The iPhone does not use regular SIM cards, but smaller ones - micro-SIM and nano-SIM. For what? For a very simple reason - Apple and other developers do this to save space, and therefore to reduce the thickness of the device. And if you want to have a thin gadget, you will have to reduce the size of the standard SIM card. It may seem complicated, but it's actually not that bad. In order to cut a SIM card for Micro SIM and Nano SIM, you need to contact a special center or do it yourself. Now we’ll find out what you can do on your own if you have such a problem.

There are several options:

1. Order a new card at your mobile operator's mobile phone store. This is a good option, but it takes time and effort to get there and place an order. The advantage is that you don’t need to trim anything, and it will be free. The downside is that this is time and there may be a queue at the mobile phone store.
2. When you buy a new phone, the sales assistant can cut your SIM card with a special tool, but this service may be paid. And even then, this is provided that you buy in an offline store, but what if in an online store? Have questions. You can buy a card cutting tool yourself, but is it worth it? Maybe there is another option? Yes, and I hope you like it!
3. Independent sim card cutting hill. You can save time and money if you cut your SIM card yourself to fit a micro-SIM card or a nano-SIM card - the one you need. How to do it?

Micro-SIM is one of the types of SIM cards, which has reduced dimensions compared to a regular one: 15 × 12 × 0.76 mm. How to make a Micro SIM card?

1. Take a pencil and a ruler and measure 12 millimeters by 15 on your SIM card. It is better to turn the card with the contacts towards you. If you are afraid of incorrectly drawing the outline along which you need to cut, then it is better to print out the template and cut according to it.
2. Take sharp scissors - preferably small, manicure scissors - or a knife and cut out a micro-SIM card along the drawn contour.
3. If there is excess left, you can carefully remove the remaining plastic with sandpaper or, if you don’t have one, use a nail file.
4. Your Micro-SIM is ready. Insert it into your gadget and use it.

But what if you don't want a micro-SIM, but a nano-SIM? How do they differ and how to get a card of the right size?

Nano SIM is one of the types of SIM cards with the smallest dimensions: 12.3 × 8.8 × 0.67 mm. It began to be used quite recently, for the first time - in 2012 in the iPhone 5. The nano-SIM is the size of the chip, which makes the cutting process a little more difficult - there is a risk of damaging the contacts. How to make a SIM card for Nano SIM?

1. Better download and print the template. It's easier to cut through.
2. If you do not have this opportunity, then take a pencil and use a ruler to draw a contour of 12.3 millimeters by 8.8. It will be almost a chip.
3. Trim off the excess with sharp scissors and file the edges without touching the chip itself, otherwise it can be damaged.

A nano-SIM can be cut not only from a SIM card, but also from a micro-SIM card, because it is smaller than them - the nano-SIM is the smallest in size. You can download and cut.

If you are afraid that you will cut out a micro or nano SIM card, and then you will need a larger SIM card, then do not worry - in this case, you buy an adapter that serves as a kind of adapter, and there is no need to buy a new SIM card and use it as regular or re-cut for a micro-SIM card.

For which phones do you need to cut the SIM card?

The micro-sim is designed for iPhone 4/4, and the nano-sim is used in iPhones starting from 5/5s, i.e. iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone Xr, iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max.

So, we found out that the SIM card can be cut both in the communication store or store where you buy the phone, and at home, which will help you save time and money. Which option to choose is up to you. If you are afraid to cut out the card you need, then for courage you can watch a video on how to make it, how to get it, or how to cut it out. Then everything will definitely work out for you.

The creators of modern mobile devices are striving to make them more compact and thinner, introducing new capabilities thanks to the development of technology. All this leads to a change in generally accepted standards. Phone owners are constantly faced with this manifestation of progress - with almost every new generation of phones a new type of charger appears, and in recent years, instead of standard SIM cards, which are available at any sales office of mobile operators, micro and even nano SIM cards have begun to appear.

A small SIM card allows you to save useful space in your mobile phone, and owners of the latest phone models, such as Samsung and Apple, are faced with the fact that a standard SIM card is not suitable for the device. At the same time, all the functionality of the card will be preserved, only its size changes: 12x15 mm for micro versus 15x25 mm for standard. In this article we will tell you what to do if the SIM card does not fit into a modern phone.

How to cut a SIM card for Micro SIM?

Owners of new phones often face the problem of cutting a SIM card after purchasing a new product: not all sellers warn that a standard card is not suitable for certain models that require a micro-SIM card. In this case, you can trim the SIM card yourself.

