HT201407: If you can't activate your iPhone

Learn about If you can't activate your iPhone
faresb

Q: Why do I have to activate my iPhone every time I change the SIM card?

Is there a way to stop that requirement without disabling find my iPhone? I have multiple SIM cards that I use in different counties and it's really annoying when my phone asks me to activate using my Apple ID and an internet connection every time I change my sim card. Is there a way to stop it?

thanks

Posted on Oct 2, 2016 2:27 PM

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Q: Why do I have to activate my iPhone every time I change the SIM card?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by FelipeV,Helpful

    FelipeV FelipeV Oct 2, 2016 4:07 PM in response to faresb
    Level 5 (6,837 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 2, 2016 4:07 PM in response to faresb

    This should not be happening (as far as I know). I use multiple SIMs when travelling and it has never happened to me. What iOS are you running and has it always happened or did it start recently?

  • by faresb,

    faresb faresb Oct 2, 2016 4:09 PM in response to FelipeV
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 2, 2016 4:09 PM in response to FelipeV

    Its been happening since I got my iPhone 6S and on my iPhone 6 before that. I am running iOS 10 but it was happening on 9 as well. Please help.

  • by Lawrence Finch,

    Lawrence Finch Lawrence Finch Oct 2, 2016 4:28 PM in response to faresb
    Level 8 (38,117 points)
    Mac OS X
    Oct 2, 2016 4:28 PM in response to faresb

    It will have to activate if you change the SIM card to a carrier that you have not used before, to verify that the SIM is supported. It should not happen if you use a SIM that you have used previously.

  • by FelipeV,

    FelipeV FelipeV Oct 2, 2016 6:56 PM in response to Lawrence Finch
    Level 5 (6,837 points)
    iPhone
    Oct 2, 2016 6:56 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

    Hmmm, never have had this happen to me. I have been "switching SIMS" on multiple phones since the iPhone 4 and iOS 5 and have never had to "reactivate" my phone even once when swapping SIMS. (Currently on a 6, soon to be a 7)

     

    I only use ONE iPhone when traveling and have SIMS from multiple carriers in multiple countries. And I have always used a SIM unlocked phone.