- Apple: iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus, iPad Air 2, iPad Pro, iPad Mini 3 and Mini 4
- The Verizon version and only the Verizon version of the iPhone 5c and 5s, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2
- Google: Nexus 5, 6, 5x and 6p
- Motorola: Moto X Pure Edition, Moto G4 and G4 Plus
- Samsung: Galaxy S7 Special Edition and S7 Edge Special Edition
Any phone that can work on Sprint should also work on Sprint MVNOs like Ting or RingPlus.
The hardest part about using a non-Sprint phone on the Sprint network is figuring out which SIM card (also known as an ICCID card) to use. Unlike other operators which let you use any of that operator's SIMs that fit in your phone's SIM slot, Sprint has eight different SIM part numbers, each of which only works with specific phone models. The SIM problem isn't limited to non-Sprint phones either. Although the SIMs in Sprint phones are reusable and supposed to stay with the phone they came in, it's common to find Sprint phones on the used market that are missing their SIMs. Here's a table I sourced from Ting's website listing the eight Sprint SIMs and the Sprint and non-Sprint phones they work with:
| Size | Sprint Part Number | Supported phones |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | SIMGLW206R | Apple iPad Retina, BlackBerry Q10, HTC One M7, HTC One Max, LG G Flex, LG G2, Netgear Zing, Nexus 5 from Google Play, Samsung ATIV S Neo, Samsung Galaxy Mega |
| Micro | SIMGLT207R | HTC 8XT, HTC Desire 510, HTC Desire 601, Kyocera Hydro Vibe, Kyocera Torque, LG F7, LG Optimus F3, LG Volt, Netgear 341U, Netgear Mingle, Novatel MiFi 500 LTE, Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0", ZTE Max, ZTE Supreme, ZTE Vital, ZTE Warp 4G |
| Micro | SIMGLW216R | LG G3, LG Tribute |
| Micro | SIMGLW236C | LG G Flex2, LG G4, LG Tribute 2, LG Volt 2, Motorola Moto E LTE 2nd Gen, Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen (XT1548) |
| Micro | SIMOLW216R | Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, Samsung Galaxy Tab S, Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Core Prime |
| Nano | SIMGLW406R | Apple iPad mini, Apple iPhone 5, HTC One E8, HTC One M8, Moto X (1st Gen) |
| Nano | SIMGLW446C | HTC One M9, LG G5, LG Tribute 5, Motorola Moto X Pure (3rd Generation), Motorola Moto G (3rd Generation), Motorola Moto G4, Motorola Moto G4 Plus, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P |
| Nano | SIMOLW416C | Apple iPad Air, Apple iPad Air 2, Apple iPad mini (Retina), Apple iPad Pro, Apple iPhone 5c, Apple iPhone 5s, Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, Apple iPhone 6s, Apple iPhone 6s Plus, Apple iPhone SE, HTC 10, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S7 Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 |
It's not easy to buy Sprint SIMs either. Sprint doesn't sell them on line and Sprint store personnel often refuse to sell or give SIMs to anyone who isn't a Sprint customer. If you have an Apple device, try asking at an Apple Store which have been reported to hand out free Sprint SIMs for the asking. You can also find Sprint SIMs on eBay and the Amazon Marketplace, but the most reliable source seems to be Sprint MVNO Ting, which sells all eight Sprint SIMS for $9, plus shipping and taxes which bring the total cost up to about $15. The advantage of Ting is that they stock all eight SIMs and ship them quickly.
The good news is that the hassle and confusion around which Sprint SIM to use with which phone might eventually be resolved. About a month ago Sprint started listing a 3 in 1 Universal SIM card, part number SIMOLW506C, on their website priced at $2.99 with free shipping. According to Sprint, the Universal SIM works with the following devices; iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s (Verizon only), iPhone 5c (Verizon only), iPad Air 2, iPad Air (Verizon only), iPad Mini 4, iPad Mini 3, iPad Mini 2 (Verizon only), iPad Pro, Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, HTC One A9 (Sprint Version only), Motorola X Pure Edition, Samsung Galaxy S7 Special Edition, Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition, Moto G4, Moto G4 Plus. It's a mystery to me why a so-called "Universal" SIM is not truly universal but that's Sprint for you.
