How to change sim card in iphone xr

Need to change the SIM card on iPhone? Whether you need to remove a SIM card from iPhone, change its SIM card, or put a SIM card into an iPhone, the process is all the same.

Table of Contents Show

How to Change or Remove SIM Card from iPhone
How to remove the SIM card in an iPhone or iPad – step-by-step
What you need to remove the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad
Find where your SIM tray is located on your iPhone or iPad model
How to remove the SIM card in an iPhone or iPad
Are you making the most of your iPhone?
Can you just switch SIM cards in iphones?
How do you open an iPhone XR SIM card without the tool?
What to do before changing SIM card iPhone?
How do I transfer my SIM card from my old iPhone to my new iPhone?

This article will show you how to change and remove a SIM card on any modern iPhone, including iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, and iPhone 4 – yes really, all of these iPhone models use the same SIM card changing method.

Before getting started, you will need a paperclip that you don’t mind bending, or a SIM ejector tool (these often come with new iPhones in the box).

How to Change or Remove SIM Card from iPhone

Look on the right side of the iPhone for a tiny hole, this is where the SIM card ejector tool or paperclip goes

Insert the SIM ejector tool pin or a paperclip into that hole and press

The SIM card tray will pop out, you can then remove the tray from the iPhone entirely

If there is a SIM card already included in the iPhone SIM card tray, pop it out and swap it with the SIM card you want to replace

Push the loaded SIM card tray back into the iPhone

Wait a moment or two and the iPhone should get service with the SIM card, assuming the SIM card is active and compatible with the iPhone.

The short video embedded below shows the process of changing a SIM card on iPhone, it’s demonstrated with an 6 model but the basic process is identical on any other modern iPhone.

If you’re migrating from an iPhone to a new iPhone, simply transferring your data over and then changing the SIM card is sufficient to do so.

All new model iPhone have the SIM card tray on the side of the iPhone. Much older iPhone models had the SIM card tray on the bottom of the iPhone.

The short video below demonstrates opening a SIM card slot on an iPhone, as you can see the entire process is very fast.

Again this applies to basically all modern iPhones, including iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5, even iPhone 4s and iPhone 4.

Android phones can have a SIM card in various locations, so if you’re switching from Android to iPhone then you’ll have to find where the SIM location is on Android separately. If you’re migrating from Android to iPhone don’t miss the easy migration assistant discussed here to get all your stuff over.

Classic cell phones that are not ‘smartphones’ have SIM cards located in various places and you’d have to figure that out separately as well before ejecting that SIM card to put into the iPhone. If you are migrating from a traditional cell phone to iPhone, you might want to dump the contacts onto the SIM and then import contacts from the SIM card to iPhone directly so you can keep your address book.

Note that not all SIM cards are the same size, so if you’re moving to an iPhone that takes nano-SIM or micro-SIM from a phone with a full sized SIM card, you may need to get a new SIM card (note that you can convert full sized SIM card to a micro SIM by cutting it down, but you can not convert a micro-SIM to nano-SIM, so you’d need to get a nano SIM directly from the cellular or mobile provider for any modern iPhone).

Most iPhones and cellular-capable iPads have SIM card slots on their sides, even if they're smaller and less noticeable than they used to be. The only exception is the iPhone 14 in the US, which doesn't have a SIM but an eSIM instead.

A SIM (subscriber identity module) card is how your mobile carrier provides all the information your device needs to get on their network and access the voice and data services linked to your account.

If you travel internationally, plan to switch carriers or you're upgrading your iPhone, you may need to swap the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad to another one. Some people find this process tricky because SIM cards are much smaller than they used to be. But follow our step-by-step instructions below and you'll be able to quickly and easily remove the SIM card in an iPhone or iPad.

How to remove the SIM card in an iPhone or iPad – step-by-step

What you need
Where your SIM tray is located
How to remove the SIM card

What you need to remove the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad

(Image credit: iMore)

The only thing you need to remove the SIM card in your iPhone or iPad is an Apple SIM card remover tool (this is included in the original box in some countries, especially when you buy an unlocked device). But a small, bent paper clip, like the one pictured above, will also get the job done.

