The invention provides a method for programming a chip for a mobile end device, wherein, in a preparatory step, a serial number is programmed into the chip and thereafter, in a programming step, the serial number is verified and a programming of at least one further datum into the chip is only carried out if the serial number has been successfully verified. The serial number is verified here by means of a security module (HSM), while employing a secret information item stored in the security module (HSM) and different from the serial number.