You can unlock your iPhone or Android if you meet the proper criteria, which depend on your carrier. If your phone is already unlocked, you should be able to use other carriers’ SIM cards in your phone.
Your phone most likely takes a specific size of SIM card, so check which SIM card size your phone uses before buying one. If you aren’t sure of the SIM card that you should use, you can usually take your phone into a carrier store and have them evaluate it for you. They may even install the SIM card themselves!
Android - Press and hold the Power button on the top or side of the phone, then tap Power off when prompted. iPhone X, 11, or 12 - Press and hold either of the two volume buttons and the right-side button at the same time. When the power slider appears, swipe it to turn off your phone. [1] X Research source iPhone SE (2nd gen), iPhone 8, 7, and 6: Press and hold the button on the right side until the power slider appears, and then drag the slider to turn off the phone. iPhone SE (1st gen), iPhone 5, and earlier: Press and hold the top button until the power slider appears, and then drag it to turn it off. iPad without a Home button: Press and hold either volume button at the same time as the top button, and then drag the slider to turn it off. iPad with a Home button: Press and hold the top button and then drag the power off slider to turn it off.
Make sure that you don’t touch the gold connectors on the bottom of the SIM card.
If you set a SIM PIN for your phone, you’ll have to enter it before you can use your phone on your carrier’s network.
Does your Android have a removable battery or back panel? This is not common anymore, but some newer models, such as the Samsung Galaxy XCover series, Moto E6 series, and BLU VIVO X5, do. [3] X Research source . If you turn your Android over and see a removable back cover, your SIM is likely under that panel. [4] X Research source You may need to remove the battery to find it. If your Android doesn’t have a removable battery or back plate, the SIM tray will be a removable tray on one of the sides or button of the phone. The tray is only a few millimeters wide and has a hollow hole on one side—this hole is used to eject the tray. Look on all edges of your phone or tablet for the small hollow hole to find the SIM tray. If you’re using a modern Samsung Galaxy A-series model or Google Pixel 4, your SIM tray is on the upper-left side of the phone. The Samsung Galaxy S21’s SIM slot is on the bottom of the phone, while most other S models have slots on the left side. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro have SIM slots on the bottom edge of the phone.
If your SIM is below the back panel, use your fingernails to gently pull it out of its slot instead. Remember which direction the SIM faces, as you’ll want to insert the new SIM the same way. Make sure that you don’t touch the gold contacts on the bottom of the SIM card.
Be sure to consult your specific phone’s manual or online documentation if your experience here differs.
If your SIM tray is located below the battery, replace the battery and battery cover after swapping your SIM cards.
If you set a SIM PIN for your phone, you’ll have to enter it before you can use your phone on your carrier’s network.
