Owning a modern smartphone Xiaomi or Redmi is often associated with the need to change the operator, change the memory card or replace the memory card. SIM-model 5G. Despite the apparent simplicity of the design, inept actions when removing the tray can damage the case or, worse, break the slot itself.
Many users face difficulties when the standard paper clip does not turn, the tray does not leave, or it is not at all clear from which side to approach the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of the design of slots in devices of different generations, from budget models to the flagships of the Mi and Xiaomi 13/14 series. You will learn how to act if the mechanism is jammed, and why it is important to be careful.
We will focus on the differences in tray design, as the opening mechanism can vary significantly depending on the year of release and the price segment of the device. Understanding these nuances will allow you to avoid the typical errors that often lead to service repairs. We will consider both standard situations and complex cases that require a non-standard approach.
Definition of tray type SIM-maps on your device
Before you take up the tool, you need to visually inspect the end of the smartphone. Xiaomi devices in recent years, there are two main types of tray designs: combined and separate. SIM-card SIM-A microSD card and one microSD card, which is a hybrid slot that requires careful handling.
The separate slots, which are more common in flagship models, have independent compartments for SIM cards and memory cards. This greatly simplifies the replacement process, since you do not need to remove communication cards to access the storage. You can determine the type of tray by the number of holes on the end or by the circuit, often applied next to the slot.
β οΈ Warning: Never try to insert a paper clip into the microphone hole, which is often located next to the slot. SIM. This can cause permanent damage to the microphone and loss of warranty.
All modern Xiaomi smartphones work with Nano-SIM format. If your card is larger, it should be carefully trimmed along the circuit or replaced by a telecom operator. The use of adapters is not recommended, as they can get stuck inside the mechanism.
Tools and workplace preparation required
To successfully retrieve a card, you'll need a minimal set of tools. Most Xiaomi smartphones come with a special metal key-clip. If it's lost, you can use a regular stationery clip by straightening one of its ends, or a thin needle. The main requirement is the strength of the tool, it must not bend when pressed.
Prepare a clean, well-lit soft-coated surface, such as a towel or mouse mat, to prevent the phone from slipping and protect its screen and back cover from scratching in the event of a fall. It is also recommended to wipe your hands so that greasy spots do not remain on the case or card contacts.
βοΈ Preparation for extraction SIM
It is important to make sure that the tool you are using has a diameter corresponding to the hole in the tray. Too thin a needle may not activate the push mechanism, and too thick may damage the inner walls of the channel. Optimal diameter is about 1 mm. If you use a clip, make sure that its end is flat and has no barbs.
Step-by-step: how to properly open the tray
The process of extracting the tray in Xiaomi smartphones is standardized, but requires care. Find a small circular hole on the end of the case (usually at the bottom or top, depending on the model) on the end of the case. It is located next to the elongated contour of the tray. Insert the prepared tool perpendicular to the surface of the case into this hole.
And you can apply a steady but steady force, pressing the tool inwards, and you have to feel a slight click, and you can see the tray moving a few millimeters, and the spring mechanism is working, and you can now pull the tray out with your fingers. Don't pull it by the tray itself. SIM-card, if visible, only for the plastic or metal case of the tray.
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If the tray is tight, try swaying the paperclip slightly from side to side until you feel the mechanism free, but do not remove the paperclip completely before clicking.
After extraction, inspect the tray. It usually has a cutout in the shape of a bevelled angle that matches the shape of the Nano-SIM. Make sure the card is inserted correctly: the contact pads must look down (or up, depending on the model, this is indicated on the tray itself), and the bevelled angle matches the shape of the tray. Incorrect installation can cause the tray to not enter until the end.
| Xiaomi model | Slot location | Type of tray | Support for SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 | Lower end | Combined | Yes (instead of SIM 2) |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Lower end | Separate | Yes (separate) |
| POCO X5 | Lower end | Combined | Yes (instead of SIM 2) |
| Redmi 12C | Upper end | Separate | Yes (separate) |
What to do if SIM-card stuck or the tray does not open
When the tray is not amenable, it is rare, but it can be a dead end. If the tray does not move when pressing the clip, it may be rusted by moisture or clogged with dust, in which case you can try to gently tap the phone with the edge of the palm (side with the slot) on the soft surface to stir the mechanism.
If the tray has gone out but is stuck halfway and is not being pulled out by your fingers, in no case use a tweezer or knife to tweez it.You risk scratching the frame or, worse, damaging the antenna lines that often run near the slot.Try using a thin strip of dense paper or plastic card to gently pull out the tray.
β οΈ Warning: If the tray is jammed due to deformation of the card inside, do not use excessive force.This can cause the contacts inside the phone to be severed, which will require expensive repair of the motherboard.
In cases where the card is stuck inside and is not visible even partially, and the tray is free (which happens when the lock breaks), it is better to contact the service center. Self-extraction in such conditions requires disassembly of the case and the presence of special equipment, such as suction cups and a heating table.
Can superglue be used to extract the tray?
Features of the design in different Xiaomi series
Xiaomi engineers are constantly experimenting with ergonomics. The Redmi and POCO budget series often use a plastic tray, which is easier to damage when handled carelessly. It can crack if pulled at an angle. The metal trays characteristic of the Mi and Xiaomi Number Series flagships are more durable, but require a more accurate clip to hit the hole because of the rigidity of the mechanism.
Some older models have trays that don't have a spring mechanism and just stretch with their fingers, but this is rare in modern devices. In such devices, the physical tray may not be at all, or it may be one, and the second card is activated programmatically through the use of the device. QR-code.
Special attention should be paid to protected models or devices with high waterproof (IP68), in which trays often have double rubber seals. When removing such a card, it is important not to damage these seals, otherwise the phone will lose its leakage. When inserting the tray back, make sure that it is perfectly flat and without gaps.
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The type of tray directly affects the risk of damage: plastic trays of public sector employees break more often, and metal flagships require a more accurate tool.
Data security and completion of the procedure
Although modern smartphones allow you to extract SIM-The card is "hot" (without turning off), experts recommend turning off the device before this procedure. This ensures that the system has time to correctly complete all background processes associated with the network, and relieves voltage from the slot contacts, which is especially important in the presence of microscopic defects in the power chain.
Once you've changed the card or put the old one back in place, gently insert the tray back in. It should come in smoothly, without much resistance. If you feel a push, don't push, take out the tray, turn it over and try again. The wrong orientation of the tray can lead to short circuits.
After turning on the phone, make sure the network is found and the balance is displayed correctly. SIM-"Master" or "Put in" SIM", Try to wipe the contacts of the card with a soft eraser or an alcohol wipe. Contact oxidation is a common cause of signal problems.