SIM card is invalid - users often encounter this activation error after reinstalling/replacing the SIM card or restoring the system and resetting to factory settings. There may be several reasons for this, and below we will consider the most common of them.
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What Apple recommends
There is a standard set of recommendations that should be done in this case:
1. Make sure that the SIM card is not blocked, is activated and has an active tariff plan.
2. Update your iPhone to the latest available version of iOS.
3. Enable Airplane mode on your device and turn it off after 10 seconds.
4. Restart iPhone.
5. Check that the SIM card is installed correctly.
6. Restore firmware on iPhone via iTunes.
Failure of the SIM card or receiver (SIM tray)
If the iPhone stops working after replacing or reinstalling the SIM, then there is a possibility that the card itself or the reader module in the iPhone has failed. In this case, identifying and solving the problem is much easier:
- Make sure that the SIM card is active and not damaged by simply installing it in another smartphone;
- Check for problems with the SIM receiver by contacting a service center.
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If it doesn't help
This error often occurs during iPhone activation or after updating the firmware on the device. It can appear in one of three cases:
1. The SIM card itself has failed
Yes, this happens.
It’s very easy to check: we insert the problematic card into another device and/or another card into this iPhone and the version with the SIM card not working will disappear.
2. The SIM card receiver has failed
Sometimes this happens while using the iPhone, especially for those who often change cards on the device.
If, before activation, the iPhone displays a cellular network indicator and the problem itself arose during activation or flashing, most likely the problem is not with the SIM card receiver.
3. iPhone is locked to another operator
Oddly enough, this is most often the cause of the error. The smartphone was brought from another country and was locked to a local operator.
For use with domestic SIM cards, special devices called Turbo-SIM . This is a miniature board installed in the SIM card tray. It helps activate a locked iPhone on any SIM card.
It could have been inadvertently removed along with the SIM card with which the iPhone worked.
If there was no Turbo-SIM, it is not a fact that the smartphone is officially unlocked. It could have been unlocked in a non-official way.
There are ways to enter smartphone data into the operator’s database, allowing the device to work with the SIM card installed at the time of unlocking; when you change the card, such unlocking is lost.
You should check if your iPhone is locked to a carrier. If there is one, you will have to contact the operator's support service and fulfill the requirements for disconnection.
4. Problems with refurbished iPhones
Our reader Johnny Kurzin shares his experience in solving a similar problem. It turns out that the error can occur when changing the operator or even turning on devices marked “as new” for the first time.
The problem is resolved through Apple Support, but this may take from several hours to several days.
Thanks Johnny Kurzin.
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iPhone error “SIM card is invalid” and its solution
Hello everyone! The iPhone's message that the SIM card inserted into it is invalid can confuse and frustrate any user of Apple smartphones. It’s especially unpleasant when you encounter similar problems immediately after purchasing a new device - you want to start using it and be happy, but, you see, it doesn’t like the SIM card!
They've gone completely crazy in America.
In fact, shouting and swearing is pointless. It is much better to try to figure out what is the reason for such incompatibility and is it possible to do something in this situation? This is exactly what we will do today. It's time to start, let's get started!
So, the error “SIM card is invalid” may appear:
- During the first power-up and activation.
- After updating or restoring the firmware.
- Just.
By the way, “just like that” also has reasons, but first things first…
Let's start with the most common, and at the same time the saddest case - you bought an iPhone, started to activate it, at a certain stage it asked you to insert a SIM card, and after that it showed this message:
The SIM card inserted into this iPhone is from a carrier that is not supported by the current policy on the activation server. The problem you are experiencing is not related to your iPhone hardware. Insert a different SIM card from or have your supported carrier unlock your iPhone. Contact Apple for details.
Why is this happening? The thing is that there are so-called “locked” iPhones - locked to a specific cellular operator and capable of working only with its SIM card.
For example, these devices are very common among American iPhones. In this country, you can buy a phone for 200-300 dollars, but in addition to it you receive an operator contract under which you are required to pay a certain amount every month for one or two years. Until all funds are paid, the iPhone “will not accept” a SIM card from another operator.
What to do if you bought such a device? The most correct way out is to contact the seller and present a claim to him. After all, in fact, when the iPhone shows “SIM card is invalid”, then you cannot use it. If the seller is unavailable, then you have only two options:
- Officially unlock your iPhone. To do this, you need to determine which operator the smartphone is locked to (sometimes this data is shown when checking by serial number), contact it and go through the unlocking procedure.
- Buy a special adapter that is inserted into the SIM card tray (along with the card itself), and thanks to it, the iPhone begins to accept any SIM cards.
How to proceed? Using an adapter looks easier - you buy it and use it, but it also has its disadvantages:
- You still need to choose it - GeveySim, R-Sim, Heicard. And each of them has a lot of models (for a specific device and firmware).
- Apple constantly releases new firmware and there is a chance that after updating iOS you will see a message about “invalid SIM card” - then you will have to buy a new adapter.
