How to crop a SIM to nano: step by step guide and template

Types of SIM cards

• Mini-SIM
• Micro-SIM
• Nano-SIM

Mini - sim is an ordinary and familiar SIM card, standard size, which is usually called a “SIM card”, without the “mini” prefix. The most common format of SIM cards, but today they are increasingly difficult to find in new flagship smartphone models. The size of a regular, standard SIM card or mini-sim is 25 X 15mm

Micro - sim is the same SIM card as a mini-sim, but unlike it, a micro-sim has a smaller size of 15 X 12mm. As a rule, SIM cards are sold with the ability to turn a regular SIM card into a micro-SIM card by simply squeezing a micro-SIM out of the card’s plastic frame.

A universal or multi-SIM card looks like this (you can see the boundaries along which you need to squeeze out the required SIM card size):

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.

Micro-SIM and nano-SIM: the difference is in the size of the plastic or in the chip?

Based on the above characteristics of SIM cards, you can notice a significant reduction in plastic, directly along the edges of the SIM card chip. The dimensions of SIM cards are the key and main feature of what the SIM card is called. This size only affects the plastic; there are no and cannot be any changes in the chip itself. You can use a regular SIM card (mini-SIM), and if you update your smartphone to a newer model that requires a micro-SIM, you can change it to the desired size at any time, be it micro-SIM or nano-SIM.

How to make a nano-SIM yourself?

There are many ways to make a nano-SIM from a micro-SIM at home - there are templates for cutting on the Internet.

Photo: template example

How to make a nano-SIM:

1. Trim the SIM card with thin and sharp scissors.
2. Polish it with sandpaper.

Typically, nano differs from its predecessor by 0.1 millimeters. It's not noticeable, but trying to insert the card into the slot will be unsuccessful. The latest model is also as close as possible to finding the chip that is responsible for the functionality of the SIM card. This method is suitable for a person who knows how to cut plastic evenly and clearly.

How to cut a SIM card for a nano-SIM?

The first way is to contact a specialized store or communication salon of any operator, and in a couple of minutes they will give you the required SIM card size. The cost of this service, as a rule, does not exceed the cost of the starter package/SIM card itself, or is completely free. This service will definitely be free if you buy a starter package and immediately warn about what SIM card you need, in which case the operator’s representative must give you the required SIM card size.

The second way is to cut the SIM card yourself under the nano-SIM. Be prepared to need a ruler, scissors or a sharp utility knife, and possibly sandpaper. Attention! This method is less preferable, since there is a risk of touching one of the 6 contacts of your SIM card chip, which means you will need to restore the SIM card by contacting your operator.

So, if you decide to cut the SIM card yourself, then let’s move on directly to cutting:

• Take measurements with a ruler. The length of the new nano-sim should be 12.3mm and the width 8.8mm. If you already have one nano-SIM, you can take measurements on it, if not, then cut a little to spare, add 1mm on each side and cut off the unnecessary part of the plastic. The figure schematically shows how to cut a nano-sim.

Remember! Having cut a SIM card, for example, to the size of a nano-SIM, they may still differ in thickness, since the thickness of a nano-SIM card is 0.67mm, while mini-SIM and micro-SIM can be: 0.76-0.84mm.

How to insert a nano-sim into a micro-sim?

Changing the size back from a nano-SIM to a micro-SIM or mini-SIM is much more difficult, because you will need a holder/adapter or “holder” for the SIM card. If you have one, then you will not have any difficulties with changing the size, just insert the chip into the desired adapter and place it in your smartphone or tablet.

The image shows what an adapter for nano-SIM and micro-SIM should look like, as you can see, there is nothing complicated about it, you just need to buy a holder or save it, after buying the SIM card itself, as a rule, multi-SIM cards are sold.

Manufacturers of smartphones and tablets strive to reduce the size and weight of their devices as much as possible in order to make them more stylish, convenient and powerful, so new models have no place for excess and completely unnecessary plastic from SIM cards. Instead, you can reduce the size of the gadget itself or enhance it with other useful functionality: processor, memory, etc.

