How To: Cut a SIM into a Micro-SIM

So why does a typical person needs to cut a normal SIM into a Micro-SIM, you ask.

All credits should go to Apple for making their latest iPhone and iPad use micro SIMs.

Just to clarify, the normal SIM that we have is already a mini SIM. If your mobile phone is not an iPhone 4, then it’s probably using this normal SIM. Most telco’s these days provide (sell) this type of SIM. To date, there are only quite a few in the world that actually commercially produces micro SIMs. Thankfully, the normal SIM and the micro-SIM aren’t that much different, that one can actually use them in place of the other given the right tools and setup.

I am aware that there are already a lot of tutorials and videos about how to convert a normal SIM into micro one. I am also aware that you could probably ask a technician (from a shop, who owns a SIM cutter) to do this for you. However here are my reasons for posting this:

1. I’ve read most of the tutorials about this already and I have some simple tips to make it easier (mainly the use of the Post It).

2. If you go to a shop to get your SIM cut, it will cost you money. Duh. They would normally over charge you for something so simple. This is actually the main reason why i did the cutting myself!

Here’s what you need:

1. A chopping board – just to scare you. haha. really, you don’t need one.

2. A pen or a marker

3. An existing micro-SIM – this would make your life a whole lot easier. If you don’t have one, you’d have to check the pictures online for the layout and size.

4. A sharp pair of scissors – not the kiddie ones, please.

5. A piece of Post It.

6. A file – or a nail file, or even sand paper will do (but this is just optional).

7. An iPhone 4 or an iPad – to test your new micro-sim; or if you have any other micro-SIM device

8. The SIM that you’ll be cutting – of course

Here’s what to do:

1. Get your micro-SIM and your Post It.

2. Carefully trace the shape of the micro SIM on your Post It. Make sure that you draw on the top of the sticky area of the Post It. We are making a sort of sticky pattern.

3. Cut your drawing to make the pattern. Consider that when you drew the pattern you probably drew around the SIM’s border making the pattern just a tad bit bigger than the actual SIM. To rectify that, simply make sure that you cut inside what you draw, as opposed to along the line of what you draw.

4. Put your Post It on the micro-SIM. Stick it on to the micro-chip (contacts) side.

5. Trace the borders of the micro-chip. No need to be perfect here, just roughly trace the border and you’ll be fine. Once done, remove the Post It and set aside the micro-SIM.

6. Now, put the Post It on top of your normal SIM. Align the tracing with the border of the micro-chip. Since this is our good ‘ole Post It note, it’s easy to position and adjust.

7. Use a marker or a pen and trace along the edges of the Post It pattern. Remove the Post It note.

8. Use a sharp pair of scissors to carefully cut your SIM along the border. Remember to again, cut inside the drawing, not along it.

The SIM card is surprisingly easy to cut. It is soft and not brittle as i thought i would be.

9. Try to fit your new micro-SIM to the micro-SIM holder. Adjust the size as necessary using your scissors.

10. Optionally, file the sides to clean it up.

You’re new micro-SIM is now ready! Enjoy!