How to Get the SIM Out of an iPhone in 5 Easy Steps

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Quickly take out a physical SIM card from your iPhone device
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Do you need to remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone? The SIM card is located inside a special tray that can be pulled free from your iPhone using a special SIM eject tool. If you don't have the tool, you can use a paperclip, thumbtack, safety pin, or another small, pointed object around the house. Once you open the SIM tray, you can easily remove the SIM card and insert a new one. This wikiHow will show you how to remove a SIM card from any model of iPhone properly. Keep in mind that if you have an iPhone 14 or newer, you cannot remove the SIM, as it's a digital eSIM.

Removing a SIM Card From an iPhone

  • Insert the tool or pointed object into the hole on the side or top of your iPhone to slide the SIM card tray out.
  • With the tray ejected, remove your SIM card.
  • If you have an iPhone 14 or newer that was purchased in the U.S., it has an eSIM, which you cannot physically remove.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

iPhone 12 and newer

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  1. 1
    Hold your iPhone upright with the screen facing you. Make sure to remove any phone cases before you begin.
    • Use this method to remove the SIM card from the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 mini. [1]
      • Note: If you have an iPhone 14 model or later purchased in the United States, you won't have a physical SIM card. You'll need to configure your eSIM instead. [2]
    • This method will also work for iPad 4th generation, iPad 3rd generation, and iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G.
  2. 2
    Locate the SIM tray on the left side of the iPhone. It looks like a small, slim oval on the side of your iPhone.
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  3. 3
    Insert the SIM eject tool into the hole of the tray. The hole will be visible on the SIM tray. If you can't find it, you may need to clean your iPhone . [3]
    • If you don't have a SIM eject tool, you can use common items found around the house, such as a straightened paperclip, thumbtack, push pin, toothpick, staple, safety pin, earring, or any other small and pointed object.
    • You should be able to eject the SIM tray without too much force. When pushing the tool in the hole, the tray will eject.
  4. 4
    Pull the tray outward and remove the SIM card. You should be able to easily lift the card free from the tray. If you plan to insert a new SIM card, pay attention to the orientation of the current card before removing it. This will make it easy to figure out how to insert the new card correctly.
    • Some iPhone models have room for two NANO SIM cards instead of just one. If you have dual SIM cards in your tray, make sure you're removing the one you don't need. You'll usually see the carrier's name on the card.
  5. 5
    Insert the new SIM card (optional) and reinsert the tray. The SIM card will only fit into the tray in one direction/orientation due to the notch—if you feel that you have to force the card in, it's likely upside-down or backwards. The tray itself should also be easy to press gently back into place.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

iPhone 11 and Earlier

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  1. Make sure to remove any phone cases before you begin.
    • Use this method to remove the SIM card from the iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c and 5s, iPhone 4s, and iPhone 4. [4]
    • This method will also work for most iPad models, except for iPad 4th generation, iPad 3rd generation, and iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (which have their SIM trays on the left).
  2. It looks like a small, slim oval on the side of your iPhone.
  3. The hole will be visible on the SIM tray. If you can't find it, you may need to clean your iPhone . [5]
    • If you don't have a SIM eject tool, you can use common items found around the house, such as a straightened paperclip, thumbtack, push pin, toothpick, staple, safety pin, earring, or any other small and pointed object.
    • You should be able to eject the SIM tray without too much force. When pushing the tool in the hole, the tray will eject.
  4. You should be able to easily lift the card free from the tray. If you plan to insert a new SIM card, pay attention to the orientation of the current card before removing it. This will make it easy to figure out how to insert the new card correctly.
    • Some iPhone models have room for two NANO SIM cards instead of just one. If you have dual SIM cards in your tray, make sure you're removing the one you don't need. You'll usually see the carrier's name on the card.
  5. The SIM card will only fit into the tray in one direction/orientation due to the notch—if you feel that you have to force the card in, it's likely upside-down or backwards. The tray itself should also be easy to press gently back into place.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Original 3GS and Earlier

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  1. Make sure to remove any phone cases before you begin.
    • Use this method to remove the SIM card from an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and the original iPhone.
  2. The SIM tray is at the phone's topmost edge at the center, right next to the Power button. [6]
  3. The hole is on the left side of the tray. Press the tool in gently to eject the tray from the phone. [7]
    • If you don't have a SIM eject tool, you can use common items found around the house, such as a straightened paperclip, thumbtack, push pin, toothpick, staple, safety pin, earring, or any other small and pointed object.
  4. You should be able to easily lift the card free from the tray. If you plan to insert a new SIM card, pay attention to the orientation of the current card before removing it. This will make it easy to place the new card properly.
  5. The SIM card will only fit into the tray in one direction/orientation due to the notch—if you feel that you have to force the card in, it's likely upside-down or backwards. The tray itself should also be easy to press gently back into place.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I get the IMEI number of my iPhone?
    Community Answer
    You can dial *#06# or go to Settings > About > General and scroll until you find the IMEI.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 15
  • Question
    How do I save my contacts to my SIM card?
    Community Answer
    You don't, but you can save your contacts using iCloud. Go to Settings, then iCloud and turn on 'save contacts'.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 9
  • Question
    Do permanently deleted photos get saved to the SIM card on my iPhone?
    Community Answer
    No, a SIM card is only for storing information about your phone number and cellular service. You might be confusing the SIM card with an SD card. Also, permanently deleted photos are by definition gone forever.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Hold the iPhone upright with the screen facing you.
      2. Locate the SIM tray on the right edge.
      3. Insert a SIM eject tool or paperclip into the hole on the tray.
      4. Remove the SIM card from the tray.
      5. Slide the tray back in.

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