Installing a carrier card is a top priority after buying any smartphone. Owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi 5 model often face the question of the correct location of the cards, since the design of the tray has its own peculiarities. Incorrect installation can lead to the fact that the device will not see the network or only one of the SIM cards will work.
The process of replacing or initial installation does not require special skills, but requires accuracy and understanding of the design of the slot. In this article, we will discuss in detail where the tray is located, how to properly remove it without damaging the case and in what sequence to install memory cards and SIM.
Before you start physically affecting the device, you need to make sure you have all the tools you need. Usually, a paper clip is included with the phone, but if it is lost, a regular sewing needle or a thin pin will do, and the main thing is to act carefully so as not to scratch the metal frame.
Preparation for installation and search for tray
The first step in the preparation process is to locate the card slot. In the Redmi 5 model, the tray is combined and located on the upper end of the case. This is a standard solution for many Xiaomi smartphones of the period, which saves interior space.
So if you look at the top of the device carefully, you'll see a small oblong hole next to the noise-cancellation microphone, and that's where you put the key to extract it, and it's important not to confuse this hole with the microphone hole, because inserting a needle into it can damage an important component.
⚠️ Warning: Before removing the tray, we strongly advise you to turn off the smartphone completely. Although modern devices support hot replacement, turning off the power minimizes the risk of short circuit or failure in the modem software.
You'll need a thin metal object to work with. The standard paper clip that comes with the set is optimally thick. If you use the tools at hand, make sure the tip is not too sharp and has no burrs that can get stuck inside the mechanism.
☑️ Ready for installation
Tray extraction and preparation SIM-map
Once the tool is found, insert it into the hole perpendicular to the phone's body, the movement should be sure, but not sharp. When pressed, you will feel a slight click of the spring mechanism, and the tray will slightly extend outwards.
Carefully pull the tray over the edge with your fingers to remove it completely. The Xiaomi Redmi 5 uses a hybrid slot. This means that you can install either a second slot in the second socket. SIM-Simultaneous installation of two SIMs and a memory card is impossible without the use of special adapters, which are not recommended by manufacturers.
Notice the shape of the cutout in the tray. Nano-SIM cards are the smallest to date. If your SIM card is larger, it needs to be broken down or replaced with the right size card from the carrier. Don't try to insert a larger card by force, it will cause the contacts to break.
What to do if the tray is not removed?
Scheme of installing cards in a hybrid slot
The design of the tray in Redmi 5 provides two spaces for the placement of elements. SIM-The other one is universal, and understanding this circuitry is critical to the proper operation of the device.
The first slot (usually the one closer to the edge of the tray or has a specific cutout shape) is always occupied by the SIM card. The second slot can accept either a second SIM or a memory expansion card. The contacts on the tray are arranged to match the gold plates on the map.
| Position in the tray | Type of card | Format | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | SIM 1 | Nano-SIM | Principal number, 4G/LTE |
| Slot 2 | SIM 2 / MicroSD | Nano-SIM / up to 128 GB | Hybrid slot, the choice of one |
When laying the card, make sure that the cut angle matches the shape of the tray. The card should lie flat, not protruding beyond the edges of the frame. If the memory card or SIM sticks out, when closing the tray, they can damage or damage contacts inside the phone.
Installation of the tray back to the smartphone
Once the cards are placed in their nests, you have to put the tray back in place, and it's important to be guided, and the tray has only one correct position, where it enters the enclosure freely.
Put the tray in the slot guides on the end of the phone. Make sure it comes in smoothly, without skewing. If you feel resistance, don't push. Take out the tray, flip it over with the other side and try again. Never use force, as it can break the plastic guides inside the case.
Move the tray until the characteristic click or until its edge is equal to the frame of the phone. The tray should sit tight, without gaps. The presence of a gap may indicate improper installation or dust, which can later lead to oxidation of the contacts.
⚠️ Warning: If it protrudes more than a millimeter from the case after installing the tray, do not turn on the phone.This can damage the side button or the tray itself when carried in your pocket.
Network settings after installation
After switching on the smartphone system MIUI automatically detect a new SIM-The card will show a notification of registration on the screen, and if there are two cards, the phone can request a preferences setting for each card.
To manage network settings, go to the settings menu. The path usually looks like this: Settings → SIM-You can set a priority card for calls and mobile Internet, which is especially important if the data plans on different SIM cards differ.
In the settings section, you can activate or disable a particular SIM card without physically removing it, and you can set up a network type here, and for maximum speeds, you should choose 4G/LTE if your carrier supports this standard in your region.
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Use different carriers for two SIM cards to stay in coverage, so if one operator loses signal in a particular area, the other can provide communication.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes, after installing the card, the phone says no. SIM-"Master" or "Put in" SIM". This can be caused by contamination of contacts.Wash the golden part of the SIM card with a soft eraser or dry cloth that leaves no pile.
Another common problem is the incompatibility of the old SIM-If your SIM card is many years old, the operator may have changed the security requirements, so that the free replacement of the card in the salon will solve the problem.
It is also worth checking whether the phone is locked for a specific operator, if the device is bought from hand or brought from abroad, it can only work with SIM cards of a particular provider, in which case you will need an unlock procedure.
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If the phone doesn't see the SIM card after all the checks, try installing it on another phone to help you see if the card itself is faulty or if the smartphone is having a problem.