How To Get A SIM Card Out Of An IPhone: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Get the SIM Out of an iPhone in 5 Easy Steps PDF download Download Article Quickly take out a physical SIM card from your iPhone device Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: June 23, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • iPhone 12 and newer
    • |
  • iPhone 11 and Earlier
    • |
  • Original 3GS and Earlier
    • |
  • Video
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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Hannah Dillon is a Technology Writer and Editor at wikiHow. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from North Dakota State University in 2013 and has since worked in the video game industry as well as a few newspapers. From a young age Hannah has cultivated a love for writing and technology, and hopes to use these passions in tandem to help others in the articles she writes for wikiHow. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,476,218 times. Learn more...

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.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

iPhone 12 and newer

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  1. Step 1 Hold your iPhone upright with the screen facing you. 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. Step 2 Locate the SIM tray on the left side of the iPhone. 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. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Insert the SIM eject tool into the hole of the tray. 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. Step 4 Pull the tray outward and remove the SIM card. 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. Step 5 Insert the new SIM card (optional) and reinsert the tray. 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.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

iPhone 11 and Earlier

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  1. Step 1 Hold your iPhone upright with the screen facing you. 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 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. Step 2 Locate the SIM tray on the right side of the iPhone. 2 Locate the SIM tray on the right side of the iPhone. It looks like a small, slim oval on the side of your iPhone.
  3. Step 3 Insert the SIM eject tool into the hole of the tray. 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.[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. Step 4 Pull the tray outward and remove the SIM card. 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. Step 5 Insert the new SIM card (optional) and reinsert the tray. 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.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Original 3GS and Earlier

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  1. Step 1 Hold your iPhone upright with the screen facing you. 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 an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, and the original iPhone.
  2. Step 2 Locate the SIM tray on the top edge of the iPhone. 2 Locate the SIM tray on the top edge of the iPhone. The SIM tray is at the phone's topmost edge at the center, right next to the Power button.[6]
  3. Step 3 Insert the SIM eject tool into the hole of the tray. 3 Insert the SIM eject tool into the hole of the tray. 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. Step 4 Pull the tray outward and remove the SIM card. 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 place the new card properly.
  5. Step 5 Change the SIM card (optional) and reinsert the tray. 5 Change the 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.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question How do I get the IMEI number of my iPhone? Community Answer 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. 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 4 Helpful 15
  • Question How do I save my contacts to my SIM card? Community Answer 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 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 Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 23
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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

Hannah Dillon Written by: Hannah Dillon wikiHow Technology Writer This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Dillon. Hannah Dillon is a Technology Writer and Editor at wikiHow. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from North Dakota State University in 2013 and has since worked in the video game industry as well as a few newspapers. From a young age Hannah has cultivated a love for writing and technology, and hopes to use these passions in tandem to help others in the articles she writes for wikiHow. This article has been viewed 1,476,218 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 22 Updated: June 23, 2025 Views: 1,476,218 Categories: IPhone Article SummaryX

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. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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