If your phone says “No SIM card,” it means that the SIM card is not properly inserted or is not working. A SIM card is a small removable chip that stores your phone number, carrier information, and other important data. It is essential for making and receiving calls, texts, and data on your phone.
There are a few reasons why your phone might say “No SIM card.” The most common reason is that the SIM card is not properly inserted. So, a simple fix will be to ensure that the SIM card is inserted all the way into the SIM tray and that the gold contacts are facing down. Another possibility is that the SIM card is damaged or dirty. If this is the case, you may need to clean the SIM card or replace it.
In some cases, the problem may be with your phone’s software or hardware. If you have tried all of the troubleshooting steps below and your phone still says “No SIM card,” you may need to contact your carrier or phone manufacturer for further assistance.
But in the meantime, let’s get into other reasons your phone may be saying “no sim card” and possible fixes.
How to Fix ‘No SIM Card Detected’ Error on Android and iPhone
#1. Reboot or Power off Your Phone
If your SIM card error is caused by a software problem, a simple reboot may be all that is required to resolve the issue.
For Android Users:
Hold down the power button until a pop-up window with the Restart option appears. To restart the phone, tap on it.
This can solve a lot of problems, but if it doesn’t fix the “no SIM” error, you can try shutting down your phones (wait 30 seconds) and then restarting them.
If this resolves your issue, you should refrain from rebooting your phone until an Android update or carrier settings update is released that addresses the issue.
For iOS users:
Keep your iPhone’s power button pressed until you see “slide to power off.” Move your finger from left to right across the slider to turn off your iPhone. When the phone has been turned off, press and hold the power button to turn it back on.
On an iPhone X or newer, press and hold the power button as well as either volume button to access the “slide to power off” screen.
#2. Turn On Your SIM Card
Another quick fix for the SIM error in more recent Android versions is to check to see if your SIM card is actually turned on.
To do so, go to “Settings -> SIM cards & Mobile Networks” and make sure your SIM is turned on.
If you have a dual-SIM configuration, this is also the screen where you can check that the SIM card you want to use is turned on.
#3. Set the Network Mode to Auto
Another option is to set the network mode to automatic. You can do this by going to “Settings -> SIM cards and mobile network -> Preferred network type” and selecting LTE/WCDMA/GSM (auto connect).
#4. Select the Appropriate Network Operator
If the network operator you’re using isn’t the one you’ve chosen in your Android device’s settings, you’ll get the SIM card error. To double-check, go to “Settings -> Mobile Networks -> Automatically select network.” When your Android device has finished searching and displaying the results, select your carrier.
In iOS, navigate to “Settings -> Mobile Data -> Network Selection.” Turn off Automatic network selection and choose your carrier from the list that appears.
#5. Manually Enter Your Network APN Settings
If none of the above methods work, it’s possible that your SIM card has lost contact with the network to which it’s supposed to connect. If this occurs, you may need to manually enter your network operator’s APN settings.
On a modern Android device (9.0 Pie and up), go to “Settings -> SIM cards and mobile networks -> Access point names,” then tap the “+” icon.
At this point, you’ll need to either contact your network provider to obtain the necessary APN settings to enter here or check online to see if your network provider’s APN settings are published. It’s also a good idea to take a screenshot and save your APN settings so you can refer to them quickly if you run into trouble again.
For iOS, go to “Settings -> General -> About” on your iPhone to request a carrier settings update.
If an update is available, a pop-up will appear asking you to authorize the update. If you do not see such a pop-up, there is most likely no update available. However, you can always confirm this with your network provider.
#6. Take Out the SIM card and the Battery
You can also try removing the battery (if it is removable) and SIM card from the SIM card tray. Make sure your device is turned off before proceeding. After you’ve removed everything, wait about a minute before reinserting everything.
Dropping your phone is common, but even if it was not damaged, the SIM card could have moved out of place. Many people have tried adding some paper or even tape to get a tighter fit, which is a cheap and unique method. This usually makes the SIM card fit snugly and solves the problem.
Look out for SIM trays that are slightly bent or misaligned. Even minor misalignment can result in the SIM card failing to connect to the internal contacts of your SIM tray.
Sometimes the issue is not with your phone, but with your SIM card. To be certain, ask a friend for their SIM card and insert it into your phone. If your phone detects this temporary SIM card, the issue is with your SIM, which must be replaced.
If your phone does not detect the replacement SIM card and you are certain that there is no physical damage to your phone, tray, or SIM, it is highly likely that your phone has a software problem.
#7. Experiment with Using Your Phone in Safe Mode
Unfortunately, not every app you install will cooperate. Some apps can do more harm than good, resulting in this error. Safe mode will be activated on your device.
Stay in safe mode for a few hours to see if the problem persists. If not, go back and uninstall the last few apps you installed. Remove yourself from safe mode and see if the problem persists.
#8. Airplane Mode Solution
If you’ve exhausted all of the above basic fixes and are confident that the SIM card isn’t to blame, it’s time to try the Airplane mode solution. Turn it on by swiping down from the top of your display (once or twice, depending on where you’ve placed the icon).
