What To Do When Your iPhone Says No SIM

Illustration of a person looking at a mobile phone with No SIM Card messages on it

Lifewire / Bailey Mariner

If your iPhone is displaying a No SIM Card Installed error, you can't connect to cellular phone networks, you can't make and receive calls or use 4G LTE wireless data.

Besides your iPhone alerting you with an error message, you'll know your iPhone is having a problem with its SIM card if the carrier name and signal bars/dots at the top of the screen are missing, or have been replaced by No SIM or Searching.

There could be a number of reasons for the 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.

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

No SIM Card Installed isn't the only version of this error. If your iPhone is displaying warnings like Invalid SIM or Insert SIM, you've got the same type of problem and the tips in this article can help.

How to Find the iPhone SIM Card



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.

Step 1: Re-Seat the iPhone SIM Card

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. To re-seat the SIM card in its slot, get a paper clip (or use Apple's "SIM card removal tool," included with some iPhones), unfold it, and push one end into the hole in the SIM card tray. This will pop the tray out of its slot. Push it back in and make sure it's firmly seated.


If it doesn't, fully remove the SIM. Make sure the card and the slot aren't dirty. If they are, clean them. Blowing into the slot is probably OK, but a shot of compressed air is always best. Then, reinsert the SIM.

Step 2: Turn Airplane Mode On and Off


  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or down from the top right on iPhone X and newer) to reveal Control Center.



    iOS Control Center with Airplane mode button highlighted both off and on


    Step 3: Update iOS

    If reseating the SIM card and Airplane Mode didn't work, 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 and have a decent amount of battery life before you do this. Install any available updates and see if that solves the problem. To update iOS:

  6. Tap Settings.

  7. Tap General.

  8. Tap Software Update.

    Three iOS screens showing General Settings icon, Software Update button, then Download and Install button
  9. If a new version is available, follow the onscreen instructions to install it.

    Step 4: Restart iPhone



  11. Keep pressing until a slider appears on the screen that turns off the iPhone.

  12. Let go of the button and swipe the slider left to right.


  14. Press the hold/Side button again until the Apple logo appears.

  15. Let go of the button and wait for the iPhone to restart.

    If you're using an iPhone 7, 8, X, XS, or XR the steps are different. In that case, check out this article for full instructions on restarting those models.

    Step 5: Check for Carrier Settings Update


  16. Tap Settings.

  17. Tap General.

  18. Tap About.


Step 6: 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.

Step 7: Make Sure Your Account Is Valid


Step 8: If Nothing Works, Contact Apple

If all of these steps don't solve the problem, you have a problem that you can't fix. It's time to call tech support or to take a trip to your closest Apple Store. Get step-by-step instructions on how to do this in How to Make an Apple Store Appointment.