How to find out your MTS number

If you forget the number of your SIM card from the Russian company MTS, you will not be able to perform a number of operations - top up your mobile account and bank cards via the Internet, register accounts on social networks, etc. If this happened to you, do not rush to restore it, there are a number of ways available to each subscriber on how to find out your MTS number quickly and free of charge, and any of them will definitely suit you.

Where to get the PUK code

Here's how to find out the PUK code of a Tele2 SIM card by phone number, or rather, by the documents that come with this same number:

Remember, when connecting a SIM card and concluding an agreement for the provision of communication services, you received a plastic rectangle along with the card
It is where the information you need is located - it is usually hidden under a protective layer that needs to be erased
We remind you that PUK consists of exactly eight digits.
You can also view this data in the communication services agreement itself.
Where else can I find the data I need? In some cases, the PUK under the protective layer is indicated on the cardboard envelope in which the SIM card itself is sold, as well as a reminder to the subscriber.

What should I do if I lost the documents that came with the SIM card? Some subscribers decide to find out their PAK code on Tele2 via the Internet. That is, online, through the “Personal Account”. Alas, although many useful actions are available to the subscriber in the “Personal Account”, information on the PAK code is not provided here. We advise you about

Internet traffic information

You can get information about the used and available Internet traffic in the connected tariff using special USSD requests.

*155*0# - information about available free minutes, SMS messages and traffic in the tariffs of their “Black” line (“Black”, “Very Black”, “Blackest”, “Super Black”).

*155*15# — remaining traffic when the “Internet from phone” function is activated.

*155*19# — remaining available traffic in the “Internet Package” option.

*155*200# - using this command you can find out traffic data in .

*155*201# - information about unused traffic when the “Internet Suitcase” option is connected.

Almost every phone today uses subscriber identification module technology, in other words, a SIM card. This module stores keys for authenticating subscribers on the network and establishing their connection with the server. Let's figure out what it is.

SIM card structure

SIM card is a smart card with a microprocessor consisting of the following modules:

CPU - SIM processor, operates at frequencies up to 10 MHz;

ROM is a non-volatile memory that stores IMSI, ICCID, PIN lock and unlock keys, LAI, operator emergency number, and Service Provider Name (SPN) and applications for additional services;

RAM is random access memory that is used to store information such as contacts and, in some cases, messages;

NVRAM - memory for storing user information, for example, IMEI;

hardware encryption module;

hardware random number generator.

What types of SIM cards are there?

Standard SIM (15 x 25mm) is a standard adopted for SIM cards in 1996. Today it is mainly used on older phones. SIM cards of this format only support 2G/3G.

Micro-SIM (12 x 15mm) - essentially a standard SIM card with just the extra plastic around the memory chip cut off. Additionally, Micro-SIM was designed to be backward compatible, meaning that it can work with input data generated by an older version of the SIM card. The technology appeared in 2003 and was first used by Apple in the iPhone 4, innovative for that time.

Nano-SIM (8.8 x 12.3mm) is a stripped-down version of Micro-SIM. By the way, they are thinner than other cards - 0.67 mm versus 0.76 mm. Despite its tiny size, Nano-SIM contains the same amount of data as previous SIM cards. Mass use began in 2014 when Apple introduced its new flagship iPhone 5. Most smartphones released since 2014 (both iOS and Android) now support Nano SIM card technology as a standard.

eSIM is a SIM card in the form of a chip built into the phone, occupying only a few millimeters on the device board. Functionally, eSIM is no different from a regular SIM - it is used to identify a subscriber in a communication system and store information, but it significantly saves space inside the smartphone. In addition, eSIM technology allows you to connect to an operator and change it remotely, without visiting a communication store. It is worth noting that this technology in Russia is only undergoing a test phase with one of the mobile communication service providers.

What is stored on the SIM card?

