Some users have been seeing one of various SIM card related error messages, such as SIM Failure, Invalid SIM, No SIM, No SIM Card Installed, etc., popping up on their iPhones. You may also have seen a notification like Searching, No Service, No Signal, or SOS on the iPhone’s screen.
Are you encountering SIM card related errors on your iPhone after updating to iOS 17, causing the absence of cellular signal bars? If your SIM card does not work due to these errors, you will not be able to make or receive phone calls, use mobile/cellular data, and send or receive text messages. As a side note, you may still be able to send and receive iMessages and make regular Wi-Fi calls. Thankfully, you may be able to troubleshoot and resolve SIM card related issues quickly.
Please try the troubleshooting steps below, in the order provided, until your issue is resolved.
1. Toggle Airplane mode on and off
Sometimes the most obvious fix is the most reliable one. If you are seeing errors such as Searching, No Signal, No Service, SIM Failure, Invalid SIM, No SIM, No SIM Installed, one of the first things you should try is turning airplane mode on and off. You can do this simply by navigating to Control Center and tapping on the Airplane mode icon. You can also find this option under Settings > Airplane Mode.
If your carrier name appears in the status bar or Control Center, it indicates that the SIM card is functioning properly.
2. Restart your iPhone
If toggling airplane mode didn’t solve your problem, it’s time for another tried and true step — restarting your device. Restart your iPhone to see if you can fix this issue. If you are just starting to use a new SIM card, always restart first. Here’s how:
- iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15,: Press and hold the side and the volume up (or down) buttons until you see the power button and then drag the slider. Then wait for about one minute and press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.
- iPhone SE (second generation) or later: Press and hold the side button until you see the power off slider. Then drag the slider. Then wait for about a minute. Now press and hold the button until you see the Apple logo.
3. Update your iPhone
Apple may have released a new iOS 17 version to address this problem. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates. If there is an update, follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Check for a carrier settings update
Especially after major iOS releases, carriers may release updates to ensure that their service is working perfectly with iOS. These types of updates do not occur often. To check this, go toSettings > General > About. If there is an update, a popup will appear. Please ensure that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi, as this requires an active internet connection. If you do not have Wi-Fi, find a Wi-Fi and try this step again.
6. Check the SIM and tray
If none of the steps above did the trick, the problem might lie in an ill-positioned SIM card. Take out the SIM card and put it in again. Please note that this step is applicable for iPhones with a physical SIM card. Not all iPhone models have SIM cards, as some iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models only have eSIMs. Turn off your iPhone and remove the SIM card from your iPhone by inserting a paper clip into the hole beside the SIM tray (you may have to push firmly). Gently wipe your SIM card and tray. If you see dust, blow dust out of your SIM and tray. Then place the SIM and turn on your iPhone to see if it is working. Also, note that NEVER put the SIM card in without the tray.
If you see visible damage to the SIM, contact your carrier and ask for a replacement, as we explain in the next step.
You can contact your carrier by phone or by visiting their local store. Tell them about your problem. And ask them for a SIM card replacement. Carriers will either replace the card at no cost or for a nominal fee.
7. Reset your network settings
If your issue continues, go ahead and reset your network settings. Please note that this will erase all of your network settings, for example, your Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted, etc. Here is how:
Go to Settings> General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.