Just now I made a stupid mistake: I changed the SIM cards in my iPhone and my new Galaxy S3 to test if the Galaxy was SIM card locked (it wasn’t). But after putting the original card back into the S3 (just push it in until it clicks), I wasn’t thinking what I was doing when putting the other SIM back into my iPhone. The iPhone has a small tray where you need to put the micro-SIM in, so that it fits (great design Apple…). But because Android phones don’t have a tray I totally forgot about the tray and popped in the SIM without it.
The moment I did it I knew I made a mistake, because it did not click, and I realized I forgot the tray. When I tried to get the SIM out I saw it got stuck and there was no way to get it out. A quick Internet search gave me a lot of solutions (go to the Apple store, use Scotch tape, use a set of tweezers, use a toothpick and even use a vacuum cleaner!). Well, the Apple store is always a last resort solution, so I did not try that. The Scotch tape may work if the SIM is only inserted a little bit, but mine was in way too deep for that to work. The tweezers at home are too thick, just as the toothpicks. And well, the vacuum cleaner I decided not to try…
So then I started thinking, the tray has a few millimeter on each side, so there must be space on both sides of the SIM card. There should be a way to insert something on both sides of the card and then try to pull it out. But what? At that point my eye fell on the paperclip that I had used to get the SIM card tray out (another fantastic Apple design… for some reason people seem to be afraid to criticize Apple, but their products sure have some design/UX flaws). The paperclip fit in next to the SIM card, and when I got a second paperclip it just fit in on the other side! Then I started to pull slowly. At first I did not see any progress, but then I noticed the card had come up a little bit. So I tried again, and again, and again. And finally after about 2 minutes the edge of the SIM card came out. One extra pull with both paper clips and I could use my fingers to get it out! The SIM card was not damaged and it worked fine again.
Why did I post this here? Not because I think any of my regular readers will have this same problem, but more because my blog has a pretty high Google ranking and this problem may be something that others will encounter as well. I hope I can save people who Google the problem some time and expensive trips to the Apple store, where they may need to take your phone apart in order to get the card out (another great Apple design…).
Thank god I found this website. Just avoided a massive row before Xmas. I straightened out a paperclip but kept a little bend at the end and wiggled it out in 10 seconds.
It just happend to me on Christmas Day I hope I can get it out.
Best advise ever. Took me 5 sec to get the SIM out. Many thanks, dude!
I just got the same problem with SIM card stuck without tray… It’s New Years eve and I have to wait for two days for Apple Store to open.’you just saved me all of that and got me up an running in couple of minutes.
Many thanks for sharing…
Thank you so much! This worked in less than 30 seconds and I was able to surprise my boyfriend by fixing his phone!
Thanks Sir
Thank you. It just worked. I felt so stupid, this page made me feel confident to do it. Before I had gone to a Phone repair shop and they wanted $60 to get the sim card out which is just greedy i think.
Thank you so much, your trick worked within 5 seconds!
THANKS!! worked perfectly. what a stupid design.
Ingenious!!!
Try this:
Take a thin knife, slip it in on top or bottom of SIM Card (choose side where only plastic) and pull it out.
Worked for me.
Thank you! It worked for me. One of my users made this mistake and your paper clip extraction method worked perfectly.
This totally worked! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this tip! When I realised I inserted it wrong, I panicked! You are a life saver!
Can you show ne a video of it as I am unable to do it
This tips helped but to resolve the issue on micromax mobile. I used a different method.
I initially tried with Safety pin that did not work for me.
So, I took the mobile to MICROMAX service center. They indicated hefty charges that was shocking for me and said i will come back later. Before going back to them, I wanted to try the blog suggestions since their charges were pinching my professional ego and the successes I read from this column.
I used a different method. The SIM card is cut from the Card board pack or Pad ( Not sure if that is the correct word). I used the cardboard Strip with the width smaller than SIM Card with. i cut it by cutting from the waste SIM card Pad. Since it has the same thickness as SIM.
Since, I had inserted the micro SIM Deep, the strip was cut to a length of 2 inches long. First checked if the strip is entering the SIM card slot and it did go very well. I applied a drop of FEVIKWIK on the tip of the strip and wiped the additional fluid from the surface(as much i could) other than the tip edge. I inserted the strip into the SIM card slot as much as i could to ensure the tip touched the SIM that was inside.
