No Sim Card Removal Tool? No Problem! The Easiest Way To Change An iPhone Sim Card Without A Removal Tool.
As an airline pilot I travel to many countries outside the USA, and I carry multiple SIM cards for my iPhone. I normally carry the handy Apple SIM card removal tool in my wallet, but it fell out and left me with no way to eject my SIM card tray.
I had arrived at my destination and needed to turn on my phone and check some urgent messages, but I couldn’t find anything that would fit into the tiny hole. A paper clip would work great, but there aren’t many paper clips on the aircraft or around the airport.
One of the flight attendants on my crew said that she uses the pin on her uniform name tag and she offered hers to me. It worked great! Unfortunately, the pin on my own uniform name tag is slightly larger and doesn’t fit into the hole, and a uniform name tag pin isn’t available to every traveler out there.
On a subsequent flight I was sitting in my seat contemplating this problem and looking for a solution, and then I had a MacGyver moment.
Magazines! Magazines are in plentiful supply at airports and in commercial airplanes, and many magazines are held together by…Staples!! Staples fit easily into the SIM card ejection hole, and are just rigid enough to handle the pressure.
So here is the simple trick:
Step 1
Find a magazine that is bound with staples and open to the middle page to expose the staple ends.
Step 2
With your fingernail or a coin, pry up one of the staple ends so that it is standing straight up.
Step 3
While holding one finger on the back of the staple for support, insert the staple end into the SIM card tray hole and press firmly. Since the staple is quite thin and flimsy, you will have to make sure the staple is pointing straight in.
Step 4
Bend the staple back down into it’s original position and return the magazine to it’s original state.
Step 5
When you get home, put paper clips into your wallet, purse, and suitcases so you won't have to improvise next time!
It takes a little bit of practice, but after a few tries you will get the hang of it, and you will never be stranded without a SIM card again.
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