How To Remove The SIM Card In An iPhone Or iPad
In this article, we explain how to carefully remove the SIM Card in an iPhone or iPad.
All iPhones and cellular-capable iPads come with SIM card slots on their sides. A SIM (subscriber identity module) card is how your carrier provides all the information your device needs to get on their network and access the voice and data services linked to your account; if you travel internationally or plan to switch carriers, you may need to swap the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad.
If you plan to switch mobile network carriers or have upgraded to a new iPhone, you’ll need to remove the SIM card. Keep reading to learn how.
What You’ll Need
To remove the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad, you’ll need the SIM eject tool that Apple includes in the device’s box. If you don’t have one, you can use a regular paper clip. Simply straighten the outer end of the paper clip so that it’s longer and points away from the rest of the metal. The picture provides an example.
COPYRIGHT_NOVA: Published on https://www.novabach.com/i/how-to-remove-the-sim-card-in-an-iphone-or-ipad/ by Daniel Barrett on 2022-08-03T01:29:11.000Z
If you’re using something else, like the tip of a small screwdriver, just make sure it fits into the SIM ejector slot. You don’t want to mangle your device.
Also read: How To Protect Your SIM Card With A PIN Code
How to remove the SIM card in an iPhone or iPad
Almost every iPhone comes equipped with a SIM card tray*; if you have an iPhone 4s or newer, you have a SIM card slot.
*The only exception was the CDMA variant of the iPhone 4.
Here is where you can find it, given your iPhone model:
- Original iPhone/iPhone 3G/iPhone 3GS: On the top of the iPhone in between the headphone jack and power button
- iPhone 4s and later: On the right side of iPhone, the side opposite your mute switch and volume buttons
Only cellular-capable iPads have SIM trays. If you have one, here is where you can find your SIM tray:
- Original iPad: Along the left side of the iPad towards the middle, opposite the side that contains the mute switch and volume buttons, near the bottom
- iPad 2/3/4: Along the left side of the iPad, opposite the side that contains the mute switch and volume buttons, near the top
- iPad Pro/Air/Air2/mini (all generations): On the bottom right side of the iPad, the same side that contains the mute switch and volume buttons
Also read: What To Do When Your iPhone Says ‘No SIM’ Card Inserted
How to Remove the SIM Card from an iPhone or iPad
Now that we have the tools required to eject the SIM card from iPhone or iPad and now that we know where the SIM tray is located on the iOS device, let’s look at how to actually remove the SIM Card from an iPhone or iPad.
- Insert the SIM eject tool or your bent paperclip into the small pinhole opening in the SIM card slot.
- Apply light pressure until the SIM tray pops out slightly.
- Using your thumb and finger, gently pull out the SIM tray from the slot.
- Place your SIM card in the tray. If you’re swapping SIM cards, remove the existing SIM from the tray and replace it with the new one. Make sure that the grooved corner of the SIM card aligns with the one in the frame of the tray to ensure correct orientation.
- Carefully re-insert the SIM tray back into the slot. It only goes in one way, so make sure you orient it correctly by lining up the pinhole.
Never force the SIM tray back in the slot, otherwise, you risk damaging the internal contacts on the logic board of your iOS device. If the tray won’t go back in, remove it, take out the SIM card, then re-insert the card again while taking extra care to get the orientation right. If you’re having difficulty ejecting or re-inserting the SIM tray, take your device to your carrier or an Apple Store for help.
Editor’s picks:
