iPhone No SIM available: what should you check?

What should you check when your iPhone says No SIM available?

Check for an active wireless plan before arranging phone repair for an iPhone that says No SIM. Apple's steps cover both Invalid SIM and No SIM Card installed. After the carrier lock check, restart the phone and check for a carrier settings update.¹

If a carrier settings update is available, a prompt will offer OK or Update. Select the option shown.¹

Why does my iPhone say No SIM, and should I check its carrier lock?

An iPhone locked to a carrier can be used only with that carrier, so check its carrier lock as part of Apple's SIM checks. Look beside Carrier Lock on your iPhone. If the phone isn't locked, you'll see "No SIM restrictions" there.¹

What if your iPhone keeps saying No SIM with an eSIM?

Contact your carrier about the SIM alert if your iPhone uses an eSIM. For No Service or Searching on an iPhone with Dual SIM, check your cellular lines. If a cellular line is missing on that Dual SIM iPhone, contact your carrier to set up an eSIM or insert a physical SIM card.^{1, 2}

How do you check a physical card when your iPhone says No SIM?

Remove the physical SIM card from its tray, then put it back in. Check that the tray closes completely. It shouldn't be loose. If you're using a SIM tray from a different iPhone model, an iPad or another phone maker, it might not fit properly.¹

1. Test another SIM card

   Do this after reseating the original card.¹

2. Ask your carrier to test

   If you don't have another card, visit your carrier's retail store. Your SIM card might need replacing.¹

What if the message changes to No Service or Searching?

No Service or Searching in the status bar on your iPhone's screen means the phone isn't connected to a cellular network. Carrier or account issues might affect your service. If the cellular network is available, switching Airplane Mode on and off might let you reconnect.²

Keep Airplane Mode on for at least 15 seconds before turning it off. Update to the latest iOS version. If No Service remains after these checks, contact your carrier.²

For No Service or Searching on an iPhone running iOS 18 or later, download the latest Apple Support app to run extra checks. They might help find the cause. The feature is available in the United States, Australia and Canada.²

When should you take your iPhone to a shop?

If you're still seeing a SIM alert after you've worked through Apple's checks, your iPhone might need service. For No Service, iPhone repair might be needed if your carrier confirms there's no account or network issue and a hardware fault is suspected.^{1, 2}