Samsung Guide
How to Remove SIM Card from Samsung (2026) — Step-by-Step
Quick answer
Insert the ejector pin into the pinhole on the side of your Samsung. Press until the tray pops out. Pull the tray out, remove or swap the SIM card, then push the tray back in. Takes about 20 seconds.
If you lost your ejector pin, a straightened paperclip works perfectly. Keep reading for the exact location on each model and what to do if the tray is stuck.
What you need
SIM ejector pin — the small metal pin that came in your Samsung box. It looks like a tiny pin or toothpick made of metal. If you can't find it, use a straightened paperclip. Do not use a toothpick (it can snap inside the hole) or a needle (too thin and can damage the mechanism).
That's the only tool required. You do not need to remove the back cover or battery on any modern Samsung Galaxy — the SIM tray is accessible from the outside.
SIM tray location by Samsung model
The SIM tray is always marked by a small pinhole. Here's exactly where to find it:
| Model | SIM tray location | SIM type |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S23 / S23+ / S23 Ultra | Left side, upper third | Nano-SIM (+ eSIM support) |
| Galaxy S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra | Left side, upper third | Nano-SIM (+ eSIM support) |
| Galaxy S21 / S21+ / S21 Ultra | Left side, upper third | Nano-SIM (+ eSIM support) |
| Galaxy A56 | Left side, near the top | Nano-SIM × 2 (dual SIM tray) |
| Galaxy A12 | Left side, near the top | Nano-SIM × 2 + microSD combo tray |
| Galaxy A54 / A53 / A52 | Left side | Nano-SIM (+ eSIM on some regions) |
| Galaxy A34 / A33 / A32 | Left side | Nano-SIM × 2 |
Note on eSIM: Galaxy S21, S22, and S23 series sold in the US, UK, Canada, and Western Europe support eSIM alongside a physical SIM slot. If you're heading to Taiwan, you can use an eSIM for data and keep your home SIM card active for calls — no need to remove anything.
Step-by-step: how to remove the SIM card from Samsung
These steps work for every Samsung Galaxy released in the last 5 years, including the S series, A series, and Z Fold/Flip.
- Power off your phone (optional but recommended). Samsung doesn't require you to turn off the phone, but it's safer — especially if you're swapping SIM cards. Hot-swapping a SIM can occasionally cause the phone to not register the new card until a restart.
- Hold the phone face-up in your hand. Look at the left side of the device. You'll see a small rectangular slot with a tiny pinhole next to it, or integrated into the tray.
- Insert the ejector pin straight into the pinhole. The hole is about 0.8 mm in diameter. Push the pin in straight — not at an angle. You'll feel a small spring resistance and then a click.
- Pull the tray out gently. The tray will pop out by about 2–3 mm automatically. Grip it with your thumb and forefinger and slide it out completely.
- Remove the SIM card from the tray. The SIM card sits in a shaped slot in the tray. It should lift out easily with a fingernail. Note the orientation — the notched corner of the SIM aligns with the notch in the tray.
- Insert your new SIM card if needed. Place it in the tray with the gold contacts facing down (toward the back of the phone). Make sure the notched corner aligns.
- Slide the tray back in. Reinsert the tray in the same orientation it came out. Push it flush until you feel it click into place. Do not force it — if it resists, check you haven't inserted it upside down.
- Power the phone back on. Your Samsung should detect the SIM card within 30 seconds and register to the network.
How to remove the SIM card without an ejector pin
Lost the pin? A straightened paperclip is the best alternative. Here's how to do it safely:
- Take a standard metal paperclip and straighten one end fully.
- The straightened end should be about 3–4 cm long and as thin as the original pin.
- Insert the straightened end into the pinhole the same way you would with the official tool.
- Push firmly but gently until you feel the click.
What NOT to use: Toothpicks can snap inside the hole and are very difficult to remove. Needles and sewing pins are often too thin and may miss the release mechanism entirely. Mechanical pencil tips (0.5 mm) can work in a pinch but are fragile. Stick to a paperclip.
What to do if the SIM tray is stuck
If the tray popped out but won't slide out fully, or if it feels jammed:
- Don't force it. Forcing a stuck tray can bend the tray and damage the SIM card slot.
- Re-insert the pin and press again. Sometimes a second push helps the spring mechanism release fully.
- Try a different angle. If the hole is slightly recessed, try pressing the pin at a very slight downward angle rather than perfectly straight.
- Check for debris. Dust or lint in the slot can resist the tray. Blow gently into the slot to clear it.
- If the tray is completely stuck after all this, take it to a Samsung service centre — do not attempt to pry it out with a sharp tool.
Dual SIM tray: how to tell which slot is which
Many Samsung Galaxy A-series phones (like the A12 and A56) have a dual-SIM tray that holds two Nano-SIM cards, or one Nano-SIM + one microSD card. When you pull the tray out:
- Tray slot 1 (SIM 1): Closer to the phone body when inserted. This is typically your primary SIM.
