Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8 Pro is a popular device that requires the right initial setup to work.One of the first and most important steps after unpacking a gadget is to install a mobile operator card. Despite its apparent simplicity, the procedure has its nuances, especially given the hybrid tray design and the location of the fingerprint scanner on the back.
Incorrect installation SIM-The cards can cause the device to fail to see the network, only one line to work, or, in the worst case, the slot itself to be damaged. In this article, we will discuss in detail where the tray is located, which side to put the chip, how to set the priority of SIM cards and what to do if the phone stopped seeing the network after replacing it.
Location of the tray and necessary tools
Unlike many modern smartphones, the Redmi Note 8 Pro has a SIM card tray on the top of the case, not the bottom, which is the standard solution for the devices in the series, which allows you to save space for other elements of the internal layout. To the left of the charging socket (USB Type-C), you will not find any holes, so you need to look at the top.
To retrieve the tray, you'll need a special key-clip that comes with the phone. If the original tool is lost, you can use a regular stationery clip by straightening one of its ends, or a thin needle. Importantly, don't use sewing needles or objects that are too thick, because they can easily damage the latch mechanism inside the hole.
Press the sharp end of the tool into the tray hole until the characteristic click. The tray should extend a few millimeters, after which it can be carefully removed with your fingers. Be careful: the mechanism is tight, but does not require excessive effort.
⚠️ Warning: Before removing the tray, be sure to turn off the smartphone. Although modern standards allow hot replacement, in budget and medium-sized Xiaomi models, this can cause a software failure of the communication module or incorrect map definition by the system.
⚠️ Warning: Never insert a paper clip into a microphone that is next to the tray.The microphone hole is deeper and has a different design; moisture or mechanical damage to the membrane will cause sound problems.
Types. SIM-maps and tray-mounting
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro supports two nano-SIM cards at the same time, and the device is equipped with a hybrid slot, which means the ability to install a microSD memory card instead of a second SIM card. The tray has a two-sided design: on one side the first SIM card is placed, and on the reverse – a second SIM card or memory card.
Notice the shape of the cutout in the tray. It's completely nano-SIM. The map should be tight, without gaps or backlash. If the card is hanging, you've put it wrong, or you're using an adapter that doesn't fit in thickness. The contact pads on the chip should be pointing down to the inside of the tray.
The setup depends on how many cards you plan to use. If you have one SIM card and a memory card, then the SIM is set to slot 1 (usually marked with a number 1 or has priority), and the microSD is set to slot 2. If you need two lines, you can’t install a microSD.
Can I use old format cards?
☑️ Pre-installing check
Step-by-step installation instructions SIM-map
The installation process requires care and good lighting. Put the phone down on a soft surface so as not to scratch the display and the back glass panel. Take the extracted tray and inspect its facets carefully.
Place the nano-SIM card in the appropriate recess. Make sure the bevelled corner of the card matches the bevelled angle on the tray. A light fingerstroke will help to lock the card with static electricity or micro-latches. Don't put too much effort into it.
Carefully insert the tray back into the phone body. It should enter smoothly. If you feel resistance, don't push, take out the tray, turn it over and try again. The tray enters only one side, corresponding to the shape of the hole.
After installation, turn on the device. MIUI automatically detects a new card and suggests setting up the network settings. If this does not happen, check if the tray is inserted correctly to the end.
| Position in the tray | Type of card | Appointment | Priority of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 (external) | Nano-SIM | Main or additional line | Customizable |
| Slot 2 (internal) | Nano-SIM | Second line (only if there is no microSD) | Customizable |
| Slot 2 (internal) | microSD | Expanding memory (up to 256 GB) | Not applicable. |
| Both slots | 2x Nano-SIM | Mode of two active SIM cards | 4G/3G/2G |
Setting up two SIM-card MIUI
After successful installation of cards, you need to configure their work in the operating system. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro supports Dual technology SIM Dual Standby, which allows both numbers to remain active at the same time. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
In this section, you'll see a list of installed cards, and you can specify names for each card (e.g., "Work", "Personal", "MTS") to keep your calls in check, and you can set the priority of which card is the default card for voice calls and which card is the default card for mobile Internet.
Particular attention should be paid to 4G settings. In some versions of the firmware, the default Internet can only work on one card. To fix this, activate the option "Use SIM 2 for 4G" if the main SIM card is installed in the first slot and you want to distribute Internet from the second.
Don’t forget to check the data roaming status if you’re traveling. International roaming data transfers can be very expensive, so it’s best to disable this feature for a second SIM card unless it’s specifically charged.
Problems with SIM-card definition and their solution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone says “No”. SIM-"Cards" or "Emergency Calls Only." First, check if the contacts on the card or in the tray are contaminated. Wipe them with a soft dry cloth. Fat and dust can disrupt contact.
The second common cause is a software failure of the communication module: Try to turn on and off Flight Mode or just restart your smartphone, which will force the modem to re-register in the operator's network.
If the problem persists, check your network settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Preferred network type select the value "Preferred" LTE". Sometimes automatic choice gets stuck on the 2G/3G, What can mimic the absence of a network.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone doesn't see the SIM card after falling or getting moisture, don't try to dry it with a hair dryer. This can drive water deeper inside the case.
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Try to set up a problem SIM-If it doesn't work there, it means that the card is damaged or blocked by the operator, and the problem needs to be solved in the communication room.
Using a microSD instead of a second SIM-map
Since the tray in the Redmi Note 8 Pro is hybrid, installing a microSD card makes a second SIM card slot unavailable.If you are critically important to two numbers, you will have to give up memory expansion or use cloud storage.
The memory card is installed in an internal slot (usually deeper or marked with a memory card icon), the fixing mechanism is similar to a SIM card: the card is inserted before the click, and the Android system recognizes it as an external storage.
Once installed, the system will suggest using the card as a portable storage device or as part of internal memory, and it is recommended to choose a portable storage device so that if the card breaks, you do not lose access to data and applications.
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The hybrid slot is a trade-off: you get either two SIM cards, or you get one SIM card and you get a lot of storage, and you get to decide what's more important to you in advance.