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Mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives a long time ago. We can do without a lot of things. But we will never forget to charge our smartphones before going to bed. They are useful for completing many tasks: chatting with friends and family, buying goods, watching movies, and others. The main purpose of a mobile phone is making calls though, which wouldn’t be possible without such a thing as a SIM card. Below we will give an answer to the question of whether can SIM card go bad or not and also explain reasons why this situation can happen.
How Long Does a SIM Card Last?
This is one of the most common questions among smartphone users. On average, SIM cards work for four to five years. Sometimes it happens that the card stays active even after 5 years from the moment of its activation. This directly depends on the cellular carrier that issued it. So, if a SIM card is many years old but still works, there is not much sense in changing it.
However, often, if it is a physical module and not an electronic SIM, its contacts can wear out and weaken. This inevitably leads to a deterioration in the quality of communication. In this case, it needs to be replaced. Here are also other situations when it is worth replacing a bad SIM card:
- Cell connection has become worse. In such cases, the signal deteriorates, the connection and network go down, and the speed of the internet connection drops.
- Mobile phone battery drain faster. The difference becomes especially noticeable when switching between 2G, 3G, and 4G.
- The storage limit for phone contacts has been exhausted. This is more relevant for older versions of SIM cards as they have a smaller memory capacity.
- There is no support for modern communication standards. For example, a smartphone supports only 4G while a SIM card is 3G.
- Physical wear and tear of the SIM card memory cells. Such an occurrence inevitably leads to data loss.
SIM module is very similar to a smartphone or computer hard drive. It also has memory and stores data that comes to it. Most often it takes 10-15 years to fail due to wear and tear. Because of this, experts recommend changing modules for preventive purposes once every five years.
Why Can SIM Card Go Bad?
The best way to understand why a mobile phone doesn’t read a SIM card is to contact a specialist. But this is not mandatory. You can figure it out by yourself and decide whether there is an issue with a smartphone, problems with OC settings, or obsolescence of the cell module. The most popular reasons why a SIM card doesn’t work are technical problems with hardware and technical (on the cellular provider part) or physical (broken) damage SIM card.
This is very easy to check what exactly caused the issue. Just try to insert another registered SIM card into the mobile slot and if it catches a mobile signal, then there is nothing wrong with the device. In this case, it is about a mobile carrier, which is easily solved by contacting them. Otherwise, if the mobile phone doesn’t read any inserted SIM card, then it should be checked by a specialist in the service center because something is wrong with it.
Most Popular Reasons Why SIM Cards Go Bad
There could be different reasons for this situation. Some of them are more obvious, others are less. Below we will explain the four most popular reasons why this happens:
- Inactivity for a long time. This is the most common case. Cellular carriers can disable SIM cards remotely and transfer phone numbers to other customers. It is also important to note that SIM cards have a limited activation period. If they are not registered during a certain period after purchase, they get blocked.
- Physical damage. It can happen due to rough mechanical actions or regular removal and insertion into a mobile phone. You are also better not to trim SIM cards to mini or micro by yourself, especially since specialists do it for free in mobile device stores.
- No activation. Every SIM card should be activated before use. This can be done by sending USSD or contacting the service support of the cellular carrier.
- Contacts wear. If contacts are poorly recognized, the module should be replaced with a telecom provider.
Summing up the above, there are many various reasons why can SIM card go bad. If you notice any of the above signs, we recommend that you take care of troubleshooting in advance.
Physical SIM vs eSIM: Similarities and eSIM Pros
Physical SIM cards have been shrinking in size throughout their evolution and will probably disappear completely in the future. However, the current mobile market is more suited to physical modules. The main advantage of a physical card is that it works everywhere where is cellular communication. Unlike a classic SIM card, eSIM cannot be held in your hand as it is not made of plastic and is not inserted into the slot of the smartphone.
Related: “The difference between Nano SIM and eSIM: which is better?“
eSIM is the same card as its predecessor but physically soldered into the motherboard of the device. This is not just an encrypted hardware or subscription number. It is a mobile communication module like Bluetooth or NFC and comes with its own processor, memory space, tech controllers, and operating system. Since a card module is soldered into the stuffing of a mobile phone, it cannot be inserted incorrectly, lost somewhere, or damaged. There is no need to use a paper clip to open the slot inside the device. Moreover, the embedded chip is way more environmentally friendly than the physical module as created without plastic.
Unlike plastic cards, virtual ones allow you to rewrite information about your number and cellular provider as many times as necessary. For those who have smartphones with support for a single physical SIM card, a SIM card connection is an opportunity to bind, for example, personal and corporate numbers to the device. eSIM allows registration of several numbers with different tariffs like for unlimited internet, cheap calls in a particular country, and other benefits. Physical and electronic modules can work simultaneously, so, it won’t be a problem.
Summary
Switching to eSIM is a reasonable step for smartphone users. This chip perfectly replaces classic SIM modules, eliminating the need to worry about whether can SIM card go bad. It also allows stop manipulating mobile phones to change phone numbers. Besides, people can use one device for anything they do and anywhere they go simply by switching to the appropriate payment plan.
Considering the multiple benefits of new mobile communication formats, eSIM will gradually replace physical chips. Owners of new-generation smartphones have a chance to take one step ahead and do it right now. There won’t be such an issue as a bad SIM card anymore. Just apply for eSIM on the cellular operator’s website or in the cellular store.
