Owners of budget but reliable smartphones from the Chinese company Xiaomi often face the need to replace the SIM card, whether it is a switch to another operator or installing a new memory card. the Redmi 5, released a few years ago, is still actively used due to its autonomy and the screen with an aspect ratio of 18:9. However, the design of the tray in this device has its own features that can bewilder an inexperienced user who first took possession of gadgets of this line.
The process of removing the communication module seems trivial only at first glance. Mistakes can damage the contacts or mechanically jamm the mechanism. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to safely remove the tray, what to do if it is stuck, and how to distinguish the memory card slot from the SIM card compartment so as not to harm the device.
First, make sure you're in a well-lit place and you have the right tool on hand. It's important not to put too much effort into it, because the plastic tray is quite fragile and the metal frame of the case does not tolerate rough interference. We'll look at all the nuances of the procedure so that you can complete the replacement in minutes without risking the gadget.
Tools and workplace preparation
Before you start physically affecting the body of the smartphone, you need to prepare the workspace, the ideal option is a table with a hard surface covered with soft cloth or a mouse mat, which will prevent damage to the screen or back cover if the device accidentally slips out of your hands during manipulation.
The main tool for retrieving the tray is a special paper clip that comes with the Xiaomi Redmi 5. It is shaped like a thin metal rod with a pointed end. If the original paper clip is lost, it can be replaced with a stationery clip, straightening one of the ends, or a thin needle. The main requirement is that the tool must be strong enough not to bend when pressed, but not too thick to damage the mechanism.
It is not recommended to use knives, sewers or other sharp objects with a wide blade. The risk of slipping such a tool is very high, which can lead to scratches on the frame or, worse, to get inside the case and damage the plumes. It is also worth removing the case if it tightly fits the case and blocks access to the tray hole.
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Before starting work, wipe your hands with a dry cloth to avoid getting moisture or fat on the contacts. SIM-maps that may cause oxidation in the future.
Location of the tray and slot types in Redmi 5
Redmi 5 is equipped with a combined tray type "2 in 1." This means that physically in the case of the smartphone there is only one retractable compartment that can accept either two nano-SIM cards, one nano-SIM and one microSD memory card. Understanding this configuration is critical, as trying to insert two SIMs and a memory card at the same time is impossible without the use of special (and often unstable) adapters.
The tray extraction hole is on the bottom end of the device, next to the Micro-USB charging connector and speaker, and the tray is elongated in oval shape and recessed in the body flush, and you can see a small circular hole on the end of the tray, which is the one you need to use the tool to act on.
There are two different sized recesses inside the tray. The larger recess is for the memory card, and the smaller, often bevelled, is for the nano-SIM SIM. It's important not to confuse them, because the memory card is thicker and has a different contact geometry. In some versions, the tray can be one-way, so check it carefully before installing.
| Component | Format | Location in the tray | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM-map | Nano-SIM | Small hole with a sloping angle | Thin, just chip. |
| Memory map | MicroSD | Big hole | Fatter, contacts on the back. |
| Tray | Combined | Lower end of the hull | metal frame |
| Tool. | Paperclip/Needle | A hole at the end of the tray | Diameter about 1 mm |
Step-by-step instructions for removing the tray
The process of removing the tray requires precision, but it's not complicated to execute. Follow the algorithm to avoid errors. First, hold the smartphone in one hand so that the bottom end of the tray is pointed away from you or upwards, providing a good view of the hole. With the second hand, take the tool (clip).
☑️ Tray extraction algorithm
Insert the pointed end of the paper clip into the hole on the end of the tray. Hold the tool strictly perpendicular to the edge of the case. The slope of the paper clip up or down can cause you to not get into the lever mechanism or, worse, scratch the metal around the hole. Smoothly but confidently press the paper clip inwards.
You should feel a slight click or resistance, after which the tray will extend a few millimeters. This is a signal that the spring mechanism worked correctly. Then remove the tool and gently pull the protruding part of the tray with your fingers, removing it completely. Don't pull sharply so as not to damage the contacts inside.
⚠️ Attention: If the tray is not pushed out when you press it normally, don't push it too hard. Check if the paper clip is even. Excessive pressure can break the plastic holder inside the mechanism, and then it will be impossible to remove the tray without disassembling the phone.
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The tray should be easily and silently extended (except for a slight click) and any jamming or crunch indicates a malfunction or incorrect position of the tool.
What to do if the tray is stuck or not removed
When the Redmi 5 tray refuses to go out, it is rare, but possible, most often due to the deformation of the SIM card itself or the entry of dust and dirt into the mechanism. If a standard press of a paper clip does not work, the first thing you do is try to slightly sway the tool in the horizontal plane, without removing it from the hole to find the correct position of the lever.
Sometimes the tray gets stuck because the memory card or SIM card has jumped out of its place and blocks movement, in which case you can try to gently tap the phone with the bottom face on the palm or soft surface, holding it vertically, and vibration can help the card to stand in place and free the mechanism.
The method of duct tape (only if the tray is slightly visible)
If the tray does not respond, there is a risk that the extraction mechanism is damaged or the tray is curved, in which case further attempts may lead to a breakage of the case, the solution in this situation is one: to contact the service center, the wizards will open the device through the screen or back cover and remove the tray manually, avoiding damage.
⚠️ Warning: Never use glue ("Superglue", "Moment") to stick a paper clip to the tray inside the phone! The adhesive vapors can damage electronics, and the glue itself, trapped in the mechanism, permanently lock the device.
Proper installation of SIM-card and memory card
Once the tray is successfully removed, the installation of new components begins. The Xiaomi Redmi 5 uses the nano-SIM format. If your card is larger, you need to cut it out along the contour or, more correctly, replace it with a map of the desired format.
Put the tray on a flat surface. Notice the bevelled angle in the SIM card recess, which should match the bevelled angle on the card itself. The microSD card is inserted with contacts down (usually), but it is better to navigate by the icon squeezed on the tray itself next to the hole. Make sure the cards are tight and do not protrude above the edges of the tray.
Putting the tray back into the body also requires orientation. The tray has only one correct position. If you feel resistance, don't push. Take out the tray, flip it over with the other side and try again. A properly installed tray enters the body smoothly and to the end, leaving only a small gap outside for titling.
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Blow the tray before installing a new card. Dust caught on contacts can cause network loss or memory card reading errors.
Frequent problems and their solution after installation
Once you insert the tray back, the smartphone should automatically detect the new SIM card, the network indicator and signal level will appear on the screen. If this does not happen, or the phone says "No SIM card", check the purity of the contacts. Wipe the golden SIM card chip with a soft eraser or dry cloth.
Sometimes, after replacing the SIM card, you need to restart the device. Press the power button and select "Switch off", then turn on the phone again. In rare cases, Android may need to enter PIN-code, if it was installed earlier. Make sure that the settings (Settings) → SIM-Maps and mobile networks: The right slot for mobile internet and calls is chosen if you use two cards.
If the phone doesn't see the memory card, check if it's fully inserted. Redmi 5 may also require a new card to be formatted when you first connect. Agree to formatting, saving the data on the computer beforehand, if necessary. The file system must be compatible (usually FAT32 or exFAT).