SIM Application Toolkit

<h2 id="advantages">Advantages</h2>
<ul><li>Some manufacturers claim that STK enables higher levels of security through identity verification and <a href="/facts/Encryption/16q29Fdv">encryption</a>, which are necessary for secure electronic commerce.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a></li>
<li>STK has been deployed on the largest number of mobile devices.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="limitations">Limitations</h2>
Updating <a href="/facts/Android_(operating_system)/nNyHb0xz">Android</a> software is done over GSM where the SIM Toolkit may install automatically with new software regardless of automatic install applications.
Change in applications and menus stored on the SIM is difficult after the customer takes delivery of the <a href="/facts/Subscriber_Identity_Module/NUeSqoG1">SIM</a> and sometimes may be recognized as surveillance software.
To deliver updates, either the SIM must be returned and exchanged for a new one (which can be costly and inconvenient) or the application updates must be delivered <a href="/facts/Over-the-air_programming/0XNujW2W">over-the-air (OTA)</a> using specialized, optional SIM features. As of October 2010<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SIM_Application_Toolkit&action=edit">[update]</a>, <a href="/facts/Mobile_network_operator/6Tt5J4TF">mobile network operators</a> can, for example, deliver updated STK application menus by sending a secure <a href="/facts/SMS/kacRfW0X">SMS</a> to handsets that include a Toolbox (S@T) compliant <a href="/facts/Mobile_browser/tKvf0bfJ">wireless internet browser (WIB)</a>. When using a SIM card compliant to the BIP (Bearer Independent protocol <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a>) in a BIP-compliant handset, the updates can be delivered very quickly as well (depending upon the network connectivity available to and supported by the handset, i.e. <a href="/facts/GPRS/c4SJD7ov">GPRS</a>/<a href="/facts/3G/K1noBd8n">3G</a> speed). It might also be possible to change the menu of STK applications based on the Wireless Internet Gateway (WIG) specification.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a> The update limitations hinder the number and frequency of STK application deployments.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a>
STK has essentially no support for multimedia, only basic pictures.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a>
The STK technology has limited independent development support available.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a>
If a mobile phone does not support SIM Application Toolkit, users may not be able to use the service or network correctly. Issues with several mobile network operators have been noticed on smartphones that don't support STK, like <a href="/facts/Nokia_N900/fDoT2A07">Nokia N900</a>.

<h2 id="in-newer-networks">In newer networks</h2>
USIM Application Toolkit (USAT) is the equivalent of STK for <a href="/facts/3G/K1noBd8n">3G</a> networks.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a> USAT takes advantage of the multiapplication environment of 3G devices by not activating until a specific application has been selected, unlike STK which is activated at startup.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a> Some functions are card related rather than application related.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a>

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Unstructured_Supplementary_Service_Data/2ACw7CYY">Unstructured Supplementary Service Data</a> (USSD)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/M-Pesa/SjBhn4uR">M-Pesa</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D94QOo2gY">Defcon 21: The Secret Life of SIM Cards</a> on <a href="/facts/YouTube_video_(identifier)/db276jst">YouTube</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">"SIM Toolkit". Cellular. Archived from the original on 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">"ETSI TS 131 111 / 3GPP TS 31.11 Version 13.3.0: GSM, UMTS, USIM Application Toolkit" (PDF). <a href="https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/131100_131199/131111/13.03.00_60/ts_131111v130300p.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/131100_131199/131111/13.03.00_60/ts_131111v130300p.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">ETSI TS 102 223 V9.1.0 <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"SIM Toolkit". Gemalto. Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"SIM Toolkit". Cellular. Archived from the original on 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"SIM Toolkit Modifications for 3GPP (TDOC T3-99346)". 3GPP. <a href="https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc" target="_blank">https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"SIM Toolkit". Cellular. Archived from the original on 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"SIM Toolkit Modifications for 3GPP (TDOC T3-99346)". 3GPP. <a href="https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc" target="_blank">https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"SIM Toolkit". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">"SIM Toolkit". Cellular. Archived from the original on 2006-12-07. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061207010523/http://www.cellular.co.za/sim_toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"SIM Toolkit". Gemalto. Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"SIM Toolkit". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"ETSI TS 131 111 / 3GPP TS 31.11 Version 13.3.0: GSM, UMTS, USIM Application Toolkit" (PDF). <a href="https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/131100_131199/131111/13.03.00_60/ts_131111v130300p.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_ts/131100_131199/131111/13.03.00_60/ts_131111v130300p.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"SIM Toolkit". Archived from the original on 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20071011090927/http://www.gsmmobile.co.nz/Sim_Toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">"eSIM Europe". Simify. Retrieved 2024-05-14. <a href="https://simify.com/collections/esim-europe" target="_blank">https://simify.com/collections/esim-europe</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">SIM Toolkit <a href="http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html" target="_blank">http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">SIM Toolkit <a href="http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html" target="_blank">http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"OMA TS Smartcard Web Server, p.76 Appendix C. Bearer Independent Protocol" (PDF). <a href="http://www.openmobilealliance.org/release/SCWS/V1_2-20130305-A/OMA-TS-Smartcard_Web_Server-V1_2-20130305-A.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.openmobilealliance.org/release/SCWS/V1_2-20130305-A/OMA-TS-Smartcard_Web_Server-V1_2-20130305-A.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"Gemplus has become Gemalto". Gemplus.com. 2006-06-02. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved 2014-06-18. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110411013110/http://www.gemplus.com/press/archives/2004/telecom/15-06-2004-ota_saudi.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110411013110/http://www.gemplus.com/press/archives/2004/telecom/15-06-2004-ota_saudi.html</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Gemplus to Deliver SIM Card-Based Solution to Oi For First GSM Launch in Brazil - Smart Card Alliance Archived September 25, 2006, at the Wayback Machine <a href="http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm%3FitemID%3D357" target="_blank">http://www.smartcardalliance.org/industry_news/industry_news_item.cfm%3FitemID%3D357</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">http://www.mygemplus.com/pss/telecom/download/GemConnect_online_sdk.pdf[permanent dead link‍] <a href="http://www.mygemplus.com/pss/telecom/download/GemConnect_online_sdk.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.mygemplus.com/pss/telecom/download/GemConnect_online_sdk.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">SIM Toolkit <a href="http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html" target="_blank">http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">SIM Toolkit <a href="http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html" target="_blank">http://bladox.com/devel-docs/gen_stk.html</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"SIM Toolkit". Gemalto. Archived from the original on April 29, 2013. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20130429113530/http://developer.gemalto.com/home/technology/sim-toolkit.html</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">"Mobile SIM Tool Kit". Archived from the original on 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2006-11-21. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20060427052032/http://www.ec-mobile.ust.hk/mobile/toolkit.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20060427052032/http://www.ec-mobile.ust.hk/mobile/toolkit.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">"SIM Toolkit Modifications for 3GPP (TDOC T3-99346)". 3GPP. <a href="https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc" target="_blank">https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/tsg_t/WG3_USIM/TSGT3_10/docs/t3-99346.doc</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

SIM Application Toolkit open-in-new

SIM Application Toolkit