Installing a carrier card is the first and most important step after unpacking a new smartphone or replacing a device. Owners of the popular Redmi 5 Plus model (also known as the Redmi Note 5 in the global market) often face the need to carefully remove the tray so as not to damage the mechanism or the card itself. Despite the apparent simplicity of the procedure, improper actions can lead to a slot breakage or network failure.
In this article, we will discuss the entire process in detail, from finding a clip in the bundle to adjusting network settings after installation. You will learn about the types of cards supported, the features of the hybrid slot and the nuances that will help you avoid common errors when using your Xiaomi.
We’ll look at not only the physical installation, but also the software settings that may be required if the phone doesn’t see the network right away, and understanding the tray design and the correct contact orientation will ensure your device runs smoothly over 4G networks.
Tool preparation and completeness check
Before you start manipulating the case of a smartphone, you need to prepare the workplace and tools. Usually in the box with the device is a special metal needle (clip) designed specifically to remove the tray. If the original paperclip is lost or missing in the kit, you can use a thin sewing needle or straightened paperclip, but you need to act with extreme caution.
It is important to make sure the tool chosen is thin enough to enter the hole, but strong enough not to bend when pressed.Using objects too thick, such as toothpicks or pins, can damage the internal mechanism of the extraction sensor or get stuck in the hole.
Prepare yourself in advance. SIM-The Redmi 5 Plus uses Nano-SIM. If your card is larger (Micro or Mini), it should be replaced with a carrier or carefully trimmed with a special frame, observing the utmost accuracy so as not to damage the chip.
- 📱 Original paperclip from the kit or a thin needle.
- 💳 Nano-SIM map with activated tariff.
- 🧹 Soft fabric for cleaning the case from dust and fingerprints.
- 💡 Good lighting for visual control of the process.
Make sure your hands are dry and clean so you don’t leave any traces of fat on your card contacts or smartphone screen.Any moisture or static electricity can negatively affect your electronics, so it’s a good idea to remove your synthetic clothes or touch an earthed object before you start working.
Slot location and tray design
Unlike many modern smartphones, where the slot is on top or bottom, the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus tray is for the best of the smartphone. SIM-The card is on the top end of the device, and it's a classic model position from the period that makes it easier to access when the phone is on the table with the screen up.
The tray is retractable and has a hybrid design, which means it combines spaces for two. SIM-There is a limitation, however, that you can use either two cards or a microSD card slot. SIM-card SIM-A card and a memory card simultaneously.
⚠️ Attention: The tray is strictly defined in shape and can be inserted in only one position.Do not make excessive efforts when returning the tray to the case, so as not to break the plastic guides.
The tray design provides two separate seats for Nano-SIM cards.The first place (closer to the edge of the phone or marked as SIM 1) is usually the primary for voice communication, and the second (SIM 2) can be used for the Internet or second line.The memory card is inserted into the second compartment if you are not using the second SIM.
Pay attention to the beveled corner on the tray - it corresponds to the beveled corner on your SIM-It's a physical key that will keep the card from being installed incorrectly, if you're careful, and the metal contacts on the map should always be pointing down to the smartphone board.
Step-by-step installation instructions SIM-map
The installation process requires care and consistency. First, hold your smartphone in your hand so that the top end is pointed towards you and the screen is looking away. Find a small circular hole next to the long rectangular slot of the tray.
☑️ Pre-installing check
Insert the clip point into the hole perpendicular to the body. Press smoothly but confidently until you feel a slight click and a springing effect, which means that the mechanism worked and the tray moved out a few millimeters. Now it can be carefully removed with your fingers.
Put the Nano-SIM card in the appropriate recess on the tray. Make sure it sits tightly in the frame and doesn't stagger. If you install a microSD card, put it in the second bay, also with the contacts down.
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When installing a microSD card, make sure it sits in the slots before clicking, otherwise the phone may not see the files or, worse, the card may pop out when vibrating.
When you bring the tray back, you're going to be very careful, and the angle of the tray is going to be the angle of the hole, and you're going to push the tray in until it's equal to the body of the phone, and the characteristic click at the end means that the map is fixed and the contacts are connected.
