All modern iPhones and iPads now employment nano-SIM card game. Unfortunately, this can be a bit of a problem for anyone switching from an elderly device, because the nano-SIM is often smaller than the micro-SIMs and regular SIM cards utilised in the past tense.

The nano-SIM uses the same tech as its big counterparts, with the but concrete difference being the quantity of fictile that surrounds the chip. While it's possible for most people to call their carrier and request a parvenue nano-SIM for their new telephone, there is a much quicker way: cut the SIM descending to a smaller size yourself.

In this instructor we show how to cut down a SIM card (or micro-SIM lineup) and call on it into a nano-SIM for your iPhone or iPad.

Warnings before you part

Please note that you cut your SIM card down at your own danger.

We've cut down SIM cards a a couple of times, and IT's worked in all but two instances. Those aren't really great odds. And unitary instance was a bit of a headache because the SIM card could no longer be used at all (not even in the original phone).

Please think that there are always risks up to my neck with home modifications and don't cut up your SIM card unless you're happy for it non to bring up (in this case you'll need to get a replacement from your immune carrier or buy a new one). Proceed at your own risk.

If you're uneasy by the risks, take the advantages of a multi-SIM, which we discuss later in this article.

What you need

To cut your SIM card down to nano-SIM size you need the following equipment:

  • Standard or micro-SIM placard
  • Nano-SIM card (for measurement)
  • Pencil
  • SIM ejector tool (or paperclip)
  • Small pair of trabeated scissors
  • Nail file

Once you let all these to hired man it's time to get started.

Removing the nano-SIM

Use the SIM card ejector tool (or a straightened paperclip) to open the SIM card one-armed bandit on your iPhone or iPad.

Inside you might get a neckcloth nano-SIM. You'll need this. If you do non have a nano-SIM privileged your iPhone, you should borrow one from a friend to assistanc you size up your SIM.

Regular SIM vs nano-SIM

Here we can see a regular SIM card (letter-perfect) compared to a nano-SIM (left):

How to cut a SIM card & make a nano-SIM for iPhone & iPad: Nano-SIM compared to SIM card

It appears much smaller, and the undivided of the nano-SIM can fit inwardly of the metallic element connected the regular SIM card. Because of this you might think the SIM cards use different technology. But they don't: the nano-SIM is the same type of SIM card Eastern Samoa the regular SIM, it's just had all the excess cut slay. Most of that excess is card but some of it is silicon.

Spotting SIM card guidelines

You may see some reports online that indicate you measure the SIM card with a ruler. This used to work with the stale-style micro-SIM cards, but it doesn't work when creating a original nano-SIM. For this you involve to place a nano-SIM over the metallic element of the overaged SIM and line it up by eye.

Some SIM cards, handily, have guide First Baron Marks of Broughton on the metal of the sim. These help you line raised the nano-SIM on the regular SIM card and provide you with an orbit to cut out.

How to cut a SIM card & make a nano-SIM for iPhone & iPad: SIM card guide marks

How to qualify your SIM carte

Place the nano-SIM on crown of the regular SIM with the swerve-corner on both SIM card game in the top-right (as shown in the picture). Use the guide lines to line up the bimetallic of the SIM wit in the same central position connected your SIM card. Arrive at sure you line up the central metal part of the SIM card and not the surrounding plastic. Different SIM card game have different metal vs card dimensions; you should be looking to come up the central part of the metal on your full-sized SIM card.

With the nano-SIM lined up against the regular SIM, draw around the nano-SIM (and along to the rule-governed SIM) with a sharp pencil. This will create a road map for you to cut around. Dom't vexation about marker the corner, just pay attention to marking the sides of the nano-SIM accurately.

How to cut a SIM card & make a nano-SIM for iPhone & iPad: Measure up SIM card

Cutting your SIM

Be cautious. It is better to trim down back your SIM card a trivial bit at once and proceed slowly than to cut off too much. You can use a file to file descending the edges. We usually take up with the pass piece of calling card and the sides before carefully clipping the bottom (you butt as wel just Indian file fallen the bottom).

We're using a pair of small sweep through scissor grip to cut through the SIM card. It is typically as easy to pass over the metal of the SIM card A IT is the plastic card surrounding it. You can also use regular scissors but the smaller pair offer more accuracy. If you're using nail scissors be sure to use a straight pair, not ones with a slight curved shape.

It's better to trim it slightly thumping and squeeze IT in, rather than cut turned overmuch and it embody wriggly around interior the SIM card slot. Shipshape off the corner manually.

How to cut a SIM card & make a nano-SIM for iPhone & iPad: Cutting SIM Card

Measure into the nano-SIM tray

Now place the cut up SIM card on top of the nano-SIM tray from the iPhone Oregon iPad. It should be too macro to fit into the nano-SIM tray. This is a good thing. At once you need to trim the SIM card refine bit by bit until it fits snugly into the tray. Slide the nano-SIM card into the twist.

That should be it. Turn the iPhone or iPad on and iOS should say 'Searching' in the top left corner, followed aside the name of your service provider.

Multi-SIMs

If that totally sounds a second stressful, you might personify interested to pick up that there may live an easier way than cutting the SIM card to the desirable size yourself.

New, many major UK carriers have done away with traditional SIM cards with varying sizes, and have instead replaced them with a uniform SIM card that can be used in any device. The new 'multi-SIM' provides users with a standard SIM, as intimately as a little-SIM and a nano-SIM snuggled inside - much like traditional Russian dolls.

This fancy should open you an idea of what we base:

How to cut a SIM card & make a nano-SIM for iPhone: EE multi-SIM

At that place are benefits to using a multi-SIM apart from having to cut your SIM yourself, too. If a situation always arises where you'ray using a nano SIM and need to switch to a phone that requires a micro SIM, you need only if pop the nano SIM into the micro SIM frame to consumption IT. Simple, redress?

(Mind you, note that you could always buy up a SIM adapter kit to combat the release if it arises: they cost very little. In the UK you send away get this TechRise model for under £6 or this Ciscle model for under £4; in the The States there is an Aerb outfit for $4.99.)

These years every major UK carrier wave offers multi-SIMs, and all you postulate to do is call your carrier (if you're connected contract) and inquire them to broadcast you out a replacement multi-SIM (operating theater whatever it's known as on your meshing). You'll probably exist without a SIM card for a day Oregon 2 while one is sent, and much carriers may charge you a small come, but we think it's worthy it in the lank run.