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Level 3

923 points

No sim card removal tool?

I got my IP 4 this afternoon and so far, I think it's a great improvement over the previous 3G S. Absolutely no trouble with phone, wifi or 3G.

I realize the phone doesn't use a standard sim card. However, wondering why there was no sim card removal tool like the one that came with the 3G and the 3G S. I suppose a paper clip will do the job if push came to shove.

MB Pro 15, Mac OS X (10.6), 21.5 iMac-IT 8GB-IP 3Gs 32GB-Nano 16GB

Posted on Jun 25, 2010 9:53 PM

36 replies

Jun 27, 2010 4:04 AM in response to Nesto_1

There really is no difference between the SIM removal tool and a paper clip.
The SIM removal tool gives you no more protection that the paperclip.
It is simply a thin bit of metal that presses against a release in the hole on the phone.
You are not fishing around.

Jul 4, 2010 12:49 AM in response to Ian Parkinson

I just bought an iPhone 3GS here in Canada, and I can verify that the SIM removal tool is definitely included in the box. It will be easy to miss, but it's attached to the black packing material.

Dariosa

Level 1

4 points

Nov 22, 2011 3:11 AM in response to Macaby

I have had a 4S from the UK (via emag), and it came with a SIM Removal Tool (carved from a slate of stainless steel) an iPad 3G from Belgium, which had one made out of a string of metal (much like a paper clip, only a bit sturdier) and now (after exachanging it at emag for a different model) have received a US model (unlocked, but w/ a AT&T SIM Card in it) with NO SIM Removal Tool. Hope this clears thing up > Europe has them, US seems not to.

Ami007

Level 1

0 points

Jan 8, 2012 10:20 AM in response to Macaby

I think the reason why the UK iPhone 4 came with a SIM removal tool is because the US version is carrier locked while the UK iPhone is unlocked. So it makes more sense then cause if you get the iPhone and SIM seperate in the UK it makes it easier if it comes with the tool.

jpv190

Level 1

5 points

Feb 16, 2013 3:49 PM in response to Ami007

THAT'S TRUE!!!

I went to Apple's Retail Store at Millenia Mall in Orlando, Fl and I told him "my iphone 4S never came with the sim removal tool" He asked me when I bought.. question that shouldn't matter.. I told him 4-5 months ago.. And then he said: "Yeah... some phones came w/o the sim removal tool" THAT WAS AN IPHONE EMPLOYEE CONFIRMS THAT IPHONE 4S does come with sim removal tool anymore...

Then I said: "But I need it to becuase I am going to London and I want to use my phone with another carrier's sim card" then he said "We don't sell the Removal Simcard tool". So now I am like..

Then I go to the Sprint CORPORATE store, the one next by that mall.. I tell same exact story to the representative.. She replies the same thing: "Some iPhone 4S came w/o the removal tool.. but u can use a push pin to open it..." And then she moves on with the next costumer.. I am like.. "Thanks m'am for nor solving my issue and having the least interest in solving it"

To this day I HAVE NOT been able to open the Simcard slot with a pin. I need that tool asap and I cannot get it! That really has me mad with both sprint and apple for joining up and selling devices w/o the simcard slot removal tool

Thanks apple and sprint for selling something I can not use it its entirety...

Feb 24, 2013 8:13 PM in response to jpv190

Unfortunatly, there is no SIM card on the Sprint iPhone 4s that is pre-loaded.

Sprint and Verizon uses a CDMA network, which does not use a sim card, but it is programmed in directly into the phone. While there is a SIM card slot on the iPhone 4s, (since it is a world phone), you may not be able to use it, since the device is carrier locked.

However, if you have good account standing, you can call Sprint, and they may be able to temporarily unlock your phone if you plan to use it overseas for vacation. My friend had similar situation with Verizon iPhone 4s, but since his account was in good standing, they unlocked his phone for two weeks while he was on holiday in UK.

(please do not attempt the Unlock method using various tool online, since it is now illegal under DMCA, and you could risk some prision time)

As for a sim card, the pin needle has to be specific size. If it's a very small pin needle, it's not going to work. It needs to be a pin needle similar to one used to thread strings in quilting. Yes, I had similar issues when trying to open my iPhone 4 SIM card after I had it unlocked by at&t so I can swap it with new at&t sim card under different account. (and boy, it was frustrating, until I decided to use my mum's thread needle). If you are willing to spend some money, try eBay for SIM card ejection tool. (Google works too)

No sim card removal tool?