Having too many SIM cards in your name can be both confusing and forbidden. The limit varies from country to country but is usually between 5 and 10. Of course, some users can bypass this by buying SIM cards from multiple carriers. Others cannot because the number is tied to their personal ID and thus encompasses all carriers in the country. Another reason to acquire this list is to prevent criminals from using your identity, whether abusing current SIM cards or signing up for new ones. Additionally, it is illegal to use someone else’s SIM card. With that mentioned, this is how to know how many SIM cards are there in your name.
Things to keep in mind
It’s redundant and time-consuming to provide precise details for all carriers worldwide. Furthermore, not all carriers use all 3 methods – it’s quite the opposite. Most carriers only allow you to come to the nearest store with an ID and/or a contract to make a request. Others allow you to send a formal letter with proof of identity and address. Our goal is to demonstrate how the process works for some countries and some carriers. This will give you an idea of where to look for your particular case and determine whether it’s possible.
1. Know how many SIM cards are there in your name through SMS/USSD
Here’s how to check the number of SIM cards under your name with SMS or USSD:
1. United Arab Emirates
Follow these steps to know how many SIM cards are there in your name in UAE via SMS:
- Mobily – Send a blank SMS to 616166.
- Jawwal – Send an SMS containing the number “9988“ to 900.
- Zain – Send a blank SMS to 700123.
- Virgin Mobile Saudi – Send a blank SMS to 309985.
- Etihad Jawraa for Telecom and Information Technology Company – Send an SMS containing “ID“ to 1755.
2. India
To check the number of SIM cards registered with AirTel, send an SMS containing “ADCHK(space)Your 12-digit UID (Unique Identity Number)“ to 121. For example, send “ADCHK 123456789876“ to 121.
3. Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, SIM cards are bound to the National Identity Card (NID). With that said, this is how to find how many SIM cards exist in your name in Bangladesh via USSD code:
- Any carrier – Dial *16001# and enter the last 4 digits of your NID in the USSD code. You’ll get feedback (in the USSD window or as SMS) with all prepaid SIM or postpaid SIM cards in your name.
- Grameenphone – Dial *4949# and enter the last 4 numbers of your NID.
- Banglalink – Call *1600*2# and do the same as above.
- Robi – Dial *1600*3# and repeat the same steps.
- Airtel – Call *121*4444# and proceed as described above.
- TeleTalk – Send a message containing “info“ to 1600 and follow the same steps.
4. Pakistan
Send your Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) in an SMS message addressed to 668. This works for all carriers.
2. Know how many SIM cards are there in your name with carrier app
Downloading a carrier app onto your device, then logging in with your account might allow you to check how many SIM cards are in your name. The downside is that you have to repeat this for every carrier, and not every carrier offers this. We’ll use Jio in India to demonstrate how it works:
- Download the MyJio app for Android or iOS and sign in.
- Tap on Telecom in the top left corner.
- When a new window opens, scroll down and tap on the Link a new account button.
- You’ll see a list of all phone numbers registered with Jio.
3. Know how many SIM cards are there in your name via website
Follow these instructions to know how many SIM cards are there in your name using a website:
1. United Arab Emirates
The UAE government has a single page for all carriers in the country. Here’s what to do:
- Visit the My Numbers Service page on the CITC website.
- Scroll all the way down and put a checkmark in front of the Individual under Actor Type.
- Enter your ID, birthdate, one of your mobile numbers (or put a checkmark in front of I do not have a mobile number).
- Solve the captcha challenge and click on the Search button to get a list.
2. India
Do this to find how many SIM cards are in your name via the Indian government website:
- Visit the Aadhaar Authentication History page.
- Enter your 12-digit UID or 16-digit Virtual ID.
- Enter the security code below.
- Press Send OTP.
- A passcode will be sent as an SMS to one of your registered phone numbers.
- After you get redirected, select one of the options under Authentication Type.
- Select the date range you want to see phone number registrations for.
- To confirm, enter the passcode you received and click on Submit.
- You’ll now see up to 50 authentication records displayed.
Jio
Some carriers such as Jio offer a direct way to do this. Here’s how it works:
- Visit Jio’s Recharge page.
- Select Mobile and JioFi if it isn’t.
- Enter your Jio phone number into the field, then press Submit.
- You’ll see a list of all SIM cards under your Aadhar card under Your Prepaid Number(s) and Your Postpaid Number(s).
3. Pakistan
In Pakistan, you can learn how many SIM cards are there in your name by doing this:
- Visit the PMD SIM Information System page.
- Enter your CNIC number, solve the captcha and press Submit.
- Tip. If you are a foreigner in Pakistan, switch to the Foreign ID tab and do the same.