HT201420: If you get an alert about the SIM card in your iPhone

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Gagan3

Q: No Sim Card Installed

Hi - I was having this appear again and again on my Iphone 4S.

I followed the steps listed on this page and when I tried to restore the phone, it did not allow as it says, cannot restore without a SIM Card being there.

Effectively, it want to discover a SIM card before it allows me to restore the phone.

I took the phone to the Apple iPhone Service in Singapore and was told that I have to shell out SGD 350 to repair the same.

My question, why was this warning not listed, I was at least able to use my phone as a ipod or a mini-ipad for surfing and now I am sitting on a dead product.

Is there a way Apple can help me at least restore the phone, so that I can use it as a ipod or something.

Please help!

iPhone 4S, iOS 6.1.3

Posted on Aug 16, 2013 2:39 AM

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Q: No Sim Card Installed

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  • by Allan Sampson,

    Allan Sampson Allan Sampson Aug 16, 2013 4:47 AM in response to Gagan3
    Level 10 (123,457 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 4:47 AM in response to Gagan3

    Where is the SIM card that was used with the iPhone when it was activated?

     

    Regardless, sounds like the iPhone has a hardware problem.

  • by diesel vdub,

    diesel vdub diesel vdub Aug 16, 2013 7:23 AM in response to Gagan3
    Level 7 (22,030 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 7:23 AM in response to Gagan3

    iPhones require a SIM for activation.

    The SIM does not need to be active and does not need to stay in the device for it to operate as an iPod.

     

    Insert a SIM, restore the device and allow it to activate.

    Put the device in Airplane mode.

    Remove the SIM.

     

    Use as you desire.

  • by Gagan3,

    Gagan3 Gagan3 Aug 16, 2013 9:35 AM in response to Gagan3
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 9:35 AM in response to Gagan3

    Guys, the issue is that to be able to re-install it checks for a SIM Card and that is not getting recognised hence the phone cannot be started. My point is that Apple should have warned against this and saved me a dead phone.

    Infact I feel that on the basis of goodwill they should fix it for free, for not providing adequate safeguards on the site.

  • by diesel vdub,

    diesel vdub diesel vdub Aug 16, 2013 9:38 AM in response to Gagan3
    Level 7 (22,030 points)
    Aug 16, 2013 9:38 AM in response to Gagan3

    No logical person would expect a smartphone to go through the activation without a SIM card.  A SIM is required for a phone to function.  The iPhone is a phone.

     

    If the desire is simply for an iPod Touch, buy one.

     

    For what reason can a SIM not be installed?  Is there something physically wrong with the iPhone that prevents the SIM from being installed?