What to Do with an Old SIM Card?

Whether you're considering replacing your old SIM card or if it stopped working, it is important to dispose of it correctly. You might face several woes if you dispose of it carelessly. 

Since your SIM card contains private and confidential information, such as important data or banking information, disposing of it should be taken seriously. Wondering how to do that? Let's dive into it.  

How Does a SIM Card Function?

A subscriber identification module (SIM) card is a small chip that manages your phone's cellular data. Without a SIM card, you can't tap into a mobile network or use your phone for communication. 

Although there are alternatives for SIM cards, they still aren't as efficient.

The information on your SIM card applies to you alone. No one else has access to it unless you allow it. The SIM has a serial number, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and the key authenticating the IMSI. It also has a personal identification number (PIN) for day-to-day use.

So, if you're disposing of your SIM, you have to do it correctly. Here's what to do:

Keep It as a Backup

You probably have hundreds of contacts saved in your old SIM card. Even though you may not need all of them, it's still a good idea to hold onto them just in case something comes up.

Plus, it would be such a hassle saving contacts in your new SIM and constantly telling people you switched numbers. So, hold onto your old SIM card to eliminate the possibility of missing out on beneficial opportunities.

You can even use your old SIM card to avoid giving your new number to specific people.

Erase Your Personal Information

If you don't want to hang onto your old SIM card, remove the data before getting rid of it.

Delete everything on your SIM using the option available on your phone, factory reset it, or cut up the gold part on the back of your SIM and throw it away to make it unusable.

However, since throwing away SIM cards like that is an environmental hazard, try contacting a SIM card recycling company to dispose of your SIM properly. Another option is putting your SIM in salt water and leaving it there until the gold part dissolves.

Can I Use My Old SIM on My New Phone?

Yes, you can easily shift your old SIM from your old phone to your new one. It's a simple process. 

In fact, it's always a good idea to use your old SIM card on your new phone. That way, you won't have to deal with adding your contact numbers to your new SIM and save a lot of time.

Final Thoughts 

You can destroy, recycle, or keep your old SIM as a backup. But if you aren't keeping it, erase the data from your old SIM and ask a SIM disposal company to dispose of it correctly.

Thanks for visiting our blog, are you planning to travel to Europe? Check out our range Europe SIM cards before you take off.

Before you take off make sure to check with local government of the travel status.