iPhone keeps saying "no sim available" after IOS 16.5 update.

1 hour ago, everyone’s iPhones at work suddenly said “NO SIM” all at the same time. Different carriers, different models of phones. Some personal phones, some business phones centrally managed. The whole building had to manually reboot their phones to get the devices back to normal. What is up with this?

Happening with me as well; with daily frequency, multiple times a day. Very little chance there is actually something wrong with my SIM or hardware. No drops/cracks issues with my phone. Usually rebooting fixes it for a little while only. Occasionally, turning on Airplane mode for 1 min then turning off can fix it, too. Very frustrating.

Late to this thread, but thought I’d reply for those who stumble upon this with the same issue.

I’m a sales rep at Verizon and we have been seeing this issue with iPhones, models of all kinds but far less frequently with the 14 models, every single day. It’s only iPhones, so we also feel like it has to be a software issue.

Once the user gets a new SIM card or switches over to an e-sim instead, it fixes the problem. Many people have had temporary fixes with removing, re-inserting the SIM card or turning off/on airplane mode, but then it continues to happen on and off until the network seems to completely stop working on their phone.

If you’re having this problem after a recent update, you’ll likely just need to visit your carrier’s local corporate store for a new SIM card or call in and have them switch you over to an e-sim, if you have a capable model.

I haven’t had a customer come back after we’ve done this for them. This has been happening for a couple of months or so! I can’t wait until it’s fixed.

That happened to me also , but after I fixed it I would have to say it has nothing to do with the update as my phone now works with no issues. I followed all apple recommendations with no results. I got a new SIM card from my carrier , still “ no sim” . Since my phone is an old 6s model I decided it must be a hardware issue and ordered a replacement sim cage from I fix it that is still on the mail.

MY SOLUTION : tired of waiting with no phone communications I decided to try a trick to fix communications with the sim. I removed the sim tray and placed a piece of electric tape on the non contacts side of it to increase the pressure over the contacts when inserted. IT WORKED RIGHT AWAY.

I used one layer of tape but if your phone is more worked out than mine you might need two. It’s worth a try but keep in mind that your issue might be different. Good luck.

I don't think someone should have to go to their carrier to "try" a new SIM to resolve this issue; it's pretty clear to me that something related to that last update is a root cause.

Anyway, I have not had the issue since I removed the SIM tray, put back in and rebooted the phone. So, again, hard to believe it was just coincidence.

For those, like myself, who experience this issue, I’m curious who have as your wireless service. Mine is Verizon.

While we have reason to suspect this is an Apple issue; it would be helpful to identify the iPhone type model, current iOS version and, most critically, the wireless carrier (e.g., “iPhone 13 Pro,” “iOS 17.1.2,” “Verizon”)

Again, maybe I’ll type it slower to help people understand.

Both privately owned AND business owned.

Work phone in my pocket, and my personal in my car.

Personal phones are not managed by the company.

Multiply this times hundreds of people in different areas / different cell towers / different carriers / different makes and models.

iOS 17.1 is a flop.

As of last night I also cannot use the remote app on my iPhone(s) to connect to any of the Apple TV’s in my house either.

This started happening to my iPhone 12 mini a few days ago. I kept getting the No Sim Available message. I tried turning the phone off and back on, but that solved nothing. Then I tried logging into the My Verizon app. I have facial recognition turned on, but I was required to enter my password and PIN. I entered both and received a message that a 6 digit PIN was now required and I was instructed to hit Send Now so a 6 digit PIN could be sent via text. No text arrived. I made two more attempts to have a 6 digit PIN texted to me, but none arrived. I was able to send and receive texts from my other contacts. I have my phone set to update automatically, but I couldn’t tell if my iPhone was on the latest version (17.1.2) so I clicked on the link to start the update. Nothing happened. I tried dialing *611 to contact Verizon. Call Failed. Then I tried to call some of the people in my Contacts. Call Failed each time. I had to use my work laptop to place a call to the 800 Verizon number. The Verizon rep told me that I was getting the No SIM Available message because there was “too much congestion”. I asked if she meant that the cell towers were overloaded and couldn’t handle any additional traffic at that time. I am in an area with numerous cell towers so I told her that I didn’t believe that was possible. I was having trouble understanding her, but I kept hearing her say “5G” over and over. I told her that when I was on the phone with Verizon last summer about another issue, they moved me to their newest 5 G plan so I could save money. 5 G is widely available in my city, but I was concerned what would happen while traveling elsewhere. They assured me that my phone would seamlessly shift to 4 G if needed. The rep told me that I was grandfathered on an old plan that was no longer offered. She said that moving me to their “premium plan” (that would cost an additional $20 per line) I would not have the problems I was having.she said I would be able to make phone calls even if I was out of cell tower range. Seriously? I have to pay $20 more a month to fix this problem? I was desperate at that point. She said that she would upgrade me to the new plan and I could cancel within the week if I didn’t think it would solve the problem. After the update, I was able to complete the IOS update, I started getting the texts with 6 digit PINs that I had requested the day before, and the rep had to have me re-register with the My Verizon app in order to change my password and add the 6 digit PIN. I feel like Verizon held my iPhone ransom so they could force a more expensive plan on me.

Earlier today, I did finally take out my SIM tray, inspected the card. As I expected, the card was completely fine, nothing visibly wrong. I put the SIM tray back into the phone, rebooted, and have not received the message in over 3 hours now. Fingers crossed.

So, that "might" have worked in my case, we'll see. Not sure that will work for you/others.

JMill33 wrote:

I hope Apple is on this. It’s NOT something I want to deal with if there’s a situation where I need my phone immediately.

Unless you have told Apple you have a problem, they are not "on it". You should contact them using the Support link at the bottom left of every page of these forums or by using this link:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Happening with my iPhone 12 pro as well!!!! Many times. No problem with my sim at all.

Suspicious 🤨

June 26, 2023.

Started for me after 16.5.1 update. At least two or three times a day. Restart gets me back up.

I hope Apple is on this. It’s NOT something I want to deal with if there’s a situation where I need my phone immediately.

I am currently experiencing this. My carrier told me that now have to find time to go to their store and pay for a new sim as this is "not their fault". she actually laughed at me when i questioned why i not only have to find time to come in there for her to fix something that is not my fault, but also pay for this? She then laughed and told me it wasnt Verizon's fault either and if she wants me to fix it I will have to pay. I let her know that it sounds like i have no other choice at this point and hung up. GRR.

dmanlam wrote:

I don't think someone should have to go to their carrier to "try" a new SIM to resolve this issue; it's pretty clear to me that something related to that last update is a root cause.

Anyway, I have not had the issue since I removed the SIM tray, put back in and rebooted the phone. So, again, hard to believe it was just coincidence.

I wasn't responding to you. I was responding to the person who said they had tried removing their SIM and it hadn't helped.

And, yes, if all it took to resolve your problem was to remove the SIM and put it back, it was most likely just a coincidence that your problem occurred around the same time as you did the update.