ICCID (Integrated Circuit Card Identifier) - Primary account number up to 20 digits long. The number has sections such as issuer identification number or IIN, individual account identification, check digit, etc.;

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) - used to identify an individual network operator. It usually consists of 19 digits. The first 3 digits are the Mobile Country Code or MCC, the next 2-3 digits represent the Mobile Network Code or MNC, followed by the Mobile Subscriber Identification Number or MSIN;

KI (authentication key) - a unique 128-bit key used to authenticate the SIM card in the mobile network;

LAI (location area identification) - information stored on the SIM card about the available local network (the operator's network is divided into various small areas, each of which has an LAI);

SMS—user messages;

SIM contacts - SIM memory size allows you to store up to 250 contacts;

SPN and SDN—Service Provider Name and Service Set Numbers (for example, Customer Service Number) are optional elementary files;

TMSI (Temporary User Identity) is the temporary identifier of a GSM mobile station. TMSI is automatically updated as a subscriber moves between geographical locations to avoid signal attenuation, thus ensuring the freedom of movement supported by GSM cellular networks;

PIN is an abbreviation for personal identification number, which is a four-digit access code;

PUK is a personal unlock key linked to the SIM card and consists of 8 digits, used to unlock after entering the PIN code incorrectly more than three times in a row.

How is SIM data protected?

By and large, SIM cards are protected only by PIN and PUK codes. However, selection of PIN/PUK is impossible, since there are only 3 entry attempts for entering a PIN, and 10 for PUK. After which the SIM card is blocked with no chance of further access to it. To restore communication services, you will need to contact a specialized salon.

What can be extracted from a SIM card?

Using special software, for example, “Mobile Forensic Analyst”, you can extract data such as:

messages;
the event log;
telephone book;
file system.

A SIM card is currently one of the most ideally protected storage devices. However, even from it, in addition to basic data, you can extract messages, calls, contacts and even file data.

Account management

Every user of the Tele2 network needs to know the USSD commands used to manage the account. The following are the main combinations:

*105# — receive information about the status of your mobile account. This command will allow you to find out the balance on your balance, which is especially useful for subscribers who pay a monthly subscription fee for a tariff or services.

*122*1# — activation of the “Promised payment” option. It will come in handy in cases where the user forgot to replenish the balance. After sending the request, a “trust payment” will be credited to your account, and you will again be able to make calls and use the Internet on the Tele2 network.

*123*number# - activation of the “Top up my account” option. After sending such a request, the subscriber whose number is indicated in the combination will receive an SMS message with the text “Please top up my account.”

*145# - information about the “Mobile Transfer” option, with which you can top up the balance of any Tele2 subscriber. In order to transfer funds to the account of another user, you must enter the following combination: *145*recipient number*transfer amount# and press the call key.

What is eSIM

This is a chip (embedded SIM - built-in SIM) that is installed inside a smartphone or other device. You can record the same information on it as on a regular SIM card.

To connect an eSIM to the operator’s network, you need to receive a set of encrypted data from it and save it.

eSIM saves space inside the smartphone. The chip can be installed anywhere, and since you don’t need to take it out, there won’t be a hole for a “clip” in the case. Protection from dust and moisture is easier to organize.

In addition, to change the operator, you do not need . You can even connect to several operators - save different profiles with your own settings.

People started talking about eSIM when Apple released the iPhone XS/XR/XS Max. Previously, built-in SIM cards were used in the 2021 Samsung Gear S2 3G smartwatch and Apple Watch 3/4. Received eSIM support and Google Pixel 2 smartphone.

The problem is that not all operators support the technology. And in some countries (including the Russian Federation) eSIM is generally illegal .

Firstly, writing data to an eSIM is equivalent to copying a SIM card. This is a fraud.

Secondly, with eSIM you can switch to a new operator without notifying your previous one. This is a violation of the terms of the contract.

In general, for now eSIM can only be used in certain countries. And not all operators.

Read in our other article all the details about eSIM, as well as about the differences between eSIM and a regular SIM card.

Recovery procedure

If you are lucky and have found the PUK, you need to start unlocking the card. To do this, just turn on your mobile phone and then enter the combination you found. As a rule, after entering the code, you will be asked to change the PIN code. We strongly recommend that you take advantage of the offer and enter a new four-digit combination that you will remember. Otherwise, the next time you turn on the device, a PUK will be requested.

Find your contract with Tele2, you may have written down your pack code in the contract.

We strongly do not recommend experimenting and selecting PUK on your own.

How to determine MTS number through the menu

You can use the MTS-info service located in the main menu.

Initially, go to the list of installed applications.
Next, open the menu.
Then select MTS Services.
After that, go to the My number section.
A message with a response will arrive on your phone in a few seconds.

Before looking at your number on MTS, you do not need to top up your account or connect to the Internet - the service is provided free of charge and is available even offline. The main requirement is support for receiving and sending SMS.