The correct installation of the carrier card is a priority immediately after unpacking the new smartphone. Xiaomi’s Poco M3 is equipped with a hybrid tray, which requires careful consideration of the format of memory cards and SIM cards.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at how to insert a SIM into the Xiaomi Poco M3 to avoid mechanical damage and software problems.You’ll learn about slot location, types of cards supported, and the nuances of setting up an APN for quick internet access.
The replacement or initial installation process doesn't require any special tools other than the staples that come with the staples, but keeping the sequence is critical to the longevity of your device. Let's take a closer look at all the steps.
Location of the slot for SIM-map
Before you start physical intervention, you need to pinpoint the location of the tray. Unlike some older models where the slot could be under the battery, the Poco M3 uses an end mechanism, which is the standard for modern smartphones, providing tightness and protection from dust.
Take a close look at the top end of the device, and you'll see a narrow horizontal slot and a small hole next to it, and this is the end that's designed to be used to set up maps. You don't have to touch the side faces (where the volume and power buttons are).
It is important not to confuse this slot with an opening for an infrared port, which is also located on the upper end, but looks like a black glass dot, not a slot.Mechanical impact on the IR port can cause it to break.
A hybrid slot means you can use two SIM cards or one SIM card and one microSD memory card. Simultaneous use of two SIMs and a memory card is impossible without using cloud services or OTG-adapter.
⚠️ Warning: Never attempt to remove the tray if the phone is connected to a charger or is in heavy operation mode.Although the protection system usually blocks the extraction when recording actively, it is better to protect the device from voltage surges.
Tools and training required
To be successful, you'll need a minimal set of tools, and ideally, you'll have an original paper clip on hand, which comes in a phone box, and it's shaped to prevent the machine from slipping and damaging.
If the original paper clip is lost, you can use a regular paper clip. However, make sure it is thin enough, but strong. Too thick needle can get stuck in the mechanism, and too thin needle can bend when pressed.
- 📱 Xiaomi Poco Smartphone M3 screen-off.
- 📎 Paperclip for extracting the tray (original or stationery).
- 💳 Map of the operator of the Nano-SIM format.
- 💾 MicroSD card (optional if two SIMs are not used).
While many modern smartphones support hot replacement, power cuts ensure that the system correctly recognizes the new card when it starts and that there are no software conflicts between drivers.
Step-by-step instructions for removing the tray
The process of removing the tray requires precision, but not much physical effort, and the main thing is to find the right angle of inclination of the tool, take a paper clip and insert its tip into a circular hole next to the slot.
Point the tool strictly perpendicular to the body of the phone. You don't have to push too hard; the mechanism works on the principle of a lever. Enough confident but moderate pressure that the tray jumped and moved a few millimeters.
☑️ Pre-extraction check
Once the tray has moved out, gently pull it over the edge with your fingers. Don't pull sharply so as not to damage the contacts or the plastic frame itself. The tray should come out smoothly.
Notice the orientation of the tray. One side usually shows a diagram showing how to position the map correctly. If there's no diagram, remember which side of the tray entered the phone.
Installation of Nano-SIM and memory cards
The most critical step is placing the chip in the tray. The Poco M3 model uses the Nano-SIM format, which is the smallest of the common standards. Make sure your card is not an old Micro-SIM or Mini-SIM without the appropriate adapter or cropping.
Put the SIM card in the designated spot on the tray. The golden contacts should look downwards, and the beveled corner of the card should coincide with the beveled angle of the notch in the tray. The card should lie tight and not stagger.
If you're using a microSD card, put it in the second compartment, and the contacts of the memory card should also be downwards, and in a hybrid slot, it's important not to confuse the compartments, although physically they often have different shapes to prevent error.
💡
If the SIM card is larger than the Nano-SIM format, do not try to insert it by force. Contact the operator's salon for a free replacement with the correct size card.
Check if the card is protruding over the edges of the tray, and if you feel uneven, it means that the card is inserted incorrectly, which can cause the tray to break when you try to close the phone.
| Parameter | Slot 1 (External) | Slot 2 (Internal) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of card | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM or microSD |
| Support for 4G/5G | Yes. | Yes. |
| Contacts | Looking down. | Looking down. |
| Max. SD volume | - | Up to 512GB |
Inserting the tray back into the case
Once you've successfully placed the cards, you need to put the tray back in place, hold the phone in one hand and the tray in the other, and combine the guide tray with the slots in the phone case.
It's important to be very orientated: the tray must come in the same side that you took it out, and the tray's angle is usually sloping, and it's like the shape of the slot. Don't try to put the tray upside down.
Carefully press the tray inside until you click or feel a stop. It should match the body of the phone and not protrude out. If the tray does not enter easily, do not press, check orientation again.
After installation, turn on the device. MIUI must automatically identify a new SIM card. If this does not happen, check if it is installed correctly, or clean the contacts with dry soft cloth.
Network and Internet settings after installation
Once the phone is turned on, the system can suggest setting up a SIM card. Follow the instructions on the screen. You will need to choose which card to use for default calls and which for mobile Internet.
To access the network, you need to check the settings of the access point (APN). They usually come automatically in the form of SMS If the Internet is not working, go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
Select the SIM card you want and click APNs. If the list is empty, create a new point by entering data from your carrier, a critical step for 4G to work.
⚠️ Note: When resetting network settings to factory ones, saved access points may be removed APN. Make sure you have access to the internet via Wi-Fi to automatically restore them or write down the settings manually.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone does not see the SIM card. First of all, check if it is inserted correctly. Even a microscopic shift can disrupt the contact.
The second common cause is contact contamination: wipe the golden part of your SIM card with a soft eraser or an alcohol napkin, and fat spots on your fingers can interfere with reading.
- 🔄 Restart the device after installing the card.
- 🧹 Clear the SIM card and tray contacts.
- ⚙️ Check if the SIM card is blocked by the operator.
- 📡 Make sure your operator’s network is covered in the region.
If the problem persists, try installing the SIM card on another phone to help you see if the card itself or the problem in the Poco M3 smartphone is faulty.
What to do if the tray is stuck?
In rare cases, a software reset of network settings is required, which will not delete your personal data, but will return the network settings to their original state.