you must have a sim associated with an apple device for to be used for imessage and facetime

It seems that my phone can't detect sim card, this message appears in appleid stating that the added phone number does not connect to the Apple device even though the sim card already exists and the same number has not changed anything, I contacted Apple support and did not solve the problem, I tried almost all the solutions, so that I made full configurations for the device and the settings, and it's no use… check photo.


[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 14, iOS 17

Posted on Sep 22, 2023 2:43 AM

44 replies

Sep 22, 2023 7:09 AM in response to Community User

Does the SIM work for other apps? Can you make a cellular phone call? Do you have access to cellular data?


If the SIM does not work, you may have an issue. While you can use iMessage from a phone without a SIM, there are limitations. The phone needs to be able to send an international SMS in order to activate iMessage. Once that is done, you can remove the SIM. However, if iMessage ever becomes deactivated, which can happen if it doesn't connect to data for several days, the process will need to be repeated.



Sep 28, 2023 1:23 AM in response to sreejith93

Same here, i can receive sms but cannot send sms.

Also, imessage cannot be activated. Couldn’t find support neither from apple or network carrier.

As long as i can receive phonecalls and sms, the network provider said it’s nothing wrong with sim or network services.

I also made a SIM replacement, sim reset, nothing worked.

Tried also to change SMSC number provided by network operator using an android phone (on android it works changing it manually), and it works, SMS can be sent from that android phone. But when i put sim back into iphone, the error is still displayed on iphone, no sms and no imessage activation possible.

The Apple support operator did not know what SMSC number is, i tried to explain also that in the past, until on ios13 i guess, there was a combo of digits that could help set the SMSC on iphone.

Nothing worked so far and it’s really annoying ‘cuz i used SMS for parking fees and bus tickets, i really need this.

Clues, anyone ? :(

you must have a sim associated with an apple device for to be used for imessage and facetime

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