How to fix SIM card inserted but no service iPhone?

How to fix no service on iPhone issue?

In this article, I will show how to fix no service on iPhone issue even when the SIM card is inserted. But, before I show how do you fix no service on iPhone let me first give the possible causes when you face the problem, ‘SIM card inserted but iPhone no service’ and you cannot make or receive calls or send or receive text messages on your phone.

Why does my iPhone say no service?

There may be many reasons why iPhone users make the query – why does my iPhone say no service? The following are the possible causes of iPhone no service issue:

1. Damaged SIM card or improper insertion of the SIM card;

2. Issues with your carrier (carrier settings update gone wrong);

3. Poor network coverage;

4. Due to some software or hardware issues;

Sometimes, iPhone says no service also after the iOS upgrade.

Now that you know the reasons why do I have no service on my iPhone, follow the steps below about how to fix no service on iPhone.

How to fix no service on iPhone?

As mentioned above, an iPhone might display “no service” for several reasons even when the SIM card is inserted. To troubleshoot this error related to the ‘Sim card inserted but no service iPhone’ issue, follow the steps below:

1. Update your iPhone

Apple’s new updates always come with improved security and bug fixes. That is why it is advisable to ensure your device is always up-to-date. To check for any outdated software,

Go to Settings > General > Software Updates > Check for Updates;

Tap download and install, if the update is available.

Turn Airplane Mode off and on

Sometimes, your iPhone gets stuck searching for a signal, especially if Airplane Mode was turned on by accident. Airplane Mode cuts off all cellular connections, so your device can’t call, text, or use mobile data.

Here’s what to do:

• Go to Settings on your iPhone.
• Find the option for Airplane Mode.
• If Airplane Mode is enabled (the switch will be green), tap it once to turn it off.
• For good measure, try turning Airplane Mode on, wait a few seconds, and then turn it off again.

This quick reset can often kick your iPhone back into finding a network, and it’s surprisingly effective at resolving “no service” errors caused by a temporary hiccup. Make sure to leave Airplane Mode off once you finish.

2. Check your coverage area

First, make sure that you’re in an area where your service provider provides cellular network coverage. Next, do the following:

i. Toggle your cellular data or mobile data on and off. To do this,

Go to Settings and then tap Cellular or Mobile Data to turn on or off;

Sometimes toggling your cellular data on and off could help you to fix the issue when your iPhone service not working.

ii. In case you’re traveling internationally, make sure that your iPhone’s cellular data settings is  set up for ‘data roaming’. To do this,

Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming;

How to Confirm Network Coverage and Outages

If you’re not getting service, you’ll want to double-check whether you’re actually within your carrier’s coverage area. Even the best carriers—AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, you name it—have patchy spots or blackouts now and then.

To confirm, visit your provider’s official coverage map—these are available on most carrier websites. There, you can look up your current location or travel destination and see if the area should have reliable service.

Not seeing any bars when you should? It’s possible there’s a temporary outage. You can check your carrier’s status page or even sites like DownDetector to see if others nearby are reporting similar problems. If your location is well within coverage and there’s no announced outage, you can proceed to troubleshooting the issue on your device.

3. Restart your iPhone

Sometimes simply restarting your iPhone is a good way to resolve many issues and restore your device. Follow the steps below to restart your device:

For iPhone 10 and above: Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. Next, slide the power slider to the right to turn off your device.

To turn the device on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 6, 7, or 8: Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears. Next, drag the slider and then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.

To turn the device on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 5, or earlier: Press and hold the top button until the power off slider appears. Next, drag the slider and then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.

To turn the device on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo.

4. Check that your carrier settings are up to date

No service with iPhone may also result from wrong carrier settings. Carrier settings contain important data about your iPhone and the network you use for making calls etc. It is, therefore, important to keep your iPhone’s carrier settings up to date to ensure improved performance and smooth working of your device. To manually check if an update is available for career settings and to install an update, follow the steps below:

  i. Make sure that your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network or cellular network;

ii. Tap Settings > General > About;

(If an update is available, you’ll see an option to update your carrier settings.)

iii. Next, tap Update, if available;

5. Remove and reinsert the SIM card                     

If iPhone loses service your iPhone will be unable to receive a network signal.

Your iPhone is linked to the cellular network by the SIM card. If the SIM card is damaged or not inserted correctly then the iPhone will be unable to receive a network signal and you may run into a ‘SIM card inserted but no service iPhone’ issue. Therefore, when the phone says no service iPhone, the same can be fixed by removing and reinserting the card properly following the steps below.

