iPhone Has an Invalid SIM Card? Let’s Fix It!

Jason

By Jason

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Invalid Sim Card

Many iPhone users are annoyed when they see the “Invalid SIM Card” message.

Only some iPhone users know why such a message appears on their iPhones. When the “Invalid SIM” message appears on your iPhone, you cannot even send a text message.

So, it is needless to say how annoying such an issue would be. This article aims to explain the real reasons behind this issue and how to fix it.

Turn on and off the Airplane Mode on Your iPhone to Fix an Invalid SIM Card

This is one of the most basic but effective methods you can try to fix an invalid SIM card. As per this method, all you have to do is to turn on airplane mode and turn it off.

When you switch to Airplane mode, your device will lose all the network and cellular connections. Once you switch it on again, the connections will be re-established.

The following are the steps you should follow to do it.

Turn on and off the airplane mode to fix Invalid Sim Card
  • Go to the Settings app and tap on the switch next to Airplane mode.
  • Wait for a couple of seconds.
  • Tap the switch again and turn it off once again.

Also, here, learn the ins and outs of moving your SIM Card from Android to iPhone with our comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide. Make the switch today!

Update the Carrier Settings

If turning on and off the Airplane mode doesn’t work for you, you should try to update carrier settings. In general, both Apple and wireless carriers offer updates frequently.

Through these updates, they expect better performance on your computer in terms of network connection. Below is how you should perform a carrier settings update.

Update the Carrier Settings
  • Go to the Settings app on your iPhone and select the option labeled General.
  • Then, tap on the option About.
  • Wait for about 15 seconds.
  • If there is an update related to the carrier settings, you will see a popup on display.
  • Tap on the update if it is available.

However, please note that if there is no popup, you already have the latest update.

By the way, if you don’t know what to do with old SIM cards? Let’s figure out how to make sure that the data on your sim card is safe and isn’t being used by anyone dangerous.

Restart the iPhone

An “invalid SIM card” message sometimes appears due to a minor software glitch or a crash. To fix those minor glitches, you can restart the phone.

When you restart the device, it will stop all the ongoing processes. Then, it will start with freshly running programs with fixed potential glitches.

To begin restarting, you should follow the methods mentioned below. Please note that the process might differ depending on your iPhone model.

Restart the iPhone

For iPhone 8 and Earlier Versions

Press the power button and hold it to see the power slider. This slide will appear with the text “slide to power off.” As it says, you can slide it to turn off the device.

For iPhone X and Newer Versions

If you are using the latest version of iPhones, follow this method. Press and hold the side button with any of the volume buttons. Then, you can swipe the power icon (in red color) towards the right-hand side to shut the device down.

Regardless of the model, you should switch on the device once again after switching off the device. To do this, you should press the power or slide buttons.

Update the iPhone

If none of the above methods fix your issue, that could be an issue related to iOS. That means that if the iOS on your iPhone is outdated, you should fix it. The best way to do it is by updating the software.

An iOS update will fix all the potential issues and bugs associated with the current version. Also, updating iOS allows you to experience new features.

You may follow the instructions below to update your iPhone and fix the “invalid SIM card” issue.

Update iOS to fix Invalid Sim Card issur
  • Go to the Settings app and select the General option.
  • Go to the Software Update option.
  • If there is an update, you can tap on the option labeled “Download & Install.”

However, if you find a message “Your iPhone is up to date,” your iOS doesn’t need an update.

Eject the SIM Card and Insert it Again

All the methods mentioned above are associated with the iPhone. However, in this method, we will see if there is anything wrong with the SIM card. If everything looks fine with the iPhone, you should try this method.

Such an error can occur, particularly if your iPhone encountered a substantial impact (for instance, you dropped it lately!).

The SIM card might have gone out of the slot or become loose. You can fix the issue simply by ejecting the SIM card and putting it back correctly.

The location of the SIM card isn’t that hard to be found. Most iPhone models have their SIM card tray towards the device’s right edge. However, older iPhone models have the SIM card tried on the top part of the device.

Also, if you are experiencing the SIM card is not from Verizon, here are the best solutions.

Ejecting the SIM Card

You will have to use a SIM card ejector to eject the SIM card. If not, you will have to use a paper clip. Carefully press the small circle in the SIM card tray using the tool. Be sure that you apply some amount of pressure to get the tray to be ejected.

After ejecting the SIM card, you will not be able to use the iPhone to make any calls. Now, put back the SIM card in the perfect place without any errors.

If the iPhone still reads “invalid SIM card,” you will have to troubleshoot the SIM card.

Use a different SIM Card and Check If It Works

With this process, you will be able to determine if the issue is actually with the SIM card. All you have to do is find a SIM that works well on another iPhone.

Then, you should insert it on your iPhone and see if you get any error messages. If the “invalid SIM card” message persists, there is nothing wrong with the SIM card. Instead, your iPhone itself might be the culprit.

If the iPhone displays the same message, you must proceed to the next step. However, you must contact the wireless carrier if you have an issue with the SIM card. Then, you can find a proper solution to resolve this issue.

Try Resetting the Network Settings

You should know that the network settings of your iPhone comprise Wi-Fi, cellular, VPN, and Bluetooth settings. If something is wrong with your iPhone’s cellular network settings, you will have to reset it.

But you cannot reset the cellular settings alone. Instead, you will have to reset the entire network settings to resolve this issue.

Resetting all the network settings should be done according to the method mentioned below.

Reset Network Settings to fix Invalid Sim Card error
  • Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
  • Select the option “General.”
  • Tap on the option “Reset.”
  • Then go to the option “Reset Network Settings.”
  • When prompted, you will have to enter the passcode of the iPhone.
  • Confirm the resetting process.

As a smart measure, we highly recommend our readers write down the Wi-Fi password before resetting the network. Otherwise, finding the lost Wi-Fi password would be a painstaking task.

You should contact the wireless carrier if your iPhone still displays the same annoying message. Also, you will have to visit the local Apple store and see what is wrong with the device.

If there is a SIM card issue, the smart move is to contact the wireless carrier first. You will most likely get a new SIM card to fix the “invalid SIM card” issue. However, you will have to contact the Apple store if the issue is with the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Q: Can a damaged SIM card cause the invalid SIM card error?
    • A: Yes, physical damage to the SIM card can lead to connectivity issues and trigger the error message.
  2. Q: Will resetting network settings delete all my data?
    • A: No, resetting network settings only removes saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings. It does not affect other data on your iPhone.
  3. Q: How do I know if my SIM card is compatible with my iPhone?
    • A: You can check the compatibility by consulting your carrier or referring to the manufacturer’s website for the specific iPhone model.
  4. Q: Why do I need to update carrier settings?
    • A: Updating carrier settings ensures that your iPhone has the latest configurations for seamless connectivity with your carrier’s network.
  5. Q: What should I do if none of the troubleshooting steps resolve the issue?
    • A: If the issue persists, it is advisable to contact your carrier’s customer support for further assistance and guidance.

Conclusion

Encountering an invalid SIM card error on your iPhone can be frustrating, but with the troubleshooting steps mentioned above, you can resolve the issue and regain full functionality.

Remember to handle the SIM card with care, ensure compatibility, and keep your device’s software updated to avoid such errors in the future.

Jason
Jason

Skilled software testing specialist with expertise in comparisons and research, passionate about blogging, reviews, and creating video tutorials.

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