Although cell phones have changed significantly in the last few decades, they still need a SIM. Some phones have moved to eSIMs, but many still use physical SIM cards. If you have a working phone, odds are it has a SIM card in there, physical or virtual.
So, what if your phone says “no SIM”? This error message is common and can pop up for various reasons. Typically, if you have the “no SIM” message, you will likely be unable to use your cellular features, such as making calls, sending SMS messages, or using data. This can be frustrating, especially if you’re getting the error often.
So, why does your phone say "No SIM," and how can you fix it? Below, we explain what the no-SIM message on your phone may mean and what you can do to get rid of it.
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There are a few reasons why your phone might be saying "No SIM." The most obvious one is that it is actually missing a SIM, has one installed incorrectly, or has a damaged SIM. If you encounter this message after you’ve tried to set up an eSIM, chances are your eSIM installation did not go right.
Of course, there are other reasons why your phone may be showing the error. These include:
The error message you see may vary according to the model of your phone. On an iPhone, the message will say “No SIM” in the status bar next to empty network bars, and a “No SIM Card Installed” or “No SIM available” message will appear in a pop-up and in your notifications. You may also see an “Invalid SIM” message on your iPhone. On Android phones, the messages will be similar, accompanied by empty network bars, sometimes with a cross (x) next to the icon.
If your phone displays SOS instead, check out our explainer on why your phone says SOS.
There are a few steps to try Some of these are simple, quick fixes you can try on your own, but some may require you to get help from a professional.
Apple suggests a few fixes if your iPhone is showing a no-SIM error:
For Android phones, the same steps should work to fix the no-SIM error. However, the steps to access network settings will vary depending on your phone's exact make and model.
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If these steps don’t fix the issue on your phone, it’s likely that there is a problem with your phone’s hardware. You may need to contact your phone’s manufacturer or a reliable third-party phone repair service to diagnose the error and get it fixed. If it’s a new phone, you might want to consider getting a replacement instead of a repair.
Note that it will cost you to get a hardware issue fixed unless the phone is under warranty and the issue wasn’t caused by physical damage. In most cases, a hardware issue causing a no-SIM error should be a relatively cheap fix, but if there is a bigger problem with the hardware, the repair estimate might be closer to the cost of a new phone.
If you're experiencing frequent issues with your carrier, like getting the no-SIM error or being stuck on SOS mode, you might want to switch phone carriers. Alternatively, if your phone has been having problems and you need a replacement, you can check our recommendations for the best phones in 2024.