Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 has become a hit for its value for money, but for many users, the first obstacle is the physical installation of communication cards. Two-sim mode allows you to separate personal and work calls or use different rates to save on the Internet, making proper installation critical. Unlike the old models, it uses a combined tray, which requires careful approach to the orientation of the chips.
Installation that is not right can cause the phone to fail to see the network or, in the worst case scenario, damage contacts inside the device.The Redmi Note 7 supports the Nano-SIM standard, which means there is no bezel around the chip itself, so it is very easy to make a mistake with the size when trimming or selecting a card.Our goal is to take a detailed look at the process so you can enjoy communication without unnecessary hassle.
Before you pick up a paperclip, make sure the device is off or in flight mode, even though modern smartphones support hot replacement. We'll look not only at the mechanical part of the process, but also at the software setup that often raises questions for newcomers to the MIUI ecosystem. Let's get started with tool preparation.
Tool preparation and completeness check
You don't need a sophisticated technical arsenal to get started. In the standard box with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, there's always a special key to remove the tray, which looks like a thickened metal clip. If the original tool is lost or misused, a regular stationery clip, straight-spoke, or a thin needle, will do. The main thing is to avoid using blunt objects, such as toothpicks, that can break inside the hole.
The second important element is the communication cards themselves. Make sure you have the Nano-SIM format on hand. This is the smallest of the existing standards, where the plastic frame is almost absent, leaving only the chip and minimal edge. If your cards are larger (Micro or Mini), they must be replaced in the operator's office or carefully trimmed according to the template, although the latter option carries the risk of damaging contacts.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to insert a card into a slot by force. If it does not enter smoothly with a light press, then you have chosen the wrong orientation or mixed up the slots, and the effort will lead to a breakdown of the mechanism.
It is also recommended to wipe the contacts. SIM-The cards are made with soft dry cloth before installation, fat spots or dust can cause unstable signals or periodic network loss. Gold contacts must be perfectly clean to ensure reliable connection to the pins inside the smartphone.
Anatomy of the tray and the location of slots
The tray in Redmi Note 7 is located on the lower end of the device, to the left of the charging port. USB Type-C: The design of the tray is hybrid: it has two seats for the SIM-It is important to understand that the third slot (for memory) often shares physical space with the second. SIM-It may not be possible to use two SIMs and a memory card at the same time depending on the tray revision, but the Note 7 usually implements a separate storage compartment for memory.
If you look closely at the extracted tray, you'll notice that one of the SIM slots has a rounded angle corresponding to the notch on the card. This is the SIM 1 slot. The second slot (SIM 2) also has its own specific shape. The orientation of the chip should always be downwards, towards the smartphone screen when you hold the phone face to you, although the tray itself often has a schematic image suggesting the correct position.
The microSD card bay is usually located on the back of the tray or in the back, and it also has a clear shape to prevent the card from being inserted incorrectly.If you plan to expand the memory, make sure the card is formatted in the FAT32 or exFAT file system to work properly with Android.
💡
Before installing a new one SIM-Cards activate the service PIN-This will protect your data in case of a phone theft, because without the code, the card will not work on any device.
Step-by-step installation instructions SIM-map
Now, the practical part is, take the extraction key and insert it into a little hole next to the tray at the end of the case. Press it confidently, but without fanaticism, until the tray jumps. Pull the tray out completely and put it on a flat surface.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Take the first one. SIM-And you can place it in the appropriate recess, make sure that the bevelled corner of the card matches the bevelled corner of the tray, and the chip should look down, and you can do the same thing with the second card, and you can put it in the next slot. If you use a memory card, it is installed in a separate compartment, often requiring easy pressure to a characteristic click, although in the Note 7 the tray is taken out completely and the cards are simply nested in their niches.
Carefully insert the collected tray back into the smartphone. It's important not to confuse the top and bottom of the tray. The orientation of the tray should completely repeat the shape of the hole. If the tray does not enter easily, flip it over. After successful insertion, the phone should vibrate or make a sound that signals the detection of networks.
| Element | Action. | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Key to extraction | Pushing the hole | Hold perpendicular to the body |
| SIM 1 | Installation in the main slot | Chip down, corner bend matches |
| SIM 2 | Installation in the second slot | Chip down, next to the first one. |
| Tray | Phone insertion | No effort, no end. |
Setting up two SIM-card MIUI
After physical installation and activation of the device, the system MIUI It automatically recognizes two cards. You may see notifications on the screen asking you to configure them. Go to the Settings menu, then select the item. SIM-You'll see both active cards with their respective colors (e.g. blue and orange) here, which helps you visually distinguish them in the interface.
In this menu, you can set priorities, such as choosing which card will be used by default for mobile Internet and which will be used for voice calls, and the Always Ask feature is available if you want to choose a number manually before each call. For the second card, it often makes sense to turn off data transfer to save battery power, leaving only voice and SMS.
⚠️ Note: If you use a single card for 4G/LTE, Make sure that the second card settings do not include mode 4G, since the Redmi Note 7 It may not support simultaneous operation of two cards in the mode 4G+4G, switching one 2G/3G.
Don't forget to check your roaming settings if you plan to travel. SIM-The card has a separate data roaming switch, which is turned off by default to avoid unexpected expenses, and you can also rename the cards (for example, "Work" and "Personal") for easy management.
What if your phone only sees one SIM?
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even if installed correctly, software failures can occur if the screen displays a "No" sign. SIM-"Master" or "Put in" SIM", Try to restart the device. Often, after a system update or network failure, you need to re-register on the operator's network, which is solved by a simple restart.
In some cases, network resets help. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Recover and Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile internet and Bluetooth settings. This action will not delete your personal data, but will return network settings to factory values, which often eliminates conflicts between two operators.
If the problem is physical (the map is not readable at all), check the contacts of the tray. Oxidation or contamination can be cleaned with alcohol. It is also worth checking the card itself on another phone to rule out damage. In rare cases, you need to flash the modem or completely flash the device.
💡
Most problems with the definition of the second SIM-Cards are solved by simply cleaning contacts or shifting cards between slots. SIM 1 and SIM 2.