- Tray slot 2 (SIM 2) or microSD slot: The outer slot. On hybrid trays, this slot accepts either a second SIM or a microSD — not both at the same time.
Hybrid vs. dual SIM tray: A dual SIM tray holds two physical SIM cards. A hybrid tray holds either a second SIM card or a microSD card, but not both simultaneously. The Galaxy A12 uses a hybrid tray. The Galaxy A56 uses a pure dual SIM tray (no microSD).
Samsung models that have eSIM instead of a SIM tray
A small number of Samsung phones sold in specific markets have no physical SIM tray at all. These are eSIM-only models:
- Galaxy S23 (US unlocked models from 2023 onwards)
- Galaxy Z Flip 5 / Z Fold 5 (US unlocked)
- Galaxy S24 series (US unlocked)
If your Samsung has no visible pinhole on any side, it may be an eSIM-only model. Check under Settings → Connections → SIM card manager. If you see "Download a SIM" rather than a physical SIM slot, your device is eSIM-only.
Travelling to Taiwan? eSIM-only Samsung models are actually better for international travel. You can add a Taiwan eSIM without touching any physical card. View Taiwan eSIM plans →
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't insert the tray upside down. The tray has a slight asymmetry — one side has a notch or chamfered edge that tells you the correct orientation. If you push it in upside down it will stop short and feel loose. Pull it back out, flip it, and try again. Never force it.
- Inserting the SIM card the wrong way. The gold contacts must face down (toward the phone's back). If you insert it face-up, the phone won't detect the SIM.
- Using the wrong SIM size. Modern Samsung Galaxy phones use Nano-SIM — the smallest standard size. Micro-SIM will not fit without an adapter, and a standard SIM is far too large.
- Pushing the pin in too fast. A slow, firm push is better. Jamming it in quickly can push the tray too hard and damage the spring mechanism.
- Forgetting to check the carrier lock. If you're swapping to a foreign SIM card, make sure your Samsung is unlocked. Check under Settings → Connections → More connection settings → Network unlock.
How to check if your Samsung supports eSIM
Before removing your SIM card to swap to a new carrier for travel, check if your Samsung supports eSIM — it might be easier to just add an eSIM and keep your existing SIM card untouched.
- Open Settings on your Samsung.
- Go to Connections → SIM card manager.
- If you see an option labelled "Add mobile plan" or "Download a SIM", your Samsung supports eSIM.
eSIM-compatible Samsung models include all Galaxy S21, S22, S23, S24 series (outside Korea and some Asian markets), Galaxy Z Fold and Flip series, and select A-series models in specific regions. Check the full eSIM compatibility list.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the SIM card slot on a Samsung Galaxy S23? +
On the left side of the phone, in the upper third. Look for a thin rectangular panel with a small pinhole next to it. On the S23 Ultra, it's a slim tray on the left edge, slightly below the power button.
My Samsung says "No SIM card" after reinserting — what do I do? +
First, remove the tray again and check the SIM card is seated correctly (gold contacts facing down, notch aligned). Restart the phone. If it still shows no SIM, try Settings → Connections → SIM card manager and see if the slot appears there. A clean cloth wipe on the gold contacts can also help.
Does Samsung Galaxy A12 have a removable SIM card? +
Yes. The Galaxy A12 has a physical SIM card tray on the left side. It uses a hybrid tray that holds two Nano-SIM cards or one Nano-SIM plus a microSD card. The ejector pinhole is on the same panel as the tray.
Can I remove the SIM card while the Samsung is on? +
Technically yes — Android is designed to handle hot SIM removal. In practice, some apps or network services may crash or need a restart after the swap. Powering off the phone first is the safer approach, especially when inserting a new SIM card for the first time.
I'm going to Taiwan — do I need to remove my SIM card? +
Not necessarily. If your Samsung supports eSIM (S21 and newer, in most markets), you can add a Taiwan eSIM while keeping your home SIM in the physical tray. You get data on the Taiwan network and your home SIM stays active for calls. Check our Taiwan eSIM plans starting from $5/day.
What size SIM card does Samsung Galaxy use? +
All Samsung Galaxy phones released since 2015 use Nano-SIM cards (4FF format) — the smallest standard physical SIM size, measuring 12.3 × 8.8 mm. This includes the entire S series (S21, S22, S23), A series (A12, A32, A52, A53, A54, A56), and Z series (Fold, Flip).
Travelling to Taiwan? Skip the SIM card swap.
If your Samsung supports eSIM (S21 or newer), add a Taiwan eSIM in seconds and keep your home SIM active. Instant delivery, plans from $5.
See Taiwan eSIM Plans →