It is the size of the SIM card tray or slot that determines the required chip size, and this will determine which SIM card you need. As a rule, for smartphones that allow you to simultaneously use 2 or more SIM cards, you need to have a microSIM or nanoSIM.

Also, it is worth mentioning that recently, manufacturers have increasingly begun to use the technology of hybrid slots for SIM cards and memory cards, however, this is not always convenient, remember this when choosing a phone.

The content of the article

How to turn a micro-sim into a nano-sim?

The question arises, how to cut a micro-SIM under a nano-SIM? The new chips are the same size as a nano-SIM. We only need to remove the excess plastic with a file. If you are unlucky with the new chip, the procedure is as follows:

1. We cut off 1-1.5 mm on each side of the contact pad. If it doesn’t fit, you’ll have to carefully modify it with a file. Don't forget to trim the corner.
2. Using your fingernail, carefully peel the plastic away from the contact pad.
3. We check the functionality.

This is the simplest way to cut a micro SIM card under a nano SIM card. The main thing is to act carefully.

Cut microsim for nano-sim card

Nano-SIM is the smallest card size, only 12.3 by 8.8 mm. The legislator of the new format was the Apple company, having released yet another new product - the iPhone 5. At first, mobile operators did not have cards of the new type, and they had to reduce the SIM card themselves.

The easiest way to cut a micro-SIM card under the application is to remove all the plastic along the contour of the chip. Just leave a narrow strip on one side to form a beveled corner. This also applies to mini SIM cards with a small chip.

Keep in mind one feature of nano-SIM - it is thinner than mini and micro format cards. The first has a thickness of 0.67 mm, and the second and third have a thickness of 0.76 mm. This problem can be solved using a regular nail file or sandpaper. After trimming, slightly sharpen the SIM card along the contour and along the plane so that it fits freely in the device slot.

SIM card formats for phones and their differences

What types of cards are there for mobile phones? In fact, there is nothing complicated here. Modern phone models support three types of SIM cards:

• Standard;
• Microsim card;
• Nano SIM card.

The difference between them is only in the dimensions of the cards; the innovations did not affect the electronic chip at all. The dimensions of the regular SIM card, the predecessor of all current SIM cards, are 25x15 mm with a beveled corner.

It is used in most modern phone models, but recently Mini-UICC cards measuring 15x12mm have become increasingly popular.

For the first time, such an example began to be used on the iPhone, and then the rest picked up the fashion.

After the release of the fifth iPhone, SIM card standards again required changes, because the devices themselves are now of completely different dimensions. Now the dimensions had to be even smaller, in addition to this their thickness also changed. And then a nano SIM card appeared, what it is, I think, is already clear from the name itself.

Article on the topic: Activating a Beeline SIM card on a phone, tablet and modem

Reference . Nano SIM is the smallest SIM card used in modern gadgets.

Let's summarize the dimensions of the cards:

An old-style card for a nano-SIM card

Old SIM cards have a large chip size, exceeding the nano-standard size. But you can also cut off an old SIM card. Removing the edge of such a chip does not disrupt the operation of the contacts.

It is easier to cut out a nano-shape from a mini-SIM card, since there is a place that allows you to hold the card while manipulating with scissors. Using a utility knife will make the task much easier.

Step by step steps:

• Use a pen or thin marker to mark the new dimensions on the chip side so that you can see if the lines overlap the contacts;
• cut off the excess plastic, clamp the card itself with tongs for more precise manipulations;
• sharpen the card with a file along the contour to remove nicks, and sand the surface of the plastic on the side of the operator’s logo to make the card thinner;
• insert the SIM into the card holder; if it does not fit, repeat the previous operation until it fits completely into the slot.

If you still have unnecessary SIM cards, practice using them. The chance of the correct result of the pruning procedure will increase significantly.

