Cutting Standard Size Sim to Nano Size: Possible with Larger Gold Contacts Area than Usual?

DeafMutePretender on 10/04/2016 - 20:06
Last edited 10/04/2016 - 20:13

I bought the 1GB Telstra standard size sim from here a few weeks ago.

I've cut many standard size sims to micro/nano size before. I just use scissors and use past sims as a template. Nano-size sims have a tiny border of plastic but if I cut the 1GB Telstra one, I would have to cut through a bit of the gold contacts. It is possible to do so? The gold part of this Telstra one is the same height but a bit wider (the two long edges are a bit longer), so a tiny bit of the sides have to come off if I go through with this.

There might be two problems:

  • Is any data stored on the outside edges of the gold part? Apparently, the actual chip where the important stuff is, is smaller than the gold size.
  • Will it short out the phone (sim slot is a side spring-loaded one)?

Anyone can speak from experience? If it's too risky, then I'll give it up.

Mobile

Comments

  • nocure on 10/04/2016 - 20:20

    Yes too risky..go too Telstra and swap it for the correct size.

    • DeafMutePretender on 10/04/2016 - 22:38

      I bought the sim from a third party (PhoneBot). Would the Telstra shop accept an exchange?

      • nocure on 10/04/2016 - 22:38

        Worth a try

        • DeafMutePretender on 10/04/2016 - 22:40

          If they don't, then I'll nano-ize the sim with my scissors right then and there!

          (serious)

          Since it won't damage the phone says the person below

  • the-mal on 10/04/2016 - 21:13
    +1

    The gold part is just the contact area, the actual SIM chip is much smaller than the contact area.

    It's fine to cut off a portion of the gold contacts if you need to to fit the nano template. It's quite common.

    Worst case you wreck it and need to go get a new SIM, no big deal. If you're careful it should be fine though.

    And no, it won't short or damage the phone, if you wreck the SIM it just won't be recognised.

    • DeafMutePretender on 10/04/2016 - 22:41

      Just curious where the chip is? In the middle of the oval shape?

      • the-mal on 11/04/2016 - 03:20
        +1

        It's in the centre.

        Here's an x ray to give you an idea.

        You'll notice there are wires running from each of the contact plates to the chip. Cut one of them and the SIM won't work, that's why it's always a little bit of a gamble. But you have a fair bit of safe room to cut. If you cut to a nano template and are careful it will be fine.

  • Danam on 10/04/2016 - 21:25

    I took my standard sim down to micro a couple of years ago; and then again down to nano recently. I found I didn't actually take any gold off - just trimmed right up to it. Just keep checking with the sim holder. The bigger problem is that the nano is actually thinner. To slide back in the phone, it is necessary to rub it on sandpaper until the plastic is just off transparent to the gold backing. Keep track of which direction it goes. My Frankenstein sim has been working fine for a few months now.

    It's a to-do and I know of people who failed. And if Telecom will give you one for free its a no-brainier. If its not worth that - YouTubes will show you the way.

    • DeafMutePretender on 10/04/2016 - 22:42

      I found I didn't actually take any gold off

      Cutting a bit of the gold is unavoidable for my one I'm afraid.

      The bigger problem is that the nano is actually thinner. To slide back in the phone, it is necessary to rub it on sandpaper until the plastic is just off transparent to the gold backing.

      That's new to me. I'm comparing my old and new sim and they look the same thinness to me.

  • Aniseed Steed on 10/04/2016 - 21:34
    +1

    You can use this printable SIM cutting guide.

  • xoom on 10/04/2016 - 22:31

    Have gone to telstra to get a microsim. Just give them the number of the old sim and they replace it free of charge. Come to think of it did the same with virgin when i changed phones.

    Cant see why they cannot do it for free.

    • DeafMutePretender on 10/04/2016 - 22:45

      Did they ask for things like receipts or they just gave you a new one, no questions asked?

      • xoom on 10/04/2016 - 22:56

        They just checked the name of the sim card. In my case the first sim was my sisters. From a 3G usb stick. I wanted to use the sim on a tablet.

        No receipts asked.

        For the virgin sim. They checked the number and ID. Thats it.

        • elusive on 11/04/2016 - 03:15

          Will they replace on the spot in-store, or do you have to wait for delivery?

        • xoom on 15/04/2016 - 21:40
          +1

          @elusive:

          They pulled a sim out of those $2 sim packs. Noted down the sims detail. Handed it to me and told me it will be useable in 15 to 20 minutes.. or was it 30 minutes. Cant remember.

        • elusive on 16/04/2016 - 15:37

          @xoom: Ah, that sounds good. Thanks!

  • dcuksuop on 11/04/2016 - 01:16

    I've cut two, thru the gold too. One works fine, the other occasionally flakes out. Just try it.

  • hikaru78 on 11/04/2016 - 07:35

    Register it first and then ask for a sim replacement at the Telstra store. Should take 2 mins

  • DeafMutePretender on 11/04/2016 - 22:18

    I asked for a replacement at the Telstra shop and the guy just used a sim cutter tool to cut it in 2 seconds. As expected, the sides of the gold contacts came off but both sim and phone are working fine. I think I'll get my future sims cut properly, it's safer than doing it myself.

    • xoom on 15/04/2016 - 21:41

      I never had a sim cut by either telstra or virgin. They just gave me another sim and activated that.

      Things might have changed recently however.

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