How to Fix When iPhone Says ‘No SIM’ (Full Guide)

With today’s advanced technology, everyone needs to use cell phones. Thus, you may need SIM card service to use social media software via data networks, make phone calls, send text messages, etc. Therefore, SIM becomes very important. But if you see the “No SIM Available on iPhone” error after inserting your SIM card into your device, it means something is wrong either with your iPhone or the SIM. 

However, there are several ways to find out the root cause of this issue and eventually fix it. And that’s what this article is about! 

We will go over everything you need to know about a SIM card, why your iPhone isn’t recognizing it, and how to resolve this issue. So, let’s dive straight into it!

Further Reading: How to Bypass iPhone Unavailable Lock Screen >>

What Is SIM Card?

SIM stands for “Subscriber Identity Module.” It is a little magical card that you put in your phone to unlock your phone’s connection to your cellular network.

It stores important information about your phone number, contacts, and even security stuff. In short, it allows you to make calls, send texts, and use mobile data.

Without a SIM card, your phone would still work; however, you won’t be able to call or text anyone using wireless data over 4G or 5G. 

Why Does My iPhone Say “No SIM?”

When your iPhone says “No SIM,” it means that your device is unable to recognize or detect the presence of a SIM card. 

There can be several reasons that can lead to this error message. For instance:

• A loose or improperly inserted SIM card
• A damaged SIM card
• A software glitch
• Issues with the SIM card tray 

Regardless of why your iPhone cannot recognize the SIM card, we have several solutions to resolve this problem.

Let’s have a look.

How to Fix When My iPhone Says No SIM Card Installed (Regular 10 Methods)

Whether you’re getting the “No SIM Available on iPhone” error or your iPhone cannot detect it, here are 10 common ways to fix this issue:

Way 1: Remove and Reinsert Your SIM Card 

It could be that your SIM card is loose or inserted improperly. Therefore, the first quick fix you can try is removing and reinserting your SIM card. 

You’ll find the SIM card slot either on the top between the sleep/wake button and headphone jack (for older iPhone models) or on the right or left side of the device (for newer models). Once you find it, here’s what to do:

• Pull out the SIM card tray using a pin and remove the SIM card from it.
• Now put it back on the tray in the correct position, ensuring it is properly fixed in place. 
• Insert the SIM card tray back into its slot, and wait for a few seconds. 

If the SIM was loose or inserted wrongly, the “No SIM Available on iPhone” error will go away, and you’ll see the signal bars/carrier name instead. 

However, if this method doesn’t work, you can try the following trick.

Way 2: Restart Your iPhone 

The universal solution to resolve any glitch in an iPhone is to restart it. Whether your iPhone says no SIM or is unable to catch the signals of your carrier, restarting it might fix it.

Here’s how to restart different iPhone models:

For iPhone Series 8 and Earlier

• Press and hold the sleep/wake button at the top or right of the iPhone till the “Power Off” slider appears. 
• Slide it to power off your device.
• Press and hold the sleep/wake button again until the Apple logo appears to turn it back on.

For iPhone X and Later 

• Press and hold the volume down and power buttons simultaneously until the “Power Off” slider appears.
• Slide it to power off your device.
• Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo to turn on your iPhone.

Restarting your iPhone usually solves all issues that come up due to slight system glitches. However, you can move on to the next solution if you still see the “No SIM on iPhone” error.

Way 3: Turn Airplane Mode On/Off

There’s a possibility that the Airplane Mode on your iPhone is enabled, causing it not to detect your SIM card. Therefore, you can quickly check to see if it’s on and turn it off. Or simply turn it on and off again to rule out this reason.

Here’s how to go about it:

• Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
• If the airplane icon is orange, the Airplane Mode is turned on. Tap to disable it.

• If it’s not enabled, tap to turn it on, wait for a few minutes, and tap it again to turn it off.

If your iPhone was unable to detect your SIM due to the Airplane Mode, you would be able to see the signal bars and carrier name on your iPhone. 

Way 4: Check iPhone’s Carrier Plan 

It is possible that your carrier plan has been canceled, suspended, or deactivated due to some reason. This can also be one reason for you to see a “No SIM Available on iPhone” error. 

Therefore, checking your iPhone’s carrier plan is always a good idea. For this, you can call your carrier’s helpline, provide the necessary details, and check whether you have an active plan or not. 

In case you don’t have an active plan, you can subscribe to one. However, if you have an active plan and still your iPhone says no SIM, you can try one of the following methods. 

Way 5: Reset Network Settings 

If your network settings are out of sync, it can come in the way of your iPhone detecting your SIM. So, resetting the network settings on your iPhone is a good way to resolve this issue. 

This will remove all network settings from your device and disconnect you from Wi-Fi and mobile data. When you connect back to the internet, your previous network settings will be restored, and you can use your cellular data again. 