In reality, it is not as difficult as it might seem. In order to make a micro SIM from a regular SIM card and trim the excess yourself, you will need:

• pencil
• ruler
• sharp scissors
• sandpaper

To simplify the process, we recommend using a micro SIM card template - download and print it. After that, stick your SIM card using tape onto a printed sheet of paper on top of the selected template. Then, using a ruler and a pencil or pen, draw the dimensions of the future micro-SIM on the SIM card.

Carefully cut it out with sharp scissors or a stationery knife and trim the edges with fine sandpaper. Additionally, you will need to slightly sharpen the thickness of the card on the logo side with sandpaper. That's it, the Micro SIM card is ready and can be used for its intended purpose.

If, after trimming, you want to use your micro SIM card in a phone with a standard slot, you don’t have to change it, just buy an adapter for micro SIM cards at an electronics store.

Or you can use a ruler to measure the required dimensions and manually cut off the excess plastic. When marking, place the SIM card with the chip facing up so that the beveled edge is at the top right. Measure and cut 1.5 mm to the right and left of the edge of the SIM card, 2 mm from the bottom and 8 mm from the top.

Be careful not to damage the gold chip on your card. Now measure where to cut the beveled corner: from the upper right corner 2 mm down and the same amount to the left, connect the resulting points using a ruler and pencil, then carefully cut. Use scissors to slightly round the edges of the SIM card.

Sometimes it's easier to change than to cut

If cutting a micro SIM from a regular SIM card yourself seems too difficult, then you can seek help from a consultant at the office of your mobile operator - Beeline, Megafon, Tele2 or MTS. Ask to change your SIM card or cut it off - they will be happy to help you.

When replacing, you will be given either a universal card on which micro and nano sizes are already marked. All you need to do is carefully squeeze the SIM card of the desired format out of the plastic frame. The only inconvenience when replacing a SIM card is that the numbers from it will need to be saved to your phone.

Also, in communication stores there are special devices that allow you to quickly and accurately cut any SIM card to the required slot size on a mobile device, both micro and nano. This service is provided free of charge, and the SIM card is cut to the required parameters in a couple of minutes.

Many modern mobile devices do not use standard SIM cards, but their smaller “brothers”. Therefore, the question very often arises: how to cut a SIM card so that it can be inserted into the slot intended for it without any problems. Let's look at why manufacturers started using “cut” SIM cards in the first place.

In pursuit of perfection, mobile device manufacturers invent all kinds of innovations and actively implement them. However, recently, in addition to improving the software and expanding functionality, they are trying to overtake others in terms of the size and weight of the device. Thus, the devices become flatter and wider and weigh less.

The main reason for reducing the SIM card was to save space inside the mobile device. The SIM card is reduced in size, which frees up additional space in order to place elements more compactly. By the way, the first phone that runs on a smaller SIM card is the iPhone 4.

SIM card translated into English is a subscriber identifier module. SIM card technology is used by cellular operators to provide services and identify network subscribers.

In addition to the standard SIM card format, MiniSIM, MicroSIM and NanoSIM are now used. All of these formats are derivatives of the first SIM card, which was comparable in size to bank cards.

That is, using the example of reducing the size of SIM cards, we can trace the evolution of mobile devices, which is also a relatively new term; previously only phones were mobile. But, starting in 2009, mobile tablets and other gadgets using mobile communications began to be developed.

• So, the MiniSIM card format we are familiar with is suitable for many phones, released before 2011.
• MicroSIM card is used in iPhone4/4s, a number of models Nokia Lumia, Sony, Samsung and others
• NanoSIM cards are currently only intended for iPhone5/5s.

We adapt a mini-SIM to a micro-SIM at home

In practice, situations often arise when, when purchasing a mobile device, you were not warned that you would need a micro-SIM to communicate. Or you have been using the same SIM card for quite a long time, and there was a need to cut it to the required size. We will look further at how to cut a SIM card to a micro-SIM.

A mini SIM card is a rectangle with one cut corner and parameters 25 mm * 15 mm * 0.75 mm. And it consists of a plastic base into which the ID chip is attached. Naturally, the main part of this design is the chip itself. If it is damaged, the mobile device will not be able to receive a mobile signal, therefore, the use of a damaged SIM card is impossible. Therefore, when circumcising a SIM card at home, you need to be very careful.

In order to correctly perform all the procedures, you will need scissors, as sharp as possible, a writing device - a pencil or pen, preferably a ballpoint pen, and an accurate ruler.

