How to create your own Micro SIM card using a chef knife and some scissors

We told you you could shave down your old and busted SIM cards and turn them into minty fresh Micro SIMs, didn't we? An industrious Londoner by the name of John Benson has gone and proven that concept with the help of some cutting implements and an original Micro SIM to use as a reference. His saintly patience resulted in his being able to negotiate the Vodafone SIM you see above into his iPad 3G (imported from the USA) and riding the waves of Voda's network as if Apple never decided to encumber its portable device with a silly new standard. The 3FF (Micro) SIMs and the bulkier original ones are electrically identical, so there's no threat of harm by using them interchangeably, though we can't say the same thing about the tools that get you there. As always, we advise trying to rope someone else into doing the work for you -- less chance of hurting yourself that way. Hit the source for more.

[Thanks, Brandon]

[icase81 Posted May 6th 2010 12:46PM]

@BAGAGT1 I'd be 100% OK with paying a little extra for a second SIM. Maybe add $10 onto my current AT&T bill to have unlimited data on an iPad 3G or to use an air card. But paying another $60 for an air card or $30 for an iPad is just too much when I'm already paying them $160 a month for 2 iPhones.

And yes, insurance is different. Someone can break into my 2nd car, or steal my 2nd car or crash into my 2nd car regardless of if I'm driving it. Chances are if my iPad is off and not in use, its not using any bandwidth.

[tdullers Posted May 6th 2010 10:07AM]

This is quite easy, I did the same years back while switching from the credit card sized sim cards to the regular sim cards we have nowadays, ...

[fourthletter Posted May 6th 2010 10:13AM]

Just goes to show the only reason the iPad has a microSIM is just to stop people using the SIM from their phone to data plans.
Sneaky.

[spicedham Posted May 6th 2010 10:20AM]

is there a way to get it back to sim size?

[Bahumbug Posted May 6th 2010 10:30AM]

Proof positive that apple and the telcos just want to royally buttfuck us with stunts like this. Where I live, I have to put down 40 bucks for a new or second SIM card, regardless of size.

[GldRush98 Posted May 6th 2010 10:38AM]

Hold on just a minute... I was under the impression that if you have one of the older sim cards (pre-3G... just in case anyone still has an ancient one out there) that you can't do this as the older sim chips were internally larger than the newer 3G sims?
Not that it matters to me since I won't be buying one of these useless iPad things, but I just thought I would throw it out there (and I may have been mis-informed any way)

[fourthletter Posted May 6th 2010 12:41PM]

@GldRush98

I've had the same SIM for 7 years, on GSM you don't need a 3G SIM you need a 3G radio on your phone the SIM is just a network identifier.

[thecolor Posted May 6th 2010 11:21AM]

While it may only cost a small bit to replace your sim (assuming your on a contract)... it seems that it would be smarter to clone your sim first to slim down the clone instead. No? (note applicable laws first... and don't blame me if you get in trouble).

Personally, I'd have to pay nearly $100 for a new sim with AT&T. This may not be the case for everyone, but I am an "old blue" customer (pre-cingular) so I have a killer plan I don't want to part from and no contract. With that, 'cause they don't "technically" make my sim anymore, to get a new one and keep my former plan the same would be a PAIN!

Either that or lose all the old GOOD stuff 'cause they force me to upgrade, just for a stupid new sim.

The GSM setup is great! All I have to do is get an unlocked device and I'm golden... which is not hard.

Those outside the US though, I'd bet are easier to swap considering the typical pay as you go mentality (which I prefer). :)

[Luxury Guy Posted May 6th 2010 1:04PM]

@thecolor The SIMs are like $5-$10 or free if you come across the right representative. Further, you should be able to keep you old blue plan regardless of what you do (as long as you don't change plans and attempt to go back). Out of curiosity what's the rate on your no longer offered plan?

[thecolor Posted May 6th 2010 1:36PM]

@Luxury Guy Guess I'd have to find a better rep for the sim. :)

I try not to call them most of the time anyhow, as 99% of the time I do they are VERY unhelpful and more stressful than anything. It's annoying to just waste my time.

I suppose it doesn't help that I have an old plan they can NEVER find and ALWAYS assume I don't even have a phone on my account (since I just swap the sim in different devices).

I can't recall the number of times they've asked why I'm paying for service without a physical phone on the account, despite the fact that I clearly use it and THEN try and upgrade me.

I suppose I get some satisfaction when they are unable to give me something better than what I have, PLUS the freedom of not having a contract and always having an unlocked device!

As for my plan... haven't looked in a while (hasn't changed, yet... it would have to be a force migration since they can't do any better), but I've got a pretty much all you can eat voice and unlimited data for about $70 a month.

[joelaf Posted May 6th 2010 11:26AM]

I just bought a sim card reader/writer for under $10 0nline.

[danygandhi Posted May 6th 2010 11:28AM]

Turning regular sim to micro sim is not the problem,it is the other way around which is the problem.

[Luxury Guy Posted May 6th 2010 1:11PM]

@hated one and as low as $10 on a family plan

[Levi Posted May 6th 2010 2:05PM]

@hated one
i don't understand, unl't data is $30/mo on AT&T, and family plan unl'd data is definitely more than $10/mo... Here are you guys getting your numbers? Can I get a link to what you're talking about? Because I am certainly overpaying for data if that's the case. An my GF needs a new phone, the only thing stopping her is that the only phones I feel OK in suggesting require a data plan, and she doesn't have the $$ for one. If it's somehow $10/mo for unl't data on a family plan... Wel, we're on a family plan, soooo.

[attidude Posted May 6th 2010 3:22PM]

The real question about the iPad and 3G is this: How come noone has tried to use their activated iPad micro sim in an unlocked/jailbroken iPhone?! Is there absolutely no overlap between geeks who would love a $15 or $30/month prepaid cellular data plan for their iPhones, and people who would spend the money on a big iPod touch?

[kenny goo Posted May 6th 2010 5:03PM]

Apple supporting a new, essentially unused or proprietary format and leaving the standard and all the people who use and rely on it behind them? SHOCKER.

Seriously though, HDMI out on their Macbooks? USB Mini/Micro and SD/microSD on their iPods, iPhones, and iPads? Flash on their mobile operating system? I really do not understand why you people put up with this shit.

[rezaulkabir Posted May 8th 2010 5:39PM]

While on a business trip I purchased 3G version from Dallas and returned Bangladesh. I trimmed down a standard Grameen Phone (local largest operator run by Telenor) SIM using the AT&T SIM as reference. It worked without any glitch. Now I have unlimited data plan in on iPad 3G in Bangladesh using Grameen phone !!

[rimeone Posted Jun 5th 2010 3:29AM]

So let me get this straight, does this mean I could take the SIM card out of my iPhone, cut it down to micro SIM size, put it in my non jailbroken iPad and I would have 3G data working on the iPad?

[SallyYoo Posted Jun 21st 2010 8:14AM]

I just found this awesome video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B0G_qjebJY with downloadable template. Now its really easy - you just put your SIM card on top of template, draw lines, and then cut with scissors - just 3 minutes and you have your microSIM and all fingers are still with you :)

[JStar Posted Jun 25th 2010 2:23PM]

I'm going to try this once they jailbreak the new iPhone 4.