How to Fix "No SIM Card Installed" Error for iPhone

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

If your iOS device displays a "Invalid SIM" or "No SIM Card Installed" message, or can't connect to your cellular network or cellular data, the following steps may help resolve these issues for you.

iOS no sim card installed prompt


This guide will cover:

  • Restarting your iOS device
  • Checking for a Carrier settings update
  • Updating your iOS device
  • Resetting your SIM card

2. Restart

To restart your device:

iOS devices with side buttons pointed out

Restart your iPhone X

  1. Press and hold the Side button and either volume button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your iPhone X completely off.
  3. After your iPhone X turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restart your iPhone 8 or earlier, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears.
  2. Drag the slider to turn your device completely off.
  3. After the device turns off, press and hold the Top (or Side) button again until you see the Apple logo.

With iOS 11 or later, you can also turn off your device by going to Settings, then General, then Shut Down.

3. Check for a Carrier Settings update

To ensure that your device is able to check for and perform this update, make sure your iOS device is connected to Wi-Fi before proceeding.

  1. Tap Settings.
iOS Settings icon.
  1. Tap General.
iOS settings menu with general highlighted
  1. Tap About.
iOS general settings with about highlighted
  1. If a carrier settings update is available, you'll be prompted to update. Select Update to perform the update.
iOS carrier update prompt

4. Check for Updates

To check and see if updates are available for your iOS device:

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
iOS Settings.
  1. Select General.
iOS settings page with general highlighted.
  1. Select Software Update.
iOS general settings with software update highlighted.
  1. Your iOS device will perform a search for available iOS updates.
  2. If no update is available, it will display your current version of iOS and inform you that your software is up to date.
iOS up to date software page.
  1. If an update is available, it will be displayed.
iOS update display.

  1. Select Download and Install to begin the update process.
  2. If prompted, enter your passcode to proceed.

5. Sim Card

  1. To open the SIM card tray, insert a paper clip or your device's SIM-eject tool into the hole beside the tray.
iPhone showing the paper clip and sim card.
  1. Push the paperclip or eject tool in firmly towards the device, but do not force it. The SIM tray should pop out and away from the body of the device.
iPhone with the paperclip ejecting the sim card.
  1. Pull out the SIM card tray and remove the SIM card. Inspect the SIM card and ensure there is no damage to it.
iPhone and a removed sim card.
  1. Insert the SIM card back into the tray and re-seat the tray into the device completely. Ensure the SIM card and tray are inserted using the same orientation it had when it was removed.
iPhone with a sim card being inserted.

6. What's next?