Sources: Ting, Sprint
Sprint just can't stop thinking of ways to alienate customers. Sprint has been just a bad dream for twenty years now.
ReplyDeleteI thought Sprint sims were not reusable, one paired with a phone they were married to that phone, more Sprint confusion...
ReplyDeleteSprint SIM Cards are instantly reusable. They are also not locked to prepaid or postpaid. A Sprint contract SIM card can be used on a Sprint prepaid service (unlike many other carriers).
Deletehttps://BestCellular.com/reusability/ shows SIM Card reusability for all (4) major carriers.
Sprint SIM cards are only reusable if they are compatible with a replacement phone.
Delete"There are currently (33) different types of Sprint SIM cards and most Sprint devices need a specific SIM card in order to activate. Sprint SIM Cards can not be cut to fit."
Verizon SIMs slide right into your new phone that takes the same size, and work without getting "permission," just like GSM SIMs.
There are actually (40) different Sprint SIM Cards in the Sprint SIM Matrix but (18) of them are "End of Life".
DeleteSprint is still caught in the "old" business model of wireless companies.
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent compilation of information thank you Dennis. It really does highlight the oddity of Sprint's reluctance to make customer portability easy.
ReplyDeleteI have boost mobile stores, I cant figure out for the life of me why sprint is lost in the 1990's. the world has grown up and sprint seems so stuck in the 1990's that it affects our boost stores, We dont even carry sim cards and we cannot even order them from sprint. Sprint tells boost stores to tells all customers to go to apple store and beg for sim cards. Even if they dont have an iphone. Apple stores has all sim cards. Which is complete non sense.
ReplyDeleteI have Boost Store too and I carried 3 of the most common sim cards(specially the one for iPhones, you should be able to order them from your Master or call Care and they can send you some.
DeleteWe are with the biggest master marseco and they have not been able to provide any sim cards for the last 3 months
DeleteWhat are talking about? Boost doors have access to sprint sims from your master agent.
DeleteMy Boost LG Volt came with a Sprint simcard
DeleteAs I said before, Sprint is the one company I would not try. So full of hassles.
ReplyDeleteYes Anonymous, I remember when you said it.
DeleteThank you anonymous I'm glad you are following every comment. Awesome memory!
DeleteIt was mentioned before that Sprint has (33) SIM Cards but we actually have (40) different Sprint SKU numbers that are all compatible with different devices.
DeleteAs a Sprint employee (inside Best Buy retail store), I've actually used this tool and it seems to have a lot more accurate info than the official Sprint UICC Matrix (Sprint QuickBase UICC tool) that corporate wants everyone to use.
This tool didn't have the iPhone X or the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 listed when I checked but it does have a LOT more devices listed than the official Sprint UICC Matrix.
It's made finding SIM Cards not quite as difficult but even I don't understand why a single SIM Card can't fit ALL Sprint phones.
The company with the crappiest coverage is the one with the most restrictions and most customer unfriendly policies.
ReplyDeleteGo figure!
DeleteSprint just wants to go out of business.
ReplyDeleteI mean, at this point, it's pretty clear that they're not even trying.
Oh they're trying alright; trying to totally and irreversibly bankrupt customer! Sprint is hopeless at this point and Son knows this. He really should just offload it onto T-Mobile somehow getting around the FCC and FTC. Would that be a network to compete with?
DeleteMaybe they're in the same business as French Lycamobile.
Deletehttp://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2016/06/lycamobile-executives-arrested-for.html
I can say from personal experience as a Sprint employee, we are activating a TON of new accounts. The Sprint network is within 2% of the coverage that Verizon offers. (Is that worth an extra $900 per year?)
Deletehttps://www.sprint.com/en/shop/offers/free-unlimited.html
Many people have extra money to burn but for those looking to save money on a great network, we're porting them in by the thousands!
Sprint postpaid + roaming on VZW network may give that coverage but Sprint native coverage is far far away from "within 2%". Sprint MVNO native only service was pretty useless for me.
