On older, non-touch phone models, and on many touch devices, there was a slot for large SIM cards. But in modern mobile devices the slot has become much smaller, and regular card doesn't fit.

Changing the old mobile device for a brand new gadget, there is no desire at all to purchase a new SIM card. You can visit the sales office of your operator and exchange your old SIM card for a new one, while keeping all available funds, tariff and connected options on it. But some users prefer to do everything themselves at home. Therefore, we present step by step instructions, how you can make a Micro-SIM from a regular SIM card.

What are mobile device manufacturers most proud of? Of course, with its compactness and relative lightness. And to perform these tasks, you need to reduce the allocated space, including for the SIM card slot.

For the old standard SIM cards, quite a lot of space was used, and if you significantly reduce the size of the card, then the space for the slot will be allocated an order of magnitude less, many manufacturers agreed with this. And now, in order for the new device to work from the selected telecom operator, you need to either purchase a new SIM card size, or cut the existing one to the required slot size.

What standards are used in the latest gadgets?

In addition to the usual size, familiar to many owners of old phones, manufacturers use Mini, Micro and Nano-sim slots.

Micro SIM card size is required for Apple devices generation 4/4s, Nokia Lumia, Sony, Samsung and other manufacturers. But the nano size will be needed for iPhone series 5/5s and newer, as well as on new devices from different manufacturers running the popular Android OS.

Cutting SIM card to Micro-SIM

When buying a device, not all sellers warn about the need to install a Micro-SIM card in a new mobile gadget. And this sometimes discourages the user when he tries to insert an old SIM card into a slot that is completely inappropriate for it. Or it’s simply a pity to part with your tariff and the list of available services that are directly related to an existing card.

The usual size card has parameters of 25 mm X 15 mm X 0.75 mm. It is a durable plastic with a chip applied; it is the main component.

If the chip is even slightly damaged, it will be impossible to use the mobile operator’s communications. It is this condition that should be the main one when adjusting a standard SIM card to the Micro-SIM form. Pruning must be done very carefully.

Required Tools

So that at home you can independently adjust the SIM card to the desired parameters, stock up on the following set of tools:

• Sharp manicure scissors;
• A sharpened pencil or ballpoint pen;
• A ruler with millimeter markings.

The size we need will be 15 mm. X 12 mm. X 0.75 mm.

Trimming process

1. Place the card on a flat surface so that the chip is on the outside;
2. We turn it with the cut side up, so that the corner faces to the left;
3. From the side of 15 mm (on the right) we put 1.5 mm towards the center, cut off the excess;
4. Along the bottom side, 25 mm long, we set aside 1 mm also towards the center, draw a line and cut along it;
5. We need the right side of the card to be 12mm long. To do this, draw a line from top side to the center 2 mm. Since we already cut it earlier, we will get exactly 12 mm, that is, the desired parameter. But at the same time the corner will be cut off. There is no need to worry about this, since it will be restored later;
6. Now we need to align the desired length, that is, 15 mm: starting from right side, measure the indicated distance, remove the excess with scissors. This is not a SIM card yet, but only its preparation;
7. Now you need to round off all the corners a little, because this is exactly what the old SIM card looked like;
8. The final touch is trimming the corner. It is necessarily present on all maps - we need to draw an equilateral triangle with sides of 2 mm. Attach a ruler, measure 2 mm down and to the right, and then you can trim.

Let's try to insert the resulting sample

If everything is done correctly, then the SIM card should fit exactly into the slot installed for it. If it is a little big, cut off the side that is larger.

The network should be found, and if so, then try calling someone. In case of failure or damage to the chip, you will have to contact your operator to have your SIM card restored.

Mini— sim- this is an ordinary and familiar SIM card, standard size, which is usually called a “SIM card”, without the “mini” prefix. The most common format of SIM cards, but today they are increasingly difficult to find in new smartphones.
The size of a regular, standard SIM card or mini-sim is 25 X 15mm

Micro— sim- this is the same SIM card as a mini-SIM, but unlike it, a micro-SIM has a smaller size of 15 X 12mm. As a rule, SIM cards are sold with the ability to turn a regular SIM card into a micro-SIM card by simply squeezing a micro-SIM out of the card’s plastic frame.

A universal or multi-SIM card looks like this (you can see the boundaries along which you need to squeeze out the required SIM card size):

What is a Nano SIM card?

Nano— sim- this is the most new format SIM cards, and today represents the smallest size SIM card for smartphones and tablets. The Nano SIM does not have any plastic around the chip like you see on the Mini SIM and Micro SIM. The size of a nano SIM card is half the size of a standard SIM card and is 12.3 X 8.8 millimeters, which is practically the size of the chip itself, but still has a small border.

Micro-SIM and nano-SIM: the difference is in the size of the plastic or in the chip?

