Moto G5 Plus SIM card guide

The correct SIM card size for Moto G5 Plus is nono-SIM.  This guide explains to you how to use the Moto G5 SIM card tray, how to insert or remove SIM card for Moto G5 Plus.

Please note, the SIM card slots in Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus are totally different. This guide is for Moto G5 Plus SIM card. For Moto G5 SIM card, please check this guide.

If you want to learn other features of Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus, you may check the official user manual of Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus.

Why you need a SIM card for Moto G5 Plus?

SIM card is not a requirement for Moto G5 Plus and most Android phones.

But without a SIM card, you will not be able to make calls, send text messages or use mobile data.  You probably then will not call it a phone.

Actually, if you do not need mobile services, you can get a decent tablet with bigger screen at an even cheaper price.

If you want to use Moto G5 Plus as a phone, you should get a SIM card from your phone company.

Moto G5 Plus SIM card size

There are different sizes of SIM card.

Over the years, there are 4 different sizes of SIM card for mobile phones:

1. Full-size SIM card. Full-size SIM is often referred as 1FF (1st form factor). It is “giant” in size: 85.60 mm × 53.98 mm × 0.76 mm. It was phased out already. There are no Android phones using it.
2. Mini-SIM (2FF) cars. Mini-SIM usually is referred to as “big” or “normal”  or “standard” SIM card in some countries. It measures in 25.mm x 15 mm x 0.76 mm. Mini-SIM card was just phased out in last 2 or 3 years. You can still find some old phones use this “normal” SIM card.
3. Micro-SIM (3FF). Micro SIM is the most popular size of SIM card for smartphones. Most middle range and budget smartphones are using micro SIM card. In some regions, micro-SIM is referred as “small” SIM card.
4. Nano-SIM (4FF). Nano-SIM is the smallest SIM card available for smartphone today. Most flagship smartphones requires nano-SIM. More and more middle-range phones also started to adopt this size SIM card.

Moto G5 Plus uses nano SIM card only. 

Prior to Moto G5 Plus,  all Moto G phones used micro SIM card.

This means if you just upgraded from other Moto G or Moto E phones, your old SIM card cannot be used directly in Moto G5 Plus. You need to get a new nano-SIM card from your carrier for Moto G5 Plus.

In many regions, carriers now offer 3-in-1 SIM card, which can be used as mini-SIM, micro SIM and nano SIM. You can get a nano SIM card by breaking the smallest part from the 3-in-1 SIM card. If your old phone is using a micro SIM card , you can check whether it is a 3-in-1 SIM card (check whether some parts are detachable).

You should always get an official nano SIM card from your carrier for Moto G5 Plus. Do not trim nano SIM card from micro SIM card by yourself. The official nano SIM card is 0.67 mm in thickness and micro SIM card is 0.76mm.

There are some popular phones using nano SIM card including: Galaxy S8 and S8+, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 7,  Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy Note 5, iPhone 7, iPhone 7+, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S+, iPhone 6, iPhone 6+, iPhone 5, Moto X (including  all generations),Moto Z and many more.

If you are using any of these phones, you can use existing SIM card for Moto G5 Plus.

Moto G5 Plus SIM card tray

Unlike Samsung or LG, Motorola uses a different SM card tray in Moto G5 Plus.

Moto G5 Plus SIM card tray has two sides. The upper side (when Moto G5 Plus screen is facing downwards) is for SIM cards. The lower side is for micro SD card.

For dual SIM versions of Moto G5 Plus, two SIM card slots can be found in the upper side. For single SIM version of Moto G5 Plus, there is only one SIM card slot.

You cannot convert single SIM version of Moto G5 plus to dual SIM version by changing the SIM card tray. The firmware are different!

How to insert Moto G5 Plus SIM card

You can follow these steps to insert or remove SIM card in Moto G5 Plus.

Step 1. Power off Moto G5 Plus

You should power off Moto G5 Plus when you want to add, remove or change SIM card for Moto G5 Plus.

Step 2. Eject Moto G5 Plus SIM card tray

On the top of Moto G5 Plus, insert the SIM tool into the tray hole as shown below, press it a bit.

The Moto G5 Plus SIM card tray should pop out. You can then pull it out slowly.

Step 3. Put SIM card in the tray

Moto G5 SIM card tray has two sides.

The upper side (when Moto G5 Plus screen is facing downwards) is for nano SIM card.

There are two versions of Moto G5 Plus.

In US and a few regions, Moto G5 Plus can only use one SIM card. You will then find one SIM card slot as shown below.

In most international markets, Moto G5 Plus supports two SIM cards. So, in these regions, Moto G5 Plus is dual standby dual SIM phone.

It is possible to make both SIM cards available at all times (even when you  are engaged in a call in one SIM card) for dual standby phones. You may follow this guide to make both SIM cards always available and will not miss any calls.

For the dual SIM version of Moto G5 Plus, you can find two SIM card slots as shown below. You can put one or two SIM cards.

You need to follow the etched shape with metal part facing outwards (upwards).

Nono SIM card should fit the slot perfectly. Make sure the clipped corner align with the slot.

The backside of the tray is for SD card. Do NOT insert SIM card into micro SD card slot. You may damage the phone.

Step 4.  Insert SIM card tray back to Moto G5 Plus

Now, insert the Moto G5 Plus SIM card tray into the phone.

You may press it slightly once it is fully in the phone.

Step 5. Power on the phone

Now, you can power on the phone and use the phone.

Can I use one SIM card in dual SIM version of Moto G5 Plus?

Yes, you can just use one SIM card in dual SIM version of Moto G5 Plus. The second SIM card is optional.

The SIM card slot does not matter. You can put SIM card into either slot.

I have a single SIM version of Moto G5 Plus, can I make it dual SIM version by buying a SIM card tray for dual SIM version of Moto G5 Plus?

No, it will not work.

The firmware in single SIM version of Moto G5 Plus does not support two SIM cards at all.

So, don’t waste time and money for this.

How to make both SIM cards available at all times and not to miss any calls in Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus?

Although Moto G5 and Moto G5 Plus are dual standby only, you can make both SIM cards available at all times by settings up call forwarding and call waiting.

If you set them properly, you will not miss any calls even when you care engaged in a call.

If you want to get this feature, you can follow how to make two SIM cards always available in dual SIM dual standby Android phones.

Do you know the correct size of Moto G5 Plus SIM card? Do you know how to insert or change SIM card in Moto G5 Plus now?

If you have questions or encounter any problems on Moto G5 Plus SIM card, please let us know them in the comment box below.

The community will try to hep you.

For more Moto G online manual pages, please check this page.

For detailed step-by-step guides, please check Moto G How-to guides page.