Replacing a carrier or installing an additional memory card is often a pressing necessity for modern gadgets. However, in the pursuit of a thin case and waterproof, manufacturers hide slots so that an inexperienced user may be confused. The question of how to remove the SIM card from a Xiaomi smartphone is especially relevant for those who have previously used devices with removable covers or side mechanical buttons.
Modern Redmi, Poco and Xiaomi flagships use a combined or separate tray that requires careful handling. Incorrect extraction can damage the mechanism or the card itself, which will lead to additional costs. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of extracting the tray, look at the features of different generations of devices and tell you what to do if the standard key is lost.
Before you start physically affecting your device, it's important to understand the design of your particular machine. Engineers are constantly improving the ergonomics, changing the location of the slot from the bottom to the side or even the top. Careful inspection of the case before the procedure will save you from errors and allow you to complete the task in seconds without the risk of damage.
Determination of the type of tray and its location
The first step in the card replacement process is visually diagnosing the case.In most of the brand's modern smartphones, a slot for the device is available. SIM-The card is a thin metal frame recessed in the end of the device, and the location of this element varies: in classic models of the Mi Note series or old Redmi, it is often located at the bottom, next to the charging connector. USB Type-C or Micro-USB. In newer flagships and mid-budget models, the slot moved to the side edge, usually left, when looking at the screen.
You have to distinguish the SIM card tray from the microphone or speaker hole. The tray always has a distinctive elongated shape and a small circular hole for the key next to it. On the end of the tray itself, symbols are often struck indicating the purpose of the compartments: SIM-card SD. It is important not to confuse these holes, as hitting the tool in the speaker can lead to its breakage.
Some budget models use a hybrid slot that allows you to install either two SIM cards, or one SIM card and memory card. The design of such trays requires special care when installing, so as not to damage the contacts. It is recommended to turn off the device before extraction, although modern standards allow hot replacement, software resetting the network when the phone is turned on can cause temporary failures in the definition of the operator.
Below is a table that helps determine the type of tray depending on the series of devices:
| Device series | Slot location | Type of tray | Support for SD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note (old) | Lower end | Separate | Yeah, separate slot. |
| Xiaomi Mi / Digital Series | Lower end (left) | Combined | Just instead of the SIM 2. |
| Poco X / F series | Lower end | Triple (rarely) | Yes, independent. |
| Redmi (budget) | Side-face | Hybrid | Yeah, instead of SIM 2. |
Understanding the design of your device is half the success, and if you're not sure what the tray is, you can improve the official documentation or look carefully at the end in good light, and sometimes manufacturers put subtle tags next to the hole that indicate the direction of opening the mechanism.
Tools and workplace preparation
The tray is normally designed to be retrieved with a special key-clip that comes with the box, a small metal bar, often attached to a plastic base or part of a protective film, and if the original tool is lost, it can be replaced with a paper clip, straightening one of the ends, or a thin sewing needle, the main requirement for the tool is strength and a sharp tip that can press on the internal lever of the mechanism.
It is strongly discouraged to use thick objects such as toothpicks (they break inside the hole), blunt-ended pins or knives. A wooden toothpicker can split inside the mechanism, locking the tray permanently, and a metal knife is too wide and can damage the body.The ideal diameter of the tool is about 1.0-1.5 mm.
⚠️ Warning: Never use excessive force when pressing the mechanism. If the tray does not come out, you may have misidentified the hole or the mechanism jammed.
Prepare a soft surface for work, such as a towel or mouse mat, in case the tray pops out abruptly, it should not fall on a hard floor or get lost, and make sure your hands are dry and clean, so as not to leave greasy marks on the contacts of the card or the case of the smartphone.
☑️ Preparation for extraction SIM-map
Step-by-step: we remove the tray correctly
The process of removing the tray is technically simple, but requires precision of movement. Take the smartphone in one hand, ensuring a secure grip so that the device does not slip out. With the second hand, take the tool (clip or key) and bring it perpendicular to the hole on the tray. It is important to hold the tool strictly at a 90 degree angle so that the force is transmitted directly to the pusher, not to the walls of the channel.
Smoothly but confidently push the tool until the characteristic click, at which point the spring mechanism will push the tray outwards a few millimeters. You don't need to push too deep, you just need to feel the resistance and the moment of exit. Once the tray appears, remove the tool and pull the tool carefully with your fingers, completely removing it from the body.
If you have a combined tray, look at the shape of the tray. Usually one side has a cutout for the size of the Nano-SIM, and the other side has a memory card area. In some models, the tray has a step structure where the cards are nested from different sides. Don't make an effort if the card is not in the slot - you may be trying to insert it with the wrong side.
💡
To avoid losing the tiny Nano-SIM, take the procedure over a table or spread cloth.
Once the tray is removed, inspect it for contamination. Contacts should be clean and shiny. If you're planning to replace the card, just put a new SIM in the appropriate cutout, keeping the angle cutout shape, and insert the tray back into the phone before the click.
What to do if the tray is stuck or the key is lost
When the tray is not removed, it is not common, but it can cause panic. Often the cause is oxidation of the contacts or dust entering the mechanism, which creates additional friction, in which case you can try to slightly tap the end of the phone on the palm (in the direction of opening the tray) to stir up the mechanism, or use a little alcohol to clean the contacts, if you have access.
If the original key is lost and there is no paper clip on hand, you can use an earring with a thin sharp pin or even a thin wire from the spirals for notebooks.The main thing is to avoid using items that can bend or break inside the hole. Never use scissors, as their ends are often blunt and too thick for Xiaomi micro holes.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid using glue to stick the tray to the tool.The glue can leak inside the case and permanently glue the tray or damage the electronics of the smartphone.
As a last resort, if the tray is jammed and standard methods do not help, it is better to contact an authorized service center. The masters have special toolsets for neat opening without damaging the case. Self-picking with a screwdriver can lead to scratches on the frame and loss of warranty.
Can I remove a tray without a tool?
Features of working with Nano-SIM and eSIM
Xiaomi’s current smartphones are exclusively Nano-SIM. This is the smallest SIM standard to date. If you have a larger card (Micro or standard), it must be replaced from the operator or gently trimmed in a special form, although the latter option is not recommended due to the risk of chip damage.
In some global versions of Xiaomi flagships (for example, the Mi 13 series or Xiaomi 14), the physical slot may be absent or one, and the second number is written programmatically. In such devices, the question "how to remove the SIM card" is solved through the program menu: → SIM-Maps and mobile networks where you can delete the operator profile.
- 📱 Physical Nano-SIM Requires Mechanical Removal of the Tray.
- 💻 eSIM is removed programmatically through device settings.
- 🔄 Hybrid slots require a choice between a second SIM and a memory card.
When installing the Nano-SIM, make sure it lies flat in the tray and does not hang.If the card dangles, use a special adapter or gently (using tape on the back without pasting the contacts) lock it, although it is better to request a new card from the operator of the correct size.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes is to try to insert the tray with the back side. The tray has a special shape that allows it to enter in only one position. If you feel resistance when pushing, don't push, take out the tray, turn it over and try again. Forced push can break the contacts inside the phone.
Another mistake is to place the memory card and SIM card in one compartment of the hybrid tray without using a special dual adapter (unless it is designed). In conventional hybrid trays, these elements occupy the same physical space, and trying to shove two cards into the same layer will lead to a breakage of the tray.
Also, users often forget to turn off the phone before replacing. Although modern Android OSes support hot replacement, in rare cases, the system may not see a new card or freeze, requiring a reboot.
💡
The main mistake is to use force where accuracy is needed, so the tray should come out easily and the map should get into the groove without effort.