iPhone does not see SIM card after update: reasons

Despite the fact that the iPhone is considered the most reliable mobile device, its owner is also not immune from breakdowns and costs associated with repairs. A common problem lately has been the refusal of Apple smartphones to recognize SIM. A similar message appears on the screen of an iPhone that has stopped seeing the SIM card:

There are many possible reasons for this error to appear. We will tell you about each of them and give recommendations on what to do to solve the problem.

Main reasons

An iPhone can malfunction when actively used, and there are many reasons why SIM malfunctions occur. The list is quite impressive: starting with factory bugs and crashes, ending with a malfunction in the update. As practice shows, 90% of cases are due to external influence on the smartphone. The remaining 10% comes from software bugs or careless use.

What technicians usually find out in service centers after they fall into the hands of a “problematic” device:

• Falls and blows . If you think that if you accidentally drop your phone on a hard floor, you will get at least a scratch and at most a broken screen, then you are very mistaken. Shocks and falls may well affect the hardware, and not always with the SIM (it can be a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module). So, if such a problem occurs, try to remember how often and how long ago you dropped your device;
• Moisture ingress . Not a single iPhone, even the latest model, is 100% protected from water. If the gadget has some kind of protection, then the device should not “float” for hours - sometimes it can already be written off. Older models are generally poorly protected from moisture. If water gets into the SIM card slot, then, unfortunately, you cannot do without visiting a service center;
• Old SIM card . Like any other thing, a card with a chip tends to wear out, especially if you often change iPhone models and constantly rearrange it. The chip wears out over time, preventing mobile communications from working correctly, and sometimes it is difficult for a smartphone to read the SIM card;
• Locked gadget . If you bought a gadget abroad or secondhand, then you may well encounter the problem of a locked iPhone. What it is and what to do about it is written later in the article.
• Update glitch. Incorrect installation of iOS or a hacked version of Jailbreak may well lead to this.

After identifying such a bug, owners immediately panic, because repairs at a service center are expensive. But in fact, according to statistics, users of Apple products can do without the help of a specialist and special equipment. The most important thing is to understand the cause of the problem, and you will find instructions for solving it in the material of this article just below. Let's look at each reason in more detail and offer a solution to the problem.

Mechanical damage

If, after a fall (or self-disassembly), the iPhone no longer sees the SIM card, then you should contact a technician at a service center. It's no secret that smartphones are fragile equipment that requires careful and careful handling. Components can easily be damaged by falls, shocks, strong shaking, or attempts to change hardware. The card reader may become loose, causing insufficient contact with the surface of the SIM card. It is also easy to damage the landing part of the slot if the element is installed incorrectly or carelessly. When inserting the SIM, carefully ensure that the element fits tightly into the part. You can only remove the SIM card using the key included in the box or a metal paper clip.

And you are unlikely to be able to find out what the exact cause of the problem is on your own. That is why it is better to send the gadget for diagnostics even if the user of the Apple device is going to fix the smartphone himself. It’s better to order new parts to replace old ones in official Apple stores and the Apple website or purchase from trusted dealers. Chinese analogues on Aliexpress may be cheaper, but they break down faster and do not work as quickly as original spare parts.

What to do if the iPhone does not see the SIM card Correctly, reinstall it

Reinstalling the SIM card is the most banal, but quite logical idea. There is nothing difficult in reinstalling a SIM card; the only problem may arise with removing the tray, since not all users save the paperclip that comes with the smartphone. This doesn’t matter, because you can always use a needle or any fairly thin and durable object. But be careful not to damage the SIM card tray and your hands.

1. To reinstall the SIM card, take a paperclip (some iPhones come with a “SIM card eject tool”), straighten it, and poke one end into the SIM card slot hole.

2. This will make the slot pop out. Make sure the SIM card is inserted correctly and fits securely. Reinsert the tray.

3. After a few seconds (in different cases, the time can vary from several seconds to several minutes), the “No SIM card” error should appear, and then the connection level and operator name will appear again at the top of the screen.

