Sim Card Failure No Sim with iPhone 4S Anyone Else?

Bought the Iphone 4S after my Iphone 3GS died after only 2years and 3months. To that time I was disappointed of the quality of that IPhone already. The only reason I bought an Iphone again was, that I have an Apps called LogTen Pro which only works on Apple products. Not only was this Apps ****** expensive, it also keeps track of important information. Long story short, the new IPhone 4S permanently looses signal of the SIM card. As I read in this forum it seems to be a typical IPhone 4S problem. In my job I cannot afford to be without mobile phone, not answering the phone while on Standby duty can cost my job.

Sorry Apple, you let me down again. This might mean the end of Apple products in my household!

I second hallohanno. iPhone was once meant to be international right? Now it is only domestic? I can't even purchase some apps because they say certain apps are only available for accounts set up in certain countries..? If I change my account settings, I will lose new updates on some apps ..so I have to choose which apps to let go..then why did I pay for a smart phone that only limits my life and give me endless hassles? My iPhone is now a iPod touch with restrictions. Unfixed no sim error, unreasonable geographic restrictions on apps, no service, no exchange, and duh what else can be next? does apple only wants money from us or are they willing to spend some of their profits to make dependable products?

Called tech support, online support, carriers, forums, and even wrote to apple but what's the answer I get..? Silence or the shrug of shoulders, if i am lucky. Bye bye iPhone.

I have the exact same problem Yonmons! Been using my 4S (32g Factory unlocked) for about 4 months. No issues. Updated to 5.1. No issues. Last weekened i got a SIM card failure notice. I turned my phone on and off and i would keep getting SIM card failure or invalid sim or no sim messages. After taking my sim in and out and resetting network settings it finally worked.The problem has since occured again twice. I've noticed it occur when i'm in my garage where i lose my reception. Once i've lost reception it goes straight to SIM card failure.

I get the "Sim Failure" error when I'm using data in a moving car. Never had it while walking around.

What is your iOS?

Is it 5.0 or 5.1

5.1 will not have this issue

It's 5.1. I've also done a factory reset.

If the car is moving slow, it usually doesn't happen. But on a highway going 55 - especially when using GPS (Navigon or Maps) - blammo. I figure maybe something is overheating.

Bill, I'm curious...Are you using a pretty "heavy duty" case such as an Otterbox Defender? You mentioned that your problems occur, not exclusively but often, when using a navigation app in your car and when going relatively fast. Navigation apps work the processor pretty hard and the faster you go, I'm guessing, the harder they have to work to keep pace with the changing terrain. Couple this with the hot dashboard of a car and a cover like the Defender (which does keep heat in...I own one) and it is possible your phone is getting out of its recommended temperature operating range. I'm doing a lot of guessing here as I don't know what case you have and if you live in an area where dashboard temps are relatively high at this time of the year.

iOS 5.1 has solved many SIM problems, but everyone on this discussion forum needs to remember that SIM issues are relatively common and can occur from a multitude of causes. What is generating your SIM problem may have nothing to do with what was generating the SIM problem that iOS 5.1 was designed to correct.

If you're up for an experiment, and your iPhone is currently in a case, you could try removing the case and see if the SIM problem persists. In addition, or if that doesn't appeal to you, try turning ON the air conditioning in your car and direct the air flow out the defroster vents on the dashboard instead of the normal vents on the front consol. Get some cool air blowing on, or near, your iPhone to lower it's operating temperature.

Today's smartphones are better characterized as mini-computers than phones. Like computers, they can get pretty toasty when the processor is pushed hard and continuously. Couple that with a warm dashboard and anything is possible.

If you give this a try, let us know what happens...and good luck! Best, Mr. Luigi

Yeah, I'm using a Defender. I was afraid that it might be part of the problem. I'll try to cool it down.

I just went for a two hour drive. Blasted the AC and there were no Sim Failures. Looks like that overheating might have been the trouble.

Just had his problem start today. My phone just randomly changed to saying No SIM on the menu bar and after turning it off and on a lot and re inserting the micro sim nothing has changed.

It's been constantly saying No SIM installed for about 3 hours now.

I'm on Orange in the UK and I have an iPhone 4S that runs iOS5.1.

Is it best to phone orange and ask for a new SIM?

Hi karate1990,

Based on other's experiences in this forum, I would do exactly as you suggest. Ask Orange for a new 128K SIM card for your phone. Right now, that is your most likely suspect and is the first thing you should address as you troubleshoot your problem. Just make sure Orange provides you with a 128K card as there is enough evidence available to suggest that the 4S reacts poorly to a smaller capacity card.

Good luck and let the forum know how things go so folks can learn from your experience.

Best, Mr. Luigi

No problems here with a Brand New Verizon Wireless IPhone 4S which was purchased from Apple.com, oh and yes Apple did put the Sim Card into my IPhone before they shipped it to me, just in case I ever go Over Seas with it, I also agree that HSPA+ is NOT true 4G, I have a 4G LTE USB Modem on my other Verizon Line, and it is much faster than AT&T's HSPA+, I hope that eventially when the IPhone 5 comes out this Fall (according to a Quote from a Fox Conn Spokesperson), that it will actually have 4G LTE just like the currunt IPad 3!

Thanks Mr Luigi! I'll get on the phone to them today and hopefully they will have no problem in sending one!

I'll keep you posted.

karate1990 you will have no problem in getting a replacement sim card from orange. i had the same problem,but it did take the 3rd sim card to rectifiy the problem. what is your orange sim card software version? look in settings-general-about-scroll down-carrier.

@sicknote00 mine says Orange UK 12.0

Not sure what that means really lol

3 times?! Thats crazy! Im seriously getting fed up with Orange. Nothing is ever easy with them lol