SIM problem iphone 5c

Question

Level 1

8 points

SIM problem iphone 5c

I have a factory reset iphone 5c and before it was factory reset it worked, because it was my mom's. She upgraded and I was gonna use it. It is a contract phone. I factory reset it, got a sim card from the sprint store and it says insert sim or it will say insert sim with no pin to activate iphone. I can't go to settings to turn on airplane mode and back off nor can I reset network settings. We both have Sprint carrier and I am wondering if the sim reader went bad or is it the software. It's weird because it worked before. My mom stopped using it because when it updated it was flipping through languages and acting crazy. I fixed they by swooping up real quickly when it said English and had to double tap on everything. It took me about an hour. Then I reset it and now it won't read my sim card. Is there anything I can do since I can't get to the settings? I really hope someone can help me because I am running out of hope.

Posted on Oct 7, 2017 7:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

madra31

Level 6

9,940 points

Oct 8, 2017 3:02 AM in response to ang6b65

Sprint is different from other carriers in that the sim (ICCID) and phone (IMEI) are "married" and one cannot simply swap sims between phones as one can with Verizon or GSM carriers.

You need the sim card your mother used in that phone.

You can change sims on Sprint phones but you must deactivate the phone and sim first. It is very rare that this is necessary. The phone and sim should stay together.

If you do not have the sim from your mother's phone, you need to contact the carrier and have the new sim activated for you. Should you be able to access device swap online you can do the swap yourself if you have a placeholder ESN.

The model 5c takes one of three sim models: SIMGLW436C, SIMOLW416C, and SIMOLW506C

Reply

Answer 2

ang6b65 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 8, 2017 6:41 AM in response to madra31

I will ask her if she still has it. But I also took the phone to sprint and they couldn't do it either. They thought maybe it was my sim tray or my sim port. Thanks for your help. I will try wirh my mom's SIM if she still has it that is! Thank you.

Reply

Answer 3

ang6b65 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 8, 2017 10:19 AM in response to madra31

Would it be possible to restore her settings through iTunes without her sim card? Sorry if I sound stupid, I don't know much about iphones. I had an iPhone 6+ but it got totally smashed, so just trying to get something on my line. I didn't have insurance because it is through my son and daughter in law and they didn't get insurance and I am usually always careful with my phones. Never broke one in my life.

Reply

Answer 4

madra31

Level 6

9,940 points

Oct 8, 2017 10:53 AM in response to ang6b65

If the phone is currently active on a Sprint account there is nothing you can do on the phone or in iTunes to use it with a different sim.

Sprint advanced support could swap in a different sim for you (provided you have one of the models I mentioned above). However, you probably would need to escalate the request beyond front-line customer service to get that done.

If the phone is not currently activated on a Sprint account that is an entirely different matter. Your best bet is to go to your local Sprint store and speak with a senior customer service representative or the manager if necessary to find a solution that works for you. If you have the IMEI you can check on Tello.com to see if it is activated or not.

If for any reason Sprint will not reactivate it on its own network, there are many Sprint MVNOs that will accept it. Tello, Ting, Twigby and Red Pocket are ones to consider.

Reply