Due to its tiny size and hidden location, your SIM card is one of those things you rarely think of — at least until it stops working. And without a SIM card, your iPhone won’t be very useful. You won’t be able to access your wireless data or make and receive calls. So, why does your iPhone say “No SIM” in the first place?
Your iPhone usually says “No SIM” if the SIM card is misaligned or damaged. It could also be due to network downtime or incorrect network settings. Moreover, glitchy iOS updates can cause the issue. Reset your network settings, factory reset your iPhone, and update iOS to fix the issue.
Apart from the “No SIM” error message, your iPhone might also be indicating that there’s a problem with the SIM card if the carrier name and signal bars or dots are missing at the top of the screen. Let’s get into the details so that you figure out what causes this issue and how to fix it.
What Is a SIM Card?
Think of your SIM card as a tiny smart card inside your phone, which carries a unique number to identify you (via the international mobile subscriber identity number, or IMSI), securely stores your personal data, and prevents operation if removed.
While you don’t need to worry about your SIM card most of the time, having some knowledge about what it does will help you understand how to diagnose and work around the “No SIM” error, should it occur. And if you ever want to stump your techie friends with phone lingo, SIM is short for “Subscriber Identification Module.”
SIM cards securely keep tiny bits of data that distinguish you from other mobile subscribers on your cellular network. A SIM card also has the authorization keys that allow you to access text, voice, and data services that you pay for on your mobile phone bill.
It’s the part of your iPhone that stores your phone number and allows you to access your carrier’s cellular network.
While many older phones would use SIM cards to store the user’s contacts, the role of SIM cards has changed over the years. For example, these days, your iPhone keeps your list of contacts on iCloud, your email server, or on its internal memory rather than the SIM card.
Moreover, SIM cards have evolved with the introduction of 4G LTE and 5G. Before Apple introduced iPhone 5, carriers like Verizon would use a technology called CDMA to directly link a person’s phone number to the cellular network, with no need for a SIM card. But these days, all networks use SIM cards to store the phone numbers of their subscribers.
Why Does “No SIM Card” Keep Popping Up on Your iPhone?
Some of the most common reasons why your iPhone keeps saying there’s no SIM card include:
- A misaligned SIM card or tray
- Physical damage to the SIM card
- A network outage
- Outdated software
- Glitchy software update
- Wrong network settings
If you’re fond of ejecting your SIM card and using it on another phone, it could get scratches that damage its chip. Remember, your SIM card has a tiny electronic chip that will stop working if you damage it.
Moreover, a bent SIM card won’t sit correctly on its SIM tray, which is why you may be getting the “No SIM” error. Except for a misplaced or damaged SIM card, the cause of this error may not be readily apparent. At times, it’s due to wrong network settings or glitchy iOS updates.
How Do You Turn Off the “No SIM” Message on iPhone?
To fix the issue of an invalid SIM card, it’s important you try the quickest potential workarounds first. These are the troubleshooting steps that will help you turn off the “No SIM” message on your iPhone:
Restart Your iPhone
Once in a while, a minor software glitch can make your iPhone unable to read a valid SIM card. In this case, a soft reset can clear temporary errors that may be causing the “No SIM” error.
If you own an iPhone 5, 6, 7, 8, or SE, press and hold the Side button until you see the Power Off slider. Drag the slider to the right to power off your iPhone. Wait for 30 seconds, then power it back on.
For iPhone X, iPhone 11, and newer models, press and hold the Volume Down and Side buttons simultaneously until the Power Off slider pops up. Drag the slider to the right to power off the phone. Wait for 30 seconds, then power it on again.
Confirm You Have an Active Carrier Plan
To check if you have an active carrier plan, go to Settings > General > About. Check your network information to see if you still have an active carrier subscription.
At times, it’s just that your network provider has a service outage. You can contact them via email or live chat on their website just to be sure.
Since network problems can prevent your iPhone from connecting to a server for updates, you can check for updates through a computer that can access iTunes. Before it upgrades your phone, iTunes automatically scans for wireless carrier settings updates. It will ask you to install them if available.
Eject the SIM Card & Inspect It
Turn off your iPhone, then gently eject it using a SIM tray ejector tool (on Amazon). You can also use a straightened out edge of a paperclip. If you notice the SIM tray is difficult to remove, it probably means you inserted it improperly.