DeleteMy wife and I are retired and have really enjoyed the free year of Sprint BYO Unlimited offer over the past 4 months. We travel often, including rural areas and have NEVER been without coverage. We have only used a couple of MB of limited roaming, since we have almost always been in native and (unlimited) Extended network areas, which are quite large now. Speeds are much improved from the last time I used Sprint a couple of years ago. People can sign up today and get a free yearxxxx 11 months (our taxes only cost $3.27/line).
DeleteThe Sprint haters won't even try Unlimited for free! That's too bad for them. Lots of new customers like us will be pleasantly surprised, which was Sprint's goal. Perceptions are hard to change. And posting OLD perceptions hurts, not helps people.
Your experience / coverage on Sprint postpaid is NOT reflective of what a Sprint native network only MVNO customer will experience. You were roaming and did not know it because many areas will be covered as native when you are on Sprint postpaid even though they are not on Sprint base network. Unless you were carrying a MVNO service phone next to your Sprint postpaid service you wouldn't realize it. I know because I tried, miserable coverage Sprint MVNO, usually "native" coverage on Sprint postpaid. In rural areas it was almost always Sprint MVNO that gave up before T-mo MVNO then Sprint postpaid, then T-mo postpaid (at&t roam). In the true boonies T-mo & Sprint MVNO was non existent, if Sprint T-mo postpaid existed it was roaming. At&t & VZW postpaid variable in the boonies but where I was VZW hung on in a few more places than At&t.
DeleteThis was all over the past 8 months, yes, for a while I was carrying/trying up to 8 phones/SIMs.
People don't have to settle for a MVNO with native-only coverage - it was dumb to do that if you needed rural coverage. Just look at the maps. People can use Ting or Twigby with no-cost roaming for TnT. Or they can use Virgin Inner Circle prepaid service and get Sprint postpaid coverage, including mobile data. You're wrong about Tmo with roaming being better coverage than Sprint with roaming. Ting recommends Sprint/Vzw/regional carriers over Tmo/AT&T/regional for people who need the best rural coverage.
DeleteIf you want to save money you need to check out MVNO coverage. That is what the bulk of prepaid is, that is what this site is about. I need data & Ting, Twigby are incredibly overpriced for my use. You were not with me, I know what order the phones lost signal, you have no idea.
DeleteInner Circle was not available 8 no. ago and their deals are going away or getting worse than the original offer.
Your suggestions are either false or unhelpful for me.
I think it's not even worth wading through all crap , just wait for the universal sim to come back in stock and buy that.
ReplyDeleteThere are currently (3) different Sprint Universal SIM Card kits but keep in mind: "Universal" does not mean that it will fit every phone...
DeleteSprint "Universal SIM Card Kits" -
1.) Sprint ISIM-KIT-v1 SIM Cards: Fits MOST phones.
2.) Sprint ISIM-KIT-v2 SIM Cards: Only compatible with the BLU S1 at this time but will be compatible with more in the future.
3.) Sprint CSIM-KIT-v1 SIM Cards - Supports about 95% of current BYOD handsets today.
Hey Ike,
DeleteCheck out Sprint SIM Card Matrix if you even need to activate a Sprint device. (I know you're not a fan of Sprint) but the search feature makes it easy to tell which SIM Card you need for pretty much any phone. Others have posted our link to the UICC Matrix above.
Please put it under how to section for future reference.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of wimps and haters. It's easy to get a FREE Sprint SIM card; they are reusable and work with Boost, Virgin, Sprint Prepaid and virtually all MVNOs.
ReplyDeleteCall your nearest corporate store or repair center. If they have one, they will give it to you. If not, buy from Ting or eBay. I have done it seven times and only had to buy one card (I did not want to wait for the repair center to order a free one for me).
Virtually all of the many other carriers I have used charge $ for a SIM.
Sprint SIM Cards ARE reusable instantly but please keep in mind: Different phones require different SIM Cards. Example: A Samsung Galaxy S5 SIM Card won't necessarily fit a Samsung Galaxy S6 or S7 or S8.
DeleteThe only thing harder to find than the right sim card is a good signal.
ReplyDeleteAin't that right!
DeleteThis is not a complete list of Sprint SIMs; it's not even close. The corporate stores and repair centers have a much bigger list. They go by SKUs, and there are multiple parts possible for each SKU. When you call, just tell them your phone model.
