Sometimes your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max may show a popup message saying, “SIM Failure.” Start by making sure that you have an active plan with your wireless carrier. If your device has an eSIM, contact your carrier. In this article, I explain what you can do to fix this SIM problem on your iPhone 18 Pro.
Restart your iPhone 18 Pro
I myself have had this problem a few times. I especially had this problem while traveling internationally. When I restarted my iPhone, the problem was gone. Here is how you can restart your iPhone:
- Press and hold either volume button and the side button together until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.
Update your iPhone and carrier settings
Update your iPhone: go to Settings, tap General, then tap Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Carriers also release carrier settings updates, which provide updated carrier network and settings to improve cellular network connectivity and performance. To check, go to Settings > General > About. If there is an update, you will see a popup notification, then tap OK or Update to proceed. If there is no update, you will only see the About screen. To verify that you have the latest carrier settings installed, contact your carrier.
Remove and insert the SIM card again
If your device has a physical SIM card, remove your SIM card from the SIM card tray and then put the SIM card back. You can do this if your iPhone 18 Pro has a SIM tray. In some countries and regions, including the United States, Canada, Japan and Mexico, iPhone models are sold as eSIM-only and do not have a SIM tray. Here is how you can remove and then insert the SIM card:
- To pop open the SIM tray, insert a paper clip or a SIM-eject tool into the hole beside the tray. Push in, towards your iPhone, but don’t force it. If you’re having difficulty ejecting the SIM tray, take your device to your carrier or an Apple Store for help.
- Remove the SIM card.
- Put the SIM card back in the tray, then insert the tray into the device completely and in the same orientation that you removed it. Make sure that the SIM tray closes completely and isn’t loose.
Is something wrong with the SIM card?
There may be something wrong with your SIM card. To rule this out, you have two options:
- Try using another SIM card in your iPhone 18 Pro.
- If you don’t have one, go to your carrier’s retail store and ask them to test with another SIM card. You might need to replace your SIM card.
If your issue continues, try reaching out to Apple directly. You can live chat with an Apple agent. You can also set up a Genius Bar reservation.
