If you bought an iPhone and tried to insert your old SIM card into it, you were probably convinced that this problem cannot be solved “head-on”. A new standard is used here - nanoSIM. The size of the SIM card has once again decreased. We will not now discuss the question of how justified the transition to the new standard was. Let's better figure out how to cut a SIM card for iPhone 5 and later versions of Apple smartphones.

You can, of course, contact your operator for help. Or you can go to an “office” where handymen will cut the SIM card to the required size for a small fee. But this is not our way. We won't even buy a special cutter. It’s better to consider the question of how to cut a SIM card for iPhone 7, 8 and X using improvised means.

Instructions for cutting a SIM card for iPhone

On the Internet you will find many instructions on this issue, but in this one I not only provide a sequence of actions, but also suggest using a convenient template prepared by the guys from TecnoBuffalo. You need to print out a template for cutting a SIM card on a piece of paper, stick your SIM card on it, and carefully remove the excess.

So, we will need:

• Printer;
• A4 sheet of paper;
• Double-sided tape;
• ruler;
• thin marker;
• sharp scissors or knife;
• sandpaper or needle file.

Warning: You follow these instructions at your own risk. Cutting the SIM card may render it inoperable.

1. Print this template at 100% scale on a sheet of A4 paper.
2. Using double-sided tape, secure your SIM card to the appropriate outline.
3. Use a ruler and a sharp marker to mark the cut lines on the SIM card
4. Using sharp scissors or a knife, cut the SIM card along the lines you made. Generally, cutting the metal contacts does not affect the functionality of the card since the chip size is much smaller.
5. Finish the cut edges with a file or sandpaper.

According to the ETSI standard, the thickness of NanoSIM is 0.67 mm, and MicroSIM is 0.76 mm. This is the thickness of a human hair and from a practical point of view it can be ignored. But if you wish, you can lightly sand the side of the NanoSIM that does not have contacts. But never process the reverse side, as you risk damaging the chip.

Articles and Lifehacks

As soon as the fifth smartphone model from Apple appeared on the market, fans of Apple mobile technology were faced with a number of questions related to its new features.

In particular, it turned out that almost no one knows how to cut a SIM card for iPhone 5.

• The new smartphone was distinguished by the appearance of a new SIM card format – nano-sim. Today on the Internet you can find many photo and video instructions for turning a regular SIM card into a nano-SIM.
• They use ordinary office scissors and sometimes sandpaper. All this allows you to make a nano-SIM card from an old SIM card, which can be installed in a new iPhone.
• This is especially true if the user is used to his phone number, has a favorable tariff plan, is linked to bank cards, e-wallets, etc.

Instructions for cutting a SIM card

Let's start with the fact that amateur activity in this matter is a rather risky activity, and all manipulations are carried out at your own peril and risk.

Therefore, if we do not want to take risks, it is better to contact a sales consultant at a mobile equipment store, a specialist at a communication store, etc. However, in our article we will talk about cutting a SIM card to nano-SIM format at home.

1. We find a nano-SIM drawing online and print it at 100% scale on A4 sheet.
2. Having chosen a template that suits us, we glue the SIM card onto it using double-sided tape, and draw lines along the edge of the SIM card using a ruler and a regular thin felt-tip pen.
3. Now we cut off our old SIM card using well-sharpened stationery scissors.
4. We carefully “process” the edges of the SIM card with sandpaper. Note that nano-SIM is somewhat thinner than all other SIM cards; That’s why sandpaper is used (although this is not necessary). The main thing is not to use it where the chip itself is located.

The task can be simplified by purchasing a special cutting adapter. For example, on the Amazon website such a device costs a little more than $6.

Using it, we can make a micro-SIM card from a nano-SIM, or a regular SIM card.

Some subtleties

• Let us repeat that all manipulations are carried out at your own risk and fear. If we are not sure of the final result and fear for the safety of our SIM card, it is better to entrust this procedure to a specialist.
• If we cut our SIM card correctly, it will work exactly the same as before cutting. In case of any problems, it will have to be replaced.
• Even if we have already cut SIM cards several times, no one is immune from failures. If you have several old unused SIM cards at home, it is recommended to practice on them first.
• A nano-SIM card can be made from either a regular SIM card or a micro-SIM card. Thus, if we were using a previous generation Apple smartphone and had already trimmed our SIM card to a micro-SIM, now we can turn it into a nano-SIM.

Every year, mobile technology improves, smartphones get larger, and parts become smaller. Manufacturers strive for minimalism of details and maximalism of displays. The changes also affected SIM cards, which have undergone changes since their inception. Today we will tell you how to properly cut a SIM card, adapting it to a new device. But first, let's study the existing types of SIM cards.

