:

• 📌 A clip or a special key from the set (in the new models Xiaomi 14 it was replaced by a plastic “fork")
• 📱 SIM-The right size card (for modern Xiaomi – only nano-SIM)
• 🔦 Light source – sometimes contacts are not visible

Step 1. Turn off the phone (required for models with MIUI 13 and older - otherwise the tray may not be fixed).

Step 2. Find the hole to extract the tray - it is located:

• 🔹 On the right end - in the Redmi Note, POCO X, Xiaomi 11 Lite
• 🔹 On the top end – in Xiaomi 12/13, Mix Fold
• 🔹 On the left end - in Black Shark (game models)

Step 3. Put the paperclip in the hole before you click. The tray will extend 2-3 mm - carefully pull it out.

Make sure the phone is off |

Compare the notch to SIM-map and tray|

Check if there is any dust or oxidation on the contacts |

Don't touch the chip. SIM-finger-card-->

Step 4. Place it. SIM-card-tray:

• 📱 For single-simplified models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite) – chip down, bent to the corner of the tray.
• 📱📱 For two-simplified (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+) — first SIM (slot 1) usually responsible 4G, second (slot) 2) can only work in 2G/3G.

Step 5: Carefully insert the tray back before you click. Turn on the phone and check for the network. If the signal indicator does not appear after 1-2 minutes, remove the tray and repeat the installation.

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In Xiaomi 12S Ultra and 13 Pro models, the tray has magnetic fixation – if it is not inserted, check if metal filings or dust are stuck to the magnet.

Table: Correct orientation SIM-Maps for popular Xiaomi models

Note: In the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra and older flagships (Mi 10, Mi 9), the tray can have a reverse orientation of the chip (up).Always check the labeling on the tray itself - sometimes there is a barely noticeable engraved SIM1 or SIM2.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

60% of cases of problems with SIM-The card in Xiaomi is associated with improper trimming of micro-SIM to nano-SIM. If you use an adapter or cropped the card with scissors, check:

• 🔹 Are there microcracks on the edges of the chip (even a small crack breaks the contact).
• 🔹 Whether the gold rope has survived along the perimeter of the chip - its damage leads to oxidation.
• 🔹 Are there any plastic burrs left on the map after pruning.

⚠️ Attention: If after installation SIM-The phone says "No service" or "SIM-card is not supported, do not try to restart the device 10 times in a row. MIUI 14 there is a bug: with frequent reboot, the system can block IMEI. Instead, remove the tray, wipe the contacts on SIM-map and in the nest with an alcohol napkin, then repeat the installation.

Other common mistakes:

• 🚫 Using micro-SIM in a nano-SIM slot (even if it's physically coming in) leads to a "spring effect" - the card can pop out when vibrating.
• 🚫 Installing a tray is crooked. 12S And there's a tray position sensor, and if it's not fully inserted, the phone won't turn on the network.
• 🚫 Ignoring software updates. MIUI 13.0.4 was a second recognition bug SIM — corrected only in 13.0.6.

What to do if SIM-map not recognized

If you're sure that SIM-The card is installed correctly, but the network does not appear, perform an algorithm check:

1. Safe Mode Reboot: Press the Power button → Hold Down → Select Safe Mode. If this mode is on, the problem is in a third-party application (most often the SEOs or VPNs are to blame).
2. IMEI Check: Dial *#06# – if zeros are displayed instead of IMEI, you need to restore using Engineering Mode (instruction below).
3. Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset the network settings. This will delete the saved access points. APN.
4. Firmware Update: In MIUI 12.5 and older, SIM-card bugs are often fixed in "point" updates. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update.

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be:

• 🔧 Contact oxidation (clean with isopropyl alcohol, not vodka!).
• 🔧 Damage to the antenna module (often after falls).
• 🔧 Blocking IMEI operator (check card status with the provider).

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If the phone doesn't see any of them SIM-The card, but the tray contacts are clean, most likely a modem chip (Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek) has failed. RF-chain.

Features of installation SIM-hybrid-tray

Xiaomi models with memory card support (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, Xiaomi 11 Lite NE) have hybrid trays.

• 📱📁 You can use either the second one. SIM-MicroSD or card – both slots are not working at the same time.
• 📱📁 V MIUI 14 the function "Hot replacement" - you can change SIM MicroSD without rebooting (but not in all regions).
• 📱📁 If you choose a microSD, the first one is SIM It automatically becomes the primary call and 4G/5G.

Note: In Xiaomi 12T Pro and 13 Ultra, the hybrid tray only supports microSD up to 1 TB (exFAT format). Cards larger than 256 GB may not be recognized - a firmware upgrade to MIUI 14.0.3 and higher is required.

⚠️ Note: If you insert a microSD into the slot for the second SIM, And then they decided to return. SIM-The card, the phone may not recognize it until it's fully rebooted. X60/X70 modern Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SIM-maps in Xiaomi