An alternative to converting a card into a nanostandard yourself:

• contacting a cellular communication store, where they will cut the SIM to the required size using a special cutter;
• contacting the official office of the operator to replace the SIM card with the required form.

Sim adapter

If you decide to purchase a new SIM card today, when you open the package, you will find a card with several cuts. All you have to do is 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.

Nano SIM card template

A more precise way to cut a card correctly is to use a template. It can be downloaded here. When printing the template, set the scale to 100% for A4 sheet.

• Print out the stencil. No color printing required.
• Cut out the nano size template.
• Using glue, or better yet double-sided tape, attach the template to the SIM card from the operator logo side.
• Carefully cut the plastic with scissors or sharp tweezers.

If you don’t have a printer at hand, you can draw the future size directly on the card using a ruler and pencil.

How to do it:

• position the SIM card so that the cut corner is in the lower right corner;
• draw a vertical line along the left edge of the chip;
• measure 13 mm from the left edge of the chip and draw another vertical line;
• draw a horizontal line along the top edge of the chip;
• set aside 9.5 mm from the top edge of the chip and draw a line.

The resulting rectangle will be the new SIM size. All that remains is to cut down a small corner.

Alternative ways to cut a SIM card

To cut a SIM card with your own hands, they often use templates that can be downloaded on the Internet. They are printed out and trimmed from them. This is very easy, but you will need a very sharp knife. You will not be able to give the plastic the desired shape with scissors; you will only damage the edges. If you don't have a sharp tool, you can use a utility knife

All corners and irregularities can be trimmed using a nail file. That is, all you need is a file to shape the SIM card, and a little time.

Popular devices with nano-SIM cards

The table contains a list of the most popular smartphones that work with nano-SIM. Check out the list to see if you have decided to purchase one of these models. Then the service of cutting the card or replacing it with the operator with a new standard will be relevant for you.

cut a SIM card for iPhone 5s , as for any other model, at any mobile phone store, right where you purchase your smartphone. This service is provided on a paid basis. You can also get a nano-SIM at your operator's service point, the service is free.

SIM card exchange

If the situation arises that the SIM card was cut incorrectly , then it must be replaced by the operator. Read how to do this here.

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Check the number you called from

How to insert a nano-SIM into a micro-SIM if the card and the slot do not correspond in size? We will provide detailed instructions that will help you deal with a small problem - don’t worry, soon you will be in touch again and will be able to use your smartphone to the fullest with a brand new nano-SIM!

Is it worth the risk?

In fact, you can do without this whole procedure of trimming excess parts.
You can use a special device - a cutter. It will reduce the SIM card to the size you need in a matter of seconds. A similar tool can be found in all communication shops in any city. The price of such a service is ridiculous, and in certain cases you won’t spend a penny. It all depends on the operator. Also, such establishments can change the SIM card format to a nano card.

To issue a new kit, you just need to fill out an application and do not forget to bring your passport.

If at some point you suddenly want to use this card on a phone of an older model that supports earlier formats, do not panic ahead of time. There is a special adapter for this; by inserting a nano SIM card into it, you can easily use it even in very ancient devices.

Adapter for nano-SIM card

Attention! This article serves only as advice on how to change your SIM card, but not as an instruction. Therefore, all responsibility for further actions and their consequences lies entirely with its owner and the performer of the above-described manipulations.

Adapter

How to make a micro-SIM from a nano if you bought a brand new smartphone? Have you carefully chosen the color of the case, looked for a suitable case and headphones, but forgot to specify the slot size? Or, on the contrary, did you temporarily exchange a modern device for an old phone?

Whatever the reason, a SIM card adapter from nano to regular or micro will come to the rescue! This is a special holder made in the shape of a larger card, allowing you to insert a nano-SIM instead of a micro-SIM. You can choose one of two types of adapters:

• Outline. The plastic form with a hole is equipped with a sticky label to hold the card;
• Backed. The form is equipped with a plastic wall on one side for convenient holding of the smartphone inside.

