To connect your device to a mobile network, you need to insert a SIM card. If no card is installed, you’ll see a message that says “No SIM card.”
How to get a SIM card
If you don’t have a SIM card for your device, contact your mobile service provider. In addition to providing you a SIM card, they should activate your SIM card so that you can start using it right away. To find out what kind of SIM card you need, see the directions for your device below.
Install a SIM card
IMPORTANT: Be careful not to bend or scratch the SIM card and avoid exposing it to static electricity, water, or dirt. Keep SIM cards out of the reach of small children.
Choose your device below for directions:
Phones
SIM card type
The Nexus 5X uses a nano SIM card.
- Sprint users: Sprint SIM cards for most previous phones won't work with Nexus 5X. You'll need a new SIM card from Sprint.
- Verizon customers: If you have a Verizon nano SIM card and are having problems activating it, try turning your phone off and then back on. If that doesn't work, call Verizon Customer Care at 800-922-0204 or see the Verizon help site. You'll need your IMEI number, which you can find at Settings > About phone > Status > IMEI information.
SIM card tray location
The SIM card tray is on the top left side of the phone. The eject button is inside the small hole on the right side of the tray door.
Directions
- Turn off your phone and find the small hole for the SIM card tray. Insert the SIM ejection tool that comes with the phone into the hole.
- Push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the nano SIM card inside it.
- Carefully reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the phone.
- Turn on your phone. You may need to restart your phone in order to start getting cell service.
SIM card type
The Nexus 6P uses a nano SIM card.
- Sprint users: Sprint SIM cards for most previous phones won't work with Nexus 6P. You'll need a new SIM card from Sprint.
- Verizon customers: If you have a Verizon nano SIM card and are having problems activating it, try turning your phone off and then back on. If that doesn't work, call Verizon Customer Care at 800-922-0204 or see the Verizon help site. You'll need your IMEI number, which you can find at Settings > About phone > Status > IMEI information.
SIM card tray location
The SIM card tray is on the top left side of the phone. The eject button is inside the small hole on the right side of the tray door.
Directions
- Turn off your phone and find the small hole for the SIM card tray. Insert the SIM ejection tool that comes with the phone into the hole.
- Push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the nano SIM card inside it.
- Carefully reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the phone.
- Turn on your phone. You may need to restart your phone in order to start getting cell service.
SIM card type
The Nexus 6 uses a nano SIM card.
SIM card tray location
The SIM card tray is located on the top of the phone next to the headset jack. The eject button is inside the small hole on the right side of the tray door.
Directions
- Insert the SIM ejection tool that comes with the phone into the hole.
- Push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the nano SIM card inside it.
- Carefully reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the phone.
You may need to restart your phone in order to start getting cell service.
To install a micro SIM card:
- Look for the SIM card tray, which is located on the right side of the phone below the Power button. Insert the SIM ejection tool (that comes with the phone) into the eject button, which is the small hole just below the tray door.
- Push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the micro SIM card inside it, matching the angled side of the card with the tray.
- Carefully push the tray back into the phone.
If your phone is on, you’ll have to restart it to connect to the mobile network.
The SIM card tray is located on the left side of the phone below the volume button. The eject button is a small hole just above the tray door.
To install a micro SIM card:
- Insert the SIM ejection tool that comes with the phone (or a thin pin) into the hole, and push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the micro SIM card inside it, with the contacts out and the angled corner to the right.
- Carefully reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the phone.
Note that the phone may need to be restarted in order to acquire network signal correctly.
Tablets
Before you start using your tablet, you may need to insert a nano SIM card. Only Nexus 9 LTE tablets can accept a nano SIM card. Wi-Fi versions of the tablet can't.
The nano SIM card tray is located on the left side of the tablet. The eject button is inside the small hole next to the tray door.
To install a SIM card follow these steps:
- Insert the SIM ejection tool that comes with the tablet into the hole.
- Push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the nano SIM card inside it.
- Carefully reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the tablet.
You may need to restart your tablet in order to start getting cell service.
Only Nexus 7 (2013) LTE can accept a SIM card. Wi-Fi versions of the tablet can't..
Insert SIM card
- Turn your tablet off and place it on a flat surface with the screen facing up, with the camera at the top and the Power button on the right.
- Tilt the right side slightly and locate the SIM card tray near the bottom and the small hole in the tray door.
- Insert the SIM ejection tool that comes with the tablet (or a paperclip) into the hole in the tray door, and push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the micro SIM card inside it, with the angle corner fitting snugly into the angled corner of the tray.
- Reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the tablet.
Activate SIM card
- Open the Settings app
(Devices using Android 4.3 or lower have a different Settings
icon) and turn off Wi-Fi after completing the set-up instructions. Once Wi-Fi is off, you'll see a notification at the top of your screen.
- Swipe down the notification shade and touch the notification.
- Follow the activation instructions provided by your carrier.
icon) and turn off Wi-Fi after completing the set-up instructions. Once Wi-Fi is off, you'll see a notification at the top of your screen.Only Nexus 7 with mobile data can accept a SIM card. Wi-Fi versions of the tablet can't.
Insert SIM card
- Turn your tablet off and place it on a flat surface with the screen facing down.
- Locate the SIM card tray on the right side of your tablet, and find the hole on the tray door. Caution: Avoid the microphone hole that is located slightly above the tray.
- Insert the tool that comes with the tablet (or a paperclip) into the hole on the tray, and push firmly but gently until the tray pops out.
- Remove the tray and place the micro SIM card inside it, with the angled corner to the left.
- Carefully reposition the tray in the slot and push it gently back into the tablet.
Activate SIM card
- Turn off Wi-Fi after completing the set-up instructions. Once Wi-Fi is off, you'll see a notification at the top of your screen.
- Swipe down the notification shade and touch the notification.
- Follow the activation instructions provided by your carrier.
Keep track of your IMEI number
If you contact customer service, you may need to share your phone’s IMEI identification number.
Your phone’s IMEI identification number is located on the SIM card tray and the box your phone comes in. Write the IMEI number down in your Quick Start Guide or take a photo of the number.