Network setting and selection SIM-default-card
After physical installation and switching on the smartphone system MIUI automatically detect a new SIM-The card will be notified of the card you found and you will be asked to configure it. If that doesn't happen, go to the Settings menu and select the item SIM-maps and mobile networks.
In this section, you can give each card a name (e.g., "Work", "Personal") and choose a color to distinguish the interface visually, which is especially useful if you use two SIMs from different operators.
An important step is to set the default cards for different actions. SIM-The card will be used for voice calls, SMS-messaging and mobile internet.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Calls. | Selection of the main SIM for outgoing calls | SIM 1 (Main) |
| Internet | Map through which data traffic is carried | SIM with unlimited tariff |
| SMS | Sending default messages | SIM 1 or optional |
| VoLTE | Voice transmission over 4G network | Included (if supported by the operator) |
Be sure to activate the 4G or LTE switch in your preferred network type settings to enjoy high-speed internet. In some regions and some operators, you may need to manually configure APN access points, data for which can be found on the operator's website or obtained automatically via SMS.
Solution: The phone can't see SIM-map
Sometimes, after installing the card, the smartphone can display a message "No" SIM-"Put in the cards" or "Put in" SIM-First of all, make sure that the card is set correctly, the contacts down, and the tray is snapped to the end. Try to remove and insert the tray again, slightly rubbing the contacts of the card with a soft dry cloth.
If the physical setup is correct, the problem could be software. SIM-map PIN-When you turn on the phone, the system will ask you to enter the code, and three times the code is incorrect, and you will have to block the card. PUK-code that can be found on a plastic card holder obtained when buying a SIM.
⚠️ Attention: Don't try to guess PUK-After 10 failed attempts SIM-The card will be permanently blocked, and it can be restored only by the operator with the replacement of plastic.
It is also worth checking the settings in the menu. SIM-Make sure the switch opposite the SIM card is activated (blue or green). If the slider is turned off, the phone will not try to log in.
In rare cases, the problem is frequency incompatibility or an outdated version of the map. SIM-Maps released years ago may not work properly on networks 4G. In this case, a free replacement card in the operator’s cabin solves the problem.
Secret code for checking IMEI
Use a memory card instead of a second SIM
As mentioned earlier, the second slot in the Redmi 5 Plus is hybrid.If you don't need a second SIM card, you can install a microSD card to expand internal storage.This is true for models with 32GB of storage that quickly fills up with photos and apps.
To install the microSD, remove the tray and place the card in the second compartment (usually marked with a memory card icon or located deeper/farther from the edge, depending on the tray revision). The memory card is installed on top of the contacts of the second SIM or in the adjacent slot, displacing the SIM card.
Once installed, the system will suggest using the card as a portable storage device or as part of internal memory, and the choice of "Internal Memory" mode will allow you to install applications on the card, but make it unreadable on other devices without formatting.
- 🚀 Mode "Portifical storage": for photos, videos and music.
- 📱 Internal Memory Mode: For Installation of Heavy Applications.
- 💾 Speed: Use class cards UHS-I or higher for speed.
- 🔄 Backup: Regularly save data from the card to the PC.
When removing a memory card, always use software unmounting through the Settings menu. → Warehouse → SD-map → Extract: Sharply extracting a card while the phone is running can cause data loss or file system damage.
⚠️ Note: Hybrid slots do not allow two SIM-You have to choose between a dual SIM card or a single SIM card plus a flash drive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I insert SIM-paper-card?
Why does the phone say “No network” after installing the SIM?
Does the Redmi 5 Plus support two? SIM-maps 4G simultaneously?
What to do if the tray is stuck and not taken out?
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Proper installation SIM-cards and the use of quality accessories (clips, memory cards) prolong the life of the slot and ensures a stable connection of your Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus.
Following these guidelines, you can easily set up a connection on your device. Properly installing maps and setting network parameters ensure that you always stay connected, and the multimedia capabilities of the smartphone will be fully realized thanks to the support of high data rates.