An adapter that helps you insert a nano-SIM into a micro-slot can be purchased in an online store or hardware hypermarket, or in operator communication stores. The cost of the part is low - from thirty rubles to several hundred rubles.

Important! To properly insert a nano-SIM into a regular phone, you need to choose a high-quality device. Please pay attention to the following parameters:

• If the plastic moves freely inside the mold, refuse the purchase - the nano-SIM chip will not hold the micro-SIM in place;
• It is better if the card fits tightly, with some effort, into the micro-SIM holder.

Most often, the adapter comes with a special sanding block that allows you to smooth out uneven edges.

If you can’t purchase an adapter in a specialized store, you need to know about analogue solutions to the problem! Let's discuss little tricks that will help you cope with the task.

Other options

The plastic adapter that comes with the card upon purchase will help you install Nano-sim to Microsim in your old phone. Remember when you squeezed plastic out of a special mold? Save it - this is the easiest way to get what you want without effort.

There is a second option - let's discuss how to make a regular card from a nano-SIM with your own hands and insert it. You can cut a holder from scrap materials!

• Stock up on plastic forms - this could be an unnecessary bank or discount card;
• Take a strong knife or strong scissors, arm yourself with a ruler;
• Carefully draw the silhouette of the future holder and cut it out along the lines.

Just in case, let us recall the standard sizes of the three types of cards:

• Standard (or mini) – 25x15 mm;
• Micro-sim – 15x12 mm;
• Nano-sim – 12.3x8.8 mm.

If you can't draw the shape yourself, take an old card and trace it with a pencil! The finished slot should be carefully sanded to remove the “shaggy” edges - this will make it easier to insert the nano-SIM into the micro-SIM holder.

We discussed in detail how to install a nano-SIM card in a smartphone in a large slot - now you are armed with effective tips that will help you cope with a small problem. Read, memorize and communicate without restrictions!

Due to the fact that designers and developers decided to put expanded functionality into smartphones, the attitude towards the shape of the SIM card also changed. Despite the light weight and compactness of the gadget, it needed much more space inside for memory, batteries and processors. This is what influenced the decision of manufacturers to use a fundamentally new SIM card format in devices, namely nano. Do you want to trim your SIM card to this size yourself at home? In this review we will tell you how to do this.

What is a Nano SIM and how do I get one?

Owners of relatively new mobile phones may have already forgotten what a classic SIM card looks like. Nowadays micro-sim is in use, and the latest development of mobile operators is nano-sim. This is a very small, compact SIM card suitable for phone models of the last few years. If a classic SIM card is 25 millimeters long, then the nano format is about half as long. The decision to release new card formats was dictated by changes in smartphone design. New models of mobile devices have become much thinner, as a result of which the SIM card connectors have become more compact.

But what should people do who decide to exchange their old devices with SIM cards of the old format for new, ultra-thin smartphones and do not know how to cut a nano SIM card? Under no circumstances will an old SIM card fit into a new format phone. You can change an unsuitable SIM card at a communication store, but this is a waste of time and, in general, is not always convenient. The fastest and most reliable way to make a new phone work is to cut the SIM card to a nano SIM.

Users who decide to cut their card to nano SIM size should understand an important thing - the dimensions of the chips in all versions are approximately the same. The main difference between them is the amount of plastic framing the chip. This is the main problem for the user.

A device for cutting a regular SIM card to nano size

You can get a SIM card of the required format in the following ways:

1. Cut the plastic part yourself.
2. Order the service in a workshop that has the appropriate equipment.
3. Replace the card at a mobile phone store.

How to trim microsymbols under application

It should be noted that this is the smallest size of all SIM cards existing today. Their parameters are 12.3 x 8.8 mm. As one would expect, the pioneer in this matter was the world-famous Apple corporation, which at that time released its next discovery in the form of the iPhone 5. Initially, mobile operators did not have these cards, so they had to be adjusted to the required sizes on their own.

