On iPhone 16 models that support a physical SIM, the SIM card sits in a small tray on the left edge of the phone, just below the volume buttons.

Where the SIM tray is

  • Look at the left side of your iPhone 16 while the screen is facing you.
  • You’ll see a thin oval/rectangular outline with a tiny pinhole next to it – that’s the SIM tray.
  • The slot uses a nano‑SIM card (the smallest SIM size).

Note: Some carrier or region variants may rely on eSIM only and have no physical SIM tray at all, in which case you will not see that outline or pinhole.

How to open it (quick steps)

  1. Power the phone off (recommended but not strictly required).
  1. Insert the SIM eject tool (or a straightened paperclip) into the small hole beside the tray on the left edge.
  1. Press gently until the tray pops out.
  1. Place the nano‑SIM in the tray, matching the notched corner.
  1. Slide the tray back in, flush with the side of the phone.

If you try these steps and there is no tray on the left or right edge, your specific iPhone 16 model is likely eSIM‑only and does not accept a physical SIM card.

TL;DR: For “where is the sim card on iPhone 16”, check the left side of the device for a tiny pinhole and tray; that’s where the nano‑SIM goes, unless your model is eSIM‑only and has no tray.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.