ReplyDeleteI never realized the vzw 5s and 5c can officially be used with sprint ...
ReplyDeleteSprint Faster! Faster than what? Dialup?
ReplyDelete"This is not a complete list of Sprint SIMs; it's not even close. The corporate stores and repair centers have a much bigger list. They go by SKUs, and there are multiple parts possible for each SKU. When you call, just tell them your phone model."
ReplyDeleteActually the Ting List posted is comprehensive and regularly updated, certainly the only list you need to activate a device on Sprint MVNOs. Yes there are many SIM P/Ns, but those SIMs have been superseded consolidating many devices.
If you are not a Sprint customer you will be hard pressed to get a Sprint store, corporate or not, to give or sell you a SIM! Not that you shouldn't try, there are always the exceptions.
Best local option is Best Buy, but you have to go in store and ask for the specific SIM you need in the Cell Dept. and they do not always carry every SIM.
"The good news is that the hassle and confusion around which Sprint SIM to use with which phone might soon be resolved. About a month ago Sprint started listing a 3 in 1 Universal SIM card, part number SIMOLW506C"
Not really a universal SIM, more like a semi universal SIM that only covers
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 5s (Verizon only)
iPhone 5c (Verizon only)
iPad Air 2
iPad Air (Verizon only)
iPad Mini 4
iPad Mini 3
iPad Mini 2 (Verizon only)
iPad Pro
Nexus 6 (32 & 64 GB – black/white)
Nexus 5 (16 & 32 GB – black/white/red)
Nexus 5X (all versions)
Nexus 6P (all versions)
HTC One A9 (Sprint Version only)
Motorola X Pure Edition (16, 32 & 64 GB – all colors)
Samsung Galaxy S7 Special Edition
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition
Moto G4
Moto G4 Plus
Note that a few are Verizon specific. I would stick with the SIMs posted on the Ting website for any of the devices above until we actually see this SIM posted on Ting's website as an appropriate SIM.
What ever you do, DO NOT go by Ring Plus's website as a guide on what SIM to use!
Sprint, the LOSER networrk. Lol. Softbank wasted over 20 billion dollars if these are thw results...lol
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's the Sprint SIMOLW416C SIM or my Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition that is at fault. I can't get that Hands Free Activation to stop popping up and restarting my Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition every 5 minutes that it's on. It can't be the phone, it has to be the Sprint SIM messing up my phone. My phone works fine with a T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Tracfone, and Net10 SIM that I tried in it. It only does that Hands Free Activation thing with a Sprint SIM.
ReplyDeleteIf a Sprint network phone keeps running Hands Free activation that means the phone is unable to activate, usually because the phone wasn't properly set up by the carrier.
DeleteYou need to contact whichever Sprint MVNO your are using and have them very that the the phone's MEID and the SIM's ICCID were entered correctly and that activation process was completed on the carrier end.
The only Sprint SIM Card that will work with the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition is: Sprint ISIM-KIT-v1 SIM Cards.
DeleteThe SIM Card you have is compatible with the devices listed below:
•UPC: 854798005095
•SKU: CZ4114LWC
•Part: SIMOLW416C
ANS Slate 10″ Tablet
ANS Slate 8″ Tablet
Apple iPad PRO 10.5″
Apple iPad PRO 12.9″
Apple iPhone 7
Apple iPhone 7 (RED)
Apple iPhone 7 Plus (RED)
Franklin Wireless R850 Mobile Hotspot
Samsung Galaxy J3
Your Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Special Edition is only compatible with Sprint ISIM-KIT-v1 SIM Cards.
DeleteAs Dennis mentioned above, the Sprint SIMOLW416C SIM Card is not compatible with your device.
i have a apple 4 and my sis has a apple 5s from sprint and she got it all right with the comp and i have virgin mobile as my carr' i was wondering if it will let it let me tranfer credit!!! to my phone to use it ???
ReplyDeleteProbably not, but I don't really understand your question. But if it's about transferring money from your sisters Virgin Mobile account to yours, have your sister call Virgin and ask them if they can do it.
