A pop-up appeared on your iPhone saying “Invalid SIM” and you don’t know the reason. Now you can’t make phone calls, send texts, or use cellular data. In this post, I’ll explain why it says Invalid SIM on your iPhone and show you how to fix the problem permanently.
Turn Airplane Mode On and Back Off
The first thing you should do when your iPhone says Invalid SIM is to turn Airplane Mode on and back off. When Airplane Mode is enabled, your iPhone Cutts off cellular and wireless networks.
Start the Settings app and tap the switch next to Airplane Mode to turn it on. Wait a few seconds, then tap the switch to turn it back off.
Check For A Carrier Settings Update
The next thing you need to do is to check to see if a carrier settings update is available on your iPhone. Apple and your wireless carrier will frequently release carrier settings updates to improve your iPhone’s ability to connect to cellular towers.
To check for a carrier settings update, start the Settings app on your iPhone and head over to General -> About. Wait here for about 15 seconds — if a carrier settings update is available, you’ll see a pop-up on your iPhone display. If you see the pop-up, tap Update.
If you don’t see any pop-up, a carrier settings update probably isn’t available!
Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes it’ll say Invalid SIM on your iPhone due to a minor software glitch. By switching your iPhone off and back on, we allow it to shut down all of its programs naturally. They’ll have a fresh when you turn it back on.
To switch off iPhone 8 or earlier, press and hold the power button until you see the slide to power off option. To turn off iPhone X or later, press and hold the side button together with either volume button. Swipe the red power icon from left to right to shut down your iPhone.
Wait for a moment, then press and hold down the power button or side button to turn your iPhone back on.
Update Your iPhone
Your iPhone could also be saying Invalid SIM because it’s software is out of date. Apple often release new iOS updates to fix existing software glitches and introduce new features.
To check for an iOS update, start the Settings app and head over to General -> Software Update. If an update is available, hit Download & Install.
If it says “Your iPhone is up to date”, try the next solution.
Eject and Reinsert Your SIM Card
So far, we’ve covered most iPhone troubleshooting steps. Now, it’s time to take a look at the SIM card.
If you recently dropped youriPhone, the SIM card might have been moved out of place. Try ejecting the SIM card from your iPhone, then reinserted
Where Is The SIM Card Located?
On most iPhones, the SIM card tray is located on the right edge of the device. On the oldest iPhones (original iPhone, 3G, and 3GS), the SIM card tray is located on the topmost of the iPhone.
How Do I Eject My iPhone SIM Card?
Use a SIM card ejector tool or a paper clip and press down in the small circle on the SIM card tray. Make sure to apply a fair bit of pressure to get the tray to actually eject. Don’t worry when your iPhone says No SIM when you open up the SIM card tray.
Make sure the SIM card is properly positioned in the tray and insert it back in. If it still says Invalid SIM on iPhone, try the next SIM card troubleshooting fix.
Try A Different SIM Card
This step will help us figure out whether you’re dealing with an iPhone issue or a SIM card issue. Ask your friend to lend you a SIM card and insert it into your iPhone. Does it still say Invalid SIM?
If your iPhone says Invalid SIM, then your iPhone is the culprit. If the problem went away after you inserted a different SIM card, then there’s a problem with your SIM card, not your iPhone.
If your iPhone is causing the Invalid SIM problem, try the next solution. If there’s a problem with your SIM card, contact your wireless carrier. We’ve provided some customer support phone numbers below in the “Contact Your Carrier” step.
Is there a PIN on your SIM
If you use a PIN on your SIM card, you are required to type in your sim pin after every iPhone restart, in addition to the device passcode. Failure to which, it will show Locked SIM and remain unusable.
Now, this is different from the Invalid SIM or No SIM issue. But if you or a kid (who knows the iPhone password) has inadvertently entered wrong SIM card pin 3 times in a row, then the SIM will be locked.
You will be required to contact your carrier via call or chat and request for a Personal Unlocking Key (PUK code). After that, follow your carrier’s instructions to enter the PUK code on the iPhone to unlock your SIM card and use it.
Reset Network Settings
Your iPhone’s network settings includes all of its cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and VPN settings. Your iPhone may say Invalid SIM if there’s software error within the cellular settings. Unfortunately, these issues can be challenging to trace, so the only solution is to reset all of your iPhone’s network settings.
Pro-Tip: Make sure you know all of your Wi-Fi passwords before resetting network settings. You’ll need to enter them afresh them after resetting your iPhone.
To reset your iPhone’s network settings, start the Settings app on your iPhone and head over to General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings. When asked, type in your iPhone passcode, then confirm the reset.
Restore your iPhone to Factory Settings
Resetting your iPhone to factory default will erase everything from your iPhone. reset your iPhone to factory default, simply start the settings app on your iPhone and go to General -> Reset -> reset all settings. If your iPhone says invalid sim still, try the next solution.
Contact Your Wireless Carrier Or Apple
If it still says Invalid SIM on your iPhone after you’ve reset the network settings, you’ll need to contact your wireless carrier or visit your nearestApple Store.
With SIM card problem, we recommend visiting your wireless carrier first. There is a higher chance that they’ll be able to help you fix the Invalid SIM issue. You may only need a new SIM card!
Visit your wireless carrier’s retail store or call the phone number below to talk to a customer support representative:
- Verizon: 1-(800)-922-0204
- Sprint: 1-(888)-211-4727
- AT&T: 1-(800)-331-0500
- T-Mobile: 1-(877)-746-0909
Switch To A New Wireless Carrier
If you’re sick of having SIM card or cell service problems on your iPhone, it might be the time to switch to a new wireless carrier. Sometimes you’ll save a lot of money when you switch!
Invalid or no SIM on iPhone? Problem fixed
Your iPhone SIM card is no longer invalid and you can continue making phone calls and using cellular data. Next time it says Invalid SIM on your iPhone, you’ll know how to fix the problem. If you have any other questions about your iPhone or your SIM card, let us know in the comment section below. We also have plenty of other articles that I suggest to check right now.