phone says No SIM Card? Here’s what to do

This post has been Last Updated 7 months ago by Kunal

Are you tired of seeing that annoying “No SIM card” message pop up on your Android phone? We feel you.

It’s frustrating when your phone says No SIM card, Emergency calls only, not Registered on Network error, or SIM card not detected, even though you have correctly installed a SIM card on your device. But don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with tips on fixing no SIM card on Android.

phone is not detecting my sim.

sanchaita_dey

Every time I try to call someone, it says No Sim Card or Sim Card error/Call ended. I can’t receive calls either. I can use my phone data and send text messages though.

Reddit user.

Today in this article, I will show you the answer to your question, “Why does my phone say no SIM card” and how to fix it. First, I will show you the reason, and then we will move on to the tutorial to help you fix it.

For this particular article, I have watched tons of videos on YouTube of Yendry Cayo Tech, Technical rest (Video link), and Bobby’s technical point (video link).

Here are some common fixes you should do when facing a SIM card problem on Android, including devices such as Samsung, Oppo, realme, Xiaomi, One Plus, Motorola, and Huawei.

Why Does My Phone Say No SIM Card?

Your phone shows the no SIM card error because it cannot read your SIM card’s contents properly. This can happen when your SIM card is not installed correctly, it’s damaged, or your phone has software problems after a software update, just like sanchaita_dey from the Oneplus forum. Therefore, your phone won’t recognize the SIM card and will say no sim card detected.

You don’t need to get your SIM card replaced immediately, as there are some fixes that you can apply to your phone, potentially fixing your problem. If these don’t work, then you can go ahead and get your SIM card replaced.

How to Fix No SIM Card Detected On Android and iOS

All the methods that I am going to show you apply to any Android Smartphone and also on any iOS device.

Fix 1. SIM ToolKit App

The SIM Toolkit app is an essential app that comes pre-installed on your Android device and is responsible for managing your SIM card’s services. This app lets you access balance inquiries, mobile banking, and other value-added services your network operator provides. Check this alternative of the SIM Toolkit app.

To fix this issue, you need to clear the cache of the SIM Toolkit app. Here is how you can do it:

Step 1: Open Mobile Settings

The first step is to open your phone’s settings app. You can do this by tapping the settings icon on your home screen or app drawer.

Step 2: Select All Apps

Once in the settings app, scroll down and select “Apps” or “Applications.” This will take you to a list of all the apps installed on your phone.

Step 3: Select SIM Toolkit/SIM Card Apps

Scroll down until you find the SIM Toolkit app or any other app related to your SIM card. Tap on it to open the app settings.

Step 4: Clear the Cache and All Data

Once you are in the app settings, you will see two buttons – “Clear Cache” and “Clear Data.” Tap on both buttons to clear the cache and all data associated with the app.

Step 5: Force Stop the SIM Toolkit/Card Apps

After clearing the cache and data, return to the app list and force stop the SIM Toolkit/Card Apps. This will close the app and ensure that all changes take effect.

Step 6: Re-insert Your SIM Card

Now, remove the SIM card from your phone and re-insert it. This step is essential to ensure your phone detects the SIM card correctly.

Step 7: Restart Your Smartphone

Finally, restart your smartphone. This will refresh the system and ensure that all changes take effect. Once your phone restarts, check if the “No SIM card” error message has disappeared.

In conclusion, the “No SIM card” error message is a common issue many Android users face. However, by following the above steps, you can quickly clear the cache of the SIM Toolkit app and fix the issue. Remember to keep your phone updated and free from junk files that may cause performance issues.

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Fix 1. Pull Out the SIM and Put It Back In

Since this issue concerns your SIM card, you can try ejecting it from your phone and then putting it back in. If your SIM wasn’t installed correctly or the SIM card tray was loose, this should fix that for you.

Eject the SIM card tray on your phone, take the SIM out, wait for half a minute, put the SIM card back in, and slide the tray into your phone. After the phone reboots, check if the device reads your SIM card.

Additionally, you can clear the SIM card’s Golden chip with the help of any cloth. 

