Because of its small size and concealed position, a SIM card is one of those items that you tend to forget about until it breaks. With it, your iPhone becomes a spectacular piece of contemporary technology, capable of making calls to the other side of the world, sending messages, and quickly accessing the internet in the middle of nowhere.
However, without a SIM card, your iPhone is a glorified Swiss Army knife. Simply replace the pint-sized scissors, tiny corkscrew, and incomprehensibly small nail file with a calendar, alarm clock, calculator, web browser, and cutting-edge camera. When yours breaks, it’s enough to make you Google “Invalid SIM” or “No SIM iPhone” quicker than you’ve ever searched before.
Don’t worry. Your iPhone isn’t quite ready for the trashcan just yet (and if it is, just send it to us instead). With a few minutes and some fast and easy troubleshooting tests, you should be well on your way to identifying the source of your “No SIM” issue and having your smartphone’s phone component back up and running.
What Exactly Is a SIM Card on an iPhone for?
Simply stated, a SIM card is what gives your iPhone the ability to function as a phone. Your phone’s SIM card, which stands for subscriber identity/identification module, is a tiny memory card that contains important identifying information such as your phone number, billing information, and cellular carrier.
It links you to your carrier’s mobile network, allowing you to make and receive calls, messages and utilize cellular data. When a SIM card fails or is not recognized, those services essentially come to a stop.
Why does my iPhone display the message “No SIM”?
SIM cards are small, fussy creatures, as anybody who has ever tried to insert a SIM or other microscopic memory card into its tray knows. Nonetheless, they hold an enormous quantity of information and, as a result, Power. Consequently, a variety of factors may cause the “Invalid SIM” warning to display on your iPhone. These are some examples: •A misplaced SIM card or tray•A system failure•SIM card damage•A faulty software update.
Except for a lost or broken SIM card, the reason for your iPhone’s “No SIM” card issue isn’t usually apparent.
How to Fix No SIM Card message on an iPhone
The fastest approach to dealing with an invalid SIM card is to first go through the most straightforward possible solutions. Therefore we suggest going through the troubleshooting procedures in the sequence listed below.
#1. Make sure you have working plan with your carrier.
Do you presently have an active plan with a cellphone carrier? Otherwise, you will be unable to make calls, send messages, or otherwise connect to a mobile network. Similarly, if you haven’t used the SIM card in question or paid your mobile bill in a while, your carrier may have terminated your number, either temporarily or permanently. Check your carrier’s app or contact them directly to verify that your phone number is associated with a valid account. Also, Check that the phone has not been blocked or barred from your carrier for having unpaid bills or was it reported lost or stolen.
#2. Turn on and Off Airplane Mode
Toggling your iPhone’s cellular data is one of the most basic methods to resolve various network-related issues, including a finicky SIM card. Simply open Control Center and toggle Airplane Mode on and off to do this quickly.
#3. Force-Restart Your iPhone
“Try turning it off and back on again,” a wise guy once advised me. A minor software glitch may sometimes cause your SIM card to look invalid. This oldie-but-goodie troubleshooting technique may be all your iPhone needs to detect your SIM card, whether force restart or basic, hard reset or soft reset.
To restart an iPhone 11, iPhone XR/XS, or iPhone X, press and hold the Volume Down and Right Side keys simultaneously until the Power Off slider appears. Then move the slider, wait for your phone to shut down, and then restart your iPhone.
To restart an iPhone SE, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6, iPhone 5, or older model, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button (found on the top for the first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 5, and previous iPhones, and on the right side for most current models) until the Power Off slider appears.
To resolve an invalid SIM issue, re-insert your SIM card.
#4. Take out and re-insert your SIM card and tray.
Almost everything in a properly functional iPhone depends on the delicate balancing act of a SIM card in its tray. If your phone was dropped or the SIM tray was abruptly pushed into the slot, the SIM card may have been jostled out of position or otherwise damaged.
Simply switch off your iPhone, take your straightened-out paperclip (or, if you’re a responsible adult, the real SIM tray ejector tool), put it into the tiny hole adjacent to the tray (on the right side for iPhone 4 and later, on the top for the rest), and apply moderate pressure. If the tray is particularly difficult to remove, this may suggest that it was placed incorrectly.
While the SIM card is out, check it for scratches or other damage and clean it off with a soft cloth. If everything seems in order, gently place the SIM card back into the tray and re-insert it into your iPhone.
#5: Update the iOS device
A software bug may sometimes cause your SIM card to seem invalid or make it appear that you do not have a SIM card in your iPhone at all. Fortunately, Apple is typically fast to detect these flaws and issue a new version. To manually check for iOS updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update and click Download and Install if required. Make a backup of your iPhone before installing any upgrades, just in case.
To resolve a No SIM warning on your iPhone, update your iOS.
#6. Check for a Carrier Settings Update
Like Apple with iOS upgrades, your carrier may issue the occasional update to help enhance cellular connection on your network. Not only will you lose out on the newest technology from your mobile carrier if you do not keep up with these upgrades, but it may also cause your SIM card to malfunction.
To manually check for a carrier settings update, connect to WiFi, go to Settings > General > About, and choose to Update if asked.
#7. Reset Your Network Configuration
If you continue to get an invalid SIM card warning, it may be due to a software issue in your phone’s network settings. WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular data, and any VPN you may have are all included. The simplest method to fix this is to reset your network settings. Keep in mind that this will delete any WiFi passwords you have stored, so make a note of any essential passwords for future reference.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings to do this. Enter your iPhone’s passcode when asked, then hit Reset Network Settings again to confirm.
When your iPhone displays the message “Invalid SIM,” reset the network settings.
#8. Experiment with a Different SIM Card
You’ve done nearly everything imaginable in terms of updating, restarting, and resetting. Before we go nuclear, let’s make sure your SIM card isn’t the source of the issue. Borrow a SIM card from a friend or go to your carrier’s shop and get a test SIM card.
If the “No SIM” or “Invalid SIM” message disappears, it is fair to assume that your SIM card is to blame and that it is time to replace it. If not, it’s most likely your phone. Fortunately, you have one final option before raising the white flag of surrender.
#9: Reset Your iPhone to Factory Settings
If you’ve tried everything else and your phone is still having SIM card problems, consider a factory reset as your final resort. It should go without saying, but make a backup copy before restoring your iPhone to factory settings.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to factory reset your iPhone. When asked, use your Face ID, fingerprint, or passcode to authenticate your identity before selecting Erase iPhone.
To resolve an Invalid SIM issue, you must do a factory reset on your iPhone.
If all else fails, contact Apple.
Summary
If the following methods do not resolve your SIM card issue, the best thing you can do is call your carrier’s customer service team, contact Apple Support, or visit an Apple Store. Depending on your cell plan and provider, the cost of a new SIM card may vary greatly. Sometimes, getting a brand-new iPhone is the best option, particularly if AppleCare still protects it.
As with any technology, there will always be issues. Fortunately, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with some careful troubleshooting or a call to the professionals. If you are left with an unused iPhone for whatever reason, we will gladly take it off your hands and put some money in your pocket. We are pleased to offer some of the best cell phone unlocking services in the market, as well as individual customer service and a PriceMatch+ Guarantee.
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