Based on the above characteristics of SIM cards, you can notice a significant reduction in plastic, directly along the edges of the SIM card chip. The dimensions of SIM cards are the key and main feature of what the SIM card is called. This size only affects the plastic; there are no and cannot be any changes in the chip itself. You can use a regular SIM card (mini-SIM), and if you upgrade your smartphone to a more new model, which requires a micro-sim, you can change it at any time to the desired size, be it micro-sim or nano-sim.

How to cut a SIM card for a nano-SIM?

There are several ways to make a nano-sim from a micro-sim:

First way- this means contacting a specialized store or communication salon of any operator, and in a couple of minutes they will give you the required SIM card size. The cost of this service, as a rule, does not exceed the cost of the starter package/SIM card itself, or is completely free. This service will definitely be free if you buy a starter package and immediately warn about what SIM card you need, in which case the operator’s representative must give you the required SIM card size.

Second way- this is to cut the SIM card under the nano-SIM yourself. Be prepared to need a ruler, scissors or a sharp utility knife, and possibly sandpaper. Attention! This method is less preferable, since there is a risk of touching one of the 6 contacts of your SIM card chip, which means you will need to restore the SIM card by contacting your operator.

So, if you decide to cut the SIM card yourself, then let’s move on directly to cutting:

Remember! Having cut a SIM card, for example, to the size of a nano-SIM, they may still differ in thickness, since the thickness of a nano-SIM card is 0.67mm, while mini-SIM and micro-SIM can be: 0.76-0.84mm.

How to insert a nano-sim into a micro-sim?

Changing the size back from a nano-SIM to a micro-SIM or mini-SIM is much more difficult, because you will need a holder/adapter or “holder” for the SIM card. If you have one, then you will not have any difficulties with changing the size, just insert the chip into the desired adapter and place it in your smartphone or tablet.

The image shows what an adapter for nano-SIM and micro-SIM should look like, as you can see, there is nothing complicated about it, you just need to buy a holder or save it, after purchasing the SIM card itself, as a rule, multi-SIM cards are sold.

Manufacturers of smartphones and tablets strive to reduce the size and weight of their devices as much as possible in order to make them more stylish, convenient and powerful, so new models have no place for excess and completely unnecessary plastic from SIM cards. Instead, you can reduce the size of the gadget itself or enhance it with other useful functionality: processor, memory, etc.

It is the size of the SIM card tray or slot that determines the required chip size, and this will determine which SIM card you need. As a rule, for smartphones that allow you to simultaneously use 2 or more SIM cards, you need to have a microSIM or nanoSIM.

Also, it is worth mentioning that recently, manufacturers have begun to increasingly use technology for SIM cards and memory cards, however, this is not always convenient, remember this when.

Modern gadgets use SIM cards of different sizes. The change first came with the advent of smartphones, where the socket was designed for a micro sim, but today the most advanced models of tablets and phones use an even more cropped version. You can cut a SIM card for a new phone yourself, although some mobile operators Initially they sell SIM cards for special gadgets or the bag comes with plastic with divisions, from which you can easily squeeze out a micro- or nano-version of the card without additional devices.

The simplest and convenient way How to cut from any format - contact a mobile phone store. Employees can replace the standard plastic with a smaller copy or even make it smaller themselves. Replacing a SIM card is free, but if you need to cut a SIM card to micro or nano, you will most likely have to pay extra. In the office they can show you how to cut a SIM card to micro or nano size.

Employees of communication salons do not need instructions on how to make big sim card small, since they use a special device that looks like a stapler. The advantage of the method of making a mini from a regular model is that you do not need to use a template for cutting.

SIM card cutter

As a result, the client receives not only the micro-SIM card, but also the adapter for the micro SIM card from which it was squeezed out.

Thanks to the presence of such an adapter, the card can subsequently be inserted into other models of phones or tablets, because some still use regular format SIM cards If desired, the user mobile communications You can purchase a similar unit for cutting plastic at a mobile phone store. There is only one drawback worth noting. If the initial thickness of the sim was greater than the standard, you will have to additionally cut off the layer.

How to cut a SIM card yourself

You can learn how to make a nano SIM card from a microsim or a regular one with your own hands. But for the first tests, it is advisable to use several unnecessary old ones, so as not to spoil the working SIM. It is easy to convert the microsymbol into the application, since you actually need to cut out the entire part except the chip. However, if you use only this setting, you can cut off too much, so it’s better to use the instructions on how to make an applicator from a microsim:

SIM card format sizes

• Print out a template to cut out a smaller version from a regular SIM card. In fact, in the photo it looks like a rectangle with sides 12.3x8.8 mm. If it is not possible to print a full-scale model, use a fine-graded ruler and mark the markings directly on the plastic. Ultimately, nano-sim should have 0.5 and 1 mm on both sides around the chip, the remaining two sides will be end-to-end. Don't forget to trim the corner.
• Use a sharp cutter or scissors to cut. Cutting plastic is very easy: it is a little more difficult to cut than cardboard.
• Try to insert the cut out SIM card into the gadget. For some devices this version will be sufficient.
• If the nanocard is too thick and does not fit into the slot (usually this happens if you make a nanosim from a regular SIM card), use a nail file or sandpaper and cut off some of the plastic on the back side of the chip. The chip must not be touched! The thickness of the SIM card should be 0.67 mm. If you get carried away with sawing and there is too little thickness left, attach a piece of paper to the back side to more securely secure it in the slot.