4. If this does not happen, remove the SIM card completely.

5. Make sure the card and slot are clean. If they are dirty, clean them. You can simply blow into the slot, but it is better to take something more powerful, like a hair dryer (using a cold setting) or a can of compressed air. Then install the SIM card again.

Old generation SIM

Changing your SIM card periodically (at least once every 5-7 years) is a good habit. These elements, unfortunately, have their own expiration date and over time they exhaust their service life, ceasing to contact the iPhone. To make sure that the problem is in an outdated plastic carrier or natural wear and tear, it is enough to find a suitable SIM size (remember that for models 4 - standard size, for 4S - a micro-SIM card, and for iPhones 5 and newer - nano-SIM are used).

What does this come from? As practice shows, this will inevitably happen to those owners who frequently and carelessly rearrange SIM cards. Unfortunately, not a single model for the Russian market has yet provided a second SIM slot, so this problem occurs quite often among users. The contact tracks on the surface of the element are erased, worn out, and small scratches appear, interfering with the normal operation of the contact and the board. At the same time, the transmission of the mobile signal deteriorates.

If the mobile connection on your smartphone has stopped working, then you should visit the nearest mobile phone store to replace the current SIM card and get a duplicate. Usually, replacing an old card with a new one is a free procedure, but it is better to clarify this issue with the employees of a local authorized salon. What are the advantages of getting a duplicate:

• The money transferred to the account balance will not go anywhere and will be saved;
• The phone number will be saved, which means contact with friends and relatives will not be lost;
• The selected tariff from the operator and services will also be saved (which is very convenient, because tariff plans are constantly changed and removed, so the user can always save a profitable package of options).

A duplicate is much more profitable and convenient than buying a new, clean number.

If the SIM card still cannot be read, you will have to visit a service center for diagnostics - in most cases, this procedure is provided free of charge. And if the iPhone is still under warranty, then there is a high probability that the issue is a manufacturing defect. Contact the place where you purchased the device, employees there are required to accept the device, check, repair or replace it.

Moisture ingress

If the iPhone fell into water, was exposed to rain, drops got on the case, or the owner simply took it with him to the shower or steam room, then it is important to act quickly so that the SIM card contacts do not oxidize. Despite being waterproof, the iPhone cannot guarantee 100% water resistance. Some devices leak water, which causes the slots to short out. If the device gets into a humid environment, sometimes it is necessary to seek the help of a qualified technician. It is unlikely that you will be able to repair and dry it yourself - not every home has a set of suitable tools. But there are a few tips that can help in an emergency:

• Take the SIM card out of the slot, and if it has not yet completely turned yellow, carefully, point by point wipe the chip with a cotton pad dipped in alcohol liquid;
• Place the gadget up to the edges in a container with rice. Rice absorbs moisture very well;
• If you have the necessary tools, then disassemble the gadget and remove excess water and leave it open for several hours. It is best to contact a service center for help as soon as possible, especially if the SIM slot is flooded;
• After drying, try inserting a new SIM card. If the situation is really bad, the iPhone itself will tell you about it - in the place where the element is inserted, there is an indicator of contact with liquid: in case of strong moisture, the upper part of the SIM slot will turn red. There is no way without repairs and contacting a specialized workshop.

Locked iPhone model

The problem here is not in the SIM at all, but in the gadget itself. Many iPhone models that are offered to consumers at attractively low prices are, in fact, unofficially imported from abroad. Users who do not understand the intricacies of smartphones often fall for this “bait.” A huge and significant drawback of such devices is the lack of a full manufacturer’s warranty. This is a lottery: someone is lucky that a smartphone brought, say, from the USA works flawlessly, while someone else is tied to the local cellular operator Verizone or AT&T and does not work with Russian ones.

You can find out whether the gadget is locked even before the moment of purchase. Some services provide their services for free, others ask you to pay. To do this, you need to know the unique IMEI number indicated on the original box and in the settings of the device itself. And even here it cannot be guaranteed that the site will help accurately determine the locking of the model.

