Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to replace a mobile operator or install a memory card to expand storage. In the Redmi 10 model, the company's engineers have a classic slot layout, but beginners may have difficulty determining the correct hole and angle of inclination of the tool. Wrong actions can lead to damage to the case or mechanical failure of the tray itself, so it is important to clearly understand the algorithm of actions before starting the procedure.
The process of removing the tray requires a minimal set of tools and takes literally a few seconds if you know where to press. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of working with the combined slot of your device, you will learn how to distinguish the clip hole from the microphone hole, which side to lay the plastic card and what to do if the mechanism is jammed.
Before you start physically affecting the body, make sure the device is turned off or in a safe position to avoid accidental screen damage when the tool slides. While modern smartphones are reliable enough, excessive caution when working with small mechanical elements will never hurt.
Slot location and necessary tools
On the case of the Redmi 10 smartphone, the SIM card slot is located on the top end of the device, if you look at the screen. This is the standard solution for most modern models of the Chinese manufacturer. It is important not to confuse the tray hole with the noise-cancelling microphone hole, which is often nearby. The extraction hole is the correct round shape and is directly on the movable frame.
To do this, you'll need a special key-clip that comes with your phone. If the original tool is lost, you can replace it with a regular paper clip, straightening one of the ends, or with a thin needle, and the main requirement for the tool is that it has enough stiffness and a thin profile so that it can freely enter the hole and withstand the force when pressed.
⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects such as knives, wide-eyed pins or thick stitches to remove the tray.You risk damaging the inner spring latch or scratching the aluminum frame of the case, which will lead to loss of warranty.
Make sure you have a clean, dry surface on which to put your phone, which will prevent the device from falling down and losing small items like itself. SIM-It is also recommended to wipe the end of the device with a soft cloth to remove dust that may have gotten inside during operation.
Step-by-step instructions for removing the tray
The process of opening the compartment requires precision and precise positioning of the instrument. Take the smartphone in one hand and the tool in the other. Find an elongated tray on the upper end that shows a small circular hole. Put the tip of the clip or needle perpendicular to the surface of the case strictly in the center of this hole.
Apply a moderate but steady force by pressing the tool inside the body. You should feel a slight click or spring resistance, after which the tray will extend a few millimeters. Don't be afraid to press a little harder if the tray is not moving, but avoid sharp jerks that can injure the finger on the edge of the body.
☑️ Tray extraction algorithm
Once the frame has come out of the groove, grab the protruding edges with your thumb and index finger. Smoothly pull the tray over yourself until fully removed. The movement should be straight, without skewing, so as not to bend the metal contacts inside the smartphone. Now you can see the slots for setting the cards.
Orientation and installation SIM-map
The tray in Redmi 10 is a combination, it's shaped in a very specific way, and on one side is the slot for the nano-sim card, and on the other side is the space for the second SIM card or the microSD card. It's important to know which side to stack the card, so that you don't damage the contacts. The plastic card should lie tightly in the recess, repeating its contours.
Notice the cut corner of the card: it should match the bevelled angle in the tray. The gold pins of the chip should always be pointed down to the smartphone screen if you hold the phone with the screen to yourself. If you put the card upside down, it just won't enter the groove until the end, and the tray won't close.
⚠️ Warning: If the tray doesn't close before the click or it's tight, don't push it. Take it out and check the map's orientation is correct. Forced closing can break the contacts inside the phone.
In some regions, smartphone versions with only two SIM card slots are shipped without memory card support, in which case the second slot will be identical to the first one. Make sure you don't try to insert the memory card into the SIM card slot, as their thickness and location of contacts differ.
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To make the memory card easier to insert into a narrow groove, you can slightly wipe its contacts with a dry soft cloth, removing static electricity and fat traces.
Working with a hybrid slot and memory card
The Redmi 10 is equipped with a hybrid slot, which means that you can use either two SIM cards, or one SIM card and one MicroSD memory card. Simultaneous installation of two SIM cards and a flash drive in a standard configuration is impossible. This is an important limitation that is worth remembering when planning to expand memory.
If you plan to use a memory card, you'll have to sacrifice a second SIM card, insert the MicroSD into the second slot, making sure the contacts are pointing in the same direction as the SIM card, and there's usually a schematic image on the inside of the tray that tells you the correct orientation.
| Type of card | Location in the tray | Orientation of contacts | Support for volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nano-SIM 1 | The outer nest | Down (to the screen) | Standard |
| Nano-SIM 2 | The inner nest | Down (to the screen) | Standard |
| MicroSD | Instead of SIM 2 | Down (to the screen) | Up to 512GB |
Once the memory card is installed and the phone is turned on, the system automatically recognizes the new drive, you can use it to store photos, music and documents, unloading the main memory of the device. However, installing applications on the memory card in modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell is often limited or impossible without special permissions.
Return of the tray to the smartphone case
Putting the tray back in requires even more care than removing it. Take the frame with the cards installed and hold it to the hole on the end of the phone. It's important to insert it smoothly, without skewing, orienting itself to the shape of the slot. The tray should enter smoothly, without resistance.
If you feel a push, don't push. Take out the tray, flip it 180 degrees and try again. The tray is not symmetrical, and it's physically difficult to insert it upside down, but with some effort you can damage the sealing gum or the mechanism itself.
What to do if the tray falls out completely?
When the tray enters the body almost to the end, press the thumb on it until the characteristic click. The outer edge of the frame should be in the same plane as the body of the phone. If the frame protrudes, then it is not snapped, and the phone will not have protection from dust and moisture according to the IP standard.
Diagnostics of problems with map definition
After you set up the cards and turn on the device, look at the top status bar, and you should see the carrier icons, if the operator's name is replaced by the "No" sign. SIM" Or "Put in" SIM-map, check the installation correctly, the map may have moved when the tray was closed.
Sometimes the problem is the oxidation of the SIM card contacts, take out the tray again and wipe the card's golden chip with a soft dry cloth or a weasel, and check if the contacts in the phone itself show any visible dirt or pile.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone stops seeing the SIM card after falling or getting moisture, don't charge the device. Take it to a diagnostic service center, as the motherboard may have oxidized.
In rare cases, a software failure may prevent you from identifying a communication module: try restarting your smartphone or resetting your network settings. If the problem persists on different SIM cards, the communication module itself or the antenna plume may have malfunctioned.
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Properly installing the tray before clicking is a guarantee that the phone will not glitch due to poor contact or moisture.