Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Redmi 9 come with combined slots, allowing for flexible management of memory card and SIM card space. However, users often have difficulty properly removing the tray, especially if the device is new or has previously been used in a different form factor.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely open the SIM card slot on your gadget without damaging the case. You will learn about the types of trays, supported card formats and installation nuances that will help avoid common errors when you first start the device.
Tools and workplace preparation
Before you start removing the tray, you need to prepare the workspace. The best option is a table with good lighting, covered with soft cloth, which will prevent the loss of small parts, such as a paper clip or the SIM card itself, in the event of their accidental fall, and also make sure that your hands are dry and clean, so that there is no trace of fat on the contacts of the card.
You'll need a special tool for the procedure, an ejector that comes with your smartphone, and if the original key is lost, you can replace it with a regular paper clip, straightening one of the ends. Importantly, don't use sharp objects like sewing needles or knives, because they can damage the locking mechanism inside the case.
- 🔧 Special key for extracting the tray or unbend clip
- 💡 Good Desktop Lighting
- 🧼 Clean and dry hands for contact work
- 📱 Redmi 9 Smartphone, Turned Off or On
⚠️ Warning: Do not put excessive effort into pressing the extraction mechanism. If the tray does not come out immediately, check the correct position of the key in the hole.
💡
Use a soft mouse mat or folded towel under your phone – this will soften the fall if the device slips out of your hands during manipulation.
Slot Location and Types of Trays on Redmi 9
The Redmi 9 features a combined slot located on the bottom end of the case, next to the USB Type-C charging connector and audio connector. The tray design allows you to use two Nano-SIM SIM cards at the same time, either one SIM card and one microSD memory card. Understanding this configuration is critical before you start installing.
Visually, the tray is a thin metal frame with notches for cards. On one side, usually there is space for one SIM card, and on the reverse side, a combined place for either a second SIM or a memory card. In some regional versions, the tray can be two-way, which requires careful inspection before installation.
| Component | Format | Location in the tray | Support for Hot-swap |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM 1 | Nano-SIM | The main slot | Yes. |
| SIM 2 | Nano-SIM | Combined slot | Yes. |
| microSD | up to 512GB | Combined slot | Yes. |
| Tray | Metallic | Lower end | No. |
It is worth noting that using two SIM cards eliminates the possibility of installing a memory card, unless you use cloud storage or choose a model with a separate slot, which is not typical for Redmi 9.
Step-by-step: how to remove the tray
The process of extracting the tray on Xiaomi Redmi 9 is standardized, but requires care. Find a small circular hole on the bottom of the device next to the tray frame. Insert the key or paper clip strictly perpendicular to the case. A small but confident press will cause the tray to slightly extend out of the groove.
When the tray edge appears, gently pull it with your fingers. Don't use the tools to pull the tray itself so as not to scratch the frame or screen of your smartphone. If the tray is stuck, repeat the key pressing, changing the angle slightly, but avoid sharp jerks.
☑️ Pre-extraction check
In some cases, the tray may not be removed due to dust or factory failure of the mechanism. If a standard press does not help, try to slightly press the tray inwards, and then sharply press the extraction mechanism. This can help overcome the spring resistance.
Proper installation of SIM and microSD cards
After removing the tray, carefully examine its shape. Card notches have rounded corners that correspond to the shape of the chip or memory card. Nano-SIM is set by the contacts down, while the microSD memory card is also stacked by the contacts down, but in another part of the tray.
Make sure the cards sit tightly in their nests and don't protrude beyond the edges of the frame. If the card is set incorrectly, it may damage when the tray is closed or not determined by the system. After checking, gently insert the tray back into the smartphone before the characteristic click.
- 📐 Combine the rounded corner of the card with the notch in the tray
- 📉 Lay the cards with contacts down
- 🔒 Check that the card is not staggering in the nest
- ↩️ Put the tray in the same side as the one you pulled out.
⚠️ Warning: Never insert a tray if it does not have cards, or if the cards are unevenly installed, this can lead to breakage of contacts inside the smartphone.
What to do if the tray is not inserted back?
Network settings after map installation
Once the cards are physically installed and the device is turned on, MIUI will automatically detect new SIM cards, and you can see a request to set preferences for each card, and you will be asked to choose which card to use for default calls and which card for mobile Internet.
Go to the Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks to fine-tune the settings, so you can assign a specific SIM card to outbound calls, or configure switching between them. Flexibility allows you to optimize your communication costs using different carriers' tariffs.
If the network does not appear automatically, check whether the "Enable LTE" or "Preferred Network Type" option is activated. In rare cases, manual input of the APN hotspot settings, which can be obtained on your carrier's website, is required.
💡
Properly configuring your preferred network (4G/LTE) menu SIM-Cards significantly speed up signal detection after installing a new SIM.
Solution: SIM card is not defined
It is rare for Redmi 9 to not see the SIM card installed, but it is possible. The first step should always be to reboot the device. If that doesn't work, remove the tray and check the card's contacts for contaminants. Gently wipe the chip with a soft dry cloth.
It’s also worth checking the SIM card on another device to rule out malfunction. Sometimes the problem is a software firmware failure, and resetting the network settings can solve the problem. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.
- 🔄 Perform a full reboot of the smartphone
- 🧹 Wipe the SIM card contacts with a strip or fabric
- 📡 Check the network status on another phone
- ⚙️ Reset your network settings through the system menu
⚠️ Note: If the SIM card is not detected in any device, contact the operator's salon to replace the card.