If the gadget has already arrived in the hands of the user in this state, then it is easy to determine whether the gadget is locked or not. When I try to insert a SIM card from any Russian operator, the phone does not read it and refuses to work with it. There are several options to solve this problem:

• The first and most obvious recommendation is to give the phone to the seller or return it to the store, if possible, and purchase the desired device from a trusted place;
• Contact the communication center of the associated operator and ask to unlink. We warn you: the procedure is not quick and will require a lot of paperwork. This service can also be provided for a fee or free of charge. Sometimes you will need to provide proof of purchase and have a SIM from this linked operator. For some companies, not everything is so complicated (for example, with AT&T everything is simple: you just need to leave a request on their official website in English) and you will need a regular application;
• Service centers take on such a problem, but very rarely, and it is not a fact that the repair will be cheap. Be prepared to pay several thousand, maybe even tens;
• Try to unlock the device yourself (we do not recommend performing such a complex procedure yourself). There are online services that offer services that are not as expensive (from 10 to 100 dollars) as service centers charge. If you still decide to do the unlocking at home and are not afraid of ruining your equipment, then read the reviews and clarify this issue on the forums - there are a lot of scammers here;
• Recently, Turbo-Sim appeared on the market - this is an adapter that is inserted into a slot that allows you to unlock the radio module. The cost of such a device is from 2,000 rubles. Disadvantages: deterioration in communication quality, signal interruptions during calls and a long delay in sending messages.

Always buy from official Apple stores and websites, from certified dealers and partner stores, so as not to encounter a locked gadget. Do not buy from private individuals or in unverified places, especially if the price is several times lower than the market price. Often, savings lead to the owner not only buying an iPod at the price of a full-fledged smartphone, but also overpaying for the “unlocking”, the ability to simply call and get in touch.

When is it time to turn to the professionals?

If none of the mentioned actions helped the device recognize the SIM card, there is no visible damage, then either a firmware problem or a factory defect is to blame. Provided that the user did not hack the phone himself, it must be taken to the store where the purchase was made and a replacement must be requested in accordance with the terms of the warranty card. Apple exchanges devices if the case is under warranty, so no problems should arise.

Contacting third-party service providers may result in the device being blocked, since the company has recently changed its user policy and prohibited customers from disassembling the device themselves and interfering with the operation of the operating system. Now this is considered a violation of the agreement between the owner of the device and the company, as a result of which the latter stops all service and blocks the Apple ID.

A smartphone may not read a SIM card in a variety of cases - software failures, hardware malfunctions, and even factory defects or lack of operator network. In most cases, the user can figure out the problem himself, but sometimes it is necessary to immediately contact the brand for warranty service so as not to aggravate the situation.

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Problems with settings

It often happens that completely new Apple devices and models may not see the SIM card due to a normal system malfunction. Let's figure out how to reset the settings for the correct operation of mobile communications:

1. Reboot the device using the required keys, depending on the model;
2. Go to “Settings” of your gadget;
3. Next, go to the “Basic” tab;

4. Go to the “Reset” tab;

5. In the list that appears, select “Reset network settings” and confirm the action.

This should help, since all the reset parameters should be calibrated as needed. Network settings will be reset to factory settings, as if the user turned on the device for the first time. Don't worry, this action will not affect photos and important documents.

iPhone does not see SIM card, operator is to blame

Your phone number may not be valid. In order for your phone to connect to your provider's phone network, you need a valid account. If your SIM card has been blocked or your access to services has been temporarily restricted (for non-payment), a SIM card error may appear. We recommend contacting your operator for clarification.

Check for updates to your carrier settings

Another reason why your iPhone doesn't see the SIM card (won't show the SIM card) could be that your phone company has changed the settings at which the phone connects to their network, and you need to set them.

1. Go to Settings and select the General tab.

2. Tap in the “Other” function.

3. If an update is available, a window will appear. Click on it and follow the on-screen instructions.

You may also get an update to your carrier settings if you install a new SIM card that connects to a different network than the old one. When you do this, you will be able to download the new settings. The network connection problem should be fixed.

