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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 15, 2011 9:07 AM in response to jhelliwell86

Hi! I posted on Tuesday that I got a new 4s and 8 hours after I got it, I got invalid SIM, SIM failure and no SIM installed. I hope yours lasts longer. My next step is a new SIM going directly to AT&T as I've only been dealing with Apple thus far.

ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 15, 2011 9:15 AM in response to momneedscoffee

From what I could find out, digging on the internet, there's just a small set of approved SIM manufacturers that are "Apple-approved". And phone operators often use cheaper manufacturers that are not officialy approved - but that have worked just fine until now.

The trick is to get a micro SIM that happens to be from an approved manufacturer so that any incident can finally be reported officialy back to Apple. If using a non-approved SIM, Apple won't even acknowledge there's a problem on their side.

Dec 15, 2011 10:46 AM in response to ptnik

I have not got my 4S yet (Boxing day can't come quick enough!!) but on Tuesday I am going down to T-Mobile (Live in the UK by the way) to get my current sim switched over for a micro sim. They are bringing everything over, including plan and number. Anyway, thats beside the point, my point is, I spoke to T-Mobile the other day and asked them about any sim problems, they said no. Not one return of an iPhone because of it. But they have specific micro sim cards that work with iPhone. So, I'll see how it goes but I love T-Mobile and trust them.

ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 15, 2011 5:04 PM in response to johnnyboy360

It's a miracle, Apple really did notice us. New updated iOS 5.0.1 that fixes the Invalid SIM issue! (don't know why they didn't push it via air update nor even changed the version number)

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4148

Dec 16, 2011 12:51 PM in response to ptnik

Have you tried it, ptnik? I just saw this post so I havent had a chance to follow the instructions just yet. But even if it doesn't fix it (though I'm hoping it does!) at least it's on the radar. 🙂

Dec 16, 2011 1:54 PM in response to ptnik

They want you to use iTunes to ensure a proper update since with a invalid SIM card on some carriers you may have issues.

best of luck and thanks.

ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 16, 2011 1:58 PM in response to momneedscoffee

In progress as we speak.

Not that I have experienced an Invalid SIM since I switched for a new one (for the 2nd time)... But I still noticed a couple of dropped cell signal in areas where it shouldnt.

Will update and see if it works flawlessly for a couple of weeks a t least - to really be sure the problem's gone.

Dec 17, 2011 6:20 AM in response to ptnik

Hello
I performed the system update 5.0.1 9A406 says here http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4148?viewlocale=es_ES&locale=es_ES
but the problem remains unchanged, still can use my iphone
Some might solve the problem?

Dec 18, 2011 11:07 AM in response to raul oscar

Hi,

the same situation! 9A406 didn't help 😟

Dec 19, 2011 9:12 AM in response to ptnik

Hi!

I performed the system update 5.0.1 9A406, but still I have the same problem.

Hope they fix it soon, because It is very unconfortable to turn off and on the iPhone several times a day.

ptnik Author

Level 1

1 points

Dec 19, 2011 9:25 AM in response to ptnik

I updated mine, and have had no issues since.

However, I'm inclined to believe this is mostly due to the new microSIM than the update itself.

As a "test-case" my friend that was experiencing the same issues decided *not* to upgrade (but also use the new microSIM), and so far he too has not experienced any issue -meaning, its more than likely that in our case, it was the microSIM that fixed it, and that the update may have fixed some cases, but not all... we stated in several complaints in the forums.

Dec 19, 2011 9:27 AM in response to ptnik

Well, lol, I have my original SIM and updated (along with a new phone, which I did get the error on) and I've been good *knock on wood*.

It is disappointing to see that others have updated and it didn't help. Now I'll be waiting for the other shoe to drop constantly (like there isn't enough on my mind without having to worry if my $$$ phone is working!).

Dec 19, 2011 2:20 PM in response to ptnik

From Mexico: the 9A406 didn´t work! I get my phone from Telcel... so I think I´ll try to change it as someone else suggested. Apple support "washed their hands" because I get the phone directly from the provider. Why nobody recognizes "officially" that this problem exists?

Freddy76

Level 1

0 points

Dec 19, 2011 3:23 PM in response to ptnik

Finally i got this problem fixed i think its from the baseband or a bug including from ios 5.0.1 one friend he fixed it for me and he is an expert in iphone but he didn't tell me how he made it 😟 but really all the day i am trying it and no problem happen and good signal and it workssssss

mnovakov

Level 1

0 points

Dec 20, 2011 12:21 AM in response to ptnik

I am having the same problem "Invalid SIM" on my brand new iPhone 4S from Croatia (VIPNET operator), I think this has got something to do with the user unable to turn of 3G signal. 3G signal is very weak here and after a while phone just reports "invalid SIM" message. I will try to download the update to 5.0.1 and will report the results.

Invalid SIM Card on iPhone 4S (5.0.1)