Why Does My iPhone Say “No SIM”?

The SIM card is a tiny memory card that holds important information and allows you to use your carrier services. Sometimes, you may get an alert on your iPhone saying “No SIM Card Installed”, which means you can’t make calls or use cellular data.

A “No SIM” error means that your iPhone can no longer detect the SIM card inserted in the tray. We’ll discuss why your iPhone says no SIM card is installed and how you can resolve this problem with our step-by-step instructions.

Why Does My iPhone Say “No SIM”?

There can be several reasons why your iPhone says “No SIM”.

• There is a software glitch in the phone.
• The SIM tray is damaged, bent, or dirty.
• The SIM card is loose or not placed properly.
• You have a damaged SIM card.
• There are pending network carrier setting updates.

Fixing the “No SIM Card” Error

Fixing the SIM detection failure on an iPhone is done by trying and testing several things. We’ll ensure that our step-by-step instructions will help you go through each process effortlessly.

We’ll also discuss replacing the SIM if all else fails. Here are the 5 methods to fix the “No SIM Card Installed” error on iPhone.

Method #1: Restart Your iPhone

A quick reboot of your iPhone often fixes the “No SIM” error.

1. Press either the volume button or the side button and hold it until the power-off slider appears.
2. Swipe the slider and wait for at least 30 seconds for iPhone to turn off.
3. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, and the iPhone turns back on.

Hopefully, you won’t see the error popping up again on your screen.

Method #2: Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

1. Open your iPhone Home Screen, and tap on the Settings option.
2. Tap the “Airplane Mode” to turn it on and again to turn it off. You can also turn Airplane Mode on and off from the Control Center.
3. Check if the “No SIM” error persists. If it does, proceed to the next method.

Method #3: Reset Network Settings

Sometimes, incorrect iPhone network settings can lead to the “No SIM” error. To fix the issue, do these steps.

1. Grab your iPhone, open your Home Screen, and tap on Settings.
2. Navigate to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
3. Tap on the “Reset Network Settings” to restore the network configuration to factory defaults.

Method #4: Update Your iPhone

An outdated iPhone is the most common reason for SIM card errors. To update your iPhone, take a look at these steps.

1. Backup your device by turning on iCloud backup.
2. Charge your iPhone and connect it to your WiFi network.
3. Go to Settings > General and tap on the “Software Update” option.

Method #5: Inspect and Clean the SIM Tray

If your iPhone is functioning correctly, the chances are that there is an issue with the SIM tray. Here are the easy steps to troubleshoot the problem.

1. Insert a SIM-eject tool, a pin, or a paper clip into the hole in the SIM tray.
2. Push in and press until the tray comes out.
3. Once the tray is out, check for debris inside the SIM tray using a flashlight.
4. Blow it out with compressed air or clean the tray with a soft dry cloth.
5. Make sure the SIM tray is not deformed.
6. Put the SIM card back into the tray and reinsert the SIM tray into your iPhone.
7. Afterward, confirm that the “No SIM” error is resolved.

Replacing SIM Card

If your iPhone is still displaying “No SIM”, try using someone else’s SIM and insert it into your phone. If the error is resolved, there is an issue with your SIM card. In this case, contact your service provider and replace the damaged SIM.

Summary

In this guide about why your iPhone says “No SIM”, we discussed the reasons for the error and shared multiple methods to resolve it with you. We also discussed replacing the damaged SIM card.

We hope that your problems are gone, and now you can send texts to friends, make calls to your loved ones, and use cellular data on your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions