Q: iPhone 5 and "NO SIM CARD INSTALLED" error

Ok well got my SIM card replaced on Friday. So far everything is good. No further Errors.

Just an update - the "scotch tape solution" that I suggested previously has been working for a solid week now. I've had no additional occurrences of the "No SIM Card Installed" error.

Same problem with Verizon 32GB. Activated it fine. 1 hour after first activation... "NO SIMM". Very frustrating. Cleaning and replacing SIMM does not help. Really dont like the idea of scotch taping my SIMM on a brand new $300 phone. I will be at Verizon tomorrow.....

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

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.

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.

OK, I pulled the SIMM and cleaned it and I've had no problems for the last 13 hours. There must be a film or oxidation on these SIMMS that prevents a good contact.

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.........

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.

No recurrence of issue after a week with a new SIM. The clerk at AT&T was familiar with the issue & replaced the card in 5 minutes, no questions asked.

I applaud the ingenuity of the scotch tape fix, but would be reluctant to put tape on the SIM -- I have visions of gooey adhesive inside the phone.

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.

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.

It's been 3 weeks now, since getting a new SIM card from AT&T. No more issues.

The scotch tape fix has worked for me. its hit or miss getting a new sim, because its true, they are just a little to small, and will lose contact. I'm with verizon.

See the following related post -- I've posed the question of whether anyone who's had their SIM card replaced has had a recurrence of the No SIM Card Installed error:  https://discussions.apple.com/message/19982850#19982850