If you are getting the " No SIM" error on your iPhone after installing iOS 17 update, this troubleshooting guide will help you fix the problem.
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If your iPhone says “No SIM” after iOS 17 update, it can mean that the SIM hasn’t been inserted properly, the SIM is damaged, your carrier account may have an issue, or the iPhone itself may have an issue. All can be fixed, however.
An iPhone needs either a physical or eSIM card to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, and connect to the Internet while out and about. If your iPhone is displaying a No SIM Card Installed error, then you can’t connect to your wireless carrier’s network. This means you can’t use your wireless data over 4G or 5G, and you can’t make or receive phone calls, or send and receive text messages.
Besides your iPhone alerting you with an error message, you’ll know your iPhone is having a problem with its SIM card if the carrier name and signal bars/dots at the top of the screen are missing, or have been replaced by messages like No SIM or Searching.
Why does my iPhone say No SIM after iOS 17 update?
There are a number of reasons for the iPhone No SIM error after iOS 17 update. It could be that the iPhone doesn’t detect its SIM card, which is used to connect to these networks. This problem can also be caused by your SIM card becoming slightly dislodged or a problem with iOS 17.
The "No SIM" error can be displayed on iPhone in multiple ways, including:
- No SIM
- No SIM Card Installed
- Invalid SIM
- Insert SIM
Whatever the cause and the type of error, the solution is pretty easy: All you need to fix this is a paper clip and some software settings. Here’s what to do if your iPhone says "No SIM" after iOS 17 update.
Please note: These instructions apply to all iPhone models running iOS 17.
How to Fix the iPhone No SIM after iOS 17 update issue
If your iPhone is displaying the No SIM error after iOS 17 update, or you don’t have any cellular bars when you should, try these troubleshooting steps, in this order, to fix the problem.
Open the SIM card tray and check the SIM
Since the No SIM problem is often caused by the SIM getting slightly dislodged, the first fix is to try to make sure the SIM card is in the tray properly. Here’s how:
- Locate the SIM tray. You can find it on the left or right side of the iPhone, depending on the model.
- Eject the tray using the SIM ejector tool that came with your iPhone or a paperclip. Simply insert it into the pinhole on the tray. Apply a little pressure, and the tray will pop out.
- Compare the shape of the SIM card to the shape of the tray and adjust accordingly. Make sure it is snug, with the gold-colored side face up.
- Then, put the card back into the tray.
After a few seconds (wait up to a minute), the No SIM Card Installed error should disappear and your regular bars and carrier name should re-appear at the top of the iPhone’s screen.
Check to make sure the SIM card isn’t damaged
While you have the SIM card out of the tray, give it a thorough examination to ensure it isn’t damaged. If it has any scratches, scuffs, or if the gold side has been cut too far with a knife (which is easy to do if you are making a larger SIM card into a micro-SIM), then that will obviously cause the SIM card to malfunction. In this situation, you will have to buy a new SIM card from the phone carrier.
Also ensure that the iPhone’s SIM tray isn’t bent or damaged. If the tray doesn’t release easily or you need to force it back into the phone, you might have to replace it.
Restart iPhone
If your iPhone still doesn’t detect the SIM, try the all-purpose fix for many iPhone problems: a restart. You’d be surprised how many issues are solved by restarting.
To restart iPhone Xr, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or iPhone 15:
- Press and hold onto the Side and volume up buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Use the slide to power off slider.
- When the device is turned off, press and hold the side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
To restart iPhone SE (2nd generation) or iPhone SE (3rd generation):
- Press and hold onto the power button for a few seconds.
- Use the slide to power off slider.
- When the device is turned off, press and hold the side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
Update iOS
Assuming that there doesn’t seem to be anything outwardly wrong with the SIM card, and it seems to be fitted in the phone properly, the next step is to check that your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS 17. Apple may have released a new iOS 17 version to address this problem. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for updates. If there is an update, follow the instructions on the screen.
Check for an iPhone Carrier settings update
Another culprit behind iPhone not detecting SIM card after iOS 17 update could be that your phone company has changed the settings for how your phone connects to its network and you need to install them. To check this, go to Settings > General > About. If there is an update, a popup will appear. Please ensure that your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi, as this requires an active internet connection. If you do not have Wi-Fi, find a Wi-Fi and try this step again.
Check with your phone carrier to make sure your account is valid
It’s also possible that your phone company account isn’t valid. In order for your phone to be able to connect to a phone company network, you need a valid, active account with a phone company. If your account has been suspended, canceled, or has some other problem, you may see the SIM error. The best course of action is to contact the phone carrier and explain to them your problem.
Test for a malfunctioning SIM card
If your iPhone still says it has no SIM, your SIM card could have a hardware problem. One way to test this is by inserting a SIM card from another cell phone that you know works fine.
If the No SIM Card Installed warning disappears after inserting another SIM, then your iPhone SIM is broken. You can get a new one from your phone company.
Contact Apple Tech Support
If all the above options have been tried without success, then you likely have a defective iPhone. The only course of action in this scenario is to contact Apple Support and arrange for the phone to be sent back for repair or replacement.
