Recently purchased a new phone? You may have stumbled upon a challenge with what to do in order to start using your new smartphone. Some new smartphones have begun to use a new, even smaller SIM card that will require you to get a new one. Learn more about getting a new SIM card.
SIM cards have been a ubiquitous piece of operating a phone for cell phone users from the very beginning. The SIM card stores the data that is necessary for your phone hardware to operate on your phone provider’s network. In the past couple of decades, SIM cards have been made smaller over the years, starting from the original full-size SIM card (the size of a credit card), to the Mini-SIM, Micro-SIM, and now Nano-SIM.
With the introduction and success following the release of Apple’s iPhone 5 in 2012, manufacturers have slowly adopted this even smaller SIM card format in order to make their hardware even smaller and slimmer. So in the case of having the newest smartphones available, users are starting to face having to acquire the requisite Nano-SIM. Luckily for customers of the big three telecom providers (China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom) in Beijing, getting a new SIM card is an easy affair.
The steps required are pretty straightforward, but require you to locate the right place. If you’re purchasing a new phone, service and phone number, almost any mobile phone retailer can help you out. However, if you need just a replacement SIM card with the same number, you will need to visit an official service provider store. These are less frequent, but are strategically located around town. Search using a Chinese app for (__ __ 营业厅), provided you insert the correct characters (移动China Mobile; 联通 China Unicom; 电信 China Telecom). If you’re unable to do this on your own or get help, you may luck out just by looking for the right store. You can tell you’re in the right place when you enter a store that advertises just one mobile service provider and resembles a bank more than a retailer. Here, you’ll discover that you will need to take a number and queue for assistance. They may have devices on display, but their main focus is on service.
When you are at the right store, communicate with whomever is assisting you that you want a new SIM card while retaining the same phone number. You may need to show your ID, but what’s most important is that you explain your situation. If you have an existing SIM card that needs to be cut down, you may have it cut down or given a replacement for free. If you don’t have an existing SIM card, you may need to provide proof that you are the legitimate owner. That will require your ID and possibly three phone numbers that you’ve dialed in the past six months, if you don't know your account password (most likely scenario). Best of all, this service and new SIM card is complimentary for customers. Congratulations and a pat on the back are in order if you’ve made it this far and succeeded!
