Do Korean SIM Cards Work in iPhones?
Photo: iPhone with a SIM card ejected.
Question: Will a Korean SIM card work in my iPhone?
Answer: NO!! It doesn’t matter who you ask. It doesn’t matter how they answer. It doesn’t matter if you have a Ph.D. in mobile phone technology. You will ultimately find yourself wasting your time. SIM is an acronym for “Subscriber Identity Module.” A Korean SIM card from a mobile carrier in Korea will not work in your iPhone (including SK Telecom, KTF, and LG Telecom).
The Reason: At the moment, every mobile phone (hand-phone) is required to be registered into the carriers network. That means the actual phone’s serial number, or ID number must match what is allowed on the network. Not only that, each phone model must be approved by the government. This is mandated by the Korean government. Jail-breaking your iPhone to function with a carrier in Korea will not work.
Your iPhone will not magically jump on the Korean cell phone network simply by inserting a Korean network SIM card. I know it’s frustrating. The best way to use an iPhone in Korea is to either purchase an iPod Touch or an iPhone and dealing with what’s available for the time being. For now, you must be satisfied with using an Interbro ”egg” to provide your iPhone with a local WIFI connection.
You’ll have a high-bandwidth 4G connection for about $20/month with KT Telecom plus the cost of the “egg” (sometimes called the Yota Egg for about $200). You can register a Korean phone number with Skype for about $30/year plus $10/month for an unlimited calling plan.
See Also:
How to Use the iPhone in Korea (with Skype)
How to use your iPhone in Korea WITHOUT Skype for phone capability
Why is the iPhone not in Korea?
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:37 am
[...] Do Korean SIM cards work in the iPhone in Korea? [...]
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:39 am
[...] Do Korean SIM cards work in the iPhone in Korea? [...]
November 21st, 2009 at 6:56 am
I have a factory unlocked 3GS and my korean SK uSIM card works..
i have no idea how, but im in NYC right now and i have my SK Sim Card in the phone and its on roaming and working fine with korean number coming up when i make calls to friends..
December 5th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Hey, sorry if it was mentioned elsewhere, but I couldn’t find it -
What about the reverse situation? If I buy an iPhone here will I be able to go to another country and use it there with one of that country’s sim cards?
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Awesome post! I got abunch of money for the holidays and I think I want to purchase this. Your wrote a great entry, definitely the best I’ve seen so far. I will be awaiting to your next entry. thank you again.
January 13th, 2010 at 9:09 am
Hi. I have an iphone that i’m using in the States right now and I’m traveling to Korea soon and would love to use it there w/out roaming. Are there SIM cards I can purchase in korea to get local rates while I’m there? I’ve been reading about international sim cards but the rates are still expensive so I’m looking for an economical option. Any ideas would be very much appreciated. Thanks!
January 27th, 2010 at 11:20 pm
According to the Korean times
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2008/05/123_24639.html
“The Korea Communications Commission said Thursday that it will allow mobile service providers to unlock their USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) chips from July.”
This was 2008.
Hopefully things have now changed.