How to Include a Second Sim in Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi are almost always equipped with a hybrid slot or a full-fledged double tray, allowing you to use two different devices. SIM-However, after buying a device or replacing a card, many users are faced with the fact that the second slot by default may be inactive or require manual activation. MIUI or a new HyperOS.

Turning on the second number is a simple process, but it requires attention to detail, especially if you want to use mobile Internet on both cards or adjust the correct traffic distribution. The right configuration allows you to keep important calls from different numbers and save on tariffs. In this article, we will break down all the nuances, from the physical installation to software settings.

It is worth noting that the menu interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system and regional firmware (Global, CN, EEA).However, the logic of the work remains the same for all current models, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note. Below are steps that will help you quickly establish a connection.

Physical installation SIM-cardboard

The first and most obvious step is to properly install the card into the slot.Many users rush and paste the card incorrectly, which can damage the contacts or the tray itself. SIM-cards in smartphones Xiaomi is usually located on the lower or lateral end of the case and is removed using a special clip that comes with the kit.

Take a close look at the tray: it has notches that match the shape of the cards. Most modern models use a combined slot, where one of the connectors can be designed either for the second SIM or for a microSD memory card. The hybrid slot requires a choice: either two SIMs, or one SIM and a flash drive. Make sure that the golden contacts of the card are downwards, and the cut angle matches the shape of the tray.

Once the tray is put back in the case, the device will automatically detect a new card. If that doesn't happen, check to see if the mechanism is fully latched. Sometimes it takes a little pressure, but without fanaticism, not to break the spring mechanism.

💡

Use only the original paper clip from the kit or its exact counterpart. Using needles or sharpened toothpicks can lead to a breakdown of the mechanism of extracting the tray inside the case.

If the phone is on during installation, a network registration notification should appear on the screen. If the device is turned off, turn it on and wait for the operator icons to appear at the top of the screen. The lack of response may indicate problems with the card itself or contamination of contacts.

Activate the second SIM through system settings

After physical installation, software activation is often required. MIUI's Android shell system provides flexible tools to manage each slot separately. First, go to your smartphone's main settings menu.

Find the partition that handles wireless networks. The path can look like Settings. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks or connections → Management SIM-And that's where all the controls are concentrated, and you'll see a list of the cards that are installed, usually marked as"SIM 1" and"SIM 2".

Tap the name or icon of the second SIM card, and this is the master switch, which is often in the default "Off" position, and then you can turn the slider back to active status, and the system can request confirmation of action, or PIN-code, if it is installed on the map.

Once turned on, you can rename the card for convenience, such as "Work" or "Personal", and select a color label to help you visually distinguish which card is calling from or consuming traffic. Card identification is critical to the proper operation of automation scenarios.

Set up the Internet and Prioritize Challenges

When both cards are active, the question of task allocation arises: the smartphone needs to know which card to make outgoing calls by default and which channel to use for data transfer. SIM-maps and mobile networks.

In the "Mobile Internet" block, select the card on which you have the most favorable tariff or better coverage in the current area.

• 📞 Default Calls: Select a specific card or the Always Ask option if you want to control each call.
• 🌐 Mobile Internet: Specify the main card for access to the network.
• 💬 SMS Default: Set up sending messages via preferred number.

You should also pay attention to the Smart SIM feature, which, if enabled, will analyze the phone's contact history and suggest using the number you last called it from, a feature that is convenient for those who are communicating with one number and personal with another.

Working with VoLTE and HD-double-card

VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology allows high-quality voice transmission while using the Internet. On two-symbol Xiaomi smartphones, this feature has its own features, and often by default VoLTE is activated only on the map selected for the Internet.

To activate HD-Calls on the second number, go to the settings of a specific SIM-If you don't have a VoLTE switch, it can be hidden in the menu, or it can be activated automatically by the operator.

⚠️ Attention! Activation of VoLTE on the second SIM card may cause it to stop switching to the second SIM card. 2G/3G when the operator does not support the technology EPS Fallback.Make sure your tariff supports this option.

In some cases, dual-card 4G requires support for DSDS (Dual SIM Dual Standby) technology. Modern Qualcomm and MediaTek processors used by Xiaomi usually cope with this task without problems, allowing both numbers to stay on the LTE network in standby mode.

Solution: Card is not defined or not networked

The situation where the phone sees one card but ignores the other is rare, but it does. SIM-If the problem moved with the map, it's the SIM itself, maybe it's old, damaged, or not cut to standard.

If the second slot doesn't work independently of the card you insert, you should check the software settings. Network settings sometimes help. Settings go down the Settings path → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will not delete your personal data, but will return network settings to factory settings.

It is also worth checking whether the second card is not worth it. PIN-code that you don't enter when you download. PIN-code, it won't be able to log in to the network until it's unlocked. Enter the code through a pop-up or in the security settings.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics

For advanced users, an engineering menu is available on Android to provide detailed information about the status of the radio module, and on Xiaomi smartphones, it is logged in via a set of special code in the Phone application.

Enter ##4636##. The Check menu will open, where you can select Phone Information. SIM-map (SIM 0 SIM 1. Pay attention to the line "Connection status." If it says "Disconnected", try to switch the preferred network type.

The preferred network type should be set to LTE/TD-SCDMA/GSM (AUTO) or similar, supporting 4G. It is not recommended to force only 4G, as in areas of low coverage communication may disappear completely, and incoming calls will cease to pass.

⚠️ Attention, be careful in the engineering menu, changing unknown parameters can cause the communication module to malfunction.

In the same menu, you can see the signal level in dBm. values closer to zero (for example, -70 dBm) mean a great signal, and values below -110 dBm indicate a very poor reception.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Competent setting of the second SIM card allows you to combine the advantages of different tariff plans, but requires the right choice of priorities for calls and the Internet in the settings menu.