Business
Tips for punching a SIM card with a SIM cutter & what to do if you make a mistake!
The SIM card is an indispensable part for communicating with mobile phones. To continue using the same SIM card even if you change your mobile phone, there is a way to adjust the size of the SIM card using a SIM cutter. Here are some tips for using a SIM cutter that won’t fail and what to do if it fails.
SIM card size development
There are three sizes of SIM cards in circulation. The largest SIM card called standard SIM is used for future phones. From around 2010, smartphones began to appear on the market, and a smaller SIM card called microSIM appeared. Smartphones in recent years use a smaller SIM card called nanoSIM. You can get this type of sim cards from your sim only deal.
SIM cutter for size adjustment
In recent years, the number of SIM-free mobile phones that can communicate even if the SIM card is replaced is increasing. However, even if you purchase a new mobile phone and use the SIM card you have been using as it is, the size of the SIM card may not fit. The SIM cutter can be used there. By adjusting the size of the card using the SIM cutter, you can continue to use the same SIM card even if you renew your mobile phone.
How to choose a SIM cutter
Pay attention to the quality of 100 average SIM cutter
In recent years, you can buy a SIM cutter even at 100-yen stores. However, it seems that the 100% cutter may distort the teeth or break the cutter itself when cutting. Even if you get a cutter cheaply at 100%, it will be expensive if it breaks, so be careful. We recommend choosing a SIM cutter that is durable and has a good reputation for quality.
Check the quality and purchase
SIM cutters can be purchased at home electronics retail stores and online, even if they are not 100%. You can check the real thing at the store, so choose the one that you think is good to see. Most SIM cutters can be purchased for a few hundred yen to a few thousand yen. If you buy online, you have more options, but you don’t know the quality until you receive it. When purchasing online, check the reviews and ratings carefully before making a purchase.
Tips for punching with a SIM cutter
The more you use things, the more you will get the knack of how to use them, but you may not have many chances to use a lot of SIM cutters. First, let’s check the tips on how to use the SIM cutter and then put it into practice. It is important to get an image for a SIM card punch that will not fail.
Tips ① Direction
Basically, make sure you insert the SIM card into the cutter in the wrong direction. Since it can be inserted into the cutter in the wrong direction, there is a mistake of punching without noticing it. Normally, if you look through the hole of the cutter from the back, you can judge in the shape of the hole which direction to insert the SIM card. A SIM card looks like a rectangle with one corner cut off. It is a good idea to cut while checking the positions of the corners of the holes of the original card and the cutter.
Tip ② Chip position
The important part of the SIM card is the metal part that contains the IC chip. Actually, not all metal parts have IC chips, but IC chips are attached around the center of the metal parts. When you hold the SIM card over the strong light, you can see a black shadow in the center. This is an IC chip. Be careful not to punch this IC chip part.
Pay attention to the scratches on the SIM card
When you insert the SIM card into your mobile phone, there is friction between the internal contacts and the card metal. Depending on the period of use of the SIM card, the friction part may become a thin linear scratch and leave a mark on the SIM card. The scratched part is the contact part, and if this position shifts, it will not be able to read properly. Check the position of the scratch and punch it so that it does not shift.
Tip ③ Strength
If you slowly lower the cutter’s teeth, it may be dragged and the SIM card may be misaligned. Let’s punch at once. It is easy to understand if you imagine using a stapler or a hole punch. Of course, once you punch, it is irreversible, so be sure to decide the orientation and tip position so that you do not fail before punching.
Tip ④ Fine adjustment
After punching, the cross section of the SIM card may be rattling or slightly too large to fit in the SIM tray. In that case, use sandpaper to scrape the cross section and make fine adjustments. Sandpaper should be hung in one direction. Try putting them in the tray diligently and be careful not to make them smaller than necessary. Since the SIM card is a precision device, handle it gently so as not to apply too much force, and be careful not to touch the chip.
100 sandpaper is convenient
Your SIM cutter may also come with sandpaper. If sandpaper is not included, purchase and prepare sandpaper at 100% before using the cutter. Even 100 sandpaper can be used sufficiently. Sanding is a delicate task, and if it is too large, it will be difficult to use, so if the sandpaper is large, cut it to a size that you can get.
What to do if you fail
Even with the utmost care, using a SIM cutter can unfortunately fail. If you know the cause and remedy in case of failure in advance, you can deal with it without rushing more than necessary. It is best to be able to punch the SIM card without failing, but let’s know what kind of failure cases there are and refer to it so that it will not fail in the same way.
Remedy ① The size does not match
Remedy (2) Cannot communicate
If the cause of the inability to communicate is considered to be damage, the SIM card cannot be used. If you lose communication, ask the SIM card issuer to reissue the card and have it replaced. Depending on the company, there may be a fee for reissuing or exchanging, or reissuing or exchanging itself may not be possible. It is a good idea to check the reissue and exchange regulations of the card issuer in advance.
What you need to know before using a SIM cutter
As a result of punching the SIM card, the size may become smaller than necessary. If the SIM card size is too small, the card will shift in the SIM tray and communication will not be successful. In that case, use a SIM card adapter. You can increase the size using an adapter. SIM card adapters can be purchased on online shopping sites for less than a few hundred yen.
Benefits of using a SIM cutter
If you replace or reissue your SIM card, it may take several days before you can communicate with your new SIM card. If you resize the SIM card yourself, the cut itself will only take a few minutes. It requires fine-tuning, but you don’t have to wait a few days, so you can communicate immediately and you don’t have the stress of not having a mobile phone.
Can maintain data
To use a new mobile phone, it is very troublesome to transfer apps and contacts from the existing mobile phone. If you can use the SIM card as it is on your new mobile phone, you can use your existing data on your new mobile phone, eliminating the need for troublesome migration of apps and contacts. You can use it as usual as soon as you can communicate.
No fees are taken
The SIM card service provider can replace it with a different size. In that case, you will usually be charged a fee for the exchange. The fee price varies depending on each company, but it is about several thousand yen. However, if you punch yourself with a SIM cutter and resize it, you will not incur any fees and will save money. Of course, it doesn’t make sense if the purchase price of the SIM cutter is higher than the commission, so check the price carefully.
Disadvantages of using a SIM cutter
Even with the utmost care in cutting a SIM card, the possibility of failure cannot be ruled out. If you make a mistake, you will incur not only the purchase price of the SIM cutter, but also the reissue or replacement fee and other expenses. Even if you can communicate on the spot, you may not be able to communicate after a few days. If you cannot communicate, you need to request a reissue.
Data disappears if it fails
If you make a mistake, the SIM card will no longer be usable and the data on the SIM card will be lost. Data cannot be recovered even if it is reissued. If the SIM card contains important data that should not be erased, back it up to the cloud or PC in advance. Since you do not know when and when your data will be lost, it is recommended that you make a regular backup.
Damage may be required
The SIM card is rented by the provider. If you no longer use the SIM card, you will basically be asked to return it. Depending on the provider, processing the card may be considered to have been intentionally damaged and a claim for damages may be made. Check the regulations of the SIM card provider you are using in advance and be careful not to take unnecessary risks.
Live a smart digital life
In recent years, there are many types of mobile phones and SIM cards, and there are many choices. One option is to use a SIM cutter to resize the SIM card. Knowledge of SIM cutters may be useful someday. Make sure you understand how the SIM card works and the rules of the provider, and lead a comfortable and smart digital life.