Fix 2. Reboot the Device

The first trick up our sleeves is super simple – give your phone a little nudge by rebooting it! Yes, you heard that right. Sometimes, a quick reboot can resolve minor glitches and get your phone working like a charm again.

All you need to do is hold down the power button and choose the “Restart” option. Voila! Your phone will turn off and turn back on, just like magic. And who knows, maybe it needed a little break to get back on track.

So try it and see if your SIM card decides to come out of hiding. If not, don’t worry – we’ve got more tricks up our sleeves!

Fix 3. Enable and Disable Airplane Mode

The purpose of Airplane mode is to help you disconnect from all network services when you’re on a flight. However, you can use this mode to fix many network-related problems, such as not having a registered network, a WiFi connection but no internet, the phone has no service, etc. No guarantee using Airplane mode will fix your issue, but you can give it a go as it won’t harm your device.

Ensure you’ve saved your work before you do this, as your phone will also be disconnected from the Internet.

Step 1. Open the notifications panel on your phone.

Step 2. Tap the Airplane mode icon to turn the mode on.

Step 3. Tap the icon again to disable the mode.

Fix 4. Check your SIM Card

Hey there, mate! Are you still struggling with your phone saying “no SIM card”? Wait to fret because we’ve got another fix for you that could do the trick!

Fix number 5 is all about checking whether your SIM card is working. And how do you do that? Well, by inserting it into another phone! That’s right, and it’s time to call in a favor from your friends or family with a compatible phone.

Ask them to lend you their device for a few minutes and pop in your SIM card. If it works perfectly fine on their phone, then you know that your SIM card is not the culprit. But if it still shows the same “phone says no sim card” error message, it’s time to get a new one.

Knowing if your SIM card is the issue is good, so you can move on to other fixes without wasting time. So give this one a shot, and let us know if it worked for you!

Fix 5. Reset Network Settings

Once you’ve done this, your network settings will be reset to their default state. This can be helpful in situations where your phone’s settings might have been altered, causing your SIM card not to be detected.

But don’t worry; resetting your network settings won’t delete any of your data, so you won’t have to worry about losing anything important. It’s a simple solution that could fix your SIM card issues.

Fix 6. Is SIM card Enabled?

Check if your SIM card is turned on or off from your mobile settings; follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Look for the option “SIM Card” or “Mobile Network” and select it.
3. Check if the toggle for your SIM card is turned on or off. If it’s off, turn it on.
4. If you have multiple SIM cards, ensure the correct one is selected as the default for data and calls.

Fix 7. Check the Network Type

As someone who works at a phone store, the first step is checking the phone settings. You can do this by going to Settings, Connections, and Mobile Networks. If the setting is set to GLOBAL, change it to LTE/CDMA. In many areas, LTE works better than 5G, which is what the GLOBAL setting is for.

If changing the setting doesn’t help, the next step is to get a new SIM card from your carrier. Sometimes SIM cards can be faulty, and replacing them might solve the issue.

Another option is to update your phone software. Although this doesn’t usually fix the problem, it has sometimes worked.

If none of the above options work, the issue may be due to poor coverage in your area or a faulty phone. Let us know if we missed any troubleshooting steps!

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4 Additional Steps to Look After No SIM Card Issue 

Below are the four additional steps you should follow because sometimes the mistake is from our end, which creates many issues like Android Device Lagging Issue, etc. 

1. Check whether you have inserted the SIM card correctly or cleanly.
2. Re-insert the SIM card after cleaning it with cotton.
3. Insert the SIM card into another phone and check whether it’s working.
4. Check if the SIM card has expired.
5. Ensure data roaming is on if you have traveled from one state to another.
6. Check if the SIM card is turned on or off from the mobile settings.

Moreover, you can restart your phone several times. That will also help you because if there is some bug, it can fix it, or you can try the above method, which will help you.

Bye-bye: The Conclusion Time

The Conclusion for this Tutorial: Today, I showed you why your phone says no SIM card and how to fix the no SIM card issue on almost any device. 

I hope you like this tutorial, and don’t forget to let me know in the comments if you have any queries. If you have quires, appreciate it because appreciation is the best for both of us. I would appreciate your comments.