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Buying a new phone is a joyful event, but it can also bring unexpected problems. Most modern phone models released after 2011 have different requirements for SIM card parameters than their “older” comrades. And the latest iPhone models, starting with the iPhone 5, as well as some flagship Androids, such as Samsung and Meizu, use the latest standard - nano-SIM. If you find that your old SIM card does not fit into your new smartphone, this information is just for you. And if you purchased a new SIM card along with your phone, then you will probably need to find out your MTS or other operator number.
Nano-sim - what is it?
While smartphones are updated, becoming thinner and more compact every year, ordinary users face difficulties in using them. And if previously all SIM cards were the same size and could be used in absolutely any phone (from an old push-button Nokia to an ultra-modern iPhone), now everything has changed.
sim card diagram
Almost all phones released after 2011 require a SIM card with more compact parameters - micro-SIM or nano-SIM. And if most users already know about micro, then the newest nano-sim, which first saw the light with the release of the fifth iPhone model, is worth talking about separately.
A nano-SIM is the same card with a chip as its predecessors, but it is much smaller and, what is also important to note, a little thinner . It consists almost entirely of a chip and has only a slight plastic edging around the edges. Because of this, the traditional method of reducing the card using scissors, previously used successfully for micro-SIMs, most often leads to chip failure with nano-SIMs.
Hand cutting
If the previous two methods are not available to you, you can cut out the SIM card yourself. To do this, you will need a nano-sim template or drawing showing how much to trim the plastic edges around the chip.
It’s easy to get a new SIM card, all operators have already adapted to providing nano-SIM, and now everyone can get it quickly and for free . This SIM card will help reduce the weight of the smartphone and make it more compact.
Nano-sim and micro-sim - differences
As for the differences between a nano-SIM and the more common micro-SIM, they consist only in the parameters of the plastic base into which the card chip is inserted - the chip itself, in turn, will be the same in all SIM cards without exception.
Map parameters:
- Micro-sim - 15 x 2.5 millimeters (thickness 0.81 millimeters).
- Nano-sim - 12.3 x 8.8 millimeters (thickness 0.67 millimeters).
Thus, a nano-SIM card is not only smaller, but also thinner, which creates additional difficulties for those users who want to make it themselves from larger SIM cards.
Existing standards
SIM card is a miniature card that serves as a subscriber identifier in a GSM cellular network. It is a modification of the classic smart card. It was standardized by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
SIM cards allow you to quickly change smartphones while maintaining your identifier (phone number) or service providers.
Over the decades of development of cellular networks and telephones, 4 standards (form factors) of SIM cards have emerged:
- full-size (1FF) – 85.6 × 54 mm – used in the first devices, now not relevant;
- mini or standard (2FF) – 25 × 15 mm – used in old smartphones and push-button phones; devices with such a SIM holder are almost never produced;
- micro – reduced (3FF) – 15 × 12 mm – in recent years, the standard has lost relevance, some standard SIM cards were produced with the ability to quickly turn into micro;
- nano (4FF) – 12.3 × 8.8 mm – the most common form factor.
SIM cards can store phone numbers and other contact information, call data, and text messages.
How to cut a SIM card for a nano-SIM?
Next, we will talk about what ways there are to acquire a nano-SIM card.
On one's own
The most common method, which is convenient because you don’t have to go anywhere. However, this is also the riskiest path, because by cutting a SIM card, you risk damaging the chip: even if you “catch” its edge, you will make the SIM card inoperative. So use only very sharp scissors, and also refer to the photo of the nano-sim so as not to cut off too much plastic.
In addition, nano format cards are also thinner than others. In some smartphones, the slot is quite large and allows you to insert a thick card. But if it doesn’t fit, you’ll have to rub it a little with sandpaper or a regular nail file - not from the microchip side, of course.
Important: replacing a SIM card in a communication salon is carried out only if you have an identity document. If for some reason you are unable to present it, or if the SIM card you are using is not issued to you, it is better not to risk cutting the SIM card yourself and use the services of specialists.
In the operator's cabin
The easiest way, since you are not required to do anything other than visit a communication salon with identification documents. You can order a reissue of a SIM card completely free of charge. The SIM cards currently being produced are ready for use in devices of different models. They are a “construction set”: from a plastic base you can squeeze out the SIM card format you need with your finger. And having saved this base, you can then use it as an adapter if you need to increase the size of the card.
Squeezable SIM cards
In a special workshop
If for some reason you cannot or do not want to change the SIM card to a new one, and reducing it with scissors seems too risky to you, you can use the services of specialists in almost any workshop that repairs phones. As a rule, craftsmen have a special device called a SIM card stapler, or SIM cutter. It will turn your card into a nano-SIM in a matter of seconds without the slightest risk of damaging it. However, in most workshops such a service is paid, although it is rarely expensive.
Stapler for SIM cards
Story
The appearance of microsims occurred about 7 years ago - then this type of card became widespread, mainly among Asian devices, but over time, European brands began to use this innovation.
But it did not have time to become particularly widespread, since just a couple of years later, Apple developed a nano-SIM, which was introduced into the new iPhone and iPad models.
