SIM cards are crucial for mobile phones, but sometimes issues can arise when you are working with a new SIM. You might wonder ‘why can’t my iPhone detect my SIM card’, and want solutions for it. Lucky for you, we will go through everything you are going to need to know in this article.
At imFixed, we offer our professional services for all kinds of repairs in Oldham, Rochdale, and the Manchester area, but we also like to give you the information you need to get your devices working on their own wherever possible. Our guides on solutions for water damage, and what to do when your iPhone won’t turn on, are bound to come in useful.
We also have articles on what to do when your iPhone screen cracks, approaches to iPhone 6 screen repair, the benefits of repairing screens over buying new, information on phone screen repairs, and much more.
What a SIM Card Does
In short, a SIM card is there to allow a device to access different mobile networks and authenticate the user or subscriber. This will ensure that they are billed correctly, and so information such as messages and directories on the device can be stored.
Why Can’t My iPhone Detect My SIM Card?
If your iPhone can’t detect your SIM card, there are some troubleshooting solutions to go through before you give up all hope. Below, we will go through some steps that you can try to resolve your SIM card issue.
Turn on Airplane Mode and Turn it off Again
By turning off your iPhone’s Airplane Mode, it will shut down the phone’s wireless radios. When you turn Airplane Mode off, it will refresh everything at once, and you may get your device to detect your SIM card again.
Clean Your iPhone’s SIM Card Slot
You would be surprised by how often a SIM card cannot be read simply because the SIM slot is dirty. Clean the slot using a soft bristled brush – something that will not damage it, then put it and the SIM card back and try again.
Try Reinstalling the SIM Card
It’s so easy for the SIM card to move a few millimetres when you are inserting it, which will stop it from being detected by the phone. Try carefully reinstalling the card and make sure that everything stays aligned.
Try a Different SIM Card to See if it Works
The problem might lie in the SIM card you are trying to use. If you suspect this to be the case, or if you have exhausted all other options, try inserting a new card to see if it works.
If another SIM card works, then you know what the issue is. On the chance that a different card does not work, then you might want to try a third SIM, or find the fault in your iPhone.
Restart Your Device
Depending on the iPhone model you have, you will need to take different steps to force restart your device. We will outline the steps for different models below.
For iPhones that Support iOS 16 or Later
- Quickly press the volume up button and release
- Quickly press the volume down button and release
- Hold down the side button
- Release the side button when the Apple logo shows
For iPhones that Don’t Support iOS 16 (iPhones 6, 7, 8 and SE (1st Gen)
- iPhone 6 models and iPhone SE (1st Gen) – Hold down the home and sleep/wake button at the same time, then release the buttons when you see the Apple logo
- iPhone 7 – Hold down the sleep/wake button and volume down button at the same time, then release the buttons when you see the Apple logo
- iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2nd Gen) – Quickly press the volume up button and release, then do the same with the volume down button. Hold down the side button, and release it when you see the Apple logo
Ensure Your iPhone Account is Valid
You should have a legitimate and valid account with a phone carrier. If your SIM card is not being detected, this could be an issue, so you should check to see if your service has been terminated or deactivated, or if there is another issue that you need to look into.
See if There’s an Update for iPhone Carrier Settings
Your phone carrier settings might have been changed, which will impact how your iPhone connects to the network. Check if you need to update to see what the situation is. Ensure that you are connected to the Wi-Fi and update anything you need to.
You can check this following these steps: General → About → Carrier
Reset Your Device to Factory Settings
If nothing else is working, you might need to erase your iPhone to its default state. This will get rid of everything on the device, so make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding
To reset your iPhone, follow these steps: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Erase All Content and Settings → Erase iPhone.
Double-Check Your iOS System is Up-to-Date
Hopefully your iPhone updates without any issues in settings, but this isn’t always the case.
If your iPhone refuses to update, you can try to update your iOS in Recovery Mode (you will need the latest version of iTunes on a Windows or Mac laptop/PC).
- Connect your Windows/Mac device to the phone
- Do a force restart (steps outlined in an above section) to get your phone in Recovery Mode
- Don’t let go of the buttons until the phone screen has the Recovery mode screen (a charging cable with an arrow pointed at a laptop)
- Select ‘update’ when the option to restore or update on your computer shows up
- Confirm, then follow the instructions given to you (it can take up to 15 minutes, so have some patience)
- Your phone will restart on its own once you’re done
In the situation where this doesn’t work, the final thing to try is DFU Mode to update the iOS. Because DFU Mode is more complex than Recovery Mode, and varies depending on the device model you have, follow these steps to effectively go through the process.
Just be aware that DFU will restore iOS to a clean slate while bypassing iBoot, which Recovery Mode uses. As such, make sure you back up all your important data before proceeding.
If this doesn’t work, you will need to get in touch with a professional like us, or Apple.
imFixed Can Help Get Your Devices Working
Hopefully this has been useful, and you have some suggestions to try out if your iPhone is not detecting your SIM card. It might be frustrating to deal with, but SIM cards are an important part of your phone functioning the way it should, so you need to do everything you can to get it working.
At imFixed, we do MacBook battery repairs, and emergency Manchester call out screen repairs, with repair services also available in Wigan, Bolton, and Bury if you want to repair a broken smartphone screen.
Here, we answer your burning questions – like if it’s worth fixing a MacBook screen, what new MacBook users should know, and why your iPhone battery might be draining for no reason. If you need accessories for your devices, we also have a collection of cases and holders, headphones and adapters, Apple screen protectors, and cases, so you can always care for your devices.
So, why can’t my iPhone detect my SIM card? There could be a number of issues at play, but hopefully carrying out the suggestions we’ve outlined will solve the problem. If it doesn’t, why not bring your device in so that we can have a look at it?
