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iPhone 5 and "NO SIM CARD INSTALLED" error

I got my iPhone 5 today and everything worked beautifully for 3 hours. I made one phone call and about 10 minutes later when I stepped onto and airplane I noticed the phone saying "NO SIM CARD".


What's going on here??? How can I fix? I've read about this same thing happening to the 4 and 4S. Are those fixes the same for the 5?


I'm on a trip and won't have access to cellular networks unless this is FIXED. I'm kinda ****** since this is a BRAND NEW IPHONE 5.


Someone please help. :-/

iPhone 5, iOS 6, NO SIM CARD INSTALLED errror

Posted on Sep 21, 2012 5:30 PM

Reply
234 replies

Oct 2, 2012 7:40 PM in response to Interface7

I have a black 64 GB iPhone 5 with the same issue. I tried all of the above mentioned remedies, and none of them worked. I went to 2 different AT&T stores and had 3 different SIM cards placed in my phone. It STILL doesn't work. I called Apple, and they didn't even question me when I mentioned receiving the "No SIM Installed" error message. They immediately shipped me a new phone. It should arrive tomorrow. I'm praying it isn't affected, too.


Now I'm paranoid that the replacement phone will be affected, too, or that it will be affected by the "purple photos" issue as mentioned by CNN today.


http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/02/tech/mobile/iphone-5-purple-photos/index.html?hpt= hp_t3

Oct 3, 2012 5:28 AM in response to Interface7

A quick update from the Sprint front.


Got my replacement iPhone. Opted to charge it first since I had to pick it up from UPS on my way to work.


Got hone, it immediately read No Sim card. Phone help clueless ( didn't even suggest I check to see if the sim card was seated properly. Dd that, still no help.


This time she said I could take it to my neighborhood Sprint store as opposed to a four hour round trip to the Apple store in Tampa. Still, if the store personnel can't fix the issue I'll just cancel the whole concept and stick with my non-Apple smartphone. I can't fathom why anyone here would be happy with "scotch tape" fixes to a clear manufacturing defect. What happens to the glue on that tape when it heats? When it inevitably oozes into a place where it shouldn't?


I can't fathom AppleCare considering that a warranty fix. Like many of you here I NEED a phone, a Smartphone is nice an IPhone is more of a WANT.

Oct 3, 2012 5:37 AM in response to Matt.Beard

I still think Matt Beard's suggestion is the best because it addresses the lack of physical contact problem, if present. However, I have not yet taped my SIM card because another solution, one that I have used in the past on earlier iPhones, worked for me.


Get yourself a pencil with a clean (new) eraser. Remove the SIM card, put it on a strong flat surface like a desktop with the metallic side up. Gently but firmly "erase" the (most likely invisible) grime on the card. Wipe any remaining eraser bits away from both sides of the card, and re-insert.


I'll bet you it works now. This fixed mine.

Oct 3, 2012 6:10 PM in response to Interface7

Had the same problem today. Brand new iPhone 5, worked perfect and 2 hours later no sim card found. However I remember the days we had no cell phones and we survived just fine. And don't think I dont use mine! I get over 85 emails a day and uncounted phone calls all business related. I say relax, it's an electronic device and guess what? It's like a boat! If you have one you have a problem! Happy cell phoning.........

Oct 8, 2012 8:22 PM in response to Carkahlua

Was having the same no sim card error w my att 32gb iPhone 5. Techs @ the Genius Bar said some of the SIM cards were cut incorrectly causing them to be smaller than they should be (showed me a comparison of a newer SIM card and the one that came w my iPhone 5). Got my SIM card replaced today. Will update you if the problem persists.

Oct 9, 2012 9:04 AM in response to dotdoc58

Had this hit me on Friday. Rebooting the phone only worked for about an hour or two and reseating the SIM only lasted for about a day. Went to the Apple Store on Sat and the Genius said he only read about it this morning but I was the first he's come across. He said to reset the network settings and see if that helps and it doesn't then bring it back and he'll swap it out. I also cleaned the card with an eraser as previously suggested and haven't had any issues so far.

Oct 9, 2012 2:39 PM in response to DasPike

Well, I have had my AT&T iP5 since 9.21. I had my first no SIM card experience, yesterday. Again, it happened today, as well. A quick power off/on fixed the issue both times. However, I would expect this issue to rear it's head again at an unopportune moment. As such, I will head over to the local AT&T store and inquiry about a new SIM card.


I trust that everyone, whom has installed a new SIM card, has found a resolve to this situation.

iPhone 5 and "NO SIM CARD INSTALLED" error

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