Depending on your Android version, you may or may not receive a warning message when activating Airplane Mode. Enable it and leave it on for about 30 seconds. When you turn it off, your Android device will begin looking for a network, and the SIM card error should be resolved.
#9. Clear the Cache to Resolve the SIM Card Error
It is extremely simple to clear your Android’s cache in order to try to resolve the no SIM card error. Click “Settings -> Storage -> Clear Data.” When you tap on cached data, a pop-up will appear informing you that this will clear the cache for all apps on your device. To proceed, simply press the “Delete” button.
There would be no need to waste time trying different methods if there was a way to know what is causing the no SIM card error from the start. Unfortunately, until the Android device displays a message indicating the cause, trial-and-error is all you have.
#10. Reset Network Configuration
If you are unsure what software issue your iPhone is experiencing that is preventing it from detecting the SIM card, you can also reset the network settings entirely. This does not erase any data, but rather returns your network settings to their default state.
- Go to “Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone,” and then press the Reset button.
- When you click Reset, a menu will appear with options for resetting various iOS elements.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
- Select “Reset Network Settings.” Following that, you will be prompted to enter your passcode, after which your iPhone will reset the network settings.
- Enter your passcode here
- To proceed, enter your passcode.
#11. Check to See if Your SIM card Is Not Working On Other Phones
If you have access to another device, try inserting the SIM and seeing if it works. This way, you can rule out any issues with the SIM or the SIM tray. If it still doesn’t work on this device, contact your network operator and have the SIM replaced.
If it works on the other device, it indicates that either your SIM card reader is defective or that some settings are incorrect. Proceed to the next step in this case.
#12. Make Sure You Have a Working IMEI Number
This is one of the most unusual cases. Your Android phone (or iPhone) will be unable to make or receive calls or use cellular networks if you do not have a valid IMEI number. When you try to connect to Wi-Fi or access other services, your device will also display an error message.
On Android, your IMEI number can be found in Settings > About phone > Status > Mobile networks.
Go to Settings > General > About on your iPhone. Scroll all the way down to find the IMEI.
#12. Start your phone in Safe Mode
In some cases, malware files or apps on your phone are to blame for the No SIM card error. It will help if you put your phone in safe mode to see if a malicious file is causing the issue. Only your phone’s system files and applications are active in safe mode. If the error still occurs in this mode, you must delete any recently downloaded files or applications from your phone to resolve the issue.
Android
- Set Android to “Safe Mode”
- Press the power button until the Power Off and Restart options appear.
- Long-press the Power Off or Restart options to bring up the Safe Mode prompt.
- To put your Android in safe mode, tap it.
iPhone
- Put your iPhone in safe mode.
- Hold down the Power button to turn off your iPhone.
- Then restart the device.
- When the iPhone boots up, press and hold the volume-down button until the Apple logo appears.
Following this, the device will boot into safe mode.
#13. Perform a Factory Reset
If none of the above solutions work, perform a factory reset. All content and settings on your device will be erased, restoring it to its original state (including any apps, data, or photos you may have saved), and deleting all user data. If you have exhausted all other options, this is the best option. Proceed with caution because this is an extreme solution that will erase all data.
#14. Contact Customer Service
If you receive the “No SIM card” error on a new phone, you should contact your network provider to determine whether there is a network or settings issue. If the error appears unexpectedly on your older phone, you will most likely require a new SIM card. You can also contact the phone manufacturer’s customer service to see if this is a known software issue and if they can assist you in any way.
If you are having trouble with another issue, you can look at the common fixes for other Android problems. If you’ve tried all of the solutions listed and still haven’t found a solution, it might be time to buy a new Android phone, especially if your current one is more than four years old. Also, if you haven’t done so in a while, backup your Android device to ensure you don’t lose anything during the transfer.
Can third-party apps cause SIM card connectivity issues?
It’s possible. A malicious third-party app on your iPhone or iPad may be causing the “no SIM card detected” or “cellular data not working” errors. If you are unsure, boot your phone into safe mode to prevent all non-native apps from launching. If the problem is resolved, you have successfully identified the underlying cause. All that remains is to identify and remove the malware.
Why am I receiving a “SIM card not detected” error message on my phone while traveling abroad?
This is most likely because the network has not been unlocked or your SIM has not been activated.
How do you recover contacts from a SIM that isn’t being recognized?
If you want to recover your contacts from a SIM that no longer appears on your mobile device, you can use your Google account to back up all of its data, including all of its contacts. However, you must first link your Google account before attempting this method.
Can a third-party app be the source of my phone’s “No SIM Card” error?
In some cases, this error is caused by a malicious file that prevents your phone from detecting the SIM card. This is when Safe Mode comes in handy to assist in resolving the problem. Third-party apps or files can, therefore, cause the “No SIM card” error.
Conclusion
Because the No SIM card installed error on iPhone and Android can be caused by a variety of factors, the solution can only be achieved by using the specific solution, which means you may have to try multiple solutions until the problem is resolved, as the error does not specify its causes. The solutions discussed above were developed based on what worked for users who had previously encountered the problem. If none of the solutions above work, you should contact an IT professional to have the SIM card tray checked for you.
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