Types of SIM Cards

Have you ever wondered why SIM cards are sold built into a large plastic base? Let us tell you a secret - once upon a time this was a SIM card! Yes, it’s so big and inconvenient, but phones at that time weren’t exactly small. Back then it was considered an achievement that a telephone could work wirelessly, and few people were interested in the size of the card with which calls could be made.

Time passed, the devices changed, large SIM cards were replaced by mini-SIM cards, which today we are accustomed to consider ordinary. Further - less. Mini-SIMs are becoming less and less common, and new devices are starting to use micro-SIMs. And, it would seem, much less? But Apple decided to shrink the cards for its devices - and nano-sim appeared.

If you decide to purchase a new SIM card today, when you open the package, you will find a card with several cuts. You just need to select the required SIM card size - and press in the right place - and you have in your hands a card suitable for your device. And if you want to move it to another device, just save the remaining parts and use them as an adapter.

Cutting a SIM card

But what to do if you have an old-style card (mini-SIM)? Then regular pruning can come to your aid. But the question arises, how to cut a SIM card? There are several ways to transform a map into a new format:

1. contact the communication salon. As a rule, they have special devices - SIM card cutters. For a fee or without it (depending on your luck), they will help you resolve this issue - and adapt the SIM to your device.
2. trim the card yourself.

Cutting a SIM card with your own hands

Let's look at the second method in more detail and tell you how to cut a SIM card at home. To accomplish this task, you need to have a pencil, ruler and sharp scissors on hand. For subsequent adjustment of dimensions, you may also need sandpaper, since cutting small parts is not very convenient.

First you need to decide on the size of the card you want to get as a result. If you need to cut a SIM card for a micro SIM, then its dimensions should be 1.5 * 1.2 cm, if for a nano SIM, then you should be left with a rectangle with sides 1.23 cm and 0.88 cm. After that Once you have decided on the dimensions, it is worth drawing the contours of the future SIM card on your source card. And only after that, carefully, without touching the chip, cut the card.

If the first fitting was unsuccessful and the SIM card turned out to be slightly larger than necessary, continue trimming. If there are literally a few millimeters left to remove, it is better to use sandpaper. The most important thing is not to touch the contacts during processing, since if they are damaged, the card will simply stop working. Cutting under Nano Sim is much more difficult than under Micro Sim, since there is much less plastic around the chip, and therefore it is much easier to hit an important part. Therefore, be careful and do everything without haste.
When the trimming is completed, you can safely insert your SIM card into the device and use it.

If you need to install a smaller card in a device designed for a larger SIM size, you can use a special adapter.

We hope that our tips were useful to you. And congratulations on purchasing a new smartphone!

In this material we will tell you how to cut a SIM card to the nano SIM size required by the new iPhone 6.

To get started, you need a regular SIM card or micro sim. It would be nice if you have an old SIM card to practice cutting on. So, I have my SIM card, now I need scissors. It will be good to use regular paper scissors - no more, no less. And actually now we need a sketch of the size against which we will check the sizes. If you already have an iPhone 6, then the nano-Sim tray itself can easily be used as a sketch. If not, then everything is a little worse. It would be advisable, of course, to find a device where you could measure the size live, but if this is not possible, cut a piece of sheet the size of a nano-SIM (12.3 mm by 8.8 mm).

SIM card cutting process

First, you need to determine approximately how much to cut off so that there is a margin of a couple of millimeters on the top and side of the card, and then trim a little on each side.

The cut corner should be on the same corner as the “big” card. It is important not to lose it during cutting, just as it is important not to confuse the bottom with the top.

As a result, you should end up with a card with almost nothing but a metal coating on the contact side.

Sometimes you come across regular mini-SIMs with an enlarged metal surface, which is larger in size than the nano-SIM itself. In such cases, you need to cut the metal a little (don't worry, the card will work since the chip itself is in the center). Trim a little at each side where the card is larger than the reference size until you reach the desired size.

Under no circumstances should the card dangle in its tray, but should fit fairly tightly to the inner edges of the tray. To achieve this you need to cut off very, very small strips from the sides of the experimental SIM card.

When the card is ready in length and width and fits perfectly into the tray, do not rush to check and insert it into the iPhone 6. Regular cards are thicker than nano SIM, so arm yourself with sandpaper and sand it a little on the back side of the card contacts. You need to remove a layer of about 15-20% evenly. To check the result, insert the card into the iPhone 6 tray and make sure that it does not protrude above the metal edge of the tray.

It is also recommended to lightly sand the edges so that there are no lint on them. But under no circumstances use sanding paper on the contacts, as this will most likely render your SIM card unusable.

After sanding, wipe the card with a damp cloth and let it dry - insert it into the device and use it for your health.

Old SIM cards will not work! If you have a very old SIM card, it may not work after the cutting procedure. This is a feature of old SIM cards, keep this in mind.