A micro-SIM differs in size from a mini-SIM card. Its parameters are 15*12*0.76 mm.

Let's take a closer look at the process of converting a card into a MicroSIM.

1. The card for the procedure must be placed with the chip facing up so that it is always visually accessible, and we unfold it so that the cut edge “looks” up - to the left.
2. On the right side, which is 15 mm, measure 1.5 mm to the center and cut off the excess strip of plastic.
3. The bottom of the card, which is 25 mm, is shortened by 1 mm. We also measure with a ruler, draw a clear line and carefully cut with scissors.
4. In order for the right edge of the card to be 12 mm apart, it is necessary to cut off 2 mm from the top edge. Then we get 15 mm – 1 mm – 2 mm = 12 mm – the MicroSIM width we need. We carry out this action as carefully as all the previous ones, but do not worry that you are significantly shortening the cut corner, it will be restored later.
5. The length of the micro-sim is 15 mm. In order not to calculate the number of millimeters to be cut, we simply measure a distance of 15 mm from the right edge, draw a strip along the ruler and cut off the excess.
6. The result is a blank for a micro-sim.
7. If you've been paying attention, you know that the corners of the SIM card are not perfectly straight, but slightly rounded. Therefore, you need to trim them slightly with scissors so that they match the original.
8. The last corner is cut off on all SIM cards of all formats. The cut looks like an isosceles triangle with sides of 2 mm.
9. Apply a ruler to the upper left corner and measure 2 mm down and to the right. Connect the resulting points and cut off the resulting triangle.
10. The micro SIM card is ready.

Let's try it on in the appropriate slot. If suddenly it is large, you can trim it a little more, and if suddenly you make a mistake during the cutting process, you will have to purchase a new card or ask your cellular operator to restore the damaged one. By the way, now you can find a lot of video instructions everywhere on how to cut a SIM card. It is better to do this by looking at pictures and other graphics.

Cut mini-sim to nano-sim

As noted above, there is another SIM card format that has recently gained additional popularity - nano-SIM.

Nano SIM card parameters – 12.3 mm * 8.8 mm * 0.67 mm. That is, practically you have a chip in your hands without plastic. In addition, nano-SIM is not only tiny, it is also thinner than a regular mini-SIM or micro-SIM by 0.09 mm. The chip area of ​​all SIM card models, regardless of the year of manufacture, is the same, so any card of the above formats can be turned into a nano-SIM.

For the procedure you will need:

• sharp scissors;
• a well-sharpened pencil or a regular ballpoint pen;
• precise ruler or caliper;
• "SIM" mini-SIM;
• sandpaper;
• paper;
• double sided tape.

This guide suggests a different method than the one presented when cutting a micro sim.

1. In advance, you need to draw a diagram of the future NanoSIM SIM card on a sheet of paper. According to the above parameters, draw a rectangle with sides 8.8 mm and 12.3 mm. It is known that the cut edge of a nano-sim is less than 1 mm. Therefore, it will be executed at the very end of the procedure.
2. We position the SIM card so that the cut corner is at the top left. The card must be placed with the chip facing up to avoid damage.
3. Let's cut out our blank.
4. We attach it in such a way that the chip is under the workpiece and does not peek out from under it. It is better to perform this action armed with double tape.
5. Then we mark with a pencil the markings along which we will cut the card.
6. Using scissors, carefully cut out a nano-SIM card from a mini or micro SIM card.
7. We check whether it fits the slot in width and height. If yes, then everything is fine.
8. It remains to solve the problems with thickness. To do this we will use sandpaper. Naturally, the excess “fullness” must be removed from the side opposite to the chip. Any, even the slightest damage to the SIM card chip can cause a malfunction, so be careful.

The final stage is re-fitting the nano-SIM into the slot. Everything fit perfectly, which means the operation was successful.

Where and how else can you modify an old SIM card?

If the option of independently cutting a new SIM card from the old one does not suit you, then you can use a simpler and less financially responsible method - replacing the SIM card with a cellular operator.

To do this, you can simply come to the supplier’s office and, presenting your passport, receive a new SIM card to replace the old one. The new SIM card is a mini-SIM from which you can “get” a micro-SIM. There is a perforation along the borders of the micro-SIM, by pressing on which you can squeeze out a smaller card.

A new SIM card completely replaces the old one if you do not purchase a new SIM card, but ask to replace the old one. Within 24 hours, the old SIM card will be disabled, and the personal account balance will be available on the new SIM card. All subscriptions and tariff plan are also saved.

