iPhone Says No SIM Card: Causes & 10 Proven Fixes Explained

"My iPhone fell, and now it shows me no SIM card. How to fix it?"

- from Apple Community

When your iPhone suddenly displays "No SIM" or "Invalid SIM", it can be both confusing and frustrating. This issue prevents you from making calls, sending messages, or using mobile data, which makes your iPhone almost unusable in daily life. Actually, iPhone says no SIM does not necessarily mean that the SIM card is damaged. In most cases, it is caused by system settings, network issues, or slight hardware contact abnormalities.

This article will start with the reasons for "no SIM card installed" and provide a series of solutions, ranging from simple to advanced, to help you quickly restore the normal communication function of your iPhone.

Part 1. Why Does My iPhone Say No SIM Card?

Before solving the problem, understanding the cause can help choose the right method. The "iPhone says no SIM" issue is usually caused by the following reasons:

• Loose, aged, or damaged SIM card.
• Poor contact with the SIM card tray.
• iOS system glitches or failed updates.
• Network configuration errors.
• Outdated carrier settings.
• iPhone locked by the carrier.
• Some phone models may not support certain types of SIM cards, such as nano-SIM or micro-SIM.
• Hardware issues (SIM card slot or baseband).

Part 2. How to Fix "No SIM" or "Invalid SIM" on iPhone?

Below, we will introduce a variety of common and effective solutions in order of simplicity to complexity. It is recommended to try them one by one.

Fix 1. Restart the iPhone

Temporary system glitches are one of the most common reasons why an iPhone suddenly says no SIM. Restarting the device refreshes the cellular modules and reloads network connections.

For iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or newer:

• Press and hold both the "Volume" button and the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Slide the slider to power off the device and wait about 30 seconds for it to fully shut down.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):

• Press and hold the "Side" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Slide the slider to turn off your device, then wait around 30 seconds for it to power off.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Side" button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 5, or earlier:

• Press and hold the "Top" button until the power-off slider appears.
• Slide the slider to turn off your device, then wait about 30 seconds for it to power off.
• To turn it back on, press and hold the "Top" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 2. Reinsert the SIM Card

Improper placement or slight looseness of the SIM card can prevent the iPhone from recognizing the card. Therefore, reinserting the SIM card is a crucial step, especially if you've recently changed the card or dropped your phone.

Here is how to fix iPhone says no SIM after dropping:

Step 1. Turn off your iPhone.

Step 2. Use a SIM card ejector tool to remove the SIM card tray.

Step 3. Take out the SIM card and check for any scratches or dirt.

Step 4. Gently wipe the SIM card chip with a clean, soft cloth.

Step 5. Place the SIM card back into the tray correctly and reinsert it into the iPhone.

Step 6. Power on the phone and check if the "No SIM" message still appears.

Fix 3. Switch Airplane Mode

Switching on Airplane Mode can force the iPhone to reconnect to the carrier network, making it a quick fix for temporary network issues.

Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open the "Control Center" and turn on "Airplane Mode". Wait for about 30 seconds, then turn it off again and wait for the iPhone to reconnect to the cellular network. Alternatively, you can go to "Settings", turn on/off "Airplane Mode".

Fix 4. Reset Network Settings

Network configuration errors can also cause the iPhone to say "No SIM" detected. In this case, you can try resetting the network settings. Note that this action will remove all wireless connections, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VPN, etc., and will also clear any saved passwords and custom settings.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General".

Step 2. Go to "Transfer or Reset iPhone".

Step 3. Tap "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings".

Step 4. Enter your passcode to confirm the action.

Fix 5. Check for Carrier Settings Update

If your iPhone keeps showing "No SIM" or "Invalid SIM", you might need a carrier update. Often, this update needs to be installed manually when a new SIM card is inserted into the device. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "About".

Step 2. If an update prompt appears, tap "Update".

Fix 6. Update iOS

Some versions of iOS may contain bugs related to cellular or baseband functions. Updating iOS can often fix these issues.

Here is how to fix iPhone says no SIM card:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" and install the latest iOS version. (iPhone won't update?)

Step 2. If the update fails, you can use iTunes or Finder on a computer to update your iPhone.

Fix 7. Use iOS System Recovery

If your iPhone says no SIM due to deeper iOS system problems, standard settings changes may not work. In this case, a professional repair tool like iOS System Recovery can help. This tool can fix system-level errors without data loss and supports various iOS-related issues, including cellular failures.

Main features of iOS System Recovery:

• Fix iPhone says no SIM available without data loss.
• Fix various iOS issues such as iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, trapped in headphone mode, affected by water damage, experiencing screen problems (black, red, blue, or white screens of death), freezing, or disabled after multiple failed unlock attempts.
• Choose between Standard Mode (no data loss) or Advanced Mode for deeper repairs.
• Easily upgrade or downgrade to a compatible iOS version.
• High success rate with no data loss.
• Fully compatible with iPhone 17 series and iOS 26.

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Here's how to fix iPhone says no SIM detected using iOS System Recovery:

Fix 8. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

If none of the above methods work, your last resort is to reset your iPhone and erase all data. This will restore your device to its original state, removing any problematic apps, cache, data, and more.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset".

Step 2. Tap "Erase All Content and Settings" and enter your screen passcode.

Step 3. Finally, tap "Erase iPhone" again to confirm the action, and you're all set. (iPhone won't erase?)

Fix 9. Contact Carrier or Apple Support

If none of the above methods solve the issue, it is likely due to one of the following:

• The SIM card has been deactivated.
• The iPhone is locked by the carrier.
• The SIM card slot or baseband hardware is damaged.

At this point, it is recommended to:

• Contact your carrier to replace the SIM card.
• Visit an Apple authorized service center for hardware diagnostics.

Words in the End

In most cases, iPhone says no SIM is not a serious hardware failure and can be fixed by following the right troubleshooting steps. Starting from basic checks and moving toward advanced system repair ensures both efficiency and safety.

If you want a fast, data-safe solution for system-related causes, iOS System Recovery is a reliable option worth considering.

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