A SIM card is attached to your phone number and mobile data plan.
The MobileMe tracking feature is a service available to most iPhone models. Called Find My iPhone, the tracking application will only work if it has been manually enabled in your phone's settings. An iPhone must also have a battery charge and an activated SIM card in place to be tracked using MobileMe.
How MobileMe Works
All iPhone models that are running iOS 5 or later automatically have the Find My iPhone application installed. When the application is enabled, the location of your iPhone is visible from the MobileMe website on any computer. Log in to MobileMe using your Apple ID and password. MobileMe communicates with your iPhone using the wireless network and the GPS function on your device allows its location to be identified.
Attempting to Track Without a SIM Card
When the SIM card is taken out of an iPhone, the phone is no longer communicating with its wireless network. Because the communication is lost, MobileMe cannot track the phone. The iPhone will still appear in your MobileMe account after the SIM card is removed, but its location will not be accessible.
Ease of Removing a SIM Card
Many iPhones come with a SIM card ejection tool, but an unraveled paper clip will serve as an alternative. The SIM card is easily removed by placing the tool into the small hole on the SIM card tray -- the tray automatically pops out. Once the tray is open, the card can be lifted out in seconds. At that point, another SIM can be put into the phone or the tray can be closed while empty.
Reporting a Lost Phone
When an iPhone runs out of power, it also ceases to show up on your MobileMe account. If you decide to report the iPhone stolen, your mobile carrier will deactivate the SIM and the phone will be untraceable until it is reactivated.
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