As always, Asian manufacturers were the first to pick up this innovation, followed by European ones.
The nano format has been widely used for many years. At the moment, this is the minimum possible size of the card, since its subsequent reduction requires a reduction in the size of the main working chip, and this will make it impossible to use the new card in all currently existing device models. After all, absolutely all phones and tablets currently have a standard chip size.
<Fig. 3 Card 3-in1>
What to do if the SIM card is damaged?
Unfortunately, not all electronic storage media are equally resistant to various types of damage. And if restoring data from a flash drive is a labor-intensive, but in many cases effective process, then users do not have the opportunity to “fix” a deformed SIM card.
Advice: if, when cutting a card for a nano-SIM, you find that the SIM card inserted into the smartphone cannot be read, do not rush to panic. Double-check whether the side you placed it in the phone socket is correct, and whether the chip fits tightly to the contacts. Perhaps, in trying to reduce it, you made the map too thin?
However, if you did everything correctly and the card is still not readable, the likelihood that the chip was damaged during cutting is very high. Unfortunately, now there is nothing else to do but go to the nearest mobile phone store, not forgetting to take your passport with you, and order a reissue of the card.
How to change SIM size?
You can get a new card from your operator, contact a service center, or reduce its size yourself. cut it yourself to nano as carefully as possible so as not to damage the chip.
Contact your mobile operator
You need to visit your operator’s communications office with your passport and smartphone and order a replacement SIM card. It can be carried out on the day of application, while the mobile phone number, balance and activated services will be preserved.
Telecom operators have now started offering SIMs that can be used in all types of smartphones. Their main shell is “mini”, from which “micro” or “ nano ” can be squeezed out along the dotted line.
Contact the service center
If you don’t have time to wait for the operator to make a new card , contact a service center that specializes in repairing smartphones and other equipment. Reducing a SIM card to the required size is done using a device similar to a stapler. One click and the excess plastic is cut off.
Let's sum it up
We looked at what the latest nano-SIM format cards are, as well as their features and parameters. If your SIM card is not suitable for use in a new phone, you can exchange it for a new one for free at any communication store or reduce it - either with the help of a specialist or on your own. Of course, if you don’t want to take risks, it’s better not to cut the SIM card manually, especially trying to “fit” it to the nano-SIM parameters. After all, you will have to act very carefully, and if it fails, the card cannot be repaired. To avoid unexpected problems when purchasing a phone, find out in advance the features of the model and the parameters of the SIM card it supports. You can also ask a sales consultant at a communication store about this. And if you want to learn more about the capabilities of modern phones, take an interest in LTE technology in smartphones.
Types of SIM cards
There are three main formats: mini, micro and nano. What are they?
Mini-SIM
Standard card format. Used in most modern phones. In everyday life, the name without the prefix “mini” is popular. The dimensions of this card are 25x15 mm. It does not need to be adapted, even if it is more than one year old. Just insert and use.
Micro-SIM
Compared to the previous type, micro-SIM has smaller dimensions - 15x12 millimeters. It was first used in the iPhone 4. Recently, new devices increasingly support this format. When buying a new phone, it’s easy to cut it off from a regular SIM card.
Nano-SIM
The latest, smallest SIM card used in the latest iPhones, iPads, and flagship Android models. The nano-SIM looks like a chip without any plastic around it. The card dimensions are small - 12x5 mm, so it is more difficult to adapt from larger formats.
Currently, most operators provide just such SIM cards, but if you have an old-style SIM card, below we will tell you how to make a nano-SIM from it.
Replacement in the operator's cabin
Where can I change my SIM card? This can be done in the operator’s salon, and completely free of charge. In this case, all information, phone number, account and connected options will be saved. When contacting a communication salon, you need a passport and an old card issued in the name of the owner.
To change your Tele2 SIM card, you will need to pay a small amount of money, which will remain in your account. In a day, the old card will no longer function. Replacing MTS or Beeline is absolutely free and takes a minimum of time. The same thing happens when replacing a Megafon card.
This method is safe and does not require much time. It is needed in order to save all the necessary data on the SIM card, because if you change the size yourself, the chip may be damaged, and it will no longer be possible to use the card.
Is it worth the risk?
In fact, you can skip this whole procedure by cutting out the unnecessary parts. You can use a special device - a cutter. It will shrink your SIM card to the desired size in seconds.
A similar tool can be found in all communication shops in any city. The price of such a service is ridiculous, and in some cases you won't spend a penny. It all depends on the operator. In addition, in such establishments you can change the size of the SIM card to a nano card.
To apply for a new kit, you just need to fill out an application and don’t forget to take your passport with you.
If at some point you suddenly want to use this card on an older model phone that supports older formats, do not panic ahead of time. For this, there is a special adapter into which a nano-SIM card is inserted, in which it can be safely used even in very old devices.
Nano SIM Card Adapter This article is intended to provide advice on how to replace your SIM card only, not as a guide. Consequently, responsibility for further actions and their consequences falls entirely on the owner and performer of the above-mentioned manipulations. Sources
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