Change of mobile operator or need to install a second SIM-The card is a standard situation that every smartphone owner faces. In Xiaomi devices, the process of replacing the communication module is usually easy, if you know where the hidden mechanism is. However, modern models of gadgets are becoming thinner and more hermetic, which dictates its rules for handling the tray.
Mistakes in retrieving the card can damage not only the plastic itself, but also the motherboard’s internal contacts, which is why it’s important to understand the physical design of your Redmi or Poco before you start manipulating it. In this article, we’ll go through all the steps in detail, and also look at the complex cases where standard methods don’t work.
Before you start looking for a tool, you need to make sure that the device is ready for the procedure. Although in many cases hot replacement is supported by the system, the safest way is pre-switching the device, which ensures that the system correctly rewrites the network configuration after installing a new media.
Definition of tray type and preparation of tools
The first step in the process is visual diagnostics of the end of the case. The vast majority of modern Xiaomi models, including the Mi, Redmi Note and Poco F series, use a special key extraction mechanism, and you need to find a narrow horizontal slot on one of the narrow ends, next to which a miniature icon of a smartphone with an arrow can be engraved.
There is also a less common design option, which is typical of some budget models or older versions, where the tray is combined with the battery. In such devices, you need to remove the back cover. However, if your device has a single metal or glass case, then this is a retractable slot. You will need a thin metal object to work.
- 🔑 A standard paperclip key that comes complete with a box (often attached to a protective film).
- 📎 A regular stationery clip, straight-shouldered.
- 💎 Needle from sewing set (use with care not to scratch the body).
- 🪡 Thin hairpin (metal part, no plastic balls).
⚠️ Note: It is strictly forbidden to use knives, toothpicks or other objects that may break inside the hole to remove the tray. Wooden splinter or metal shavings remaining in the mechanism will require disassembling the phone at the service center.
When choosing a tool, make sure that its diameter matches the hole. A needle that is too thick can crush the latch mechanism, and a needle that is too thin will just slip past the lever. The ideal option is the original key, the shape of which is calculated by Xiaomi engineers for optimal force distribution.
Step-by-step instructions for removing the tray
Once the tool is found, position the phone with a screen down on a soft, clean surface, which will prevent scratches on the display and protect the device from accidental fall the moment you apply the force. Find a hole on the bottom or upper end (the location depends on the specific Redmi model).
Insert the key point strictly perpendicular to the plane of the body into the hole. You should feel a light stop — this is the mechanism of the spring. Don't be afraid to press a little harder than you think: the extraction mechanism in Xiaomi smartphones is tight enough to prevent the SIM card from accidentally falling out when vibrations or impacts.
☑️ Extraction algorithm SIM
When you press it, you hear a quiet click, and the tray will move a few millimeters, and then you grab the edge with your thumb and index fingers, and you will smoothly pull out. Don't pull sharply so as not to damage the contacts. On the surface of the tray, you will see a marking indicating the correct orientation of the chip.
Notice the shape of the cutout in plastic. Modern two-symbol Poco and Redmi models often use a combined slot, which means that one of the locations may be exclusively for a microSD card, or the slots may be in the mode of choosing one of two SIM cards. Carefully examine the engraving on a metal frame.
Features of the design of different models Xiaomi
Xiaomi's lineup of devices is extensive, and manufacturers often experiment with ergonomics. flagship models like the Xiaomi 13 or 14 often lack a separate memory card slot, and both slots are designed for Nano-SIM. The Redmi A or C budget series still feature a design with a retractable back cover and removable battery.
