There is no doubt that the iPhone is an amazing piece of hardware. However, if it can’t make calls, then what’s the use of calling it a phone? The reason for this error could be that the SIM is not supported on your iPhone.

The situation is frustrating, but I have got the fixes you need. So let’s jump right in and see how to get rid of the SIM not supported issue on iPhone.

1. Check if the SIM is carrier locked

It’s possible that the ‘SIM not supported’ error might appear on your iPhone due to it being carrier locked. It can happen if you are using a secondhand iPhone, and chances are that it might be carrier locked. Here’s how to check that:

  1. Go to Settings → General.
  2. Tap About.
  3. Scroll down and locate Network Provider Lock.
    For some, it might also appear as Carrier Lock.

    Check Carrier Lock setting on iPhone

If the message next to it is ‘No SIM Restrictions’, then you can move forward with the other fixes mentioned in this guide.

However, if it’s locked, none of the below-mentioned steps will help you. You will be required to contact your SIM service provider and go through the procedure for carrier unlock.

2. Make an emergency call

I understand it can be tricky to bypass SIM not supported on iPhone, but if you can make emergency calls from your iPhone, chances are that that might fix the issue. If this has not worked for you, let’s move on to the next way to fix the issue.

3. Eject and reinsert the SIM card on iPhone

If you are using a physical SIM card, then try to eject and reinsert it. You can also restart your iPhone and see if the issue is fixed. Usually, this will be able to fix the issue, but if not, let’s look at the next fix.

Eject and reinsert the SIM card on iPhone

4. Ensure the eSIM is properly activated

If you have already stepped up to the future and have decided to go with an eSIM, then you should ensure that you have followed the same steps as the ones we have mentioned in our detailed guide on how to activate and use eSIM on iPhone.

5. Restart your iPhone

Sometimes, a quick restart can fix all of the problems on an iPhone (wish I could say the same about life). So if you want to solve the SIM card not supported by iPhone issue, restart your iPhone. If you are unable to restart your iPhone, try to do a force restart, as it can be a solution to the problem you face.

Drag the slider to Turn Off iPhone 11

6. Update iPhone to the latest iOS version

Since its inception, iOS has not always had a smooth ride. Users have been reporting multiple bugs, including the iPhone SIM card not supported issue too. Thankfully, Apple has been pushing updates to fix these issues, so updating your iPhone might be fixing the issue.

tap on general and then tap on software update in ios 14 settings on iphone

7. Reset Network Settings

Some changes in the Network Settings can also cause SIM issues on iPhones. You can fix it by following these steps:

  1. Go to Settings General.

    open-settings-and-tap-on-general

  2. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  3. Now, tap Reset.
  4. Here, select Reset Network Settings.
  5. Enter your passcode if prompted.

    Reset network settings on an iPhone

8. Bypass iPhone SIM not supported with iTunes

You can also use iTunes to help you solve the SIM card not supported issue. Unfortunately, this process will delete all the data on your iPhone, although you can use any of the iPhone data recovery software to recover them. With that being said, let’s look at the steps:

  1. Connect your iPhone to a Windows PC.
  2. Run the latest version of iTunes.
  3. Choose Set up as new iPhone and let iTunes carry out the process.

    Bypass iPhone SIM not supported with iTunes

9. Factory reset iPhone

If none of these issues are working, it’s time to factory reset your iPhone. As one can guess, this will completely delete all the files on your iPhone, but along with that, it might also be able to clear the iOS bugs that might be causing the issue.

Contact carrier or Apple Support

If none of the above-mentioned steps were helpful for you, then you should better contact your network operator or check in with Apple Support. There is a high chance that you will finally be able to get rid of the no sim on iPhone bug.

FAQs

Q. Does the SIM not supported error mean my SIM card is faulty?

If the SIM card works on a different device, then the issue is likely with your device’s software. You can first try to restart your device, and if that doesn’t help, you can follow the steps in this detailed guide.

Q. Can I use my iPhone without a SIM card?

Yes, you can use an iPhone without a SIM. Although to access the internet, you will be required to connect to a Wi-Fi network.

Q. Does the iPhone 14 support dual SIM?

Yes, all the models in iPhone 14 series have support for dual SIM. Depending upon the region, one SIM supports physical, and the other supports eSIM. iPhone 14 devices in the US only have just eSIM support.

Start using your iPhone with a fully functional SIM

With this guide, I hope you were able to find a solution for the SIM not supported issue on your iPhone. Although if you have any doubts or queries, I’ll be happy to answer them in the comments.