SIM Not Supported on iPhone? 11 Tips to Fix It

User Concern

“My mon switched mobile carriers and got a promotion for a new iPhone 15 Pro. When trying to activate the eSIM on the iPhone, it says SIM Not Supported. Why is this happening and how can we get this phone to work with the new mobile carrier?”

At times, your iPhone may show an error saying the SIM card is not supported, which stops you from making calls or sending messages. This typically happens when your device is locked to a certain carrier and can't work with a SIM from another network unless it’s unlocked.

The good news is that there are effective ways to fix this issue and bypass the SIM not supported message. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to remove the SIM lock on your iPhone and regain full functionality.

What Does It Mean When iPhone Says SIM Not Supported?

When you see the the message of iPhone SIM not valid/supported, it usually means the the device doesn't read or detect the SIM card. If SIM is not recognized, all the things used via carrier such as messages and calls will stop working. You won't be able to make calls or send messages until the SIM is unlocked.

Don't worry. In this article, we will show you several tips you can try to bypass iPhone SIM not supported issue and unlock your iPhone for different carriers.

Why Is My iPhone SIM Not Supported?

When your iPhone displays a “SIM Not Supported” message, it can be due to several possible reasons. Below are some of the most common causes:

• Your iPhone may be locked to one network, and the SIM card you’re using is from a different carrier.
• The SIM card might not be activated or inserted the right way.
• If your iPhone’s software is not updated, it might not work properly with the SIM.
• Issues with the mobile network could prevent your phone from reading the SIM.
• The SIM card might be broken, expired, or not compatible with your phone.
• Your iPhone’s unique ID (IMEI) might be blacklisted or reported as lost or stolen.
• There might be a problem with the SIM card slot or other internal parts of your iPhone.

How to Fix SIM Card Not Supported on iPhone?

After you know why your iPhone says “SIM Not Supported,” it’s time to fix it. Below are some easy and effective ways to solve SIM card problems on your iPhone:

Tip 1: Ensure the SIM Card is Active and Works

Before you try any other solutions, the first thing you need to do is to make sure that the SIM card you've inserted into the iPhone is active and working.

If you are trying to use a SIM card that has been deactivated by the carrier, the SIM card simply won't work. If you suspect that your SIM card is inactive, you need to contact your carrier to get it replaced.

You may also need to activate a plan on the SIM card before you can use it on your iPhone. If you are sure that the SIM card is active, but you're still getting the same error, try the next solution.

Tip 2: Check If the SIM Card Is Inserted Correctly

Make sure the SIM card is placed properly in your iPhone. This is one of the easiest things to check when you see the “SIM Not Supported” message. Take out the SIM tray, follow the correct direction shown, and reinsert the SIM carefully.

Tip 3: Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is another quick fix for SIM card not supported on iPhone. The steps to restart your iPhone varies depending on the device model you have:

• For iPhone with Face ID: Press and hold both the power button and either volume button until you see the "slide to power off".
• For iPhone without Face ID: Press and hold the power button until "slide to power off" appears on the screen.

Drag the slider from left to right to turn off your iPhone. Wait for a while, then press and hold the power button again to turn your iPhone back on. If a simple restart doesn't help, try to do a force restart.

Tip 4: Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off

If your iPhone shows “SIM Not Supported,” try turning Airplane Mode on and off. This quick step might help your device reconnect to the network.

• Open your iPhone’s Control Center. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it on.
• Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to turn it off.
• You can also do this by going to Settings > Airplane Mode.

Tip 5: Reset Network Settings

If you’re still having trouble fixing the “SIM Not Supported” error on your iPhone, it’s a good idea to check your network settings. The best step is to reset all network settings by following these instructions:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, then go to General.
2. Next, tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. On the next screen, select Reset, then choose Reset Network Settings from the options.
4. Finally, enter your iPhone password to confirm the reset.

Tip 6: Update iOS to the Latest Version

You may also experience SIM compatibility issues if the version of iOS running on your iPhone is outdated. Therefore, it is necessary to update the device to the latest version of iOS to fix this problem. Follow these simple steps to do that:

1. Open the Settings on your iPhone and then tap on General.
2. Select Software Update.
3. If an update is available, tap Download and Install to begin updating the device.

Once the update is complete, the SIM card should begin working normally. If you're still having problems, try the next solution.

Tip 7: Make an Emergency Call to Unlock iPhone

This method may sound tricky but it really works for many iPhone users and help to activate their device without a SIM card. The unlocking process is very simple. Basically, all you have to do is place an emergency call on your iPhone. Here's how to do it:

• Press the Side/Home button on your iPhone and then choose Emergency Call from the menu that appears on the screen.
• Dial 112 or 911, depending on where you are, but disconnect the call as soon as the call is connected.
• Press the Power button and you should go back to the device's main screen.

