Buying a new smartphone is often accompanied by the first difficulties associated with its initial setup and preparation for work.One of the most common tasks faced by owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 is the need to remove the tray for the first time. SIM-Although the operation seems simple, inexperienced users often make mistakes that can damage the case or recovery mechanism.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of the procedure for installing a SIM card in the Redmi 8 model. You will learn exactly where the hole for the paper clip is located, what is the best way to open the tray and how to correctly orient the chip during installation. Safety when working with mechanical elements of the device is the key to a long and trouble-free operation of your gadget.
We will pay special attention to the specifics of the design of this model, since the location of the slot may differ from older or newer versions of Xiaomi smartphones. Understanding the physical features of the device will help avoid unnecessary pressure on the body and prevent scratches or chips during the installation of the communication module.
Slot location and tool preparation
Before you start taking action, you need to accurately determine the location of the SIM card slot on the body of your device. In the Xiaomi Redmi 8 model, engineers placed a tray on the lower end of the smartphone, directly next to the Micro-USB charging cable connector. This is a classic solution for the budget segment that allows you to maintain the tightness and aesthetics of the side faces.
To retrieve the tray, you'll need a special key that usually comes with a new phone. However, if the factory paper clip is lost or thrown away with the box, don't despair. Alternatively, you can use a regular stationery clip, first straightening one of its ends, or a thin needle with a blunted end.
⚠️ Warning: It is strictly forbidden to use thick objects such as toothpicks (they break inside), pins with a sharp tip or knives to remove the tray. A sharp object can slip and damage the internal components or screen if you press hard.
It is also important to prepare the workplace. It is best to do this surgery at a table with good lighting, so that you can clearly see a small hole and not scratch the back cover of the device. Make sure that your hands are dry and clean, as greasy marks can make it difficult to grip a slippery metal tray.
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Before you insert the paperclip, put a soft cloth or napkin on the table. If the phone accidentally slips out of your hands, this will prevent scratches on the screen or back panel.
Step-by-step instructions for removing the tray
The process of removing the tray requires accuracy and proper positioning of the tool. Hold the smartphone in one hand, unfolding it with the bottom end to you so that you can clearly see the hole. With the second hand, take a key or a paper clip and place it perpendicular to the plane of the body.
Put the tip of the paper clip in the round hole on the tray. You have to feel a light stop, it's the pusher mechanism. Don't be afraid to push a little harder, but do it smoothly and without jerking. The pressure should be directed strictly perpendicular to the face of the phone so as not to bend the metal frame of the tray.
☑️ Tray extraction algorithm
Once you feel the tray starting to move out of the body, remove the tool and put your finger or finger on the edge of the metal frame. Smoothly pull the tray over yourself until you are fully removed. If the tray is not removed easily, don't use excessive force - you may not have pressed the mechanism deep enough or you are using the wrong tool.
After extraction, carefully inspect the tray.The Redmi 8 model uses a combined slot, which means you can install two SIM cards or one SIM card and a MicroSD memory card. Pay attention to the shape of the cutouts to correctly arrange the chips.
Proper installation SIM-microSD cards
Installing communication modules requires a certain orientation, since the chips have a strictly defined shape and location of contacts. The tray in Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a special notch that repeats the contours of a Nano-SIM SIM card. This is the smallest SIM card standard to date.
Take your SIM card and find the bevelled corner. There's also a cutout in the corner on the tray. Match the bevelled corner of the card with the cutout on the tray. The most important thing is the position of the golden contacts: they have to look downwards, to the inside of the tray, when you hold the phone with the screen to you.
| Type of card | Format | Orientation of contacts | Slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM 1 | Nano-SIM | Down (to the tray) | External/Internal |
| SIM 2 | Nano-SIM | Down (to the tray) | Internal |
| MicroSD | MicroSD | Down (to the tray) | Instead of SIM 2 |
If you plan to use a MicroSD card, remember that it is installed in the second slot.This means that when using the memory card, you will only be able to use one SIM card. The memory card is also set by contacts down, in a special slot on the back of the tray or next to the second SIM card, depending on the tray revision.
What to do if the SIM card is not suitable in size?
Typical errors and precautions
Many users rush in and try to insert the tray with the back or with the wrong orientation of the map. This can lead to jamming of the mechanism or damage to the contacts inside the phone. If the tray does not enter easily and to the end, do not press on it. Take it out and check again the position of the bevelled angle and the direction of contacts.
Another common mistake is to use tools that are too thick to extract, which leads to widening the hole in the case, and over time, the tray may begin to fall out on its own or, conversely, get stuck dead. Use only thin and durable objects.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to insert a tray if the slot already has a memory card or SIM card from another phone that may have a thickened plastic base.Make sure the card sits tightly within the tray frame and does not protrude beyond it.
Also worth mentioning is dust. Before putting the tray back into the phone, blow into the slot hole to remove any possible dust and villi that may have gotten there while the tray was removed. Foreign objects can disrupt the SIM card's contact with the reader.
Software configuration after installation
Once you have carefully returned the tray to the smartphone case, the device will automatically detect a new SIM card, a notification will appear on the screen about the registration on the network, however, if you use two SIM cards, additional settings may be required in the MIUI menu.
Go to the Settings section by selecting Settings. → SIM-You can assign which card will be used for mobile Internet by default and which for voice calls, which is especially useful for separating business and personal calls or saving traffic.
In the same menu, you can configure the network name, the type of preferred network (4G/LTE, 3G, 2G) and turn specific slots on or off. For stable operation in low signal conditions, it is recommended to set the 4G preferred mode so that the phone does not constantly switch between communication standards.
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Proper software setting of SIM card priorities allows you to significantly save battery power and control mobile communication costs.
Solving problems with map definition
There are situations when, after physically installing a SIM card, the phone says, "No SIM card" or "Emergency calls only." First of all, make sure that the tray is inserted before the characteristic click. Sometimes users think that the tray is closed, but the mechanism does not snap completely.
If the mechanical installation is correct, try to wipe the gold contacts of the SIM card with a soft dry cloth. Oxidation or contamination of the contacts is a common cause of failures. It also makes sense to check the card on another phone to rule out the malfunction of the operator module itself.
In rare cases, the problem may be a software failure of the Android operating system. Rebooting the device often helps the system to re-interrogate the ports and correctly determine the presence of the communication module. If nothing helps, it may be damaged the SIM reader itself, which will require contacting the service center.