If you have a removable battery, the process is different: you find a notch on the bottom end, you apply a nail or a plastic card to the corner of the lid and remove it, and then you remove the battery, and you access the slot underneath, and in these models, you can fix the card not only with a press-down frame, but also with side guides.
| Series of devices | Type of tray | Location. | Support for microSD support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi (Mi) Flagman | Retractable (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM) | Lower end | No (only cloud) |
| Redmi Note (Pro/Max) | Hybrid (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM/microSD) | Lower end | Yes (instead of the 2nd SIM) |
| Poco F / X Series | Retractable (Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM) | Lower end | Depends on the model. |
| Redmi A / C Series | Internal (under the battery) | Under the back cover. | Yeah, separate slot. |
It is important to consider that in hybrid slots, installing a microSD card physically blocks the installation of a second SIM card, and the system will not be able to recognize two different types of media in the same slot at the same time, an engineering limitation designed to save the interior space of the case.
What is eSIM in Xiaomi?
What to do if the tray is stuck or not removed
It's rare to have a tray that doesn't respond to effort, but it can cause panic, and most often, the problem is that the hole is clogged with dust or that the frame itself is deformed by previous sloppy extractions. If standard pressure doesn't work, don't use excessive force.
Try to sway the key slightly in different directions while pressing. Sometimes the mechanism jams because of microscopic skewing. You can also use a magnifying glass to make sure you hit the exact center of the lever, rather than the wall of the hole. In some cases, it helps to easily tap the end of the phone on the palm in an upright position.
⚠️ Attention: If the tray is removed but stuck halfway and not pulled out by your fingers, do not pull it with tools. The metal frame is very thin and easily bends. Try using two thin needles, hooking them on the edges of the tray on both sides.
In rare cases, especially after the phone falls, the inside of the case can deform, blocking the tray. If you feel that the mechanism has rested on something solid and is not moving, further attempts can lead to a breakdown of the motherboard, in which case it is better to contact a specialized service.
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If the tray is pulled tightly, drop one microscopic drop of alcohol (not water!) on the end of the key before inserting the liquid will penetrate inside, dissolve the oxides and lubricate the mechanism, making it easier to move.
Correct installation and orientation of the map
Once the tray is successfully removed, it's time to install a new map, and it's critical to keep the chip in the right orientation. SIM-The cards have a bevelled angle that should match the same cutout in the tray.In Xiaomi phones, the chip is usually directed downwards by contacts, but the visual prompt on the frame is the main reference point.
Carefully put the card in the notch. It should lie tight, without backlashes. If the card is hanging, you may be using a low-quality adapter or the card is cropped incorrectly. When pressing the card into the tray, do not press the golden contacts with your fingers so as not to leave fat marks that can disrupt the connection.
Put the tray back into the phone with the same side that was taken out. The mechanism has only one correct position. If you feel resistance to pushing the tray to the end, don't push it. Take it out, flip it 180 degrees and try again. Forced entry can break the contacts inside the slot.
- 📐 Combine the beveled corner of the card with the cutout in the tray.
- 📉 Make sure the card is in the same plane as the frame.
- 🧹 Wipe the contacts with dry soft cloth before installation.
- 🔙 Insert the tray until the characteristic snap of fixation.
After installation, turn on the device. MIUI or HyperOS should automatically identify a new operator. If that doesn't happen, go to Settings: → SIM-Maps and mobile networks, and you can activate the map and adjust the Internet settings.
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The main principle of installation – the card should lie in the tray perfectly smooth, without gaps, and contacts should be directed strictly down (in most Xiaomi models).
Frequent problems and software solutions
Sometimes the physical card replacement was successful, but the phone says, "No." SIM-"Master" or "Put in" SIM". This may indicate a software failure or contamination of contacts, try to wipe the card chip with a wipe or an alcohol wipe, and check the card's performance on another device to ensure that it does not malfunction.
Xiaomi has a network reset feature that often helps with network registration issues after you change operator. Go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will not delete your personal data, but will return network settings to factory values.
If the phone sees the map but does not catch the network, make sure that the settings are the right type of network. 4G/LTE or 5G. Older Redmi models sometimes require manual access points. APN, though 99% In some cases, they come automatically in the form of SMS-settings.