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ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Invalid SIM Card on iPhone 4S (5.0.1)

Seems to be a widespread problem, from what I'm seeing in the discussions:

I have an unlocked iPhone 4S (bought in France) and use it with Vodafone in Portugal. I was using the same SIM card that worked perfectly fine for over a year on my previous iPhone 4, and it also worked just fine in the 4S... until I updated to iOS 5.0.1.

The very next day I started having connections issues and invalid SIM card errors - requiring a reboot to temporarily fix it for a few minutes, until it lost connection again - the iPhone would still show it had a few bars strength, but was actually unable to make calls or use data. After a while it would go back to invalid sim message.

I replaced my old SIM card, and I though that was it... It was working fine.. until after 3 or 4 days, I find once again that I had a Invalid SIM message.

I've read reports suggesting that this might actually have to do with using other chargers than the official Apple 4S one - it sound kind of crazy, but just in case, I was also using a 3rd party charger when those issues arised for the first time. Anyway, I was now using my previous official iPhone 4 charger when I got the new error with the new SIM card.

Also, although the iPhone recommends using a non-locked SIM Card, mine has always had a PIN, and always worked through activations without a problem.

Other than being a real hardware problem with my new iPhone 4S (crossing my fingers it isn't!) my guess is that this is a software related incident - as this has just popped up after upgrading to iOS 5.0.1, and it would have been an amazing coincidence for SIM cards to go bust, or for the iPhone 4S to suddenly malfunction, afterwards.

Hope you guys can fix it soon, as well as the phone numbers not showing up the callers name in the contacts (that was a problem I was having from the very beginning, with iOS 5.0.0).

Posted on Nov 16, 2011 2:18 AM

366 replies

Dec 5, 2011 6:36 AM in response to gravalcarlop

*Update* I realize this doesn't help most of you because you're running 5.0.1 already, but I had 5.0 and was also having this issue. I restored and updated my phone yesterday. I haven't had a problem since. Going on 24hrs now. fingers crossed!

ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 5, 2011 7:26 AM in response to nockab

That's exactly the symptoms I also have. Call failed, network lost, searching... back on again (but no mobile data even though it shows 3G).

Making calls without the sim tray, that I had not tested... and it probably shows that there's something really weird in the software apple is using. (As well as having Invalid SIM errors in CDMA customers!)

Dec 5, 2011 7:49 AM in response to ptnik

hello again just some info i have noticed when my signal goes down to 1 bar (orange uk) it hangs there for a while then the no sim sim failure invalid sim happens so i turn off my phone and back on and then i have searhing for a while then no service then full signal and 3g this makes me think its something to do with the dual antennas dropping signal and sending the wrong message to the phone i hope this can be a fix as my new sim has done nothing an orange uk havent even heard about the issue so i would to know if apple has recognised the problem yet???

also this tends to happen between 6am - 6pm ???

kvnmgg97

Level 1

0 points

Dec 5, 2011 8:27 AM in response to ptnik

with iOS 5.0 and iOS 5.0.1 also in Italy there are some problem with some carrier....

ahmed59

Level 1

0 points

Dec 5, 2011 11:17 AM in response to ptnik

ABSOLUTELY Ridiculous. Apple need to fix as soon as possible, keeps dropping signal- how can i possibly use a mobile that wont recieve or make calls or texts and shows 'invalid sim' !!!!

Dec 5, 2011 3:49 PM in response to ptnik

Well, I was in the middle of a phone call and it went all "invalid sim" on me. So between that and the keyboard keys/lock sounds not working when set to work (they go in and out - crap shoot if it works or not) I set up an appointment tomorrow. This is ridiculous. I had less problems on my outdated 3GS.

frank46

Level 1

0 points

Dec 5, 2011 11:38 PM in response to ptnik

ABSOLUTELY FFcKing Ridiculous.

Apple need to fix as soon as possible, keeps dropping signal- how can i possibly use a mobile that wont recieve or make calls or texts and shows 'invalid sim' !!!!

how can i possibly use a mobile that wont recieve or make calls or texts and shows 'invalid sim' !!!!

Dec 6, 2011 10:20 AM in response to momneedscoffee

Ok, went to Apple, they did a full on reset. We'll see what happens next. 🙂

KPChan

Level 1

0 points

Dec 6, 2011 4:02 PM in response to ptnik

I have invalid SIM @ Singapore too. Had change a new SIM card and new iPhone 4S still can't resolved. From my discovery, this is due to we are using Multi-SIM for our iPhone and iPad. I even switch my iPad to airplane mode and to Wifi , it still gave me the problem. Now, I change my iPad to another SIM card and I doesn't have this problem for 24hrs. Proven that Apple need to come up a new OS to resolve this quick else all user will be unhappy with it and switch to another phone model soon.

ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 7, 2011 6:08 AM in response to ptnik

Finally a glimpse of hope...

I had a contact from Vodafone telling me that this was indeed caused by some SIM cards - and they'll now be sending a couple different ones to see if this gets proven once and for all.

For the worst part, it seems that this issue will potentially plague most of their SIM cards - and they're trying to find cards from another supplier/manufacturer that have no issues with the 4S.

In any case, I still find it very weird that Apple could do such a mistake - SIM cards have been a "standard" for years, and never had any issue before... and now, on a brand new equipment they would have such "basic" incompatibilty problems? In any case, I just hope this finally fixes it... as these weeks with the iPhone 4S have completely shattered my trust in the iPhone and iOS experience (I have to manually call a "dummy" number just to make sure I'm reachable and have a signal, every 10 or 15 minutes... and every delay I get in receiving 3G data prompts me to instinctively do yet another reboot.)

Just for reference, symptoms have changed slightly as well. Now, besides multiple Invalid SIM errors every day, instead of showing a 3G status and having no data connection; now it simply shows no data indicator at all. Just the operator "full strength" indicator. I still can't make any call: shows call failed, and goes through the usual process: no bars, searching, back again. But now, it seems to be able to recover the mobile data connection back to 3G without rebooting - until I get a "proper" Invalid Sim, that is.

... Just hope it really is the SIM card... and if, as they say, this happens with their most popular SIM manufacturer, I expect a few thousand more complaints starting to pop up in the coming weeks/months.

Dec 7, 2011 6:53 AM in response to KPChan

Am from Singapore as well - hv the same error as well. I hv been having numerous phone calls with the Singtel call centre and all asked if I was using the multi sim card - but not one told me me that multi sim was incompatible with IPhone 4s. Furthermore I only bought the ph a week ago. They made me do all sort of stupid tests and then said I wld hv to go down to comcentre to technical dept. It was when I was there I was told it was an incompatibility issue - then why the **** did they not inform me of this when I bought the phone and specifically told them I was gonna use a multi sim. It is gruel irresponsible of Singtel to mislead us like this. If the cow ter guy at comcentre cld tell me this and then proceed to tell me it was pointless to change the phone - tat means they are already aware of the problem right????

I am so furious with them - I waited for the 4s and now I can't use it effectively- what the **** do I do? They shd give us the option to swop to the 4 cos I was told it doesn't hv the same problem

Dec 8, 2011 6:23 AM in response to ptnik

Hello again just a quick update I have spoke to my carrier orange uk and he said he has had a lot of complaints with the issue and that it's more likely down to the sim card (I don't think it is!!) any way ordered anothe micro sim and thought I would do a full restore and set up as a new phone after it was done I had no invalid sim messages for the rest of the day I used to get one guaranteed when I woke up but nope all was good so far tho today in uk it is 2:20 and I've had 2 invalid sim messages usually I would hav had 9ish and also my signall has been awesome and 3G all day so the restore did help but didn't fix which makes me think it's gotta be the IOS only thing is are APPLE bothered now they have our money so far I think not.

I'll update when I get my sim

Dec 8, 2011 9:45 PM in response to ptnik

Hello, I'm from Argentina, purchase an unlocked iphone 4s, and I put a line of the company Movistar. At first it appeared at all times the message invalid sim. Upgrade to 5.0.1 and now I get that message not only gets the company logo and full antenna signal, but I can not use the phone to receive / make calls. Something strange, if it works over 3G navigation.
If not go to the phone company here in Argentina or Apple, I do not think either can give me a solution
Greetings from Argentina

Dec 9, 2011 12:11 PM in response to raul oscar

Right here we go again I finally rang apple technical support and they made me an appointment at my closest apple store for tomorrow when I rang and explained the invalid sim I keep constantly getting and told him about my full restore which didn't fix it he said what I expected that it sounds like a HARDWARE problem not software as I thought because this has happened from ios 5 to 5.0.1 and 5.1 beta so a developer has posted aswell so I'm getting my new replacement iphone4s tomorrow I will give it a week and let you all know if I get the error again?

I'm still hoping I'm wrong and that it is software problem but if an apple technical support guy says hardware well I think we're doomed till we replace I reccemend you ring up ASAP!!!

KPChan

Level 1

0 points

Dec 9, 2011 4:20 PM in response to ptnik

Changing hardware (get a new 4S), changing new Micro SIM card also no use. All don't bother doing this anymore. When Apple will response to this problem? Why isn't any indication or apologise from Apple. Will Apple see or read this forum? I'm sure they are. Why made end user keep writing in and disappointed? Tell us the problem and solution then we will wait. Don't make all your customer try this and try that, waste their time go down to technical support centre, queue for 30mins, change hardware and Carrier centre change a new Micro SIM card yet still facing same problem.

Invalid SIM Card on iPhone 4S (5.0.1)