If you're using a paper clip, straighten the long end until it projects out (see the photo above). If you're using something else, like the tip of a small screwdriver, just make sure it fits into the SIM ejector slot. You don't want to mangle your device.

Find where your SIM tray is located on your iPhone or iPad model

(Image credit: iMore)

Almost every iPhone comes equipped with a SIM card tray*; if you have an iPhone 4s or newer, you have a SIM card slot instead.

*The only exception was the CDMA variant of the iPhone 4.

Here is where you can find it, given your iPhone model:

Original iPhone/iPhone 3G/iPhone 3GS: On the top of the iPhone in between the headphone jack and power button.
iPhone 4s to iPhone 11: On the right side of iPhone, the side opposite your mute switch and volume buttons.
iPhone 12 to iPhone 14: On the left hand side of the iPhone, the same side as your mute switch and volume buttons.

Note: iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models purchased in the US are the only type of iPhones that don't have SIM cards. They have eSIMs instead.

Only cellular-capable iPads have SIM trays. If you have one, here is where you can find your SIM tray:

Original iPad: Along the left side of the iPad towards the middle, opposite the side that contains the mute switch and volume buttons, near the bottom
iPad 2/3/4: Along the left side of the iPad, opposite the side that contains the mute switch and volume buttons, near the top
iPad 5/6/7/8/9 and iPad Pro/Air/Air2/mini (all generations): On the bottom right side of the iPad, the same side that contains the mute switch and volume buttons

How to remove the SIM card in an iPhone or iPad

(Image credit: iMore)

Gently insert the small paperclip you bent earlier into the small pinhole opening in the SIM tray.
Apply a small amount of pressure until the SIM tray pops out of the iPhone or iPad. Don't apply pressure at an angle, only in the direction of the pin hole.
Grab hold of the SIM tray and pull straight out.
Swap your SIM card. Make sure you have installed the SIM in the correct orientation by aligning the notched corners on the card.
Re-insert the tray. Make sure you are inserting the SIM tray in the correct orientation.

Note: If you're using an iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR from Mainland China with dual nano-SIM cards, the cards are placed on either side of the SIM tray, and should only fit one way.

Keep in mind that you should never force a SIM tray back in place. You can break pins off the logic board and that can leave your iPhone or iPad unable to connect to any cellular network.

Always make sure the SIM is installed in the tray correctly and that you're putting it back in your iPhone or iPad in the correct direction. An easy way to be sure is to line up the pin hole. This way you know you're putting it in correctly.

Are you making the most of your iPhone?

If you're switching carriers or upgrading your iPhone, it might be time to upgrade your experience and scrub up your knowledge.

We recommend starting with your guide to the latest OS, everything you need to know about iOS 16.2 as well as our best secret iOS 16 features list.

If you're hoping to revamp your accessories, take a look at our best magnetic car mounts round-up or our best iPhone 13 cases guide.

Can you just switch SIM cards in iphones?

Many people wonder if you can really just switch SIM cards on an iPhone. Yes, you absolutely can.

How do you open an iPhone XR SIM card without the tool?

Start with a small or medium-size paper clip. Unfold one straight side, so it's sticking out. Stick the straight side of the paper clip into the SIM card ejector hole as far as it will go. With the paper clip in the hole, use your thumb to press firmly until the tray protrudes.

What to do before changing SIM card iPhone?

Before you begin Make sure that you have a backup of your device. Have your Apple ID and password ready. Transfer your SIM card from your iPhone, iPad, or eSIM. If your new device needs a different SIM card than what you have, contact your carrier.

How do I transfer my SIM card from my old iPhone to my new iPhone?

For transferring SIM card to new iPhone, you need to carefully eject it from your old device. You can use a SIM ejector tool to take out the tray and insert it to your iPhone. Once the SIM card is injected, go to your iPhone's Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars and tap on the “Import SIM Contacts” button.