How to get sim card out of phone without tool

So you're in a pinch, and you need to swap out the SIM card or install a microSD in your Android device, but you can't find the nifty little ejector tool that came in the device's retail box. Fret not, however. You can eject the SIM tray with any number of things lying around the house. (If you've got a newer phone, you might be able to avoid this whole situation thanks to eSIMs.)

You'll need to locate the tray if you've never accessed it. If you have a case on your device, remove that. Now, check the edges of your device for a small oval-shaped or rectangular cutout. You'll see a pinhole inside the cutout. Make sure the hole is inside the cutout because there might be other holes like microphones nearby.

SIM ejector tools are typically small pieces of metal with a flat-ended pin sticking out. If you had one, the pinhole on the cutout is where you'd insert it, but since you probably can't find it, we'll have to seek out other means. This is an excellent time to note that you should avoid poking your device with sharp, pointed implements like safety pins, thumbtacks, sewing needles, or toothpicks, which can puncture the battery, destroy waterproofing seals, or short sensitive electronics. There is a safer way that doesn't involve sharp objects.

How to eject the SIM card tray without the removal tool

Paperclip

Probably the next most common thing, if you happen to work in an office. Not the fat plastic-coated paperclips, but pretty much any small metal paper clip will get your SIM tray ejected. And when you're done, you can use it to attach various bits of paper together.

Needle

If you repair socks and pants as much as I do (you don't want to know), then you'll have a needle floating around the house somewhere. Just use the not-pointy end in the SIM eject hole and press down on the edge of a table. I'd advise you not to try this using your hand. But desperate times call for desperate measures!

Thumbtack/staple

Another ubiquitous object that you may find in most homes and offices is the humble little thumbtack. There are many shapes and sizes, but pretty much all of them are capable of opening your SIM tray. If you're thinking outside the box, then you've probably realized that you could also use a staple.

Safety Pin

A safety pin is something that is very ubiquitous and found in nearly every household. Thanks to its sharp, pointed edge, it makes for a great sim tool. The fact that its design allows for more force to be (safely) exerted makes me think the safety pin is a better sim ejector tool than needles.

Toothpicks

Now, this is an option that can be used as a last resort if none of the objects above are at your disposal. But you'd be already aware that most toothpicks aren't thin enough to be inserted into the tiny SIM hole. To get around this, you might be required to whittle away some buts towards the bottom using a knife.

Once again, if none of these things is an option, just look for any pointy thing you have lying around - and if you still failed in your mission, it's time to get to a store for a solution.

Go to a store and ask nicely

If you are ever out and about and need to pull out your SIM card tray, as I have been in the past, one of the quickest ways to solve the problem is to pop into a nearby store. Of course, if you are in the middle of the woods, you are in trouble, but if you are in an urban area with a large shopping mall or high-street phone carrier store, you needn't worry.

The last time I went into a cell phone store to ask them to open my SIM tray, the helpful employee was wearing a SIM tool around his neck and was more than happy to help me out for free.

What can I use instead of a SIM eject tool?

How can I open my iPhone SIM card without the tool?