To reset the network settings, follow these steps:

• Go to “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Phone.”

• Now tap “Reset > Reset Network Settings” and enter your passcode to continue.

If the issue was due to the network settings, resetting them will resolve the “No SIM” issue. However, if this method also goes in vain, you can always try the next method on our list.

Way 6: Update iOS

Another common reason to face the “No SIM Available on iPhone” error can be due to an outdated iOS version. Therefore, try updating your iOS to see if it gets resolved.

To update your iOS:

• Go to “Settings > General > Software Update” and check if a new update is pending.
• If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.”

However, if your iPhone is up-to-date, try updating carrier settings.

Way 7: Check Carrier Settings Update 

If your iOS version is not the culprit, maybe your network carrier updated their settings. You usually get a notification for such updates; however, if you didn’t get one or missed it, you can always check if an update is available.

Here’s how:

• Go to “Settings > General > About.”

If an update is available, you’ll see a prompt for it. However, if there is no carrier settings update, maybe you have a malfunctioning SIM card. 

Way 8: Test for SIM Card Malfunction 

If you’re still getting the “No SIM Available on iPhone” error after trying all the tips and tricks mentioned earlier, there’s a chance your SIM card is broken. 

But how to check whether your SIM card is malfunctioning? 

Simply insert it into another device to see if it is recognized. Or, insert another SIM card into your iPhone to confirm whether the issue lies with the SIM or the device. 

Otherwise…

Way 9: Factory Reset Your iPhone 

Just like restarting an iPhone resolves several known and unknown issues, factory resetting your device also eliminates the issue causing your iPhone to act up. 

So, if your iPhone says no SIM, even after trying all the mentioned methods, it’s time to reset it to its factory version.

Here’s how to factory reset your iPhone:

• Go to “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.”

• Tap on “Erase All Content and Settings > Continue.” 

• Enter your passcode to confirm your selection.

This will factory reset your iPhone, and you can set it up as new. With everything starting from scratch, the “No SIM Available on iPhone” error will likely disappear, and you can make calls and send texts using your SIM once again. 

Way 10: Contact Apple Support 

If nothing else works, and you’re still getting the “No SIM” notification, it means something is wrong with the hardware, and the issue is more technical than we imagined. This calls for contacting Apple Support and getting your iPhone checked by a professional.

However, there is one last trick up our sleeves! Before you give up hope, you can always try fixing the “No SIM Available on iPhone” issue with a reliable third-party app.

Unlock iPhone SIM Card Restrictions Directly [Safe & Easy]

There’s a possibility that your iPhone has a SIM or carrier lock on it, restricting it from recognizing the SIM card of another network. This usually happens when you purchase a second-hand iPhone that was originally bought from a specific network provider. 

If your iPhone has a carrier lock or SIM card restriction on it, you can instantly remove it with the help of the #1 professional iPhone unlocker tool – AnyUnlock.

AnyUnlock – Unlocking Your iPhone Made Simple 

AnyUnlock is like a super handy tool for your iPhone! It is complete iOS unlocking software that helps you to unlock SIM lock, bypass iCloud activation lock, find Apple ID email, unlock screen lock, etc. Except for unlocking SIM card iPhone, AnyUnlock can also resolve other SIM lock-related issues. Check what it can do for you:

• Fix iPhone SIM not supported, invalid SIM card, and other SIM card-related issues just in seconds.
• Unlock SIM card iPhone without contacting the previous carrier or SIM network unlock PIN.
• Support to unlock all types of SIM carriers, such as Verizon,  AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, etc. 
• 100% secure. Unlock iPhone from any carrier without any data loss or information leakage.
• It can unlock your iPhone even if you forgot the passcode, bypass MDM (Mobile Device Management), and even unlock Apple ID.

Free get & try AnyUnlock and follow the detailed step guide to unlock the SIM lock below:

How to Remove SIM Lock Directly with AnyUnlock:

Step 1. Download and launch AnyUnlock on your PC > Select the “Remove SIM Lock” option.

Step 2Connect your iPhone to your PC > Click “ Remove Now” after checking and confirming your phone information is ok.

Step 3Follow the on-screen instructions to turn off the Wi-Fi on your iPhone and re-insert the SIM. Click on “Ok” to continue.

Step 4 After that, AnyUnlock will begin to remove your SIM lock automatically. Wait until your phone gets unlocked. 

The Bottom Line

It can be quite worrisome to get a “No SIM Available on iPhone” error even when your SIM is inserted correctly, and you have an active data plan. However, there can be other reasons behind this issue, like a glitch with the system or outdated iOS or carrier settings.

We have rounded up 11 quick fixes to help you resolve this issue. Once you find that the regular methods do not solve the problem, then do not hesitate to try AnyUnlock. As a professional Apple unlocking tool, it can unlock almost all Apple locks and solve your problems quickly and safely. Learn more about AnyUnlock>>