The most convenient and simplest option for cutting a micro-format SIM card into a nano format is to remove excess plastic strictly along the contour of the chip itself. The only thing you need to do is leave a small strip of plastic on one side so that you can make a beveled corner. The same operation is carried out with mini-cards, which have a small chip.

Mini and micro formats are thicker than nano. The thickness of the latter is 0.67 mm, and the first two are 0.76 mm. By the way, to solve this discrepancy, an ordinary manicure file or sandpaper is enough. In order for the card to fit properly into the smartphone slot, it will need to be cleaned a little (flatness and outline) after trimming is completed.

Fitting an old type card to a nano SIM card

Previously used SIM cards are distinguished by slightly larger chip parameters, which are much more massive than the modern standard. But this is not a problem either, since in this case everything can be cut off. After removing the edges, the correct functioning of the contacts is not affected.

Cutting out a nano SIM card from a card is much easier, because in this case it is possible to hold the card during the procedure itself. If you use a traditional stationery knife, it will be even easier to solve the problem.

Step-by-step actions:

• first you need to use a marker or pen on the side where the chip is located to mark the dimensions that are needed (this is required in order not to damage the contacts);
• now the plastic is cut off at the edges, and the card itself is clamped with tongs to make it more convenient to perform the necessary actions;
• The contour of the new product must be sharpened with a file so that there are no nicks, and the surface where the logo is applied must be cleaned (the card will become thinner and will correspond to the new format);
• we check the thickness by placing the SIM card in the card holder, and if it does not fit, then it needs to be adjusted again, as described above.

You may have old inactive SIM cards. Then you can practice on them, which will increase your chances of success in pruning.

An alternative option for personally cutting a SIM card into a modern format:

• a trip to a customer service salon, where specialists will carry out the procedure using a special tool;

• replacing an old SIM card with a new one at the company office.

Is it possible to get nano yourself?

And now you have a brand new phone in your hands, but the problem is that the old one has a mini card, but just give this one a nano SIM. What to do? Of course, you can use the services of communication shops and purchase a completely new number. Or change the card format itself to a nanosim card, so Beeline offers to do this for free and at the same time you will retain your phone number, balance on your SIM card and tariff plan.

But there was a lot of useful information on the previous map, and you don’t want to lose it, right? In this case, we suggest that you take the situation into your own hands and, with the same hands, start cutting the card.

To make a mini micro SIM card (for example, for an iPhone 5 s) you will need:

1. A ruler, but a caliper is better.
2. Good sharp scissors for cutting out SIM card plastic.
3. Pen or pencil.
4. Sandpaper (it is better to use fine sandpaper, since the work ahead is delicate).

The first step is to save all important information from the SIM card, since this method of transformation has a high chance of damaging the technical part. Therefore, if you do not want to risk important contacts on the card, then it is better to go to your native operator and change the SIM card.

If you are not afraid of difficulties, then feel free to proceed to the next stage: building a template. For this you need not only a ruler, but also a good eye, since every tenth of a millimeter is worth the price. For your convenience, here you will find a diagram that will help you cut out the required part of the SIM card. This template can be downloaded, printed and transferred directly to the SIM card.

Article on the topic: How to restore contact numbers on a SIM card in your phone?

When marking, be sure to mark the cut corner first, as this will help you determine which side to insert the SIM card into the phone. This is very important, since the chip is divided into certain contact zones, which must subsequently fall into place in the device.

Therefore, do all the work very carefully so as not to cut or leave anything unnecessary. When cutting, try not to touch the electronic chip of your SIM card.

When you are done with measuring work and getting rid of excess parts, proceed to sanding the SIM card. But before that, check whether this procedure is really necessary. Most devices perceive cards that are only 0.1 mm thick as their own, and perhaps the need to work with “sandpaper” will disappear by itself.

Now insert the cut card into your phone. Works? We congratulate you on successfully completing the quest. If it doesn’t fit, you should cut it or sand it again.

