iPhone 14 Pro Not Detecting SIM Card? 10 Ways to Fix it

If you are using an iPhone 14 Pro with a physical SIM Card, you may find that it’s not detecting SIM card. In this article, we’ll explain why your iPhone 14 Pro is not detecting SIM Card and show you how to fix the problem.

Note: The U.S. variants of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus do not feature a physical SIM card slot. However, the phones feature dual eSIM support.

Like the non-Pro variants, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models sold in the U.S. lack a physical SIM card slot. The devices offer dual eSIM support.

The same is not true for the iPhone 14 series devices sold in other regions, though. Models sold outside the U.S. still feature a physical SIM card slot.

There are many reasons why your iPhone 14 Pro won’t read the SIM card. Some possible causes could be that you didn’t insert the SIM card correctly or your phone is experiencing a software glitch. Whatever the reason, a solution needs to be found quickly when your iPhone 14 Pro says: “No SIM card installed” or “Invalid SIM”

Your iPhone ‘s SIM card or Subscriber Identity Module card is the key that creates a unique connection between your phone number and the phone itself.
Without a SIM card that’s working properly, your iPhone 14 Pro cannot place or receive calls, send or receive text messages, or access the internet via cellular connection.

If your iPhone 14 Pro can’t recognize SIM card, the device can’t make calls, send or receive texts messages, or connect to the internet via cellular service.

But don’t panic, your iPhone’s cellular days probably aren’t over in fact, you can likely troubleshoot the SIM card issue yourself in just a few minutes. You just need to determine what the issue is first.

Why Does My iPhone 14 Pro Say Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed?

There are a number of reasons why your iPhone 14 Pro is saying Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed. These can include:

• An out-of-place SIM card or tray
• A system malfunction
• SIM card damage
• A glitchy software update

Unfortunately, with the exception of a misplaced or damaged SIM card, the cause of your iPhone 14 Pro Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed error isn’t always readily apparent.

What to do if you see ‘invalid SIM’ or ‘no SIM’ on your iPhone 14 Pro

The easiest way to resolve the ‘invalid SIM’ or ‘no SIM’ error on your iPhone 14 Pro is to work through the quickest potential fixes first, so we recommend tackling the troubleshooting steps in the order below.

Here are some fixes for those times when your iPhone 14 Pro can’t detect the SIM card:

Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max that have physical SIM Card.

1. Confirm You Have an Active Plan With Your Carrier

This might sound obvious, but do you currently have an active plan with a cellular carrier? If not, you won’t be able to make calls, send texts, or otherwise access a mobile network. Similarly, if it’s been a while since you’ve used the SIM card in question or paid your cellphone bill, your carrier might have canceled your number, either temporarily or for good. Check on your carrier’s app or contact them directly to ensure that your phone number is on an account and in good standing.

2. Toggle Cellular connection

Toggling your iPhone’s cellular connection is one of the simplest ways to fix an array of network-related problems, including iPhone 14 Pro ‘invalid SIM’ or ‘no SIM’ errors. You can do this by following the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Turn Airplane Mode on.
3. Turn Airplane mode off.

3. Restart Your iPhone

As a wise man once told me, “try turning it off and back on again.” Occasionally, a minor software hiccup might cause your iPhone 14 Pro to say Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed. Whether force restart or simple, hard reset or soft, this oldie-but-goodie troubleshooting tip might be all your iPhone needs to recognize your SIM card.
To restart your iPhone follow the steps below:

1. press and hold both the Volume Down and right Side buttons until you see the Power Off slider.
2. Drag the slider, wait for your iPhone to shut down, and turn your iPhone back on.

4. Remove and Reinsert Your SIM Card and Tray

When it comes to a fully functioning iPhone, almost everything is riding on the delicate balancing act that is a SIM card in its tray. If your iPhone 14 Pro has taken a tumble recently, or if the SIM tray was unceremoniously shoved into the slot, it’s possible that the SIM card has been jostled out of place or otherwise damaged. Follow the steps below to check if this is the cause of the problem:

1. Turn off your iPhone.
2. Grab your straightened-out paperclip (or the actual SIM tray ejector tool, if you’re a responsible adult), insert it into the small hole next to the tray (on the right side and apply gentle pressure. If the tray is especially difficult to remove, this could indicate that it was indeed inserted improperly.
3. While the SIM card is out, take some time to inspect it for any scratches or other damage and wipe it off with a soft cloth.
4. If everything looks ok, carefully nestle the SIM card back in the tray and reinsert it into your iPhone.

5. Update iOS

Sometimes, an iOS glitch might cause your SIM card to appear invalid or make it look like you have no SIM card in your iPhone 14 Pro at all. Fortunately, Apple is usually quick to spot these buggy updates and release a new version. To manually check if an iOS update is available. Follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. If an iOS update is available, select Download and Install.

6. Check for a Carrier Settings Update

Just like Apple with iOS updates, your carrier might also release the occasional update to help improve cellular connectivity on your network. Slacking on these updates not only results in you missing out on the latest technology from your mobile provider, but it could also cause your SIM card to not work properly.
To manually see whether a carrier settings update is available, follow the steps below:

1. Make sure your iPhone is connected to WiFi then go to Settings.
2. Go to General.
3. Tap About,.
4. Select Update if prompted.

7. Reset Your Network Settings

If you’re still struggling with an iPhone 14 Pro Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed error, it could be due to a software error within your phone’s network settings. This includes WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular data, and any VPN you might have. The easiest way to resolve this is by resetting your network settings. Keep in mind that this will erase any WiFi passwords you have saved, so be sure to write any important passwords down for your reference later.
To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Choose General.
3. Select Transfer or reset iPhone.
4. Tap Reset.
5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
6. Enter your iPhone’s passcode, then tap Reset Network Settings again to confirm.

8. Try Another SIM Card

Well, you’ve updated, restarted, and reset almost everything possible. Before we go for the nuclear option, it’s worth confirming that your SIM card isn’t the problem. Borrow a SIM card from a friend or go to your carrier’s store and ask for one to test with.
If the iPhone 14 Pro Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed error goes away, it’s safe to say that your SIM card is the culprit and it’s time to replace it. If not, it’s probably your phone. Fortunately, there’s one more thing you can try before waving the white flag of defeat.

9. Factory Reset Your iPhone

If you’ve followed the previous steps and your iPhone 14 Pro is still struggling with SIM card issues, consider a factory reset your last-ditch effort to fix it. It should go without saying, but be sure to save a backup copy of your iPhone before restoring it to factory settings.
To factory reset your iPhone, follow the steps below:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select General.
3. Choose Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
5. When prompted, confirm your identity using Face ID, or a passcode then select Erase iPhone.

10. If All Else Fails, Contact professionals

Hopefully one of the above troubleshooting steps solves your iPhone 14 Pro Invalid SIM or No SIM Card installed error, but if not, the best thing you can do is contact your carrier’s customer care team, reach out to Apple support, or go into an Apple Store. Depending on your mobile plan and which carrier you choose, a replacement SIM card can run the gamut as far as prices. Sometimes, the best solution may be to get an entirely new iPhone, especially if it’s still covered by AppleCare.