But once you’ve successfully taken out the SIM card, inspect it carefully for scratches and other signs of damage. You should also inspect the SIM tray opening with a flashlight to check if there’s any debris in there.
If so, blow it out carefully with compressed air, like with a computer keyboard blower (on Amazon). Next, wipe the SIM card with a lint-free cloth and reinsert it properly into the phone.
Try a Different SIM Card
Ask a family member or some close friend if you can troubleshoot your iPhone with their SIM card. If it fixes the “No SIM” issue, it means your SIM card is the culprit.
This way, you don’t need to contact Apple — just visit one of your carrier’s stores and ask them for a SIM replacement.
But if the “No SIM” error persists, it means you might have to worry about some other stuff like wrong settings and software errors.
Remember, the software of your iPhone is like the brain of its operation. So, if it’s glitchy or you have wrong network configurations, the hardware won’t work smoothly either.
Turn Airplane Mode On and Off
Toggling the Airplane Mode on and off is one of the quickest ways to fix several network-related issues. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to launch the Control Center, then turn Airplane mode on. Turn it off after 15 seconds and see if it clears the issue.
For iPhone X and later, launch the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the screen. Tap the plane icon to activate Airplane Mode, then quickly turn it off.
Alternatively, go to Settings, then tap ‘Airplane Mode‘ to turn it on. Quickly turn it off and see if it offsets the issue.
Reset Your Network Settings
Restoring your network configurations to factory defaults can help fix glitches in the software that helps manage your connection to cellular networks and WiFi. Please note, however, that this procedure will erase all saved WiFi passwords and other network settings.
Here’s how to reset your network settings:
- Go to Settings and then the ‘General‘ tab.
- Tap ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone,’ then choose ‘Reset.’
- Choose ‘Reset Network Settings,’ then enter your passcode to continue.
Update Your Wireless Carrier Settings
Your carrier might release occasional updates to help beef up cellular connectivity on their network. Missing out on these updates could cause your SIM card not to work properly.
- Connect your iPhone to WiFi then go to Settings > General > About.
- Choose ‘Update‘ if there’s such a prompt.
Experts recommend you use iTunes to check for wireless carrier settings and install updates if available.
Plug your iPhone into your computer and open iTunes. The app will automatically scan for updates and ask you to install them if they’re available.
Restore Your iPhone’s Settings to Default
Doing a hard reset on your iPhone is worth a shot if you’re still having the “No SIM” issue after trying the above fixes. You’ll restore your iPhone’s settings to factory default, then reactivate with your carrier network as part of the setup process. Ultimately, you’ll restore the data you’ve backed up to iTunes or iCloud.
Please note that a factory reset will clear all your settings and personal data, which is why you need to back it up to iCloud or iTunes before proceeding. You’ll also need to activate your iPhone before you can restore the backup data or do anything with it.
Also make sure you have a reliable WiFi connection just in case the factory reset doesn’t fix the “No SIM” issue. Here’s how to perform a factory reset on your iPhone:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Tap ‘General.’
- Scroll down to ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone‘ and tap on it.
- Hit ‘Erase All Content and Settings,’ then tap ‘Continue.’
Update to the Latest iOS Version
Apple usually releases new iOS updates to fix bugs and other software errors that may cause issues such as network glitches.
To update your iPhone’s software to the latest iOS version, follow these steps:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Go to General, then tap ‘Software Update.’
- If the update doesn’t occur automatically, tap ‘Download and Install.’
Please note that if you’re experiencing the “No SIM” error due to glitchy software, chances are you’ll need to update your iOS from iTunes. Follow these steps to update it from iTunes:
- Connect your iPhone to a computer with the iTunes app through its Lightning cable.
- Open the iTunes app on the computer, then click the appropriate device button. You’ll find this near the top left of your iTunes window.
- Select ‘Update,’ then click ‘Check for Update.’
- Click ‘Update‘ to install the latest iOS update.
Contact Customer Support if Everything Else Fails
The above steps should fix your SIM card problem if you follow them correctly. But if everything else fails, it’s a good time to contact your carrier’s customer care team or reach out to Apple Customer Support.
You could also visit an Apple Store to have your iPhone checked, and the Genius Bar has a high reputation for performing quick diagnostics. If AppleCare still covers your iPhone, you might even be lucky enough to get a new iPhone.