fooleish

Q: Reactivating iPhone 5 with previous sim from my carrier does NOT work

I have an old iPhone 5 that I recently cancelled service from my old carrier.  I was able to remove the SIM and the phone worked with wifi only just fine for about 2 months.  This is what I want to do; just use the thing as a wifi device.

 

Now I've updated iOS to 9.3.2 and the phone asks for the old SIM again to reactivate the phone.  I put the SIM in and...nothing.  I try to reactivate the phone with iTunes and iTunes says the same thing...I need a SIM in the phone.  But I have a SIM in the phone!  My original carrier's old SIM!

 

What gives?

iPhone 5, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on May 25, 2016 11:31 PM

Close

Q: Reactivating iPhone 5 with previous sim from my carrier does NOT work

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by D.Cohen,Solvedanswer

    D.Cohen D.Cohen May 25, 2016 11:39 PM in response to fooleish
    Level 6 (8,424 points)
    Desktops
    May 25, 2016 11:39 PM in response to fooleish

    Take a look at this article, it may help you. If you can't activate your iPhone - Apple Support

  • by fooleish,

    fooleish fooleish May 25, 2016 11:52 PM in response to D.Cohen
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 11:52 PM in response to D.Cohen

    Thanks D. Cohen, but nothing on that Apple page applies to my situation.  iTunes says that I need a SIM (which is already in the phone) and gives me no option to restore the phone.  It just says 'put a SIM in the phone'.  I've already removed and replaced my old SIM several times and the phone just doesn't want to see it.

     

    This is also not an Activation lock issue.  My valid Apple ID is in the phone and worked fine this morning.

     

    I already upgraded to the latest iOS which I believe is part of the problem in the first place.  There have been reports of 9.3.2 bricking some iPad Pros, maybe it bricks SIMless phones too.

     

    This issue is NOT solved by any means.