Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to quickly replace a SIM card or memory card, which may be required when changing carriers, moving to another region or simply setting a new tariff. However, despite the apparent simplicity of the operation, inexperienced users may face difficulties, especially if there is no special paper clip at hand or if the tray mechanism is jammed.
Modern Chinese-branded devices are equipped with compact trays of the combined type, which require careful handling. Improper exposure can lead to failure of the mechanism or damage to the card itself. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to extract the slot, from regular to emergency, and also discuss what to do if standard methods do not work.
Before you start physically affecting the body, it is important to understand the design of your gadget. Different models can have nuances in the location and type of locks. On some models of the Redmi Note series, the tray is combined with a microSD, and on the flagships of Mi and Xiaomi, it is often hybrid, requiring a choice between a second SIM and a memory card. Let's take a closer look at the process.
Preparation of the workplace and tools
The first step to successfully retrieving the slot is to organize the process properly. You won't need complex equipment, but having the right tools will significantly reduce the risk of damage to the case. The standard set includes a special metal clip that comes with the box. If it's lost, you can use a thin needle or pin.
It's important to have good lighting in the workplace. A small hole to extract the tray is on the end of the device, and in dim light it's easy to miss or scratch the frame. It's also recommended that you wipe your hands and side faces with soft cloth so that the device doesn't slip out in the process.
- 🔍 Find the end of the smartphone where the hole is located (usually on the left or bottom).
- 📎 Prepare a metal clip, needle or special key (ejector).
- 🧹 Wipe the case from dust and grease for a reliable grip.
- 🔦 Turn on bright lights or use another phone's flash.
Don't use knives, sewers or thick paper clips for this venture. Sharp objects can slip and damage the screen or internal components, and too thick wire simply won't enter the hole or expand it, which will lead to a tray falling out in the future.
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If there is no special paperclip at hand, use a regular stationery, but first straighten it and make sure that the end is not too thick for the hole.
Standard procedure for tray extraction
The basic method provided by the manufacturer is simple and efficient: On the end of the case, near the tray hole, there is often a small pictogram indicating the direction or type of slot. Find a circular hole about 1 mm in diameter, which is where the tool is inserted.
Take a paper clip or needle perpendicular to the plane of the end. Press the point tightly to the center of the hole and press with moderate force. You should feel a slight click or spring resistance, after which the tray will extend a few millimeters. Don't be afraid to press hard enough, but avoid sharp jerks.
☑️ Algorithm of action
When the mechanism works, the tray will appear out of the case. Carefully tuck it in with a nail or tweezers and take it out completely. Notice the orientation of the card cutout: there's usually a bevel on the tray at one of the corners that matches the shape of the SIM card. Set up a new card and insert the tray back into the characteristic click.
⚠️ Warning: Never insert the tray back or without a card unless the design involves an empty slot.This can lead to contacts jamming inside the phone.
What to do if the paper clip is lost or not suitable
The situation where the original paper clip is lost is ubiquitous. Many users try to use plastic toothpicks, but this is not always effective, because plastic can break inside the mechanism. Alternatively, cloves earrings, thin sewing needles or even paper clips, if straightened.
If you use a paper clip, make sure that its diameter corresponds to the hole. Too thin wire can not reach the lock lever, too thick can get stuck. In extreme cases, you can use a thin stitch, but you need to act with utmost care so as not to damage the internal components.
Can we use scissors?
In some cases, it helps to use sticky tape, so if the tray protrudes a little bit, but you can't reach it with your fingers, you can glue a piece of tape to the end of the tray and pull it, but this only works if the tray is partially open.
Types of trays in Xiaomi devices
Understanding the type of tray you have installed in your smartphone is critical to proper operation. Xiaomi engineers use different configurations depending on the price segment and the year of the model's release. Misplacing the card in an unsupported slot can cause the phone to fail to see the SIM card.
There are three main layout options: the first is a separate slot for SIM and a separate slot for microSD. The second is a combined (hybrid) slot, where the second slot can be installed either a second SIM card or a memory card. The third option is support for only one SIM card, which is found in budget or specific models.
| Type of tray | Description | Support for maps |
|---|---|---|
| Separate | Two independent nests | 2 SIM + microSD |
| Hybrid | One nest to choose from | 2 SIM or 1 SIM + microSD |
| Single | Only one slot. | 1 SIM (rarely) |
You can check the type of tray you have by looking carefully at the plastic or metal frame that you have removed, and it always has a marking or a characteristic cutout shape, and if you see two different sized card spaces, you have a hybrid.
Problems with extraction: a jammed mechanism
Sometimes the refuses tray can be pushed out even when pressed hard, and this can be caused by dust, tray deformation, or contact oxidation, and in such cases, you should not use excessive force, because you can break the plastic lever inside the phone.
Try to sway the paperclip slightly inside the hole, changing the angle of inclination to find the right position to affect the latch. You can also try to gently tap the phone with the edge of the palm in the tray area to shake off possible dust. If the tray is deformed, you can try to align it with thin tweezers, but this requires jewelry accuracy.
If the tray is out but stuck halfway, don't pull it aggressively. Try inserting the paperclip again and pressing a little harder while putting the edge of the tray on, sometimes tapping the phone lightly on a soft surface (like a mouse mat) ends down.
⚠️ Warning: If the tray is not removed after several attempts, do not continue to push. contact the service center to avoid damaging the motherboard.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
One of the most common mistakes is to try to put the tray upside down, the contacts have to look down, the card cutout has to match the shape of the tray. If you feel resistance to insertion, immediately stop and turn the tray over. The force here won't help, it will only hurt.
Another mistake is to use dirty or greasy hands, and fat can get into the body and into the contacts, which will eventually lead to signal degradation or oxidation, always keep the work area clean, and you should not leave the phone without a tray for a long time, as dust can get inside.
Some users try to retrieve the tray when the phone is on and actively communicating, although modern Hot-Swap standards allow you to change cards on the go, it is better to be safe and turn off the device or put it into flight mode to avoid software failures.
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The rule is, if the tray doesn't come out easily with the right press, you either haven't hit the mechanism, or there's a mechanical obstacle. Don't break the phone by force.