How to Fix the 'No SIM Card Installed' Error on iPhone

If your iPhone is displaying a No SIM Card Installed error, then you can't connect to your wireless carrier's network. You can't use your wireless data over 4G or 5G, and you can't make or receive calls.

Whatever the cause and the type of error, the solution is pretty easy: All you need to fix this is a paper clip and some software settings. Here's what to do if your iPhone says "No SIM."

How to Fix the iPhone No SIM Error

If your iPhone is displaying the No SIM error, or you don't have any cellular bars when you should, try these steps, in this order, to fix the problem.

1. Remove the iPhone SIM card and reset it. Since the No SIM problem is often caused by the SIM getting slightly dislodged, the first fix is to try to put it back in place and make sure it's fully seated. After a few seconds (wait up to a minute), the No SIM Card Installed error should disappear and your regular bars and carrier name should re-appear at the top of the iPhone's screen.

   If it doesn't, remove the SIM and check if the card or the slot is dirty. If they are, clean them. Blowing into the slot is probably OK, but a shot of compressed air is always best.

2. Restart iPhone. If your iPhone still doesn't recognize the SIM, try the all-purpose fix for many iPhone problems: a restart. You'd be surprised how many issues are solved by restarting.

3. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off. If you're still seeing the SIM error, your next step is to turn Airplane Mode on and then off again. Doing this can reset the iPhone's connection to cellular networks and may resolve the problem.

4. Update iOS. If the problem continues to persist, check to see if there's an update to the iOS, the operating system that runs on the iPhone. You'll want to connect to a Wi-Fi network, or a computer, and have a decent amount of battery life before you do this. Install any available updates and see if that solves the problem.

5. Make sure your phone account is valid. It's also possible that your phone company account isn't valid. In order for your phone to be able to connect to a phone company network, you need a valid, active account with a phone company. If your account has been suspended, canceled, or has some other problem, you may see the SIM error.

6. Check for an iPhone Carrier settings update. Another culprit behind the SIM not being recognized could be that your phone company has changed the settings for how your phone connects to its network and you need to install them.

7. Test for a malfunctioning SIM card. If your iPhone still says it has no SIM, your SIM card could have a hardware problem. One way to test this is by inserting a SIM card from another cell phone that you know works fine. Make sure to use the correct size—standard, microSIM, or nanoSIM—for your phone.

   If the No SIM Card Installed warning disappears after inserting another SIM, then your iPhone SIM is broken. You can get a new one from Apple or your phone company.

8. Contact Apple tech support. If all of these steps don't solve the problem, you have a problem that you can't fix. You can make an Apple Store appointment online.
   

Where Is the iPhone's SIM Card?

The location depends on your iPhone model.

• iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS: Look between the sleep/wake button and the headphone jack at the top of the phone for a slot with a tiny hole in it. This is the tray that holds the SIM card.
• iPhone 4 and newer: On the iPhone 4 and newer, the SIM tray is on the right side of the phone, near the sleep/wake (or Side) button. The iPhone 4 and 4S use a microSIM. Later models have the slightly smaller, more modern nanoSIM. 

Starting with the iPhone X series (XR, XS, and XS Max), Apple started offering eSIMs for the iPhone. You set these up digitally with your network provider. You can use up to eight eSIMs including two phone numbers per device. Because an eSIM is completely digital, you shouldn't get this error if you use one. You should contact your wireless company if you have any issues.

Causes of the iPhone No SIM Error

There are a number of reasons for the iPhone No SIM error. It could be that the iPhone doesn't recognize its SIM card, which is used to connect to these networks. This problem can also be caused by your SIM card becoming slightly dislodged or a problem with your phone's software.

The "No SIM" error can appear in multiple ways, including:

• No SIM
• No SIM Card Installed
• Invalid SIM
• Insert SIM

Whatever the cause and the type of error, the solution is pretty easy: All you need to fix this is a paper clip and some software settings. Here's what to do if your iPhone says "No SIM."

How to Find the iPhone SIM Card