iPhone users ask themselves various questions regarding the functionality of their phone; the top question is “how to take SIM card out of iPhone.” SIM cards are an integral part of any device used for communication.
Their tiny size makes it very easy for you to misplace them. It also makes it quite challenging to remove them from your iPhone. Most iPhone users rarely change their phones unless they upgrade to the latest version that has hit the market. As a result, most of them don’t know how to take the Sim card out of their iPhone, nor do they know how to put them in.
It would be best if you learned how to do it the right way, or you might pay a lot of cash to repair SIM slots or your phone. This article will walk you through the process of dislodging your SIM card from your phone without damaging it.
Description Of A SIM Card And Why You Need One
SIM cards are tiny storage devices for your data and information. In addition, they have other built-in features that enable them to link with wireless networks. The data and information it stores enable wireless network providers to differentiate one user from another.
There are some common varieties of SIM cards popular among iPhone users. The first one is the GSM. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communications in full. It allows you to switch the SIM card to a different phone. You can also move data and communicate at the same time using the GSM network.
The second type of SIM card is the one that possesses a CDMA network. The CDMA network is different from the GSM network in that you cannot switch the SIM card to a different device without prior permission from the CDMA network. You also can’t move data and communicate at the same time when using the CDMA.
You can’t fully utilize the roaming feature when using the CDMA SIM card compared to when you are using a GSM SIM card. That being said, the CDMA SIM card is more popular in America.
Sizes Of Different SIM Cards
SIM cards don’t come in a uniform size. With advancements in technology, telecommunication giants have been coming up with SIM cards that are much smaller.
First, we have the Standard SIM card. Being the largest, you can only find it in older phone models such as the iPhone 3GS. The Micro SIM card follows. It is slightly smaller than the standard SIM card and mostly used for phones that came out no later than five years ago.
Lastly, we have the Nano-SIM cards. These are the smallest and most recent. Every Phone manufacturer, including Apple, is focusing on Nano-SIM cards. All recent iPhone Models have a slot for a Nano SIM card. The chips for all these SIM cards are similar in size.
The last type of SIM card that is slowly gaining traction among many wireless service providers is the eSIM. This type of SIM card is embedded into your device. You, therefore, don’t have to remove or enter a SIM card into a phone physically.
Reasons For Removing Your SIM card From Your Phone
Several reasons might necessitate you to take your SIM card out of your iPhone; here are some of them:
- To begin with, you may want to switch service providers to access more favorable plans.
- Next, you may have upgraded to a newer iPhone model and need to put your old SIM card in your new phone instead of buying a new card.
- When you travel abroad, you may need to use the network provider of your host country. This may mean removing your SIM card and switching it with theirs.
Effects of Taking out Your SIM card
If you take out your SIM card from your iPhone for any of the reasons mentioned above, you should expect some of these repercussions. You will not be able to make any calls or send any texts.
Additionally, you won’t be able to use any of the data packages you subscribed to. You can only browse using Wi-Fi.
Locating SIM cards On iPhones
Before you know how to take SIM card out of iPhone, you have to locate it first. Like many other phones, the iPhone has a SIM card slot and a SIM card tray for housing the SIM card. The tray can be found at the phone’s top for the inception models such as the iPhone, iPhone 3GS, and the iPhone 3.
Apple then switched it to the right side for the iPhone 4, all the way to the iPhone 11 Pro Max. For all iPhone 12 models, the tray can be found on the phone’s left. All these positions can be located when you hold the phone upright with the screen facing you.
The eSIM is also common in many recent iPhone models, from the iPhone X to the iPhone 13 Pro Max. You don’t have to locate the SIM card tray for iPhones with this feature.
Using An Ejector Tool To Remove SIM Cards From Your iPhone
Every iPhone comes with an ejector tool to help you take the SIM card out of the SIM tray. This tiny, rigid metal can fit into the SIM card tray hole. Here are the steps you should take:
- Switch your iPhone off. This is not a requirement but rather a precautionary measure. Apple advises its consumers to turn off their phones to avoid damaging them due to static electricity.
- After locating your SIM card tray, gently slide the ejector tool into the tiny circular hole next to your SIM card tray. You should hold firmly till the tray ejects partially.
- Carefully pull the tray out with your fingers without dropping the SIM card.
- Turn the tray upside down to remove your SIM card. Alternatively, push it up using one finger, then pick it out.
- Keenly note how the SIM card was positioned before you removed it if you were planning to switch SIM cards. Place the new SIM card on the tray in the exact position.
- Return the SIM card tray into the SIM slot, gently sliding it in. Ensure that it is firmly in place before you restart your phone. Try not to lose the SIM card tray If you were not switching SIM cards.
Using Other Tools To Remove Your iPhone SIM card
If you don’t have an ejector tool, for example, you lost it, or you bought your iPhone from a third party, you should not worry. This section will tell you how to take SIM card out of iPhone without it.
It would be best to have a narrow, straight, and rigid object. Here are some examples:
1. Earrings
This tool is perfect for ladies. If you have ever been away from home and desperately need to take out your SIM card, you know that earrings are the perfect tool. Take one out and use the part that goes into the earlobe to press the hole adjacent to the SIM card tray. Be careful not to use earrings that are too large or fragile and might damage the SIM card tray.
2. Paperclips
Paper clips are the perfect alternative to an ejector tool as they are easily available. Whether at home or the office, you won’t miss one or two documents lying around with Paper clips. Just bend them on one end and use them to open your SIM card tray.
3. Toothpicks
Toothpicks can be used to do more than picking food pieces in between your teeth. To use it to open a SIM tray, sharpen its end with a razor or knife. Make sure that the part that goes into the hole remains sturdy, or it will break and seal the hole completely.
4. Staples
Most Documents are bound using staples. Similarly, most people use them as a backup option for the ejector tool. Their thin frame makes them the easiest to use of all items on our list. You can use them to great effect when removing SIM cards from your iPhones if you twist them a little.
Conclusion
This article elaborates on how to take SIM card out of iPhone. Just choose whichever option suits you best. You should know that transferring your SIM card will only move your number and wireless service provider’s details. It would be best to make plans to transfer any data you had, e.g., videos, documents, and contacts.
However, if you’re not switching to a new phone, following the steps above should suffice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No, none of your phone contacts will be backed up on your SIM card when you take it out and transfer it to a different phone. You can save them somewhere to retrieve them later, e.g., on your computer.
You don’t have to turn off your phone as the risk is minimal. However, it will still work fine if you decide to turn it off.