Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to replace the operator or install a new one. SIM-But the Redmi Note 5's tray extraction procedure has its own peculiarities, and unlike older phones with removable batteries, modern devices require careful handling of the tray mechanism to avoid damaging the body or internal components. Incorrect actions can lead to sensors failure or deformation of the metal frame.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of map extraction, look at the tools you need, and focus on situations where the standard method does not work. You will learn how to safely solve the problem of a jammed tray and what errors users most often make when servicing their gadgets. A competent approach will preserve the warranty and integrity of your device.
Preparation of the workplace and necessary tools
Before you start any manipulation of the technical device, it is essential to ensure proper working conditions, you will need good lighting to see the fine details of the structure, and a clean, flat surface covered with soft fabric, which will prevent the loss of small components in the event of their accidental slippage from the hands.
The main tool for removing the tray is a special key clip that comes with the phone. If the original accessory is lost, it can be replaced with a stationery clip, straightening one of the ends, or a thin needle. The use of too thick or sharp objects, such as pins or scissors, is strongly discouraged, as this can damage the mechanism of the eject compartment.
- 🔦 A bright light source for visual control of the process.
- 🧵 Special staples, needles or thin wires with a diameter of about 1 mm.
- 🧼 Soft wipe or fabric to protect the screen from scratches.
- 🧤 Optionally: antistatic gloves for working with electronics.
⚠️ Warning: Never use blunted or too thick objects as they may break inside the hole and block the mechanism permanently.
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Before starting work, wipe your hands with an alcohol napkin - greasy marks on the body make it difficult to capture the phone, especially if it has a glossy coating.
Location of the tray for SIM-Maps in Redmi Note 5
The Redmi Note 5 (also known as the Redmi Note 5 Pro in some regions) features a hybrid tray located on the upper end of the case, a classic placement for devices from the release period that differs from modern models with side slots. The design of the tray allows you to install two nano-SIM cards or one SIM-card and one microSD memory card.
The visual extraction hole is a small circular point next to the elongated circuit of the tray, and it's important not to confuse it with the noise reduction microphone hole, which is also on the upper end, but has a smaller diameter and is symmetrical on the other side or in the corner. A mistake in choosing the hole will only lead to useless attempts to press on the blank wall.
Look carefully at the top of your smartphone. The tray should fit tightly to the body, with no visible gaps in the closed state. If you see that the tray is already slightly protruding, it may have been damaged before or the previous owner did not fully remove it.
Step-by-step: standard tray extraction
The process of extracting a map is simple enough if you follow the algorithm and make moderate efforts. The main rule is that the pressure should be directed strictly perpendicular to the plane of the body. The tilt of the tool can slip and scratch the metal frame or damage the plastic around the hole.
Put the tip of a paper clip or a needle into the hole to the point, you should feel a slight click or spring resistance, at which point you need to press hard, but controlled, the tray should pop out a few millimeters, after which you can prick it with a nail or tweezers.
☑️ Extraction algorithm SIM-map
Once you have the tray in your hands, notice its shape. It has cutouts of a strictly defined size for the nano-SIM format. Installing larger cards (micro or mini) without a special adapter or trimming can lead to a tray getting stuck inside the phone, which will be a serious problem.
| Phase | Action. | Expected output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Looking for a hole | Found a hole near the tray on the upper end |
| 2 | Insertion of the instrument | The tool is introduced smoothly and to the point. |
| 3 | Pressing | The tray moved 2-3 mm |
| 4 | Extraction | The tray is fully manually removed |
What to do if the tray is jammed or not opened
When the tray does not respond to the pressing of the paper clip, it is one of the most common problems of Xiaomi users. Often the cause is dust, pile or oxidation of contacts inside the mechanism, which blocks the movement of the spring. In such cases, a simple effort may not help, but only aggravate the situation by bent the internal lever.
The first thing you can do is tap the phone's body lightly against the palm of your hand in the upper end, while pressing the extraction mechanism, and the vibration can displace the stuck dust. And the effective method is to use duct tape: stick a piece of tape sticky side to the visible part of the tray (if it protrudes even a little) and pull sharply.
⚠️ Warning: If the tray does not move, do not use excessive force with the tool, as you risk breaking the case or breaking the plastic pusher inside the mechanism.
Disassembly method
In some cases, compressed air (an optics cleaning canister) helps; a short jet of air into the extraction hole can blow out fine dust that blocks movement; however, be careful with pressure so as not to damage the microphone located nearby.
Common mistakes and risks in replacement SIM-map
One of the most common mistakes is the installation SIM-Users often ignore the shape of the cutout, which exactly repeats the outlines of the chip, and try to shove the card by force. This causes the card to get stuck, and when the tray is re-extracted, only the card itself is pulled out, and its chip remains inside the phone.
Another critical mistake is the use of substandard adapters, cheap plastic frames to adapt old ones. SIM-Nano cards are often thicker, and when you insert a sandwich in a Redmi Note 5, the tray can jam dead because the gap between the tray and the body of the smartphone is minimal.
- 🚫 Attempt to insert the tray back (chip up).
- 🚫 Use of adapters more than 0.7 mm thick.
- 🚫 Removing the tray at an angle, not straight.
- 🚫 Ignoring tray locking in software (rare but sometimes).
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Using original or quality certified SIM-cards of nano-SIM format without adapters significantly reduces the risk of tray getting stuck.
Programmatic aspects and map definition after installation
After you physically install the card, you need to make sure that the system recognizes it correctly. MIUI, which is installed on Redmi Note 5, dual settings SIM-The cards are in the Settings menu → SIM-Maps and mobile networks. You can assign the default card for calls and mobile Internet.
If the phone doesn’t see the card after the reboot, try to wipe the contacts yourself. SIM-Contact oxidation is a common cause of unstable network operation, especially if the card has been used for several years and has been transferred from one phone to another.
In rare cases, manual operator selection may be required. Go to the network selection menu and turn off automatic mode to scan available towers.If your card is displayed but not registered on the network, it may be blocked by the operator or has mechanical damage to the chip.
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When installing a new SIM-Always restart the device – this ensures the modem is reinitialized and the operator’s data is read correctly.