Q&A for How to Use a SIM Card to Switch Phones

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How do you transfer SIM cards from one phone to another?

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Expert Answer

iPhones, iPads and many Android devices have a slide out tray on the side. To release it, insert a SIM card removal tool and press straight in until the tray pops out. If you don't have a tool, it's safe to improvise with a paperclip, earring, or anything else that fits in the hole, as long as you remember to push straight in and not to pry. On devices with removable batteries, the SIM card is usually located under the phone's battery.

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Question

How do I transfer a SIM card to a new phone?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Follow the steps outlined in the article above to transfer a SIM card to a new phone. These will explain why and how to do backups first, then how to remove the SIM card from the old phone and reinstall it into the new phone.

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Question

Can you just switch SIM cards in iPhones?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If both iPhones you’re switching from and to are not locked and your SIM cards are not prevented from being used in another phone, then you can switch the SIM cards around your different iPhones. If it doesn’t work, then it means either the SIM card cannot be switched around (something your carrier or provider determines) or one or both of the iPhones are locked to a specific provider or the SIM card is not the right size.

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Question

What happens if you take out your SIM card and put it in another phone?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If the new phone is not locked and your carrier allows you to switch your SIM card to another device, then what should happen is that you can receive calls and use the data on the new phone as well. However, nothing will happen at all if the SIM card is not able to switch devices (something the carrier determines) or the other phone is locked to a specific SIM card and/or provider. Of course, the old phone without a SIM card won’t work until you restore the SIM card or replace it with a new one.

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Question

Can I switch my SIM card to a different phone?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

You can often switch your SIM card to a different phone, provided the phone is unlocked (meaning, it is not tied to a particular carrier or device) and the new phone will accept the SIM card. All you need to do is remove the SIM from the phone it is in currently, then place it into the new unlocked phone. If the new phone is locked, however, the SIM cannot be switched to it, as it won’t work. Always back up your contacts before switching SIM cards and it’s a good idea to check your carrier’s website, as many carry information about the switchability of their SIM cards.

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Question

Do I have to stop service on my old phone if I swap SIM cards?

Community Answer

Service is tied to the SIM card, so you will not be able to make calls on your old phone. Other services may still work on your old phone, provided you have a WiFi connection.

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Question

How do I remove a SIM card from an iPhone 5 and put it in an iPhone 6?

Community Answer

It should be the same process, but if the SIM tray isn't the same size and doesn't allow it, you'll have to contact your company and transfer the information to a compatible SIM.

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Question

When a used SIM card is put in another used phone, will it take a day for the SIM card to activate?

Allan Cramer

Community Answer

If if doesn't activate within 20 minutes, I would contact the service provider for assistance.

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Question

Can I buy a local SIM card while traveling to eliminate roaming charges?

Community Answer

As long as your phone is unlocked, you'll be able to insert a SIM from a different network and connect to it instead of your original network. You'll have a different phone number when using different SIM cards.

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Question

Is a SIM card the same as an SD card?

Community Answer

No. A SIM card is used for calling and texting and stuff, but an SD card is used to store videos, photos, and anything involving downloading.

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Question

If someone stole my SIM card and put it in their phone, can they see my text messages?

Community Answer

They would be able to, yes.

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Question

Where is the SIM card located in a Windows phone?

Community Answer

Pop off the back of the case and look left of the battery, you should see the SIM card tucked into a small metallic tray.

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Question

How do you open the SIM card tray on an iPhone?

Community Answer

You need a needle or something extremely thin to stick in the hole next to the sim tray on the side of the phone. Once inserted, it should eject the sim tray.

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Question

How do I use a free SIM card if I already have one?

Community Answer

If you have a Android phone, pop off the case and cover, then pull out old SIM card, and insert a new one. If you have an iPhone, call Apple or your network provider and ask them to transfer the data.

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Question

Will it coast any extra money?

