SIM Card Not Working On iPhone After iOS 15.6 Update (Fix!?)
Last updated on August 6th, 2022 at 04:59 pm
Posted in Errors and Issues by Patricia on August 2, 2022
SIM Card not working on iPhone
Is the SIM card not working on iPhone after iOS 15.6 update? Are you getting No Service, No SIM error? Device isn’t able to dial or receive regular calls and text messages? You’re not the only one. This issue has been reported by several readers.
iPhone Not Recognizing SIM Card
No SIM card installed error
We’ve received three distinct complaints about various iPhone models failing to recognize SIM card after the iOS 15.6 update:
- Andrew (iPhone 6S) was the first to point it out:
“I have an iPhone 6S.Downloaded IOS 15.6 software update last night and now the phone won’t read the SIM card and I have no service. I swapped SIM cards with another phone and the SIM card is OK. I also checked with my service provider and the account is OK.”
- SMA (iPhone 11) confirmed the problem:
“Hi! After updating 15.6, my sim card is not recognised. it’s an iphone 11.”
- Simon (iPhone 12 Pro) has the same glitch:
“Hi, Same issue here. Phone won’t read the sim card. I don’t know what to do. Looking for a cheap replacement until Apple sends out an update for this.”
We couldn’t replicate this SIM Card problem on our own devices running iOS 15.6 and also could not find other reports on similar websites.
Do you experience the same? Please report it in the comments. The more cases we have the faster we can submit feedback and ask Apple to officially address this issue!
How To Fix SIM Card Not Working On iPhone
Based on the troubleshooting feedback that we received from our readers here is what you should try:
1. Restart iPhone
The first thing that you should try is reboot the device. A fresh start could flush minor glitches that prevent the SIM card from being recognized.
Tip: Use the force restart trick to reboot the iPhone quick and easy!
2. Carrier Settings Update?
Next, check if there’s any update available for carrier settings:
- Go for Settings -> General -> About
- If an update is available you will be prompted to update. Go ahead!
3. Reinsert SIM card
Remove any physical barriers by ejecting the SIM tray and removing the SIM card. Gently clean both tray and card with a soft cloth, but the SIM back into position and see what happens.
Still getting the No Service error?
More: If you have a secondary smartphone available you can insert your SIM card in it to check it out. Andrew did it and his SIM proved to be OK.
4. Reset Network Settings
Another way to fix SIM Card not working on iPhone is to reset the Network Settings:
- Open Settings and browse for General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Tap Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
Fact: Don’t get your hopes too high Simon has reset the Settings without success.
5. Reset All Settings
I managed to find an user (iPhone XR) that has complained a couple of months ago about no SIM recognized after iOS 15 update.
He confirms (on Apple’s Discussion Forums) that he managed to fix the issue by resetting iPhone to factory settings.
If you want to apply this go for:
Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Reset -> Reset All Settings
Workaround for SIM Card Not Recognized
A good way to bypass the No SIM or SIM Failure issues after iOS 15.6 update is to contact your carrier and ask them to switch you on an eSIM plan.
This way you won’t need your iPhone to recognize the physical SIM anymore.
Credits: Thanks to Lisa and Tena for confirming this workaround.
Extra Tip: You should also contact your carrier an inquire about this issue. Simon says that he was instructed to wait for Apple to release an update, which could hint that the carrier is aware of the issue.
What about your carrier did they provide any useful info?
Have you managed to fix SIM card not recognized on iPhone in iOS 15.6? Do you have a better solution? Use the comments and share your feedback.
Related: Getting SIM failure error on iPhone? Here is how to fix it!
My SIM card not recognized after IOS 15.6 update in iPhone 11
Thanks for confirming Tammy. We’re submitting feedback report to Apple regarding this and will include these confirmations to built up the case.
I am also having the “SIM Failure” issue since updating to 15.6 I am using iPhone Xr
Tried powering off multiple times, ejecting and reinserting the SIM card, even resetting network settings. Nothing has worked. I have not completely reset the phone yet, since I am hoping there will be further software updates before I have to completely reset my phone.
Thanks for the detailed feedback Adam. Yes, resetting all setting is a bit extreme. We’re still waiting more confirmation that this is a working solution. So, if anyone tries it please enlighten us all.
P.S: You could try installing iOS 16 public beta on your iPhone and see if it helps. Do perform a full iPhone backup if you go this way. And be aware that the beta comes with it’s share of issues. I recommend you to read these two articles:
1. 5 Reasons Not To Install iOS 16 Public Beta
2. How To Install iOS 16 Public Beta
Hello, I have a 10 Max xs after installing the update my phone did not recognize my sim. I did everything 16 hours later I took the chip out cleaned between the chip lines with a needle and licked the chip, I then wiped it between my fingers and reinserted and it is now working
Thanks for sharing this interesting troubleshooting method Michele. Be careful when cleaning the SIM card to avoid damage.
‘Licking’ is kinda out of the box, but if it worked for you, congrats. You can use a wipe next time, with very little moisture.
Updated iOS yesterday and this morning I had no cellular service. Did all of the recommended troubleshooting on every site I could find to no avail. Called ATT tonight and they moved me to an Esim and everything works again. iPhone 13
Thanks for sharing Lisa. Glad that you managed to solve this quick.
iPhone 13 Pro Max, had it for 1 week and worked fine – did update this morning when prompted and No Sim errors began. None of the troubleshooting worked. Verizon had to put me on eSim which was the only resolution. Not happy when phone is 1 week old. Should I request a replacement physical sim or just leave on eSim?
Thanks for sharing Tena. If you have a carrier shop nearby I would check a new SIM. If it won’t work you should keep it on the eSim at least until the next iOS update. Then you can try again and see if the problem is solved.