How generic are mobile phone sim cards?

[Chris S]

The charger for my 12 year old Nokia 1101 has broken. Rather than replace it I was thinking of just getting another phone.

I don't want to change my number so could I just take my sim card out of my old phone and put it any other 3G one?

 

[Lonestar]

I remember what happened to my sim...I micro simmed it but it wasn't compatible to be micro simmed.It was a very old sim...So o2 sent me a new micro sim after I contacted them...Theres some number on the sim that you have to quote that I didn't have at the time but I still got round it...

Then again your sim may work fine anyway.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Sim card size has likely changed. But you can cut them down to fit with a pair of scissors, and another card as a template.

 

[jefmcg]

Go into a shop for your network and get a new sim. Most do it for free (t mobile used to charge) it will be working with your old number in minutes

 

[marinyork]

On the any other phone aspect of that question, you may find for example that some old smart phone given to you 2nd hand the sim and phone MAY NOT work together. Quite a few phones are locked to networks, although they can be unlocked.

 

[marinyork]

If you post what phone make and model you are likely to put it in we can tell you straight away whether its likely to work or not.

 

[marinyork]

But as jefmcg advises I would go into a shop. They can sort it all out quickly.

New sim comes with advantages too such as more contacts.

When I was given a new sim in 2015 (again) I was given a nano, with a sim bracket to fit into mini, both of which had a bracket to fit into mini sim (what most people called full size). So I can go with whatever sizes.

 

[mybike]

If you're on a contract you're probably due for an upgrade.

 

[classic33]

But as jefmcg advises I would go into a shop. They can sort it all out quickly.

New sim comes with advantages too such as more contacts.

When I was given a new sim in 2015 (again) I was given a nano, with a sim bracket to fit into mini, both of which had a bracket to fit into mini sim (what most people called full size). So I can go with whatever sizes.

There's Micro as well these days. Very few left taking a Standard size let alone a full size SIM card.

 

[bozmandb9]

For anybody who's not aware, if you're on a monthly contract, and haven't taken an upgrade, you're throwing money away.

Most contracts include a figure which is basically financing your 'free upgrade' every year or so. If you don't want an upgrade, ask to be put onto a sim only contract, this means you are not tied in, and should reduce your line rental by £10 per month or thereabout. The exception to this could be if you haggle hard every year when your contract comes up.

My other tip, having worked in the industry, is that when your contract is up for renewal, request your pac code, stating that you wish to leave to go to another network. It helps if you've looked up a competitors deal which is cheaper.

Regardless of whether or not you would wish to change network, requesting your pac code indicates to your current provider that you are seriously considering leaving, you then get a telephone call from their retention teams, who are empowered to give you much better terms than the renewal teams. Sadly very few corporations reward 'loyalty' nowadays, unless your force them to!

 

[oldwheels]

There are 3 main sizes of SIM cards. The larger size you have fits older style phones. You know for making and receiving phone calls and texts? You can still get those phones new if that is all you need and they have the advantage of long battery life. More modern ones which do everything including making your breakfast use the smaller sizes. Getting a new sim is easy and you can get them by post but as said earlier make sure the new phone you get is not locked to a network. Unlocked to any network I think is the magic phrase.
I just changed my phone and sim which was a considerable faff as I had to go to a Vodaphone shop twice which for me is effectively a 3 day trip each time. AAaargh.

 

[jefmcg]

What will the OP need to do if he needs/wants to move his contacts from his old sim/phone to his new one?

(I've been syncing my contacts to my desktop and then to my gmail account since 2003 so have no idea how to do this)

 

[ufkacbln]

What will the OP need to do if he needs/wants to move his contacts from his old sim/phone to his new one?

(I've been syncing my contacts to my desktop and then to my gmail account since 2003 so have no idea how to do this)

IIRC if you save the contacts to the SIM then transfer is automatic

One of the reasons I like Apple

Back up phone
Restore new phone using old phone profile
Absolutely everything is transferred

 

[jefmcg]

IIRC if you save the contacts to the SIM then transfer is automatic

One of the reasons I like Apple

Back up phone
Restore new phone using old phone profile
Absolutely everything is transferred

Yes, they all do that these days. But if he last bought a phone in 2004, apple was not an option. While it is perfectly possible to do a bluetooth sync of contacts between a phone produced in 2004 and a computer and thence to the cloud, however I'm guessing someone who only changes phones every 12 years probably doesn't do this.

@Chris S if you need to save contacts, I'd take the old and new phone into the shop, and see if the staff can help you. So better do it before your old phone goes flat

 

[midlife]

Chop up your old Sim for the new phone, if it works it works. If not visit the shop. Use Google to see how to copy your contacts to the sim.

I've chopped and slimmed down loads as the family have changed phones, even bought a cheap press that does it for you lol

Shaun