Well, if it works like a glove and the phone can’t detect it, then you can’t do without operators - feel free to go to a communication store and buy a new SIM card. To prevent such a nuisance from happening, practice on some old and unnecessary SIM card that is lying around idle.

Article on the topic: How to cut a regular SIM card into a micro SIM?

Map template in nano standard

A simple and accurate option for properly reducing a map is to use a template. It can be downloaded and then printed. When printing, you need to set the A4 scale to 100%.

• The downloaded stencil is printed. Printing in color is not necessary, black and white is sufficient.
• A template of the required format (in our case nano) is cut out of paper.
• Using glue or double-sided regular tape (the second option is better), the template is attached to the SIM card where the logo is.
• The remaining plastic is cut off with scissors; you can also use tweezers, which must be sharp.

If you don’t have a printer, it’s enough to draw the boundaries on the product using a ruler and a regular pencil.

What to do:

• place the card so that the cut standard corner is at the bottom right;
• to the left of the chip, draw a straight line along the border, located vertically;
• From the border of the chip, on the left, retreat thirteen millimeters and draw an additional line;
• at the top of the chip, precisely along its edge, you need to draw a line horizontally;
• mark 9.5 millimeters from the top edge of the chip itself and draw a line.

The rectangle inside the lines after trimming must conform to the updated standard. You just need to make a beveled corner.

Replacing a SIM card

In the case when the independent trimming operation went wrong, the product was damaged, the SIM card just needs to be changed.

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Article published: 02/06/2019 at 12:25

Buying a new phone may result in some inconvenience regarding number reconnection. The thing is that new smartphones use the Nano-SIM standard for mobile operator cards. An old card that is larger in size simply will not fit into the slot without cutting off the excess plastic. In this article we will figure out how to make a nano SIM from a regular SIM card. There are several methods with their own advantages and disadvantages. Which one to choose is up to you.

Where and how much can I change my card?

If you still don’t want to risk cutting your SIM card to the required size yourself, you can turn to specialists at a communication salon for this service. The operator will offer to replace the old card with a new one while maintaining the phone number. To do this, you need to come to the nearest salon of your operator and take your passport. There is no need for a service agreement, since all information about the subscriber is already in the operator’s database.

You can also save your old SIM card with the help of a telecom store employee. He will explain how to cut a SIM card for nano, or he will do it himself. To do this, the employee will use a special tool and perform the operation in less than a minute. Another option is to purchase a multilayer card, from which you can get the desired format by simply squeezing it out of the plastic base.

Types of SIM cards

There are currently three types of SIM cards:

• Mini-SIM is a familiar card that was installed in black and white push-button phones. This standard is no longer used in modern smartphones , but one should not assume that it is completely a thing of the past. This option is still suitable for classic phones, as well as large dialers purchased for older people. Size: 25x15x0.76 mm.
• Micro-SIM was first used in an Apple smartphone (iPhone 4). Now this card is installed in most mobile devices. More compact dimensions allow you to use the freed up space for other hardware components of the phone. Size: 15x12x0.76 mm.
• Nano-SIM. It’s easy to understand what it is – an even smaller version of the mobile operator’s card. It has virtually no plastic edges around the edges of the chip. At the moment it is the most compact type of SIM card. Usually installed in smartphones that have two numbers. Size: 12.3x8.8x0.67 mm.

Not many people know, but in fact there is another SIM card standard. This is a full-size card with dimensions of 85.6x53.98x0.76 mm. It appeared in 1991 and was used in early cell phone models. It is noteworthy that mobile operators still issue all cards in this format. We usually break out a SIM card from a large plastic card - this is the same standard.

Differences between nano sim and micro sim

Paying attention to the listed types of SIM cards, we can conclude that their main difference is in size. With each new generation, the size of the plastic located around the edges of the chip is reduced. The “core” itself has not changed since the appearance of the first mobile devices.

