How to cut the micro-SIM into a nano-SIM

Since the iPhone 5 is already out in the gray market, we managed to get a nano-SIM from a Globe Store a couple of days ago. They sell it for Php40USD 0.68INR 58EUR 0.65CNY 5 for prepaid or you can get a free replacement SIM if you’re on postpaid. Smart still doesn’t sell any nano-SIM so we had to cut a micro-SIM to be able to try it on the iPhone 5.

So we bought a SmartBro micro-SIM for Php150USD 3INR 217EUR 2CNY 19 and tried to cut it down into the nano-SIM size.

We got this toolkit (originally a manicure kit) as a token from one of the previous Sony events we attended (which finally found its worth as a SIM cutter).

From the kit, what we needed was just the nail cutter, the nipper and the filer.

Since there isn’t any actual template we can use to make the markings, what we did was just snip off all of the plastic portions of the micro-SIM, leaving just the gold-metal surface exposed.

You can switch between the nail cutter and the nipper when cutting out the plastic portion of the SIM. Just be careful not to damage the metallic part.

If the edges of the cut-out is still rough, use the nail filer. You can rub the filer against the rough edges to make it more even and smoother. Don’t worry about hitting the metal strip a bit since it won’t really damage it.

That’s it. The final remaining SIM will actually be a little smaller than the actual nano-SIM. However, once you place it on the cradle, the metallic touch points will still fit just right and the iPhone 5 will now be able to detect the SIM card.

This should work just fine if you have a Smart postpaid account and they can’t sell you a nano-SIM yet. The cut-out SIM still works on some smartphones that uses SIM trays since all you need to do is adjust the metallic surface to the 4 connectors on the tray.