Firmware malfunctions

It is difficult to find out on your own whether there is a problem with the current version of iOS, or whether it is the firmware that is causing the SIM card that is unreadable and not working. It is impossible to accurately diagnose, but it is still worth trying to reflash if there are no other possible provoking factors. There are two ways in this method: roll back to the previous version or try to update to the latest one. What is best to do is up to you. Advice: if the gadget worked properly and without errors on the previous version of iOS, then it is better to return to the previous version.

To carry out the flashing procedure, thereby solving the problem of a software failure, you will need a computer running macOS or Windows with the official iTunes utility installed. Next, the order of your actions is as follows:

1. Connect the device to the PC via the original USB cable. Wait until iTunes recognizes the connected gadget;
2. Find your iPhone icon in iTunes on the left side of the top bar;
3. Click on the "Restore" button. It can be found on the right side of the window;

4. The firmware will install within a few minutes;
5. Disconnect the device from the computer and check the functionality of the SIM card.

How to remove a SIM card from an iPhone

Well, probably the first thing that comes to mind when the phone simply does not detect the SIM card is that it was simply inserted incorrectly into the phone slot. In this case, the only solution to this problem is, of course, the usual removal of the SIM card and subsequent adjustment of the slot. But not everyone knows how to get this SIM out of the iPhone. This is done quite simply:

1. The iPhone comes standard with a paperclip that you can use to remove the slot. However, any thin, sharp object (such as a needle) will do.
2. Next, you need to find the slot on the device’s body; it should be on the right side, under the power button.
3. Insert a paperclip into the special slot and the slot will pop out.
4. Now you just need to move the SIM card to the correct position and insert the slot back into the phone. That's all!

Summary and universal troubleshooting instructions

What to do if the iPhone does not see the SIM card or the card does not work:

• Make sure there is cellular coverage in the area you are in;
• Update your device to the latest version of iOS;
• Turn on Airplane mode and turn off the mode after about 10 seconds (the function can be found in the curtain or in Settings);
• Reboot the gadget or perform a forced reboot;
• Update operator settings. In the About this device section under General, check for updates. If there is one, install it;
• Conduct an external inspection of the SIM for external defects by carefully pulling it out of the groove;
• Make sure the card reader is the right size for your current iPhone model;
• Periodically change your SIM card to a new one in communication stores, as this part tends to wear out naturally;
• To check the functionality of the current card, try inserting a SIM of another operator that is suitable in size.

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Try to reflash your phone

It's possible that your iPhone is constantly searching for a network because there's a software glitch. This happens when installing new applications or illiterate modem firmware. You can return the device to its original state by resetting recently installed parameters, or by flashing the phone again.

To reset your cellular settings, go to the iPhone’s “General” menu and select “Reset.” The system will offer several options:

• reset all settings
• erase content and settings
• reset network settings
• reset Home settings
• reset geo settings

First of all, try updating your iPhone by resetting network-related settings. If constant network searching continues, perform a hard reset and return your smartphone to factory settings. If after this the phone hangs endlessly and does not receive a signal from the mobile operator, try to fix the problem by flashing the software. To do this, follow the instructions for installing new modem firmware:

• update iTunes on your computer to the latest version
• create a backup
• download the current iOS for your phone model
• Open iTunes again, press Shift (Alt-Option) and the Restore button
• select the downloaded new software file and run the update

These are all the methods that tell you how to fix a faulty cellular connection settings on the spot. If after resetting your iPhone constantly searches for the network as before, take it to a specialist to diagnose the device and restore it. Most likely, the device stopped receiving the network due to malfunctions of internal electronic components. This will require professional diagnostics of the device, which will help determine the type of repair needed.

Types of repairs

Often, diagnostics of Apple devices that have stopped receiving the network reveal oxidation of the internal elements of the smartphone as a result of moisture. If you often use your phone outside in adverse weather conditions, this situation is quite possible. Also, device diagnostics may indicate the need for the following measures.

Quite often, iPhone owners, after changing iOS, repairing the phone, or a long period of inactivity, are faced with the problem of the network disappearing on the device. Why can't my iPhone connect to the network? We will talk about this further.