Community Answer

No. All you need to do is buy a new device. The SIM card stores all the information. Transferring the card will automatically transfer the data to the new device. If you want to transfer something that was not stored on the SIM card, then you might have to pay a small fee.

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Question

How do I change the date on my new phone when I use my original SIM card?

Community Answer

Depending on your phone, you should be able to do it through Settings. Go to settings, find 'date and time', then change the date to the correct one.

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Question

If I am going to buy a new phone and I want to remove the SIM card from my old one and use it for the new one, do I have to take it in to the carrier for service?

Community Answer

No, you do not have to have your phone officially serviced in order to remove the SIM card. It's easy enough to do yourself following the thorough instructions in this wikiHow page. Although if you did decide to go to a store, they probably won't charge a fee and they will have the correct removal tool.

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Question

My old phone used a micro SIM card, and the new phone uses a nano SIM card. How do I transfer the data from the old phone?

Community Answer

The data on the micro SIM card can only be transferred with that card by having the package properly cut down to nano card sizing specifications. There are tools which can accomplish this for many micro SIM to nano SIM modifications. Unless the micro SIM has an incompatible design, of course, which you should determine beforehand. (Research your SIM card, and the resizing process, before attempting this yourself.)

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Question

What should I do if my photos aren't showing up on my new phone when I put the old SIM card in?

Community Answer

SIM cards do not save any data from the old phone, they only carry the information about the service provider and allow your phone to connect to service. You will have to use an SD card to transfer pictures.

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Question

If I put an AT&T SIM card in a T-Mobile phone, will I still have my AT&T service?

Community Answer

Yes, but you will have to unlock your T-Mobile phone SIM lock.

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Question

Are there different sizes of SIM cards? If so, how do I transfer data from one to another?

Community Answer

There are three sizes, and if the size isn't right, you'll have to contact your company and transfer the information to a compatible SIM.

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Question

What should I do if my SIM card doesn't get signal in my phone when I put it in to make a call?

Community Answer

You should talk to your phone plan provider. They should be able to help you figure out what the problem is and how to fix it.

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Question

Will my minutes move to the new phone, too?

Community Answer

As long as the new phone is unlocked, and your plan is the same, it should transfer your minutes, as they are on your account not the SIM.

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Question

What do I do if my SIM card no longer works in my original phone after I used it in another phone and then replaced it?

Community Answer

You will have to call your service provider and get a new SIM card, or go into your service provider's store and purchase one there.

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Question

My Qlink phone has the SIM card built into the phone, so how can change my Qlink to my new phone without the SIM card?

Community Answer

Call Q link and tell them you want to use your own phone and they will send you a Sim chip in the mail.

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Question

Can I connect to WiFi with a new phone that hasn't been connected to a carrier?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as there is a WiFi access point or hot spot that you can connect to.

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Question

My old phone is a Samsung and my new phone is a Nokia 1. The old phone's SIM card is bigger than the Nokia and we have AT&T service. What can I do to use the SIM card?

Community Answer

Look at your old SIM card to see if part of it pops out. If not, contact AT&T for a new SIM card. This should be free, according to their website.

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How fast can someone switch my SIM card and start making texts messages from their phone? And how common is this?

Community Answer

The SIM card and their phone have to be with the same network, and their phone has to use a SIM card. Lets say the SIM card is used with Sprint service, then their phone has to use Sprint service also. I do not know how common it is for your situation, but it is very common when someone purchases a new phone and they use their old SIM card in the new phone, if it is with the same service like I mentioned before, and the new phone uses a SIM card.

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Question

Why won't my iPhone 6 click back into the phone after I have switched SIM cards?

Community Answer

You could have put the SIM card in the wrong way or put the slot in upside down marking it hard to lock back in. Try inserting it again.

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Question

How can I cut a SIM card to the right size?

Community Answer

You can’t cut a SIM card to size. SIM card kits have multiple sizes for you to choose whichever that fits in the tray.

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