How to Transfer a SIM Card

Download Article

Co-authored by Mobile Kangaroo

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

Download Article

• Removing a SIM Card
|
• Seating a SIM Card
|
• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow teaches you how to remove a SIM card from one device and place it in another. Not all devices use SIM cards or the same size SIM cards. Make sure your devices use compatible SIM cards before attempting to transfer a SIM card between them.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Removing a SIM Card

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Power off the device. Use the power button to power off the device from which you're removing the SIM card.

   • On an iPhone or iPad, hold the Sleep/Wake button until a "slide to power off" message appears on the screen. Drag the slider to the right to power off your device.
2. 
   2
   Locate the SIM card tray on your device. SIM card location is device-dependent.

   • On iPhone or iPad, the SIM card tray is on the top or side of the device's housing, depending on the model. Look for the outline of a small panel with a hole on one side.
   • On other devices, such as those made by Samsung, you must remove the back cover and, possibly, the battery to access the SIM card tray.
   • Check the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website if you can't locate the SIM card.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Eject the SIM card. The method for ejecting a SIM card is device-dependent.

   • On iPhone or iPad, and devices with external SIM card trays, insert an unbent paper clip into the hole in the tray, push gently inward, and remove the paper clip. The tray should eject.
   • On other devices, such as those made by Samsung, you typically push the SIM card gently inward and then release it to activate the ejection spring.
4. 
   4
   Remove the SIM card. Do so carefully, and over a table or other surface where it won't get lost easily.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Seating a SIM Card

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Power off the device. Use the power button to power off the device into which you're inserting the SIM card.

   • On an iPhone or iPad, hold the Sleep/Wake button until a "slide to power off" message appears on the screen. Drag the slider to the right to power off your device.
2. 
   2
   Locate the SIM card tray on your device. SIM card tray location is device-dependent.

   • On iPhone or iPad, the SIM card tray is on the top or side of the device's housing, depending on the model. Look for the outline of a small panel with a hole on one side.
   • On other devices, such as those made by Samsung, you must remove the back cover and, possibly, the battery to access the SIM card tray.
   • Check the device's documentation or the manufacturer's website if you can't locate the SIM card tray.
3. 
   3
   Check the size of the SIM card. Make sure the device into which you want to insert the SIM card uses the same SIM card size as the one you want to use.

   • You can get an adapter to seat a smaller SIM card into a larger tray.
   • If you're attempting to seat a larger SIM card into a small tray, and it's not inside an adapter, you'll probably have to get a new SIM card from your carrier.
4. 
   4
   Open the SIM card tray. The method for ejecting a SIM card is device-dependent.

   • On iPhone or iPad, and devices with external SIM card trays, insert an unbent paper clip into the hole in the tray, push gently inward, and remove the paper clip. The tray should eject.
   • On other devices, such as those made by Samsung, the tray should be open if there's not a SIM card seated in it.
5. 
   5
   Insert the SIM card. Do so by seating the SIM card in the tray and gently pressing the tray inward until it locks into place.

   • Align the clipped corner of the SIM card with shape of the tray.
   • On devices that require it, replace the battery and back cover.
6. 
   6
   Power on your device.

   • If prompted to do so, enter the PIN for your SIM card.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  Can you just switch SIM cards between phones?

  

  Mobile Kangaroo
  Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

  Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.

  

  Mobile Kangaroo

  Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

  Expert Answer

  So long as the SIM cards are designed for the same device, then yes. You should be able to swap out any Apple SIM card for another Apple SIM card, for example.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 14
• Question

  Is it okay to use a paperclip if I don't have the SIM card removal tool?

  

  Mobile Kangaroo
  Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

  Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.

  

  Mobile Kangaroo

  Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

  Expert Answer

  Yes. It's generally pretty safe to improvise a tool for this process. Just make sure that you push it straight in; you don't want to pry the button out with it.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
• Question

  How do I know I pushed the pin in far enough to get the SIM card out?

  

  Mobile Kangaroo
  Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

  Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.

  

  Mobile Kangaroo

  Computer & Phone Repair Specialists

  Expert Answer

  It should either pop out of the slot automatically once you push it in too far. On iPhones and iPads, the tray itself should pop out.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!