After you have had to cut out a SIM card for nano, make sure that the SIM card is valid and was not damaged during cutting. If you know how to cut micro-sim nano-sim yourself and use a cutter, you can save the adapter for the transition.

Many modern smartphones are equipped not with a standard SIM card slot, but with one for a smaller micro SIM card. Of course, you can contact the operator and change your old large SIM card to a new format, but this way you will waste time and money. With the help of these instructions, you can easily make a Micro SIM in a couple of minutes without leaving your home.

You may also find other useful instructions useful:

To cut a Micro Sim from a regular SIM card, we will need:

• Ruler
• Pen (marker or pencil)
• Scissors or utility knife. The latter is preferable, since thanks to it you can carefully cut out the outline and, if possible, by inserting the cut Micro SIM into it, get a standard SIM card back

Instructions: cut out the Micro SIM card

1. Print out this template on A4.

2. Make identical markings on your SIM card.

3. The dimensions should be the same as in the figure below.

4. After this, carefully cut out the Micro SIM. This is much easier to do with scissors, but if you are good with a utility knife, use it. The reason for this choice is described above.

This completes the process of cutting out the SIM card. If you have sandpaper at home, use it to remove any rough spots.

Progress does not stand still, technology is becoming more perfect, smaller, and in connection with this new standards are coming. This happened with the long-familiar telephone line. SIM card. It was replaced by a new standard - MicroSIM card. Micro SIM is used in iPad, in most new models mobile phones, as well as in other mobile communication devices. This standard is firmly established in our lives and there is no escape from it. IN at the moment Mobile operators offer replacement services SIM cards to MicroSim, many people offer to cut your card - but for some reason the prices for these services are prohibitively high.
For those who do not want to pay or who do not have the opportunity (or desire and time) to replace their SIM card, here is a simple, proven method of making it yourself MicroSim from SIM cards. The whole procedure takes no more than 3 minutes. There were no unsuccessful attempts, although there is still a slight risk of ruining the card (well, this is understandable, if your hands have grown out of the wrong place, then...). I repeat once again - the risk is very small, especially since you are not seriously risking anything, you can always restore your number and card, well - 99.99% rest assured - it will not come to that.

First, let's look at the device of a regular SIM card. The SIM card consists of two parts:
1) The actual electronic SIM chip with contacts
The electronic chip stores all information about your number, phone book, SMS (memory size is very limited) and other information for subscriber identification in the mobile network
2) Plastic backing - casing.
The substrate is almost twice the size of the chip and serves solely to meet the SIM card size standard.

Note that often the dimensions of the chip (contacts) of a regular SIM card and Micro Sim cards absolutely identical, and the only difference is the size of the plastic backing.

If the contacts of your SIM look different from those of a standard Micro Sim, don’t worry. Although the contact patterns are different, all SIM cards are compatible and you can make a Micro Sim with any one.

For cutting Sim cards for MicroSim All you need are sharp scissors and a ruler.

Below are the required standard sizes MicroSim

The contact sizes of a regular SIM card may be slightly larger than the standard Micro Sim contacts. In this case, when cutting, you also need to cut off the contact tracks a little (in the upper part according to the picture, on the opposite side from the cut). Don't be afraid - these are not CHIPs, but only contact tracks. It is important to cut off a little more than a millimeter (albeit along the tracks) on the side opposite to the cut so that the contacts of the new Micro Sim meet the standard. Let me note again - Micro Sim can be cut from any SIM card.5

We start cutting 1.4 mm and 1.85 - it’s easier not to measure but to cut by eye. A small error will not affect the result. Then we measure 12 mm - cut it off, then 15 mm (length) - cut it off and the bevel. Don’t confuse which side the bevel is on - watch the position of the card being cut, since the already cropped rectangle looks almost the same on all sides (depending on the initial configuration of the tracks of your SIM card), and the cut should be exactly on the side where it was originally.

It is worth noting that the plastic from which the SIM card substrate is made is quite soft and not fragile - it can be cut perfectly with ordinary scissors, so the options for cutting with a knife or, especially, a hacksaw are clearly inferior both in quality, speed and reliability. You can damage (peel off) the contact tracks or miscalculate the dimensions due to an apparent increase in accuracy. The scissors are excellent at cutting both plastic and thin contact traces (on one side if necessary).

If you are still afraid of ruining your favorite SIM card, find an old, unused one and practice on it. After trimming any old map, the phone should see it (there will be no inscription - “Insert SIM card”)

Make DIY MicroSim from SIM Anyone can do it in a matter of minutes, without specific tools.

From an old unused SIM card you can Make your own adapter from MicroSim to SIM. To make an adapter you need to use a knife. Description will be unnecessary, everything is already clear.

Good luck, why pay more, why pay at all?