SIM Card

Want a second carrier for your iPhone that won’t break the bank? Try Visible by Verizon Wireless

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 4, 2021

It wasn’t long ago that I shared my personal experience with using the Google Fi cellular service as a secondary carrier on my iPhone. But my curiosity pertaining to a dual carrier setup on my iPhone led to me to research several other Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), and you can probably take a few accurate guesses as to where that rabbit hole took me.

Upon being blown away by Google Fi’s cellular reception and data speeds, I decided to drop AT&T as my primary carrier and switch over to T-Mobile. To those asking why – the T-Mobile network powers Google Fi in my region, and the un-carrier provided an enticing offer after announcing its new truly unlimited Magenta MAX plan earlier this year for a fraction of what I was paying AT&T.

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How to enable or disable SIM PIN on iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated December 23, 2025
Unlock Your SIMs on iPhone

Learn how to increase the security of your iPhone’s physical SIM or eSIM by adding a numeric PIN.

We’ll also show you what to do if you don’t know the default SIM PIN or have exhausted the limit, which now requires you to enter a PUK code.

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5 alternatives to a SIM eject tool for easy SIM removal

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated July 25, 2022

SIM eject tools are useful for getting SIM cards out of iPhones and iPads, and honestly, I would recommend everyone who owns one of these devices carry at least one of them at all times, whether in your wallet or on a key ring.

Of course, there are always those times when you're out and about and don't have a SIM eject tool with you when you really need one. So what alternatives can you use instead?

In this piece, we'll talk about five alternatives to a SIM eject tool you can use to get the SIM card out of your iPhone, iPad, or Android phone.

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Tim Cook reaffirms Apple has no desire to become a MVNO carrier

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 24, 2016

Apple CEO Tim Cook was interviewed at Startup Fest Europe in Amsterdam today by retired European Commissioner for Digital Agenda, Nellie Kroes.

Asked if Apple would consider launching its own telecommunications service to cut off carriers, Cook responded by ruling out an Apple MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator).

Cook said his company lacks the expertise to do so and reiterated that Apple is in fact quite content with the things carriers do.

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SIM-free iPhone 6s now available in Apple’s web store

Cody Lee ∙ October 8, 2015

Heads up to those of you who have been waiting for SIM-free iPhone 6s and 6s Plus handsets. As noted by MacRumors, Apple on Thursday night began offering SIM-free models of its latest smartphones via its web store.

While you could previously buy the iPhone 6s at full retail, they have, until now, included carrier-specific SIM cards. These new models, as the name suggests, do not include any kind of SIM card, meaning they are unlocked.

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Apple working with cell providers on eSIM

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 16, 2017

The wireless industry's biggest fear—that mobile customers could one day switch service on a whim without changing their SIM card—is coming true. Following years of opposition to technologies that would allow people to easily change carrier on the fly, the likes of Apple, Samsung and others are now working with the mobile standards organization GSMA on electronic SIM cards for consumer devices.

The Financial Times newspaper reported Thursday that Apple and Samsung are “in advanced talks” with mobile telecom groups on a standardized embedded SIM card for consumer devices, the so-called e-SIM.

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