Although cell phones have changed dramatically over the past few decades, they still require a SIM card. Some phones have switched to using eSIM cards, but many still use physical SIM cards. If you have a working phone, chances are it has a SIM card, either physical or virtual.
So, what should you do if your phone displays “No SIM card”? This error message is very common and may pop up for various reasons. Typically, if you receive a “No SIM card” message, you may not be able to use your phone’s features, such as making calls, sending text messages, or using data. This can be frustrating, especially if you frequently receive errors.
So, why does your phone display “No SIM card” and how to solve it? Below, we’ll explain what the No SIM card message on your phone might mean and how to get rid of it.
Why does my phone show “No SIM card”?
There are many reasons why your phone may display “No SIM Card”. The most obvious one is that it’s actually missing a SIM card, installed incorrectly, or has a damaged SIM card. If you encounter this message after trying to set up your eSIM, your eSIM may not be installed correctly.
Of course, there are other reasons why your phone might be displaying errors. These include:
- Temporary failure: Temporary problems caused by malfunctions in mobile phone software or network operator operations.
- Problems with the SIM card slot or other phone hardware: There may be a hardware problem on your iPhone or Android phone that prevents it from detecting the SIM card.
- SIM card setting issues: There may be a temporary issue with your SIM card configuration or network settings.
- Pending software updates: Your phone may need to perform a software update before you can use your phone’s cellular features again.
- There is a problem with your telecommunications provider or mobile phone account: There might be a problem with your internet provider, or your account with your telecom provider might be disabled for some reason.
The error message you see may vary depending on your phone model. On iPhone, this message will show “No SIM card” in the status bar next to the empty network bar, and “No SIM card installed” or “No SIM card available” messages will appear in pop-ups and notifications. You may also see an “Invalid SIM card” message on your iPhone. On Android phones, the message will be similar, with an empty network bar and sometimes a cross (x) next to the icon.
If your phone is showing SOS, check out our explanation to find out why your phone is showing SOS.
read more: New iPhone?How to activate a new SIM card in 5 easy steps
What to do if your phone says “No SIM card”
There are several steps to try, some of which are simple, quick fixes you can try on your own, but some of which may require you to get professional help.
If your iPhone displays the No SIM error, Apple recommends some fixes:
- Check if your SIM card is linked to a valid plan. You can contact your carrier to double-check that the problem isn’t due to an account suspension, an unpaid bill, or any other issue that might cause your carrier to suspend your connection.
- Restart your device. This step should eliminate any temporary software glitches causing the problem.
- Update your network provider settings. you can settings > General > about. If an update is available, select OK or Update. This should resolve any larger software or configuration issues.
- If you use eSIM, please contact your telecom operator. Issues with eSIM are more complex, so it’s best to contact your service provider for proper identification of the problem and solution.
- If you are using a physical SIM card, use the SIM eject tool to eject the SIM card tray. Remove the SIM card from the tray, put it back, and reinsert it. Make sure the SIM card tray is the original one for your phone and is not loose or deformed. If it doesn’t fit, you may need to replace the tray. Also, check the SIM card itself for damage.
- Try another SIM card. You can use a spare SIM card from another phone, or visit your network provider’s retail store and ask them to try a different SIM card in your phone. You may need to obtain a replacement SIM card from your telecommunications provider.
For Android phones, the same steps should fix the No SIM card error. However, the steps to access network settings will vary based on your specific make and model of phone.
Get help with phone hardware issues
If these steps don’t resolve the issue on your phone, there might be a problem with your phone’s hardware. You may need to contact your phone manufacturer or a reliable third-party phone repair service to diagnose the error and fix it. If it’s a new phone, you may want to consider replacing it rather than repairing it.
Note that there is a fee to fix hardware issues unless the phone is under warranty and the problem is not caused by physical damage. In most cases, the hardware issue causing the no SIM error should be a relatively cheap fix, but if there’s a bigger problem with the hardware, the repair cost may be closer to the cost of a new phone.
If you’re experiencing frequent problems with your carrier, such as no-SIM errors or stuck in SOS mode, you may need to change your mobile carrier. Or, if you’re having trouble with your phone and need to replace it, you can check out our recommendations for the best phones of 2024.