We hope this article helped you.

At the moment, there are few gadgets left in the modern world that support standard SIM card options; micro SIM cards have taken their place. For example, iPhone 4 and 4S are equipped with micro sim, which appeared in 2003. And iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 6, 6 PLUS, 6S, 6S PLUS, SE, 7, 7 PLUS have a smaller SIM card format - nano-sim. Therefore, in our article we will raise the question: how to trim it yourself.

You can reduce the SIM card at home, or you can entrust this task to specialists. You can cut the card yourself at home using available tools: scissors or a stationery knife, a manicure file or sandpaper and a caliper or a simple ruler. After trimming, the SIM card can still be inserted into a regular phone.

The cropped SIM card can be put into a regular phone, but to do this you need to return it to its original appearance. To do this, you should contact a specialized online store or the nearest communication store, they will explain how to insert it and offer an adapter for such SIM cards. The best option would be to purchase a whole set, since it includes a set of stickers that will firmly connect the adapter to the antenna so that it does not fall out. If you haven't found such stickers anywhere, regular tape will help you.

In addition, the adapter can be ordered from an online store; the kit includes the adapter itself and a pin that allows you to remove the SIM card tray for the iPhone. You can also order adapters for the desired format of your SIM card, thanks to which the cards can be installed even in a regular phone. You just need to place the SIM card in the adapter and install it in your mobile device.

How to properly shorten without damaging the chip

Unlike micro-sim, where the length of the indents plays an important role, nano-sim is much easier to reduce, since it has virtually no plastic edges. Therefore, the likelihood of chip damage is low. But, if you accidentally damage the chip and your mobile device does not connect to the network, do not panic, contact your operator and they will provide you with a duplicate SIM card of the required size.

What SIM card is in your iPhone?

If you decide to change the card in your phone, make sure that it will be the right size, and if the size is not suitable, then learn how to properly cut out a micro SIM for the iPhone, because the new iPhone models that have been released now only support this type of SIM card , like macro-sim and also nano-sim. Therefore, the owners of such phones will need to either bite off a SIM card of standard formats to the size of a micro-SIM, or a nano-SIM, or change it to a suitable size, since it is impossible to insert a regular one.

How to cut SIM yourself

The SIM in a regular format phone is a plastic rectangle with a chip, 25x15 mm in size. The micro SIM dimensions are 15 x 12 x 0.76 mm and the nano SIM dimensions are 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.67 mm.

How to safely reduce SIM at home

During the pruning process, something irreparable can happen, namely, the scissors can come off, you cut the wrong thing, and everything will not go according to plan.

Attention! You must be sure that you know exactly all the nuances of how to trim a sim at home and how to do it yourself. Therefore, in order not to damage your SIM, you should practice on old unnecessary SIM cards, and only then do this fraud with your main one.

How to properly fit to micro format

Let's figure out how to do it:

First, you need to draw a 15x12 mm marking around the chip, along which the card will be cut. Afterwards, take really sharp scissors so that everything goes smoothly, small manicure scissors are best for this. You need to cut out the excess plastic along the drawn lines, after which all that remains is to carefully cut off a small corner of the card.

Finally, you need to check the size of the card with the connector in your mobile device. If the card is still large, you need to remove the remaining unnecessary plastic with a nail file or sandpaper.

Making from a standard sim

The process of converting a standard SIM card to nano is as follows:

1. You need to cut the SIM card, cut off the bottom and top of the SIM card, but before that, remember where the corner is located in order to restore it later. At the end of trimming, the length of the SIM card should be 12.3 mm.
2. The width of the SIM card will be 8.8 mm, for which you need to trim off the excess plastic on the sides.
3. What and how to do if your SIM card does not fit into the slot, is not suitable in thickness, and which SIM card is suitable? – you will need sandpaper. The maximum thickness of nano-sim is 0.70 mm; you will need to take a small piece of sandpaper and, of course, erase the layer with the operator’s graphics. Wiping the plastic does not affect the performance of SIM cards in any way, but before you start doing this, protect your respiratory tract with a medical mask or gauze, as dust irritates the mucous membranes and has a pungent odor.

Now let’s look at how to properly make a nano-sim from a micro-sim. This process is almost no different from converting from a regular SIM card. Micro-SIM is not only larger than nano-SIM, it is also thicker. The thickness of the micro-card is 0.10-0.15 mm greater. Therefore, you will also need sandpaper and a little time.

There is an even easier way to properly crop a nano sim. In communication stores there is a special tool, thanks to which you can easily cut a standard card for a micro or nano SIM, or for a small fee or even free of charge, to the size you need. After which they will additionally help you insert the SIM card into the slot of your mobile device.

Conclusion

I hope our tips helped you. Try the universal algorithm described above. See you on the pages of the site!

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