How to Remove or Insert a SIM Card in Your iPhone

How to Remove or Insert a SIM Cardin Your iPhone

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module cards) are how carriers connect your iPhone to their network; they also makes it easy to keep your number when switching phones. If you get a new iPhone, you may end up needing to remove the SIM card from your old phone and insert it into the new iPhone. You may also want to switch one SIM card for another when traveling abroad in order to use a local carrier. Most modern phones have SIM cards, and if you have an iPhone 4s or later, your phone definitely has a SIM card slot in case it’s needed. Here’s how to remove or insert a SIM card from your iPhone.

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To do this:

  • Locate the SIM card slot; it’s likely on the right side of your iPhone near the middle. The SIM card slot is an oval shape with a hole at one end.

  • Find a paperclip you don’t mind bending out of shape. Bend one end out so that you have a straight metal line.

  • Stick the end of the paperclip into the SIM card hole until it pops out. You don’t need much pressure for this.

  • Carefully pull the tray out. Take note of how the SIM card is placed.

  • Remove the SIM card and insert your new SIM card OR remove the SIM card and place it in the new iPhone.

  • Gently push the SIM card tray back into the phone until it snaps into place. This piece is rather flimsy so be slow and patient when opening and closing the SIM card tray.

That’s it! Now you’ve removed one SIM card and inserted another.

Top Image Credit: Hadrian / Shutterstock

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Conner Carey's picture

Author Details

Conner Carey

Conner Carey's writing can be found at conpoet.com. She is currently writing a book, creating lots of content, and writing poetry via @conpoet on Instagram. She lives in an RV full-time with her mom, Jan and dog, Jodi as they slow-travel around the country.