Modern smartphones are getting thinner and more technologically advanced, but basic issues such as installation are also important. SIM-The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, launched in 2018, was one of the first devices of the brand to receive a fingerprint scanner built right into the screen and a transparent back panel. However, the design of the tray for cards in this device has its own features, which are important to consider so as not to damage the device at the first turn on.
Many owners have difficulty retrieving the tray, as the key hole is not where most Android gadget users are used to. Mistakes can damage the mechanism or the card itself. In this article, we will discuss in detail the installation process, sizes and possible problems with reading the network on Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro.
Before you start physically affecting the case, you need to prepare the workplace. Make sure you have an original paper clip or a special key that comes with it. It is also important that your hands are dry and the surface on which the smartphone lies is clean and not slippery. This minimizes the risk of the device accidentally falling during the procedure.
Features of the design of the tray SIM-card
Unlike many budget models, where the tray is often hidden at the bottom of the case, Xiaomi engineers in the Mi 8 Pro model placed a card slot on the top end of the device. This is a classic location for flagship smartphones of the period. The tray is combined, allowing you to use two physical SIM-cards of the Nano-SIM format, but does not support simultaneous installation of a microSD memory card.
It's important to understand that the tray has a specific design with slots. It's not a solid cup like in old phones. The cards are stacked in special recesses and fixed by the tight fit and frame of the tray. The Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro does not have a separate slot for microSD cards, so you can't expand the internal storage in a classic way.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to remove the tray unless you see clearly the holes.Pressure by a metal object to the wrong place on the top edge can damage the microphone or control buttons located next to the slot.
The tray material is made of metal, which provides good heat and durability, but requires precision when inserted. If you insert it with a skew, you can bend the guides inside the case. So visually monitoring the position of the cards before entering the case is a must.
Tools and training required
To successfully install a SIM card, you don't need a sophisticated technical arsenal, just a minimal set that is usually always at hand, but the quality of the tools directly affects the safety of the procedure.
- 🔑 Special key for extracting the tray (comes complete) or a thin paper clip.
- 📱 Same thing. SIM-Nano-SIM map (4FF) from your carrier.
- 🧼 Soft cloth or wipe to wipe the card contacts if they are contaminated.
- 💡 Light source to better see the marking on the tray and the orientation of the chip.
If you're using the old one SIM-A card that has been used in other devices is recommended to wipe its golden contacts with dry cloth. Fat spots or oxidation can cause the Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro to not see the network even after the correct installation.
In some cases, users try to use sharpened matches or toothpicks, and this is not worth it: the tree can split inside the hole, and the tip gets stuck, blocking the mechanism.
💡
If the tray is stuck and not taken out, do not use excessive force. Try to press it slightly with your finger, and then press the key again to unlock the latch.
Step-by-step installation instructions
The process of installing a SIM card in Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro takes less than a minute, if you know the sequence of actions, the main thing is to take your time and monitor the orientation of the card relative to the scheme drawn on the tray itself.
☑️ Pre-installing check
- Take the smartphone in your hand and find a small round hole near the tray frame on the upper end.
- Insert the key or paperclip into the hole perpendicular to the body and press with moderate force until the tray appears.
- Remove the tray completely and put it on the table.
- Put the first one down. SIM-map to the designated place so that the cut corner coincides with the shape of the tray, and the chip looked up (in some revisions, the tray chip can look down, focus on the scheme).
- Carefully insert the tray back into the smartphone until the characteristic click.
Note that the tray has only one correct position to enter the case. If you feel strong resistance, don't push. Take out the tray, flip it over or check if the card is stacked correctly. The Mi 8 Pro is equipped with sensors that can respond to the tray being removed, so the system can reboot the communication module.
⚠️ Note: It is strictly forbidden to insert a tray if it is not in it. SIM-If the card is not tight, it can cause the contact pins inside the device to break.
Once installed, turn on the device. The system must automatically identify a new card and request PIN-If it doesn't, check if you've got the right chip.
Support for two SIMs and eSIMs
Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro’s flagship status includes support for two physical devices SIM-This allows the user to separate personal and work contacts or use the tariffs of different operators to save on calls and the Internet.
Technical characteristics of the model also claim support for eSIM technology in global versions, but in practice in Russian versions this function is often blocked software or hardware.
| Parameter | Slot 1 | Slot 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type of card | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Mode of work | 4G/3G/2G | 4G/3G/2G |
| Hot-swap | Supported | Supported |
| Main network | Yes. | Yeah (switching) |
The two cards allow one to work on 4G LTE networks while the second is in standby mode (2G/3G). You can switch the main card for the mobile Internet programmatically through the settings without physically removing the tray.