Setting up a PIN on the cell phone chip serves as a security safeguard, aiming to protect the phone line against unauthorized access. This procedure can be performed on both Android devices and iPhones, using the security options available in the respective operating system.
The main advantage of this feature is ensuring chip protection if it is lost or stolen, as a password will be requested every time the device is restarted. This prevents malicious individuals from using the number on other devices or attempting to capture verification codes sent via SMS.
Below are detailed the necessary steps to activate the chip PIN on Android and iPhone systems.
To configure on an Android, one must start from the device settings. Then, select the option named 'Security & emergency' or, depending on the manufacturer, 'Passwords & privacy'. The user must navigate to 'More security settings' or 'Privacy' and access the 'Chip Security' menu. There, it is necessary to activate the switch next to the 'Lock chip' option.
After that, the user must enter the default PIN provided by the carrier and confirm with 'OK'. Subsequently, they must tap on 'Change chip PIN' and re-enter the carrier's PIN. Finally, it is necessary to register a new, exclusive PIN to secure the cell phone chip.
On the iPhone, the process begins by opening 'Settings' and selecting 'Cellular'. By scrolling down the screen, the user finds and selects the 'SIM PIN' option. The corresponding switch for 'SIM PIN' must then be activated.
It is necessary to enter the carrier's default PIN and confirm by pressing 'OK' or the checkmark icon (✓) in the upper right corner. After enabling the chip PIN, the next step is to tap on 'Change PIN' and enter the carrier code again. Lastly, a custom SIM PIN is created to add an extra layer of protection to the chip.
When implementing a password on the chip, the first attempt requires the factory code established by the carrier. This information is usually printed on the plastic card accompanying the SIM, along with the PUK, PIN2, and PUK2 credentials.
If the original envelope has been lost, there are common factory numbers for major Brazilian carriers: Claro uses 3636, Vivo uses 8486, and TIM uses 1010.
There are several consequences to activating the chip PIN on the smartphone. Firstly, there is protection during restarts and transfers, as the SIM or eSIM chip will require the password whenever the phone is turned on or inserted into another device, preventing improper use of the line.
Another effect is the blocking of the mobile network; calls, SMS sending, and mobile data usage are completely suspended without code validation. Furthermore, data and account security is reinforced, as this additional layer prevents third parties from using the number on another phone to make calls or intercept bank confirmation SMS.
It is important to note that this function operates independently of the phone's system, protecting only the carrier chip, while access to photos, applications, and Wi-Fi still depends on the device's screen lock. However, there is a risk of lockout due to errors: entering the PIN incorrectly three times locks the chip, requiring the carrier's PUK code. Persistent incorrect password entry can lead to permanent component disablement.
If the user forgets the chip PIN, the fastest method is to consult the original plastic card, which contains the default code and the PUK key. In some situations, this information can also be accessed through the carrier's official application. Entering the PIN sequence incorrectly three times triggers the request for the PUK key to restore access and set a new password. If the security keys are not found, it is recommended to contact the carrier support directly to obtain release. One should never try to guess the PUK, as multiple errors permanently deactivate the chip, requiring the issuance of a new SIM or eSIM. Moreover, chip security constitutes a carrier protocol, being entirely distinct from the password used to unlock the smartphone screen.
Yes, it is possible to disable the chip PIN at any time through the system settings, on both iPhone and Android. To finalize this process, it is necessary to deactivate the chip lock option and enter the current SIM password to confirm the modification.
If the user does not know the current password, they should avoid repeated attempts, as this may lock the chip PIN, and they should use the PUK code provided by the carrier. When removing this protection, the phone will stop requesting the code upon restart, but the line will become vulnerable if the chip is transferred to another device.
Postbank reports that over 280,000 recipients of South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) benefits are still using gold cards and must replace them with Postbank black cards by August 31st. The bank cautions that delaying the replacement until the last moment may disrupt benefit payments.
Postbank's Chief Commercial Officer, Thami Sele, stated that more than 1.5 million recipients have already switched to the new black cards, but approximately 250,000–280,000 people still need to make this transition.
Sele emphasized that recipients who continue to use SASSA gold cards to access benefits, including cash withdrawals or purchases, should replace them as soon as possible. He noted that the bank has informed these individuals since the beginning of the year through radio, television, and SMS messages, urging them not to delay the process.
He clarified that this replacement procedure applies exclusively to those using SASSA gold cards. Recipients who already have a Postbank black card do not need to take any further action. Similarly, people receiving benefits directly into accounts at commercial banks such as Capitec, Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, or FNB do not require card replacement.
According to Sele, the main issue is not a lack of awareness, but rather the tendency of many recipients to postpone the card change because their old cards continue to function. He added that Postbank has sufficient capacity to serve everyone until the deadline but strongly recommends against waiting until the last day.
Sele advised recipients who need to transition to obtain new Postbank black cards before the next benefit payment date to avoid disruptions in receiving funds. SASSA has scheduled social benefit payments for August 2026 as follows: for the elderly on Tuesday, August 4, 2026; for persons with disabilities on Wednesday, August 5, 2026; and for children on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
He also reported that visiting the SASSA office to get new cards is unnecessary, as the process is similar to replacing an expired bank card. Recipients can find the location of the nearest card replacement point by dialing *120*355# from their phone, after which an SMS with a list of nearby locations will be sent to them.