To obtain a nano-SIM, the procedure for converting one SIM card to another has not yet been implemented. But, you can order a new nano SIM card from the operator and receive it for use after a while. It is important to know that this is a free service. And, if suddenly, at the operator’s office you are asked to pay for a new nano-SIM, you should know that this is not legal.

And if you don’t have the opportunity to wait for the delivery of a nano-SIM, then you can try to make it yourself or use a cutting service. Household appliance stores, mobile operator showrooms, or mobile device service workshops offer the service of cutting nano-SIMs from any format. This procedure is performed with a device similar to a stapler and costs up to 350 rubles.

New mobile devices require a special approach. Modern gadgets are becoming more and more compact, so SIM cards are becoming small. However, if you do not want to change this element, but it does not fit the new device, try to change its size. In this article you will learn how to make a micro SIM card from a regular card using a small number of tools that everyone has.

What are the dimensions of a standard element?

First of all, it’s worth finding out what dimensions a familiar standard element has. It must be said that a SIM card consists of two parts: a plastic case and a very small chip on which all your information is stored. This housing in a standard card is very large, but it does not serve any special function.

Typically, the dimensions of a SIM card correspond to the following values: length - 25 mm, and height - 15 mm. The thickness remains the same for both the standard and the reduced version. Before you make a micro-SIM card from a regular card, you need to remember its dimensions: length - 15 mm, and height - 12 mm. I must say that it is quite rare, but there are cards whose chip has non-standard dimensions, so it is cut off according to the foil. Naturally, when performing such a procedure, you need to be as careful as possible so as not to damage the information section.

Ways to shrink a map

Before you make a micro-SIM card from a regular card, you need to figure out how this can be done.

1. Process the element yourself using scissors.
2. Trimming at a service center. Naturally, you will have to pay for this procedure. However, a specialist will do everything quickly and very carefully. In this case, you do not have to additionally process the card in any way so that it can easily fit into the gadget slot.
3. Independent trimming of excess parts of the element using special equipment. The advantage of this method is that the work will be done quickly, and the cuts will be quite neat. That is why additional edge processing is not required. You can do all the steps at home. However, this device has a fairly high cost, and it is not worth buying it just to process one SIM card. It is necessary if you engage in this procedure daily.

What equipment is needed for the job?

Before you make a micro SIM card from a regular one, you should collect all the necessary tools and prepare the work surface. It should be clean, dry and level. It is advisable that no one distracts your attention, since the work is very delicate.

As for the tools for work, very few are required:

• scissors (preferably sharp ones, since dull ones can simply break the card, and they should also be small in size so that it is convenient to operate with them);
• ruler (to determine the size of the micro-card and apply precise markings);
• knife (it should be sharp, as you will have to correct uneven edges);
• a standard sheet of white paper (before you make a micro-SIM card with your own hands, you must draw a template for it). This way, it will be much easier for you to trim the element;
• thin marker or pen (for marking);
• tape (for attaching the template to the element);
• standard size SIM card.

Important! All actions must be performed very carefully. There is no need to rush, as if the chip is damaged, the card will have to be thrown away.

How is the map marked?

Before making a micro-SIM card out of a SIM card, mark it. This procedure is very important. The lines must be drawn very accurately. To do this, take a marker and draw a rectangle around the chip. Its dimensions are 15*12 mm. If the chip is non-standard, then you will have to trim it according to the foil. Try to make as precise movements as possible.

If you do everything right, you will be pleased with the results.

How to properly trim an element: step-by-step instructions

1. Prepare equipment and make markings on paper. To do this, transfer the silhouette of the card to a sheet and mark the location of the chip on it. Now the drawn element can be cut according to the specified dimensions. Using tape, stick the resulting square onto the standard SIM card chip.

2. Using sharp scissors, slowly and confidently begin to cut off the plastic casing. A great option is a manicure tool. The fact is that the plastic is quite thin and can be easily cut even with small scissors. Try not to make sudden movements. You need to cut exactly along the marked lines, although you can do this by gradually separating small pieces.

3. Check the size of the received item. To do this, attach it to the template. If all the lines converge, then you have done the job. If there are small pieces of plastic left, try to carefully scrape them off with a sharp knife. You can also “shape” the element with sandpaper. This will make it look neater.

5. Now try to insert the “newly made” SIM card into your device. If it fits in without problems, then you have made accurate markings. If all actions were performed correctly, the gadget will work without problems: it will see the map and you will be able to make calls normally.

Why should you cut the card yourself?