Official unlocking often requires more time and money, but it is done only once. After this, you get an iPhone completely untied from the contract - beauty!
It would seem that this could be the end of it, but in some cases the iPhone may completely unexpectedly refuse to accept a SIM card and signal that it is invalid and an error.
Why unexpected?
Because before that everything was fine: the smartphone was updated, SIM cards were changed, and in general it was originally Neverlock (unlocked) and has been working without problems for two years now!
What happened?
- The SIM card is broken. No matter how strange it may sound, they can break (especially if they have been subjected to the “trimming” procedure). In this case, it is enough to simply replace it.
- The previous and unofficial unlock disappeared. This also happens when the unlocking did not occur directly through the telecom operator, but through workarounds. Here we return to what was written just above - either we do everything officially, or we use a special adapter.
What conclusion can be drawn from all this? In most cases, the message “SIM card is invalid” indicates that the iPhone is “locked” to a specific telecom operator - you can unlock it, but you will need to take certain actions. Although, if a warning about SIM incompatibility pops up unexpectedly, then try going and replacing the card - sometimes it helps.
PS Under what conditions did you encounter this error? Tell your story in the comments!
PSS And of course, give “likes”, because with every “+1” the number of locked iPhones decreases - let’s help each other! :)
What to do when you receive an “invalid SIM” message
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When a message appears indicating that the SIM card is invalid on the iPhone, the user is advised to take the following steps:
- Make sure that the device's tariff plan is active.
- Update the firmware of your phone or other gadget to the latest version.
- Check if there is an update for operator settings. This is done through the device settings, then the “Basic” item – the “About this device” subsection. In the event that there is an update available, the corresponding information appears in front of the user. You just need to click the update button.
- Remove the SIM card from the tray and check its integrity. Try to put another card, and then return the old one. Please note that cards from other devices, for example, an iPod or iPad, may not be suitable for an iPhone due to different slot sizes.
Basically, if the problem is not serious, doing this will help fix it. In extreme cases, it will be possible to find out what the problem is.
Insert another SIM card
Is it possible to unbind a mobile operator?
Binding to a mobile operator is perhaps the most unpleasant, but at the same time the most common problem for iPhone users. Most often you encounter this problem when purchasing a device secondhand, especially one brought from another country.
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The main problem with such a connection is that a person simply cannot use the SIM card of his city (country), which means the device is useless for him. There are two main ways to solve this situation:
- Unbind your mobile operator using the official method. What will you need to do for this? First of all, the user will have to find out who exactly the device is linked to (operator). This can be done by checking the serial number. Then just contact him and carry out the official unlocking.
- Purchase a special adapter that fits into the tray along with the card. With its help, the phone begins to accept any cards from different operators.
The latter option seems simpler and more accessible, but there are several problems with use. Firstly, there are a large number of different models of these devices that need to be selected for a specific device. Secondly, after the next iOS update, there is a chance to encounter the card invalid error again.
Important! Official unlocking requires more time and money, but the result will be one hundred percent.
Firmware problems
Sometimes the answer to the question “why doesn’t the iPhone read the SIM card” is an incorrect update of the device’s firmware. To correct the situation, the smartphone should be rolled back to factory settings. For this:
- open iTunes on your computer;
- connect your smartphone to your computer using a cable;
- when prompted for a password, enter;
- in the program, select the specified device;
- click the “Restore” button and then confirm your choice;
- wait for the recovery to complete.
The smartphone will turn on, but you will have to enter all the information again - the iPhone will return to the state of a new device.
SIM is locked
Also, the iPhone does not see the SIM card if it is locked, that is, designed to work with a specific operator’s network. In this case, other networks will not be recognized / so you should only buy models marked “SIM-Free”. There are two ways to solve the problem with a locked SIM card:
- use the R-Sim chip (this method will lead to loss of warranty, and there will also be problems with communication and Apple-branded applications);
- contact the operator for whose work the smartphone was designed.
In the second case, you will have to be patient, but the unlocking will be “clean” forever. It is also worth noting that you will have to pay several thousand rubles for the procedure. Only scammers perform such work quickly and cheaply.
What does "Invalid SIM" mean on iPhone
Invalid iPhone SIM card is an error that users of Apple devices encounter quite often when changing or reinstalling a SIM card. Additionally, the problem may suddenly appear after a system update or restore, or after a factory reset. Moreover, the reasons for this type of error can be very different, often not even related to the actions that the user performed.
Invalid SIM card
Outdated SIM card
Another reason why the iPhone does not see the SIM card is the expiration of its service life. Cards also do not last forever, they deteriorate over time - communication works worse, noise and fragments are heard during calls, and then the card simply stops working. In such cases, there is no way to help, you will have to change the SIM card - usually they don’t even charge money for such a service, it is only important to provide the owner’s passport. The procedure takes 15 minutes and does not require any additional actions. If necessary, a new card will be cut to fit the SIM slot; the service will cost 150 rubles. Although new cards are often sold with plastic adapters that allow you to adjust the size.