Nano-SIM has a size of 12.3x8.8x0.67 mm. At the same time, not only the height and width parameters changed, but the thickness also decreased slightly: 0.67 mm versus 0.76 mm for all other standards. Although the difference in thickness is insignificant and a card of any standard, after trimming it to nano-SIM sizes, will be able to fit into the slot allocated for it.

What are the sizes of SIM cards?

In terms of size, SIM cards are classified into 3 types:

Mini-SIM

Mini-SIM is the scientific name for a standard SIM card. Its dimensions are 25x15 millimeters.

If the phone was released before 2011 (inclusive), you can be sure that it is the Mini-SIM . For modern smartphones, such a card is too large, but this does not mean that Mini-SIM is an anachronism. Standard SIM cards are used in simple dialers, in phones with large buttons for the elderly, in secure phones for fishing enthusiasts and factory workers. The listed devices cannot boast of an abundance of functions, so there is plenty of space inside their cases - in some models, manufacturers even allow you to install 3-4 Mini-SIM .

Micro-SIM

Apple was the first to use Micro-SIM cards Micro-SIM are 15x12 millimeters.

Nowadays, the vast majority of smartphones are equipped with Micro-SIM . Nokia took over the baton from Apple, equipping its Lumia devices with slots for Micro , followed by HTC, Samsung, and BlackBerry.

• Why doesn’t the tablet see the SIM card and what to do about it?

Nano-SIM

Nano-SIM is the newest and smallest phone card. Its dimensions are only 12x5 millimeters. Visually, the card is a chip with a minimum of plastic edging.

Apple is again the innovator. It was the Nano-SIM that users had to insert into the iPhone 5th modification. Later, other well-known manufacturers began to produce devices with Nano-SIM slots - for example, Samsung and Meizu .

The following illustration will help you understand the differences between the three types of SIM cards:

How to cut a SIM card for a nano SIM

There are two main ways to resize a SIM card to Nano-SIM format: contact your mobile operator or cut it yourself. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Visiting a cell phone store

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You can trim the card without unnecessary headaches in your operator’s office. This service is free and is performed using a special cutter that resembles a stapler. The SIM card is simply inserted into it, then trimming occurs by pressing the top of the tool.

You can also simply order the production of a card of the required size in the office. The documents that you need to have with you to submit an application should be clarified in advance by calling the operator’s hotline.

Self-pruning

The option of visiting a salon may not be relevant for small towns, so it makes sense to carry out the operation at home. The most important thing in this case is to know the sizes of SIM cards for smartphones. Nano-SIM should have dimensions of 12.3 mm in length and 8.8 mm in width. We cannot change the thickness, but this is not necessary.

For the procedure you will need to prepare a minimum set of tools:

• a sharp knife (can be a stationery knife) or scissors for trimming;
• pencil or thin felt-tip pen for marking borders;
• ruler;
• fine-grain sandpaper (“zero”), a file or a regular nail file - any of these tools will allow you to scratch off hangnails after trimming or carefully adjust the size if the card does not fit in the slot.

Step-by-step cutting of a SIM card for a nano SIM:

• Using a pencil and ruler, mark the boundaries of the Nano-SIM on the existing card. The length will be 12.3 mm, width 8.8 mm. We should not forget that one of the corners of the card has a slight cut at an angle. A special template (download) will simplify the marking procedure. You need to print it out on a printer, then cut out a paper copy of the nano SIM card and apply markings in accordance with it.
• Remove excess plastic parts. The work is carried out as carefully as possible to prevent accidental damage to the central chip.
• Insert the card into the smartphone slot and make sure that it receives a signal from the cellular operator. If the SIM card does not fit, the edges are filed a little. It is quite difficult to make a mistake with the size of the Nano-SIM, since it almost completely replicates the metal middle of the card.

Note that most operators immediately release SIM cards with pre-punched borders. The subscriber only has to squeeze out the card of the required size. This is convenient not only because there is no need to trim yourself, but it also provides the opportunity to return to the previous format by simply inserting elements into each other.