DeleteWalmart Store - In Store purchase Only - Sprint SIM - SIMGLW436C UPC-760492031912 *CDMA* Nano (4FF) SIM card ($5 or less) for the following devices:
ReplyDeleteApple iPhone 5c
Apple iPhone 5s
Apple iPhone 6
Apple iPhone 6 +
Apple iPhone 6s
Apple iPhone 6s + Use Brickseek.com SKU/Item ID - 142286100 to find what store has them in your area.
Sprint currently has (40) different SKU | UPC | Part #'s for Sprint SIM Cards. MOST Sprint devices require a SPECIFIC SIM Card in order to function.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this version of the Sprint UICC Matrix we created that now includes a custom search to find the correct Sprint SIM Card by searching: Device/Phone, Sprint SKU, Part #, UPC etc.
https://BestCellular.com/sprint-uiccs/
Our employees love how much easier it made their jobs because they can enter a term like, "Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge" or "iPhone 7 Plus" and the UICC Matrix shows them which of the (40) different Sprint SIM Cards will work to activate that specific phone.
I checked out the URL posted by Curtis above and it seems to be very comprehensive (but you're missing the iPhone X).
ReplyDeleteWhy not post a clickable link? https://bestcellular.com/sprint-uiccs/
I'm in no way a Sprint fan but this guy posted a much better tool for those who do sell or activate Sprint lines. (The official Sprint UICC tool is junk)... (IMO).
His Sprint plans are a little high but this tool is pretty great. Being able to search Sprint SKU, UPC, Part number or even device compatibility is a game changer for those of us who have to work with Sprint SIM Cards on a daily basis!
I have Sprint, i dont like Sprint there signal is week, i travel a lot the east coast is poor signal Fl, NC,SC Vi... anywsy i just got the Samsung
ReplyDeleteModel: Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955U) i had a IPhone7 sending it back,, anyway i have alot of extra sim cards, and the lady last night would let me send her sim numbers and check them,,,,thats when istartd lookihg into it, and figure out that i need a SIMGLW416Q,,, then i was woundering sence your sprint store here doesnt have any sim cards , and i beleave that i need this one SIMGLW416Q,can i run to boost and pick it up, well hear is what she said. You : yes first i was woundering sence your sprint store here doesnt have any sim cards , and i beleave that i need this one SIMGLW416Q,can i run toboost and pick it up
Claire.B : Please give me a moment to access your account information.
Claire.B : Please help me with the MEID of the device to place an order for the compatible SIM card.
You : MAKE SamsungModel: Galaxy S8+ (SM-G955U)
Brand: SAMSUNG
IMEI: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Claire.B : Could you please provide me with the full address you would like SIM card sent to.
Claire.B : And please confirm where did you purchase the device from,
You : from the owners of the phone
Claire.B : Okay.
Claire.B : Allow me few minutes to place an order.
You : and how long will it take to get it here? i have been without a phone for months now.
Claire.B : 2-3 business days.
You : can i notbuy the sim card from boost as long as it is a sim SIMGLW416Q
Claire.B : I ma sorry as the SIM boost card can not be activated on the device.
Claire.B : Please help me with the CC details with the card ZIP.
Claire.B : To complete the order.
well i beleave this to be false because in fact on the sim card it is branned with SPRINT BOOT and VIRGIN,,is this right?
I'm sure the Sprint was just being helpful but yes, a Boost Mobile SIM Card will work just the same as a Sprint branded SIM Card. (With Sprint, SIM Cards are not specific to the PLBL or SPCS database and are compatible with prepaid or postpaid plans).
ReplyDeleteThere are actually (3) compatible Sprint SIM SKUs for the Samsung Galaxy S8+
+ Sprint ISIM-KIT-v1 SIM Cards (Kit Contains SIMOLW416Q)
+ Sprint SIMOLW416Q SIM Cards
+ Sprint SIMOLW506TQ SIM Cards (SKU: CZ410PTLWQ)
Every device on the Sprint network uses a different SIM Card, so our team developed a Sprint UICC Matrix tool to search every compatible SIM Card for a specific device. Just click the Part Number if you need more information about a specific Sprint SIM Card. I'd love to know what any of you think about the tool!
ReplyDelete