Once this is done, you should be able to bypass this SIM card not supported problem.

Tip 8: Bypass iPhone SIM Not Supported with iTunes

If you have iTunes installed on your computer, you can also use iTunes to troubleshoot the issue of SIM not supported on your iPhone.

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the latest version of iTunes.
2. Choose Set up as new iPhone and iTunes will activate your iPhone.

When you decide to set up your iPhone as a new one, you may need to note that everything on iPhone will be erased. Therefore, it is advisable to back up the iPhone data before doing so.

Can You Remove A Carrier Lock on An iPhone?

If your iPhone is locked to a carrier, you can unlock it using third-party tools. Alternatively, you can also reach out to your carrier for assistance.

Optin 1: Use 3rd-party Unlocking Tool

If your iPhone is locked to the carrier and you are unable to get the carrier to unlock it for you, the best solution may be using a third-party unlocking tool like iMyFone iBypasser. This tool is a safe and user-friendly solution that can quickly unlock your SIM card and remove other activation features. Here's how to use iBypasser to unlock carrier locked iPhone:

1. Simply download and install the software on your Mac or Windows computer, then select Remove iPhone SIM Lock and click Start.
2. Connect your iDevice to the computer with iBypasser installed using a USB cable, then follow the on-screen instructions to jailbreak the device.
3. Confirm the device’s information on the next screen and in just a minute, the SIM lock will be removed, and you'll be able to use your device with any carrier.

Contact Your Carrier and Request an Unlock

As mentioned above, one of the reasons for the SIM not supported error on your iPhone is that it is locked to your carrier. In this situation, you should contact your carrier to request a SIM unlock.

Most carriers will however require that you finish the payment plan in the contract before they can help you unlock the SIM card. If you still have several months before the contract ends, wait patiently until it ends or try other solutions.

Follow the steps blow to contact your carrier and request an unlock:

• Check which carrier your iPhone is locked to with online IMEI checkers. Addition to carrier, they can check the Blacklist and iCloud lock status for you.
• Go to Apple Support site to check if your carrier supports unlocking. Find the carrier that your iPhone is locked to and check if there is "Unlocking" item under it.

• If your carrier supports to unlock your iPhone, directly call them and submit an unlock request. Most carriers will require a payment to unlock the iPhone.
• After that, wait for your carrier to process the unlock. Usually, the unlocking process will take 3 to 5 working days.

Why Not Use a Reliable Tool to Fix iOS System?

Do you know that any small glitches on iPhone will also result that your iPhone saying SIM not supported. In such a scenario, you need to repair the device system via professional tools like FoneGeek iOS System Recovery (iOS 18 supported).

To bypass this SIM not supported issue on iPhone, follow the steps below:

1. Install FoneGeek iOS System Recovery on computer and open this software to hit on Standard Mode.
2. Connect the device to this software and the software will display the firmware package that matches the device model. Click on Download.
3. When the firmware package is downloaded, hit on ‘click on Fix Now and the iPhone problem will be repaired in a short time.

FAQs About SIM Not Supported on iPhone

Does the “SIM Not Supported” message mean my SIM card is faulty?

If you're experiencing the "SIM not supported" error on your iPhone, it may not necessarily be a problem with the SIM. It could be a problem with the software, so try to use the SIM card on another device to see if the same error pops up. If the SIM card works on another device, then follow the steps in this detailed guide to resolve the issue on your iPhone.

Is it possible to use Dual SIM on an iPhone?

Yes, it is possible to use Dual SIM on an iPhone. Apple supports Dual SIM functionality on many recent iPhone models by combining a physical SIM card with an eSIM (a digital SIM). This lets you have two phone numbers on one device — useful for separating work and personal lines, or for using a local SIM when traveling abroad.

Is it possible to use an iPhone without a SIM Card?

Yes, you can use an iPhone without a SIM card by relying on Wi-Fi for internet access and using apps like FaceTime, iMessage, and other internet-based services, but you won’t be able to make regular cellular calls, send SMS texts, or use mobile data.

Write In The End

iPhone SIM not supported issue is really annoying, which prevent you from accessing and using your device. Luckily, with the solutions mentioned above, you can easily fix the SIM not supported error on your iPhone and use the device with any carrier.

Sometimes, you may get a second-iPhone and don't realize its iCloud locked. In such case, we recommend you using iMyFone iBypasser to remove the iCloud lock with ease.