Whether you’re selling your old iPhone, trading it in for a new one, or sending it in for repairs, you must remove the SIM card.
A SIM card, also known as a Subscriber Identity Module card, is similar to a phone’s ignition key. SIM cards store your phone number and account information, and you cannot make or receive calls without the card.
This means that you should remove the SIM card if you want to set up a new iPhone or simply protect your personal information from being stolen while the phone is away. Fortunately, doing so is simple.
Important: The SIM card in your iPhone only stores your phone number and some account information. Photos, apps, emails, and settings are all stored on the iPhone and must be transferred separately.
How to Remove an iPhone’s SIM Card
Remove the case from your iPhone (if you have one) to expose the phone’s chassis. Then, obtain a SIM card ejection tool, which is frequently included with new phones but can also be purchased online.
If you don’t have a SIM card ejection tool on hand, a thin paperclip will suffice.
- Look for the SIM card tray, which is shaped like a long, narrow oval with a small recessed hole and is located on the right side of your phone (as viewed from the front).
- Insert the tip of your ejection tool or paperclip into the hole and press into the bottom of the SIM card tray until it pops out slightly.
- When the tray opens, slide it out and remove the small SIM card that is inside.
- Insert a new SIM card into the empty tray if you want to use it on the iPhone. If not, simply reinsert the empty tray until it clicks into place.
- Repeat steps 1-4 to insert the SIM card into your new iPhone.
When should you get rid of your SIM card?
Some people believe that by removing your SIM card, your phone becomes untraceable. In reality, even without a SIM card, your phone can usually be tracked.
If you want to transfer your SIM card to a new phone or return it to your service provider, you should remove it. If you’ve been given a new SIM card, you must remove and replace the old one.
In addition, if you’re sending your phone in for repairs, remove your SIM card for 30 seconds. SIM cards aren’t particularly expensive, but they do contain personal information that could result in costly problems if you lose the card or it falls into the hands of a scammer.
You should still remove your old SIM card if you have a new SIM card and a new phone. If you leave it in, anyone who calls your old number will still hear your old phone ring.
When you remove the SIM card, you will no longer be able to make calls, use mobile internet, or send or receive SMS text messages. This isn’t always a problem on an iPhone because you can still connect to Wi-Fi and use it to send iMessages — but at that point, you might as well buy an iPod Touch.
