Make your own Micro-SIM

by Jared Earle on May 10th, 2010

If you have an iPad 3G in the UK, there are no providers offering Micro-SIMs yet, meaning that if you’ve grey imported your own iPad 3G, you’re going to have to wait until the end of the month.

iPad 3G running on 3

Or does it?All you need is a Pay As You Go SIM from Three, a pen and a pair of scissors. Compare the size of the AT&T Micro-SIM provided with the iPad.

Both SIMs compared

Mark the contact area on the SIM so you can see where it lies when you put the other SIM on it.

Mark the Sim

Overlay the Micro-SIM on the regular SIM.

Overlay the Micro-SIM

Draw around the Micro-SIM and cut away the extraneous plastic. Have no fear; if your SIM is a 3G, all the electrics are contained under the contacts (don’t sue me if they’re not).

Cut away the plastic

Note the corners. I’ve taken the points off the corners for reasons that’ll be obvious later. Put the SIM in the holder.

Bottom view

As you can see, the corners need trimming to fit.

Top view

Once you’ve put your new Micro-SIM in, you should see it working like this:

Settings screen

In “Cellular Data”, you’ll need to put “three.co.uk” as the APN in APN Settings, but that’s it. You can now take advantage of Three’s competitive £10/month tariff for 1GB of data.

I wish I could go into more detail, but that’s it; it really is that simple. Grab me on Twitter if you’ve got any queries, or leave a comment below.

From → geek

23 Comments →

Alfie permalink
Tue, 11 May 2010 09:24:20 +0000

Nice. Just a small note on the data cost though – 3 offers a £5 per month unlimited (fair use) 3G tariff.

Reply
Colin Wiseman permalink
Wed, 26 May 2010 09:14:40 +0000

Offt they didn’t even say your name!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8681288.stm

Reply
Dave Gibbons permalink
Thu, 27 May 2010 11:23:17 +0000

Apparently, this is how you chop down a regular SIM to fit an iPad http://bit.ly/aEFbWt via @jearle

Reply
matt timson permalink
Thu, 27 May 2010 11:33:41 +0000

RT @davegibbons90: Apparently, this is how you chop down a regular SIM to fit an iPad http://bit.ly/aEFbWt via @jearle

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Curt Walker permalink
Sun, 30 May 2010 13:43:40 +0000

@Mannaz http://bit.ly/aEFbWt – You might find this of some use.

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Bradley permalink
Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:23:26 +0000

Guys, there is a way to use microSIM card in every mobile phone, and not only in the Iphone! I heard there is a thing called micro sim adapter. Basically, you put your microSIM card inside it and use it in any phone. I googlesearched it and found it here: www.SPAMMER.com They say it costs 4.5 EUR. They also seem to offer the sticker guide to cut the regular simcard into the microsim. IMHO their price and quality is the best so
far.

Reply
Dave Bishop permalink
Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:35:24 +0000

@stenev or chop down my exisiting sim a la @jearle 's instructions http://blog.23x.net/466/make-your-own-micro-sim.html

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Wes Mantooth permalink
Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:25:05 +0000

@aMeadey Apparently so. http://bit.ly/bJVuid

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Alex Seccombe permalink
Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:24:15 +0000

@Hicksdesign http://blog.23x.net/466/make-your-own-micro-sim.html

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Mike permalink
Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:11:21 +0000

As far as i know the best deal for microsim adapter is at www.SPAMMER.com They offer a great adapter that allows you to use your microSIM with other devices as well as a microsim cutter sticker. Best offer on the market so far and to top it up they offer free delivery! Order another set as a present for my brother.

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- Pete permalink
  Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:07:50 +0000
  
  I use Asda PAYG Sim in my unlocked iPhone 3GS.
  8p per minute.
  I would like to buy the new iPhone 4 but Asda don’t do a microsim.
  Can I really cut down my current Sim and use it in the iPhone 4?
  thanks
  Pete
  
  Reply
  - Jared Earle permalink
    Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:13:17 +0000
    
    Yes, you really can just cut it down.
    
    Reply
Keith Wildman permalink
Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:46:32 +0000

RT @deadbloke @KeithWildman Micro Sims are where it's at!! > I've got scissors http://bit.ly/cbvGTj

Reply
sim cutters permalink
Mon, 12 Jul 2010 09:33:51 +0000

www.SPAMMER.com is noow oprn for registration, this website allows you to register your services as a sim cutter in your area.

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Richard permalink
Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:06:43 +0000

Hi guys. Just bought my Iphone 4g and now looking for the microsim adapter. I’ve heard www.SPAMMER.com has good price and quality and is based in UK. What do you think, is it worth buing one?

Reply
- Jared Earle permalink
  Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:57:45 +0000
  
  You do realise I’ve got no-follow on, right?
  
  Reply
Gren permalink
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:34:32 +0000

I found these great guys – http://www.ihandystore.com
They are the only one seller of micro sim adapters in UK and I just get mine. I must say I didn’t thought it would be so cool, it’s just what I was needed, it does the trick and I think I saved a lot of money with that thing. They also offer these cool looking skins called iDecal case, I think I’m gona try it out, it should give my iPhone 4 a great individual look.
Be sure to check them out these guys can be trusted.

Reply