Before you make a micro-SIM card in a service center, think about all the advantages of processing the product at home:

• there is no need to pay for the procedure;
• you can do everything yourself in accordance with the required dimensions;
• no additional equipment required (only a pencil, ruler, scissors and paper are needed);
• doesn't take much time.

In addition, if you accidentally manage to damage the card, you can always restore it. Now you know how to make a micro SIM card from a SIM card yourself. With a little patience, you will be able to use your favorite iPad. Good luck!

Cutting a SIM card to micro is very simple: just arm yourself with the right template, scissors and patience.

SIM consists of two parts - a plastic backing and a chip on which all the information about your number and contacts is stored. When cutting it with your own hands, it is very important not to damage the chip contacts, otherwise all the work will be in vain. Also, an incorrectly cut SIM may not fit into the slot or may be smaller than the required size.

Most smartphones use mini-SIM, micro-SIM or nano-SIM. In recent years, operators have been releasing universal cards that do not need to be cut out yourself. These SIM cards have a collapsible body consisting of frames for each type of card. To turn a universal mini SIM into a micro SIM, just “squeeze” the card of the required size out of the large frame. Before cutting your SIM, check if you have a universal SIM card that can easily be converted into micro or nano.

How to cut a SIM card to micro: template

If you have a regular SIM card from which you can’t simply remove the extra frame, use our cutting template. The size of the micro SIM card is 15×12 mm. Cutting a SIM card for a micro SIM will be much easier if you mark the dimensions on the back of the card (where there is no chip). But for greater accuracy, we recommend using a paper template.

This is how you can make a SIM cutting template at home:

• Take a sheet of thick paper, attach a regular SIM card to it and circle it. Flip the design over so that the beveled corner is at the bottom right.
• Step back 1.85 (2) mm from the left edge and draw a straight line as shown in the picture above.
• You need to retreat 1.4 mm from the top edge and draw another line - it will go almost along the chip.
• Using new lines, draw a rectangle the size of a micro sim (15x12 mm), Cut out the resulting blank.
• Trim the upper left corner of the rectangle, 2.5 mm from the edge, as shown in the picture.

The SIM cutting template is ready, just cut it out of paper. You can glue the template in the place where you will cut the card for the micro SIM, but if you are afraid of staining the chip with glue, just attach the stencil to the SIM card and trace it with a thin pencil or felt-tip pen in the cut areas.

It is best to cut a new SIM card with thin scissors. To avoid nicks in the plastic, try to trim each side in one motion.

Cutting the SIM using a special cutter

If you need a micro SIM card, but you don’t understand how to cut the template or don’t want to waste time on it, there is another way out. Special cutters for SIM cards are sold on the Internet and mobile phone stores. They help you quickly and without unnecessary hassle cut the card to the desired size: micro or nano. However, buying a cutter only makes sense if you change your SIM frequently. However, the device is inexpensive and will last for many years.

Try inserting the cut card into the slot of your smartphone. If she sits in it like a glove, and the gadget catches the net without problems, we congratulate you - the trimming was successful.

If you need to insert the cut card into another slot, for example, back into a phone with a regular SIM, use the removable frames that come with universal SIM cards. Do not try to glue the cut parts to the damaged card and, especially, do not insert any foreign objects into the SIM slot. If you cut the card incorrectly or touched the contacts, simply move on to the next section of our article.

How much does it cost to replace a SIM card with an operator?

The easiest way to turn a regular SIM card into a micro one is not to cut it out yourself, but to contact your operator. Choose the cell phone store closest to you, take your passport and old card with you, and go get a new one. Replacing a regular SIM with a micro SIM is absolutely free. And if they demand money from you, feel free to call the operator’s hotline and complain about scammers.

As a rule, replacing a SIM card takes no more than 10 minutes. The store employee will need to enter your passport information into the database to make sure that you are a client of the selected operator. After this, you will be given a universal SIM card, from which you can make a micro or nano one. It is not necessary to return the old card - it will automatically become invalid. You can save it as a keepsake or use it to create templates for cutting SIMs.

The Micro-SIM that the operator will issue will definitely work. By entrusting the replacement of a SIM card to professionals, you do not risk damaging the contacts when cutting or cutting out an irregularly shaped card.

The new SIM will not work immediately - most likely you will have to wait about 15 minutes. Don't worry, this is a normal procedure - it still takes a little time to transfer the number to the new chip.

By the way, in addition to the well-known mini-SIM, micro-SIM and nano-SIM, there is an unusual SIM card format - eSIM. This is what is used in the new iPhones. We talked in detail about eSIM in.