Adnan Arif

When I came to know that new IPhone 4G, IPhone HD and IPad will all not support the regular SIM Cards and they will be only MicroSIM compatible, I was very disappointed. It was good way to prevent or limit all the piracy or should I say all the jail break activities but on the other hand not so good strategy to promote all the development underway in app development market. But then I came across a very interesting read explaining how to convert normal SIM card into a MicroSIM Card.

Above is a picture of the SIM cards – as you can see, they vary a lot, but the only parts that matter to us are the contacts which are common to the MicroSIM and SIM.  Electronically, the SIM and MicroSIM are the same so we can cut the rest away and not worry (so long as we are careful).

To begin with, line up the three contact on the MicroSIM with the same ones on the SIM card.  You can just look for the 2 centre lines and make sure they are in line and that the top of the MicroSIM is straight. Then get your meat cleaver and press down gently to score a straight line.

Cut along the score line carefully.  Once you have done this, line the top of the SIM with the MicroSIM and you should see that the contacts are aligned.

Turn the SIM & MicroSIM round 180 degrees, line up the bottom and repeat with the meat cleaver, then cut along the score line once again.

The SIM should now be the same height as the MicroSIM – we are halfway there!

Line up the centre of the MicroSIM with the SIM so that we can be sure it will be aligned within the iPhone 4G/HD or iPad.

Repeat the process with the meat cleaver and scissors, then you should have a SIM which is almost the right size, save for the top edge and corner.

Once again, repeat the process with the meat cleaver and scissors, then you should have a SIM which is the same size apart from the corner.

Cut off the corner of the SIM card – you can just use the meat cleaver for this if it is nice & sharp.

Your SIM card is almost ready to go in to your iPhone 4G/HD or iPad.  As you can see, the AT&T MicroSIM has slightly rounded corners. Use your meat cleaver to take off the tiniest of amounts.  Remember, you can take more off, but you can’t put it back on.

Your SIM should now fit in your iPhone 4G/HD or iPad MicroSIM tray.

Gently insert it in to your iPhone 4G/HD or iPad 3G.

You should see your network indicator change to the network of your SIM card – well done!

Go in to Settings, Cellular Data

Then go in to APN and enter the access point.  If you are using Vodafone in the UK, the APN is internet.

Press the Home button on your iPhone 4G/HD or iPad, go in to Safari and browse away with your new iPhone 4G/HD or iPad 3G!

Enjoy IPhone 4G and IPad with your normal SIM Card.

Adnan Arif