Amid rising prices for Apple products in South Africa, driven by RAM shortages, the 13-inch iPad Air with the M3 chip maintains its price at R14,999, offering exceptional value compared to other devices in the lineup.
This refers to the 13-inch iPad Air with the M3 chip, whose price for local consumers remains unchanged at R14,999. For comparison, the base model 13-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip has increased from R19,999 to R26,499, which is an increase of a substantial R6,500 for an identical device.
Despite the general price hike, the most telling comparison is with the MacBook Neo. The base 256GB model, which does not feature Touch ID, has risen from R11,999 to R13,999. This makes it only R1,000 cheaper than the significantly superior iPad Air M3.
The Neo runs on the A18 Pro processor, which is used in the iPhone 16 Pro series. Although both the Air and the Neo have 8GB of unified memory, performance differs significantly at the silicon level: the Neo has a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU, whereas the M3 iPad Air is equipped with an 8-core CPU and a 9-core GPU.
While the Neo comes with a keyboard and trackpad included, the iPad's touchscreen makes it inherently more versatile and portable. Pairing it with an external keyboard and mouse represents a minor compromise, especially considering how close their price categories have become.
Ultimately, if the choice is between these two devices in South Africa right now, the iPad Air wins in raw power, performance longevity, and overall flexibility.
The debate over E20 petrol in the country continues. The government states that the situation is under control and that the quality of petrol is being continuously monitored. In contrast, a purported report by SIAM, the leading organization of automobile companies, revealed facts mentioning the rapid deterioration of critical parts of the engine and exhaust system.
It is noteworthy that the media reports making these claims were later retracted. This situation raises the question of what the actual status of E20 petrol is—whether it is limited to a few specific cases or if there is a major challenge in quality control with nationwide E20 fuel usage?
According to a CNBC TV-18 report, SIAM had expressed its concerns regarding the quality of E20 petrol by writing a letter to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This report stated that due to the presence of high chloride and moisture in E20 petrol, fuel injectors, fuel pumps, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valves, exhaust systems, and many engine components are deteriorating rapidly. SIAM argued that corrosion due to chlorides and unnecessary wear were found to be the main causes of these failures in field tests.
The report claimed that SIAM observed an increase in chloride-related incidents after the implementation of E20 petrol. The organization believed that higher chloride levels could cause severe corrosion in the engine and exhaust system, potentially leading to immediate vehicle failure or serious technical problems in the long run. The report also warned that if such incidents continued to rise, consumer confidence in ethanol-blended petrol could decrease.
The report also mentioned that samples taken from some vehicle fuel tanks showed chloride levels up to 500 mg/kg, while samples taken from some petrol pumps recorded this level at 350 mg/kg. SIAM requested the government to mandatorily include the maximum limit for chloride in the fuel standards of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The organization recommended keeping the total chloride limit in E20 and E85 fuels below 1 mg/kg.
Not only chloride, but high moisture content in E20 petrol was also highlighted as a major problem in the report. It was claimed that the moisture level in several samples exceeded 10,000 mg/kg, whereas the prescribed limit is 3,000 mg/kg. Such high moisture has a direct negative impact on the internal components of the vehicle. Since ethanol absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, excessive moisture can cause the fuel to separate into different layers, potentially leading to issues like engine stalling immediately after refueling.
SIAM also urged the government to have Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) investigate the root cause of the poor fuel and strengthen the monitoring of the entire fuel supply network. The report suggested that malfunctions in underground storage tanks and pipelines of older petrol pumps could lead to water and other impurities mixing with the fuel, so these older pumps should undergo regular inspection and audit.
In response to this report, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a statement saying that Oil Marketing Companies regularly test fuel quality across the country. According to the ministry, in addition to the existing testing system, water mixture checks are now being conducted 8 to 12 times a day at over 87 thousand petrol pumps. The government also stated that chloride was found in only two cases out of more than 2,000 samples taken from across the country, and the sale of fuel at those two petrol pumps was immediately stopped; strict action will be taken if any mixing is found in the future.
Amidst the ongoing controversy over chloride and moisture in E20 petrol, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has clarified its position. The organization stated that the data presented in the report should not be considered final or certified. SIAM assured that common vehicle owners do not need to worry at present and that fuel quality is being continuously monitored under prescribed rules.
According to SIAM, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) conduct extremely rigorous checks on fuel quality, examining over 150 different parameters during testing to ensure no compromise on petrol quality. SIAM also informed that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has already implemented a 3ppm limit for chloride and sulfur in ethanol added to petrol as a precautionary measure.
This issue has surfaced at a time when there is a dispute over E20 petrol across the country. For instance, Arvind Kejriwal, former Chief Minister of Delhi and convener of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), marched up to the PM House protesting against E20. Additionally, industrialists and social activists Tahseen Poonawala and the Delhi Transport Association are consistently opposing ethanol-blended fuel.
