Once you ’ve activated your iPhone with your carrier , it should uphold to make on the cellular net without any problems as long as you ’re within range of a tower .
Nevertheless , the vagaries of engineering mean that not everything always play the way it should , and sometimes you may run across problems with your cellular link . In most compositor’s case , these will manifest as not being able-bodied to place call or get online with your data plan — conditions that are usually follow by a low signal indicator or a “ No Service ” message in the status prevention .
However , sometimes , you may also encounter an fault message that pronounce your iPhone does not have a SIM card instal — even when it does . Since a SIM card is a demand for connect to your carrier ’s web , no SIM identity card intend no military service . Thankfully , there ’s often an well-situated fix for this trouble .
What is the ‘No SIM Card Installed’ error?
Whether it ’s a forcible SIM or an eSIM , the mistake message means the same affair : your iPhone ca n’t put across properly with the module , so it ca n’t connect to the cellular internet .
In some cases , you may see an error that says “ Invalid SIM ” instead . This means your iPhone visualize a SIM card in your iPhone , but there ’s something wrong with it . However , the remnant result of this problem is the same : you wo n’t be able to use your cellular military service until it ’s resolved .
In addition to the erroneousness that pop up on your screen door , you ’ll also belike see either “ No SIM ” or “ SOS ” in your position taproom . While “ No SIM ” is self - explanatory , “ SOS ” is nothing to be alarmed about ; it just means that your iPhone can still put a call to 911 or whatever your land ’s hand brake inspection and repair identification number is . For safety machine reasonableness , carriers in the U.S. , Canada , and many other body politic are required to route exigency calls from any cellular earpiece , even if it has no SIM wag installed . The “ SOS ” indicator indicate you ’re within range of a cellular meshing that can be used to place hand brake calls .
How to locate your iPhone’s SIM card
The location of your SIM identity card will depend on your iPhone model .
you’re able to name the SIM wag slot by the small pinhole in the side . This is the out edge of the tray that holds the SIM card inside your iPhone . Here ’s how to remove and reinsert your SIM card .
footmark 1 : Gently insert a paper cartridge clip or the SIM - eject tool that came with your iPhone into the trap in the outer edge of the tray . The SIM - eject peter is bond to the cardboard arm that holds the paperwork in your iPhone box , but do n’t care if you ca n’t come up it , as a paper snip work just as well .
stone’s throw 2 : Push the paper magazine or peter inward , toward your iPhone . The SIM tray should pop out without too much try . Do not storm the paperclip into the trap ; if the SIM tray does n’t come out easily , take your twist to an Apple Store or other qualified service provider for further help .
Step 3 : Using your fingers , gently slide the SIM card tray out of the slot . Your SIM posting is site inside the tray .
Note that if you ’re using an iPhone sold in China , there may be two SIM cards in the tray , one on each side . The elemental SIM carte is on top ; the one on the bottom is used for a secondary speech sound line .
Step 4 : If you require to change your SIM bill , you could take out the survive carte du jour by placing a finger underneath and crowd it out . introduce the newfangled SIM wag into the attempt , using the pass in the corner to see that it ’s right align so that it conform to into the frame of the tray .
Step 5 : Reinsert the tray into your iPhone in the same orientation it was when you bump off it . The tray should slither in swimmingly ; it will only suit in one way , and it wo n’t go in easily unless the SIM card is sitting properly in the tray . Do not force the SIM tray in ; if it does n’t go in with minimal pressure , check to ensure the SIM card is laying flat in the tray and the nick is in the right-hand spot and try again . If you ’re still hold problems , take your iPhone in to your carrier or an Apple Store or authorized service provider .
How to fix the iPhone’s No SIM Card error
There are several possible causes for the No SIM card error , browse from a computer software glitch to a defective iPhone or SIM card . There ’s no pauperism to panic if you see this message , as there are several thing you could strain .
Step 1 : First , be sure you have an dynamic program with your wireless letter carrier . This may seem obvoius , but sometimes you may have been cut off without pull in it , so it ’s a secure idea to call your carrier and see if you have any doubt . While a deactivated plan usually ensue in a “ No Service ” message rather than “ No SIM , ” this can vary calculate on your carrier .
Step 2 : off and reinsert your SIM lineup . If you ’re using a physical SIM card rather than an eSIM , the fix may just be a matter of making certain the electric contacts are properly lined up inside your iPhone . When you take the SIM visiting card out , ensure it ’s free of any dust or dirt that could be affecting things , and be sure the SIM tray closes snugly and completely when you put it back in . Also , always use the SIM tray that ’s made for your machine ; a SIM tray from another iPhone model may not accommodate properly , ensue in poor contact between the SIM and the iPhone .
stair 3 : Toggle Airplane Mode on and off again . This will restart the internet connexion and recheck your SIM card . you may notice this switch near the very top of the preferences app . Switch it on , wait about 10 second , and then flip it off again . See if the mistake disappears and your cellular military service return .
Step 4 : re-start your iPhone . This may sound like a cliché , but it often works . To do this on an iPhone with Face ID , hold the side and loudness push button at the same time until theSlide to Power Offoption appears . If you ’re using an iPhone SE or an sr. model with a family button on the front , you ’ll call for to crusade the side or top button and the home button at the same clip or else . Once that blind appear , cabbage to power down your iPhone , expect a few second , and then hold the side button to bulge out your iPhone back up .
pace 5 : chink for a carrier options update . These are typically installed automatically in the background , but you may verify by opening the configurations app and going toGeneral > About . Your twist will demand to be connected to Wi - Fi to train for updates . If one is available , your iPhone will either instal it automatically or ask if you want to install it , depending on the update and your carrier ’s insurance . SelectOKorUpdate , as appropriate .
Step 6 : see to it your iPhone ’s software system is updated to the latest version . While it ’s not common , a bug in iOS could be affecting how your iPhone communicates with your SIM card . you may check for software updates by opening the preferences app and selectingGeneral > Software Updates .
Step 7 : Reset your electronic web context . This resets all of your internet configurations to their factory defaults , including your carrier and cellular internet profile . Although it ’s relatively uncommon , vitiated net setting can prevent your iPhone from translate your SIM card properly , especially if your iPhone was once locked to a specific carrier .
mention that this will also reset your saved Wi - Fi networks and passwords and remove any VPN profile orcustom APN configurations . Before continuing , verify you have a record of any Wi - Fi passwords or other options you call for .
you’re able to reset your mesh configurations by opening the configurations app and selectingGeneral > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset internet configurations .
How to fix the iPhone’s Invalid SIM error
If you see “ Invalid SIM ” alternatively of “ No SIM bill installed , ” it ’s much more likely you have a hardware problem . This subject matter means that your iPhone can touch base to your SIM , but the datum on it is cloud somehow .
If this content come along with a SIM card you ’ve never used before , verify that the SIM card and the attack aircraft carrier it ’s from are compatible with your iPhone and that your iPhone is n’t lock to another postman .
It wo n’t hurt to try the steps above , but they ’re more of a farsighted gibe in this case . Your best option is to contact your carrier . chat a carrier storage if you could and see if they have another SIM they can test in your iPhone . If that works , they should be able-bodied to speedily set you up with a replacement SIM and have you on your way .
