You pick up your iPhone to make a call, only to see “No SIM” on the screen. When your iPhone is not detecting its SIM card, losing calls and mobile data can leave you wondering what suddenly went wrong. This article will help you understand the possible causes and solutions for the problem that iPhone shows no SIM Card is installed. It also highlights the points to be kept in mind if you experience such a problem of iPhone not reading SIM Card in the future.

Quick answer: Check the active carrier plan, restart and review carrier settings. For a suspected software-related detection problem, Fixppo offers a repair route; physical SIM damage and eSIM provisioning need the carrier.

Tackle a Software-Related No SIM Alert. When the carrier and physical SIM checks are complete, Fixppo offers a focused repair route for a suspected iOS detection fault. Its step-by-step desktop workflow helps you attempt system repair without starting with a full erase.

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No SIM Card Installed

1. Turn on Airplane Mode and Turn It off

This is an easy and simple remedy. Visit Control Center and tap on Airplane icon. After about ten to fifteen seconds turn the mode off and see if the SIM Card is getting detected.

Turn on Airplane Mode and Turn It off

2. Clean the SIM Card Slot

Inspect a physical SIM and tray for visible damage or debris. Do not insert a paper clip, toothbrush or other object into the internal card slot.

Use the SIM-eject tool only in the tray's eject hole. Reseat the card carefully; if cleaning or damage is a concern, ask the carrier or Apple for service.

3. Check the SIM Tray

iPhone SIM Card tray can be ejected from the slot by using a simple paper clip. Insert the clip in the small hole on the tray and press lightly. The tray automatically pops-out. Now pull the tray out of the slot. Carefully examine that the tray is not disfigured or damaged. It must hold the SIM Card firmly. If the tray seems to be lost, i.e., it does not hold the SIM properly or does not fit in the slot exactly, contact your nearest Apple Store to fix it.

Please DO NOT use another device’s tray in your iPhone. It could damage your SIM and iPhone permanently.

Clean the SIM Card Slot

You may wonder some ways to check if iPhone is unlocked without SIM card.

4. Test with Another SIM Card

Using a SIM Card, other than your original one, can be helpful to test if your original SIM is damaged. If your iPhone won't read SIM Card, just contact your Carrier’s retail store and put in a request to issue another SIM Card or just replace the old one if another SIM card can be detected.

5. Update Carrier Settings

Another simple yet effective DIY technique to verify whether or not your carrier settings are updated. Just visit “Setting”=>“General”=>“About”. Here you might get a prompt to update, do so by tapping on “OK”. This ensures all changes made by your carrier company to enable your iPhone to connect to a network are installed in your device.

Update Carrier Settings

6. Update iOS to Latest (the installed system version for Now)

After backing up, install a stable update offered for your model. An update can address software issues but does not guarantee correction of a damaged card or tray.

Refer to the picture below and follow the steps to update your iOS to the newest iOS 16/17/18.

Update iOS

7. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

Contact the carrier to check the SIM or eSIM before erasing the phone. If a factory reset is appropriate, back up first and use Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

Note
Sometimes if you restore the whole iTunes or iCloud backup to your iPhone after fixing the problem, there may be the problem again. To avoid that, here we would like to introduce an efficient way to selectively restore the most important data from backup to your iPhone.

Conclusion

For iPhone not detecting SIM card, begin with the active plan, carrier settings and SIM type. Physical SIM users can inspect the card and tray, while eSIM users should ask their carrier to check activation and provisioning. Preserve your data before repair or reset, and seek carrier or Apple service if the alert persists.

Still Seeing No SIM After the Carrier Checks?

If an iOS detection fault is suspected, iMyFone Fixppo brings device recognition, compatible firmware download and system repair into one guided workflow. Standard Mode is designed to retain personal data, offering a repair option before considering a full erase. Back up your iPhone before proceeding.

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For Windows

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I clean inside the SIM slot?

Do not insert tools or brushes into the internal slot. Inspect the card and tray and seek service for damage or debris.

What if my iPhone uses eSIM?

Skip physical-tray steps and ask the carrier to check the eSIM and active plan.

Does a factory reset guarantee a fix?

No. It erases local data and does not repair a physical SIM or resolve every carrier provisioning problem.