In general, No SIM Card Installed, No SIM Card Detected or Invalid SIM error message should appear on iPhone only when the SIM Card is missing, locked or damaged.
However, iPhone can also come up with “No SIM Card Installed” error, even if there is nothing wrong with the SIM Card. In such cases, the problem could be due to Network related issues, software glitches and other reasons.
Hence, it is recommended that you try to fix this issue, before thinking in terms of replacing the SIM Card on your iPhone with a New SIM Card.
No SIM Card Installed Error on iPhone
In many cases, the problem of iPhone coming up with “No SIM Card” error gets automatically fixed when iPhone is powered off or shut down and restarted after waiting for 60 seconds.
If your iPhone is still coming up with “No SIM Card” error after the restart, you should be able to fix the problem using the following steps.
1. Enable & Disable Airplane Mode
Enabling and Disabling Airplane mode has specifically been recommended as fix for “No SIM Card Installed” Error on Apple’s Support website.
1. Open Settings > enable Airplane Mode by moving the Slider to ON position (Green).
2. Wait for 60 seconds > disable Airplane Mode by moving the slider to OFF position (White).
2. Install Updates
Make sure that your iPhone is up-to-date with the latest software updates.
1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. On the next screen, wait for iPhone to check for updates > tap on Install Update, if an update is already available or becomes available.
3. Inspect SIM Card for Damage
Remove the SIM Card from iPhone and make sure it is not broken or damaged in any way. Also, make sure the SIM card tray is clean and free from dust particles.
You can make use of a flashlight to take a good look inside the SIM tray opening and blow out dust (if any). Insert the SIM Card back into your iPhone and make sure the SIM Card tray is properly closed.
4. Try SIM Card on Another Phone
If you have an Unlocked iPhone, remove the SIM Card from your iPhone and place the SIM Card on another iPhone or Android Phone.
See if the SIM Card works on the other phone. If it does, remove the SIM Card and insert it back into your iPhone.
5. Reset Network Settings
The problem could be due to a change or corruption of Network Settings on your iPhone. This can be fixed by performing a Network Settings Reset on your device.
1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
2. On the pop-up, select Reset Network Settings option.
3. Enter your Lock Screen Password > On the pop-up, tap on Reset Network Settings to confirm.
After the Reset process is completed, you should no longer find your iPhone coming up with “No SIM Card” error message.
6. Force Restart iPhone
If above solutions did not work, follow the steps below to Hard Reset your device.
iPhone 6s and below: Press and hold Power and Home buttons, until you see your device starting with Apple Logo.
iPhone 7, 7 Plus: Press and hold Power and Volume down buttons, until you see your iPhone starting with Apple Logo.
iPhone 8, 8 Plus: Press and release Volume up button > press and release Volume down button > after this press and hold the Power button, until you see your device starting with Apple Logo.
iPhone X & above: Press and release Volume up button > press and release Volume down button > press and hold the Power button (Side button), until you see your device starting with Apple Logo.