Vitaly Solodky

Sources used:

• https://poslevkusie.com/nano-sim-mikro-sim/
• https://tarifam.ru/kak-obrezat-sim-kartu-pod-nano-sim/
• https://4gltee.ru/kak-nano-sim-vstavit-v-mikro-sim/
• https://tarifrus.ru/kak-obrezat-sim-kartu-pod-nano-sim/
• https://mobila.guru/faqsingle/kak-obrezat-sim-kartu-pod-nano-sim/

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How to change the SIM card size for your phone?

The most obvious way to change the size of a SIM card is to replace it at the operator's salon . This procedure is completely free, takes only a couple of minutes, and the phone number does not change subsequently. However, this method still has a number of disadvantages:

• The new SIM card will not contain the numbers stored in the memory of the old one. Of course, such a problem is easy to solve : in the article “How to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer” we talk about several ways to export phone numbers. But, alas, many users consider their time too valuable to waste it on mastering third-party software and methods for creating backup copies.
• Only its issuer has the right to replace a SIM card in the office . If the card was given to the user, for example, by his parents, he himself will not be able to replace it. Sometimes this becomes a real problem.

If a consultant changes a SIM card to a person who is not its issuer, this is fraud! For such an operation, the consultant will, at a minimum, be deprived of his bonus, and at maximum, he will be fired in disgrace. Therefore, demanding to “make an exception” is meaningless; no one wants to find themselves unemployed with unflattering wording in their work book.

There are several ways to change the dimensions of a SIM card without resorting to replacement. For example, the user can purchase an adapter (aka adapter ). The adapters look like this:

It’s better to order adapters for SIM on Chinese websites - there they cost a mere trifle. For example, a set of adapters from Noosy along with a needle for iPhone will cost only 17 rubles. When purchasing in a salon, the user may be charged up to 250 rubles - the difference is more than noticeable!

The set, as a rule, includes adapters of 3 types: Nano-SIM to SIM , Micro-SIM to SIM and Nano-SIM to Micro-SIM . Since SIM cards of reduced sizes continue to be associated with Apple, manufacturers do not forget to include needles in the kits to remove the SIM card slot. Using adapters is simple : a small SIM card is inserted into a suitable adapter, then the adapter itself with the card inside is placed in the slot of the mobile device.

Adapters help when you need to increase the size of a SIM card, but what should the user do if, on the contrary, the card needs to be reduced? The owner of the gadget should think about the fact that such a need may arise even at the stage of purchasing a SIM card - and insist on issuing him a so-called Combi-SIM . Combi-SIM is a standard-sized card that can be converted into a micro-SIM in a split second.

Inside the SIM card, which is standard in size, the Micro-Sim is already cut along the contour, so it is easy for the user to press with a finger and break off a piece of plastic.

There is no need to rush to throw away the frame - it can still serve a good purpose. If you need to reinsert the card into the Mini-SIM slot, the frame can be used as an adapter.

Using Combi-SIM is one way to change the size of a SIM card downwards. Combi cards are provided to mobile users free of charge - of course, if they are available at the operator's office.

If the user already owns a standard SIM card and wants to turn it into Micro without losing contacts, he has no other choice but to cut the SIM card. Trimming, as a rule, is carried out using a special device called a stapler for Sim (also known as cutter for Sim , also known as Sim-Cutter ).

Making a Micro-SIM with such a stapler is a second procedure. However, you should not expect that a sales office or workshop will carry out this procedure for free . The salon employees will demand 149 rubles for trimming and will even knock out a check for providing a paid service. Repair shops will also ask for money, or even send the user to deal with the operator.

Cutting a SIM card is associated with some risk - if the person performing the procedure is in a hurry or is inattentive, he will damage the chip and, as a result, the SIM card will not function. Hence the high cost of pruning services - no one wants to take risks “for nothing.”