How to safely check and clean your SIM card:

i. Open the card tray using a paper clip or SIM ejector (the tray is usually a thin oval slot with a small hole on the edge of your iPhone);

ii. Take out the SIM card and check for signs of any physical damage;

iii. While the SIM card is out, gently clean it using a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust or debris that may have built up over time. Make sure not to use any liquids or abrasive materials;

iv. If no visible damage sign appears put the card back properly, aligning the notch on the card with the notch in the tray (the SIM card only fits one way);

v. Now close the card tray and check if the issue is solved by restarting your iPhone;

(Note: In case the SIM card is damaged, or doesn’t fit in the card tray, ask your service provider to replace the SIM card.)

6. Reset your Network Settings

Corrupted network settings, on rare occasions, maybe the cause of no service with iPhone. Resetting the network to factory default can not only fix such errors but also fix other network issues including Bluetooth and WiFi issues. To reset network settings,

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

If prompted, enter your passcode—your iPhone will restart.

Unlike a full factory reset, resetting just your network settings won’t delete any of your apps or personal data. However, it will remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and any VPN or APN configurations you’ve used before. This means you’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices by reentering their passcodes or pairing them again.

(Note: Before resetting the Network, make sure to back up your data since resetting network settings to default also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you’ve used before.)

7. Ensure that the date and time are set correctly

The wrong date and time may also sometimes be the cause of no service for iPhone. To set it right,

Go to Settings > General > Date and Time > turn on Set Automatically > select the appropriate Time Zone.

8. Contact your service provider

When your iPhone says no service it may also be due to some problem at your service provider’s end or some issues with your account. Therefore, contact your carrier to verify that there is no network outages in your area, your account is active and in good standing, and your device is set up with the right data plan. If your wireless account isn’t active or in good standing, your carrier may be preventing you from receiving calls or connecting to their network—so it’s important to check with them if you suspect the issue isn’t with your iPhone itself.

If everything seems fine on your end but the problem persists, your carrier can also confirm whether your line is properly provisioned for voice and data services, and inform you if there are any temporary maintenance activities or outages affecting connectivity in your region.

The troubleshooting steps mentioned above on how to fix no service on iPhone have been found to solve the issues related in most cases. However, if none of the above steps work for you and you still get the no iPhone service error message, you need not panic. You can contact Apple support or schedule a Genius Bar appointment for further help. The repair will be covered by Apple if it is still under warranty otherwise, they will charge a certain fee for the service.

You may also like to read: iPhone not connecting to WiFi – 10 simple solutions

Frequently asked questions

Now that you have the answer to – why is my iPhone saying no service and you know how to fix no service on iPhone issue, let me address some of the related queries often made by iPhone users.

Why do I have no service on my iPhone? 

If your iPhone loses service even after you’ve inserted the SIM card, here are a few potential reasons why you get the no iPhone service error message:

1. SIM card is not inserted properly;

2. It’s possible that there’s some issue with your carrier’s network;

3. Sometimes, a software issue can also cause your iPhone to display the ‘no service’ message;

4. Sometimes, it’s also possible that there’s an issue with your SIM card;

Why my new iPhone says no service after activation?

Your new iPhone may say ‘no service in iPhone’ when the SIM card is damaged or corrupted or not properly inserted.

Therefore, if your new phone says no service iPhone after activation, to fix the issue it is recommended to remove and reinsert the SIM card in your iPhone if the card is not damaged or corrupted.

How to fix the no service on iPhone when my iPhone says no service?

To fix the ‘no service in iPhone’ issue do the following,

1. Check your coverage area;

2. Restart your iPhone;

3. Check for updates in the Carrier Settings;

4. Remove and reinsert the SIM card;

5. Reset your Network Settings;

6. Contact your service provider;

Why is my SIM card not working on my iPhone?

Improper insertion of the SIM card may cause the problem. So, to fix the issue, take out the SIM card and put the card back properly.  Make sure that the SIM card is not damaged.

Why is my cellular data not working on my iPhone?

There may be several reasons why your cellular data or mobile data not working on your iPhone such as poor network connection in your area, lack of mobile network coverage, a bug in the system, or a problem with your SIM card.

You may also like to read: iPhone connected to WiFi but no internet – 9 proven solutions

Conclusion

As everyone nowadays needs an internet connection or cellular data, it needs no mention that it is frustrating if you cannot connect to the internet for which your iPhone loses service. If you follow correctly all the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the post about how to fix no service on iPhone, you should be able to fix the iPhone with no service in most cases when your iPhone says no service.

On going through the post it would be evident that there’s no single solution for the issue of SIM card inserted but no service iPhone. Since the reasons for your query ‘Why is my iPhone saying no service’ are not always so apparent, for a possible solution you need to try each of the steps mentioned in the post on how do you fix no service on iPhone.