iPhone 5 "No SIM Card Installed" Error -- Replace nano SIM card

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone 5 "No SIM Card Installed" Error -- Replace nano SIM card

Please respond to this thread IF you've replaced the SIM card and had a recurrence of the "No SIM Card Installed" error.

Apparently a subset of nano-SIM cards shipped with iPhone 5s are slightly too small so they fit poorly in the SIM tray. A small percent of users have reported this issue and it has been solved by (a) replacing the SIM card from the phone carrier, (b) some success with cleaning contacts, reseating cards, (c) some have applied scotch tape to the non-contact portion of the card to beef up its dimensions. See the following thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4327783?start=0&tstart=0. From that discussion, I conclude that replacing the nano SIM card virtually always solves this problem in a durable fashion (although we're talking a maximum of 3 weeks at this point) -- it seems like the safest and most straightforward solution (if it's a reliable solution).

iPhone 5

Posted on Oct 11, 2012 12:18 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 11, 2012 1:37 PM in response to dotdoc58

I had a new SIM card installed in my AT&T iP5. For the past 2 days, I have had no reoccurrence of the " No SIM card " issue. Hopefully, the new SIM card has resolved this problem. I will update if the problem rears its head again.

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Answer 2

Oct 13, 2012 8:56 AM in response to erratikmind

No issue since the new SIM card. This does appear to be the definitive fix. If nothing else, AT&T will have a documented history of this problem.

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Answer 3

Oct 16, 2012 6:47 AM in response to dotdoc58

I have had my iPhone 5 for about a month, and then all of a sudden yesterday I started getting "No Sim." At first I could get it to work for a few minutes by powering it down and then powering it back up, but today nothing is working. Not looking forward to contacting AT&T support.....

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Answer 4

MarcinSz

Level 1

5 points

Oct 16, 2012 2:16 PM in response to dotdoc58

Yep, I got the "No SIM" error - I was on WiFi and switched it off, it briefly said "Telstra LTE" then "Searching..." then form the on said "No SIM". Tried all the reboots, remove / replace SIM, reset network settings. Went to Telstra (my carrier) and got the SIM replaced, no dice. Luckily here in Sydney the Apple Store is across the road from the Telstra store, so went to the Genius Bar. They tried a "DFU Restore", still nothing. They ended up replacing the handset on the spot, obviously new one works fine.

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Answer 5

dotdoc58 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 16, 2012 2:23 PM in response to MarcinSz

Good -- one example of replacing the SIM card not resolving the "No SIM card installed" error.

Glad to hear your issue's been solved.

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Answer 6

cmayorca

Level 1

4 points

Mar 30, 2013 5:43 AM in response to dotdoc58

Hi

I started to receive the "NO SIM CARD" error after using the iphone5 for about month.....I was on vacation out of my country so it was impossible to replace the SIM card.

1) Could this error happen after using the phone for a while?

2) I noticed that when I re-insert the SIM card in the tray, the phone does not make any attemp to read it...is this normal?

Thanks

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Answer 7

Sep 18, 2013 10:37 PM in response to dotdoc58

I have had the no SIM message now for a few days; turned phone on/off and it was fine but it always came back. Went to Verizon two days ago and they replaced my SIM card. Within 4 hours I received no SIM AGAIN. Contacted apple tonight and went through all the troubleshooting, ended up restoring to factory settings and I JUST got the message again. Frustration does not even begin to describe my emotions right now!!!! Does ANYONE have a suggestion?

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