Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often face the need to remove the tray for the smartphone. SIM-It's a process that takes a few seconds and doesn't require any special knowledge, but the design of modern gadgets can be confusing for a beginner. The mechanism of locking the slot is reliable, but with careless handling or the absence of a suitable tool, you can damage the case or the tray itself.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to get a sim from a xiomy using standard tools and improvised items. We will look at the features of different models, including those where the slot is combined with buttons or has a hidden design. We will also pay attention to situations where the tray is stuck or lost a special key, and explain how to act so as not to disturb the tightness of the case.
Before you start to physically impact, you need to understand the type of slot installed in your device. Modern models of the Chinese brand are almost all equipped with retractable mechanisms, while older versions could have removable covers. The company's engineering solutions are evolving, and knowing the nuances of a particular generation will help avoid annoying errors in service.
Tool preparation and definition of slot type
The first step before extracting a card is to find the right tool.The standard set of most Xiaomi smartphones includes a special metal key that is often attached to a box or lies in a separate paper envelope along with documentation. This key is a thin metal needle with a pointed end, ideal for the opening of the push mechanism.
If the original tool is lost, which happens quite often, you can use alternative items that are found in every home, the main requirement for a substitute is strength and minimum thickness, so as not to damage the internal mechanisms.
- 📌 A regular stationery clip, straight-spoke - the most popular and affordable option.
- 📍 A pin with a thick and strong enough point, but be careful not to prick.
- 🧷 Thin sewing needle, although it may be too flexible for some tight mechanisms.
It is important to immediately weed out inappropriate items that are guaranteed to break. Do not try to pick the hole with toothpicks, as wood or plastic can break inside and block the mechanism permanently. Also avoid using knives or screwdrivers that are larger than the diameter of the hole, this will deform the frame of the case.
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If there is nothing sharp at hand, and the clips are too soft, you can use a thin wire from headphones or even a nail earring, if it is strong enough and thin.
Determining the type of slot is a critical step. 99% of current models, such as the Redmi Note series or Mi flagships, use a classic retractable tray. However, there are models with a combined Hybrid SIM slot, where you can install either a second SIM card or a MicroSD card in the second slot. Understanding this difference is necessary so as not to try to shove the memory card where the SIM should be, or vice versa.
The classic method of tray extraction
The standard procedure for removing a SIM card is relevant for the vast majority of the brand’s devices, the process seems trivial, but has its own technical nuances, ignoring which can damage the microswitch inside the phone, first you need a Locate hole to extract, which is usually located on one of the ends of the device.
Depending on the model, the slot can be on the top or bottom end, and in some cases, especially in protected series or older models, it can be located side by side next to the volume buttons. Carefully inspect the perimeter of the smartphone, looking for a small circular hole about 1 mm in diameter next to the elongated tray.
☑️ Extraction algorithm SIM-map
Once you find the hole, take a prepared tool (a paper clip or key) and insert it strictly perpendicular to the surface of the case. It is strictly forbidden to enter the tool at an angle, as this can lead to slipping and scratches on the frame, or to break the mechanism inside.
Press confidently, but without excessive fanaticism. The mechanism will work, and the tray will extend a few millimeters, then it can be gently tweezed with a nail or tweezers and completely removed. Note the orientation of the map: the tray usually has a cutout that repeats the shape of the chip, which helps to set the SIM correctly the first time.
⚠️ Warning: Never remove or insert the tray SIM-If you don’t use the hot replacement feature (which is not supported by all models and operators), although modern standards allow this, there is a risk of short circuit or software error of the communication module. It is better to be safe and turn off the device.
Features of models without a standard hole
Some users may find that the smartphone body is physically missing the usual round hole. This does not mean that the SIM card is soldered into the board or the device does not support physical SIMs. In some cases, especially in models with increased moisture protection or in specific modifications for certain markets, the manufacturer uses hidden mechanisms.
In these devices, the tray can be removed by shifting a special plug. Carefully inspect the end: if you see a thin strip or element that looks like part of the frame but has a micro-gap, it may need to be moved with the nail in the direction indicated by the arrow, which is often found in Mi Mix series devices or some Black Shark models.
Another option is to pair the slot with a button. In very rare and old cases, the unlocking mechanism of the tray could be integrated into the design of the volume or power buttons, but for Xiaomi products this is more an exception, characteristic of some. OEM-If you suspect this, don't push the buttons too hard, but look for information on a particular model on the Internet.