The fevikwik on the tip glued and bonded with the SIM and beautifully pulled out but partially. I pulled out the strip and cleaned it well and applied the Fevikwik , cleaned the surfaces alone. I inserted once again and touched the SIM Card and held it for a min. or two so that the edges bonded well with the SIM card.
Then I pulled out the strip and the Micro SIM CARD came out sticking to the strip. I cleaned the Micro SIM card with a clean cloth and inserted it now on the correct slot(lesson learnt from stupidity). The SIM is working now.
I inserted a Standard SIM on the other slot ensured I did not damage the SIM Tray. Now, both the SIMs are working.
I finally understood I took can apply my common sense and felt proud of me, thanks to this website link and people’s perseverance and successful attempts.
Great weekend for me learning from my mistakes. Thanks to this blog and internet tool.
If you have staples lying around in your home or office, you could break it into individual pieces and insert it inside and slowly drag the sim card out.
OMG I want to kiss you. Thank you so so much
Was measuring a sim for my sisters new phone and dropped the sim, I think I was about to have a panic attack. I am so happy I found this post. THANK YOU!!!
Was really excited about new iphone 6 with the laminated screen and stuff and without thinking i slid in the nano sim without the tray regretting it instantly and attempted to wedge it out using the apple tray pin which pushed it deeper inside. At that point i felt like my life is done but thanks to google and eventually you i got it out in less than 1 min with 1 paper clip and my hand to pull out the last bit. Thanx a ton bro. Life saver!!
Use the paper clip like you would a pair of chopsticks. Using your thumb n pointing finger to apply pressure as you pull your sim out. Thank u for this post. You’re a life saver! Got into the same mess 30mins back. This was really helpful!!! Thank you again!
Thank you very much for the info.
I also faced the same situation
You save my life!!! Thanks
Thank God it worked!
Pin was good idea, but didn’t work. Hand Sewing needle work like a treat
Paperclip worked! You saved me
Thank you sooo much. This just happened and I panicked! Your instructions made it effortless.
OMG Thank you so much! You’re a lifesaver!
I did this too, but my SIM card is an extra size up. Nothing is working. Im trying Sewing needles but I dont think it will work.
Thank you thank you thank you. i was ready to throw the replacement phone off the wall when i found your advice.
a scoop with one paper clip worked for me!
thanks you saved my life ha ha!
The paperclip trick worked for me… thanks 😀
Same problem. I went to repare shop and they told me that they would have to take the Phone apart. The trick with the paper clips worked! Thanks a lot!
THANK you!! Your tip was a life safer!
the paper clip works with cut SIM cards jammed into nano SIM trays too.
OMG! Thank you so much. I tried it, and it worked straight away! You are a life saver.
Thankyou so much I have had an absolute nightmare with this!! doing exactly what you instructed I had my SIM in my hand within minutes! I cannot thankyou enough 🙂
Thank you, you saved me.
You are a life saver. Your paper clip trick works magic. What a relief. Felt so silly when I realised what I’ve done. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for posting this fix. This happened to me earlier today and I thought I bricked my new phone and I’d have to pay a lot to fix it. The paperclips worked like a charm!
THANK YOU!! so helpful!
I PUT IN A NON PLASTIC SIM CARD I PUT IN A BLACK ONE HELP
I used paper clips just now. I able to rmeove the sim in les sthan a minute. Thanks for this suggestion.
Oh, !! so many people made the same mistake. Me too !! Thanks Pal for good trick .
Mike
Thank you so much I really thought I was going to have to pay a massive bill to fix my stupid mistake.
works as magic , thanks dude 🙂
I was taking the SIM tray out of my iPhone 3GS and I snapped it in two pieces. How do I get it out.
God bless you! It worked!
Thank you so much, took just a few seconds. I felt so stupid after I placed it with out the tray.
Me too i encountered in my iphone 6 plus but i tried to removed using tools and i removed already but phone tell no simcard install then i try another sim also tell no simcard install…. what should i do help me please
Me too i encountered in my i phone 6 plus i tried using tools then i get the sim stuck but when i open phone say’s no simcard install again try another simcard same no simcard install what did i do please help me