Hidden slots in protected smartphones
If your device doesn’t have a hole or sliding pad, check if it’s an eSIM-only version. Virtual SIM technology is gaining popularity, and some global versions of smartphones can ship without a physical tray to save space inside the case. In this case, you do not need to “get” anything, and the operator is activated through scanning. QR-code-setting.
What to do if the tray is stuck or not taken out
The situation where the tray SIM-The card gets stuck and doesn't want to come out even when you press it confidently, and it's one of the most stressful things for the wearer, most often because of the banal dust, the lint from the pocket, or the oxidation of the contacts, which creates additional friction. Sometimes the tray may jam due to microscopic deformation after the device falls.
The first thing to try is to increase the force, but you need to do it competently. Put the phone on the back side of a hard surface (putting soft cloth under the bottom), and press the key into the hole, while slightly swaying the device from side to side. Vibration and changing the pressure angle can help to disrupt the stagnant mechanism. However, remember the sense of proportion: excessive force can break the plastic pusher inside.
If the mechanical action doesn't work, you can try glue, which is risky and requires jewelry precision. Take a thin wire or match, apply a minimum amount of superglue (literally a microscopic drop) to the tip of the tray, and gently touch the end of the tray, trying not to touch the body. Wait for drying and try to pull out.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The tray is not coming out. | Dust and dirt in the canal | Blow with compressed air, clean gently with a needle |
| The tray comes out tight. | Curved edges of tray | Line the tray with pliers, lubricate the contacts |
| The tray fell out on its own. | Wear of the retainer | Replacement of the connector module in the service |
| Simka doesn't read. | Oxidation of contacts | Rub the chip with alcohol, clean with a swallow |
⚠️ Warning: Using glue is a last resort, and if you overdo it with glue, you risk sticking the tray to the body or pouring glue on the inside of the phone, which will result in expensive repairs at the service center. Use this method only if the device is no longer warranty and other methods have not helped.
Installation and configuration SIM-post-extract
After successfully removing the tray and performing the necessary manipulations (replacement of the sim, cleaning), it is important to correctly return everything to place. Errors at this stage can lead to the fact that the phone will stop seeing the network or will constantly lose signal. Carefully examine the tray: it has a specific shape that allows you to insert it into the phone in only one correct position.
Make sure the SIM card is in the tray tightly and does not hang around. If a combined slot is used, check that the MicroSD card (if any) does not protrude outside the tray and does not interfere with the second SIM card. The gold pins of the chip should look down to the board, and the bevelled corner of the card should match the marking on the tray.
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The correct orientation of the tray when inserted is critical. If you feel resistance to pushing the tray back into the body, don't push it. Take it out, flip it 180 degrees and try again. The tray should enter smoothly and all the way.
Put the tray back in until you click it, it should be level with the frame of the case and not protrude out. If the tray does not enter fully, it can disrupt the moisture protection and cause dust. After you turn on the phone, go to settings: Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks, you can set the priority of the networks, the names of the access points (APN) and modes of operation for each SIM card separately.
For modern 4G and 5G smartphones, it is important to make sure that the SIM card is not cut in an artisanal manner to a size that violates the integrity of the contact platform.It is better to order a new SIM of the desired format (Nano-SIM) from the operator than to risk contacts on the phone. cropped SIMs often have uneven edges that scratch the spring contacts inside the slot.
Cleaning contacts and slot maintenance
Regular maintenance of a SIM card slot is a good habit, especially if you actively use your smartphone in dusty conditions or carry it in your pocket without a cover. Over time, fine dust, pile and skin fat accumulate inside, which can oxidize and worsen contact. This is manifested in the form of periodic network loss or messages "No" SIM-map".
To clean, use a soft, dry brush or pear to purify. You can gently wipe the contacts of the tray and the inside of the hole with a cotton swab slightly soaked in isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol evaporates quickly and leaves no moisture, which is safe for electronics. Do not use water or aggressive solvents.
If the contacts on the SIM card itself turn dark, they can be cleaned gently with a regular school eraser, which removes the oxide film and restores conductivity. After cleaning, be sure to remove the remnants of the eraser from the surface of the card, a simple procedure that often solves problems with an unstable signal without visiting the service.