How to Fix No SIM Card or Invalid SIM Error on iPhone 12

One of the most common problems on the iPhone 12 series is a no SIM card error or no SIM installed. In this post, I will provide some essential solutions that should help in resolving no SIM card or invalid SIM error on iPhone 12. Continue reading to find out the details.

How to Resolve iPhone 12 with No SIM Card or Invalid SIM Error

Some users find out that the invalid SIM error would occur due to a server maintenance on their carrier’s server. If this is the first time that you have encountered the problem, you might need to contact them first and check for the status of your SIM services. 

Once you have verified that the SIM is active and they don’t have any issues on their end, proceed with performing the troubleshooting procedures that I have mapped out below. 

First Solution: Restart your iPhone 12 

iPhone 12 force Restart

Minor bugs would often occur as we use the device. If you are able to use a SIM card on your iPhone 12 before and it suddenly provides an invalid SIM error, then a simple restart might do the trick in eliminating this issue. If you haven’t performed it yet, then it is time to give it a try. 

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly. 
  3. Lastly, press and hold the Side button for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo.

Once the iPhone has restarted, check if the SIM card has been recognized or it still shows no SIM card or invalid SIM error. 

Second Solution: Check the IMEI on iPhone 12

iphone 12 pro max imei check

Checking the IMEI of your iPhone 12 is a crucial step for SIM card related errors. This is to ensure that your phone does not have a baseband issue. Follow these steps: 

  1. Access Settings from the Home Screen. 
  2. Go to and tap on General
  3. Select About
  4. Check the IMEI details. 

If it shows numbers, your iPhone is still recognizing the SIM card and you can proceed troubleshooting the issue. If it does not show a series of numbers, that could be due to a baseband problem and that needs to be checked by an authorized Apple tech. 

Third Solution: Remove and Reinsert your SIM on the iPhone 12 

iphone 12 sim card tray

It is also important to check if the SIM card itself has any traces of dirt or dusts that may hinder the phone to recognize it. To ensure that it is clean, follow these steps on how to remove and reinsert the SIM card properly on your iPhone 12:

  1. Turn off your iPhone completely.
  2. Get the SIM ejector tool then insert it into the small hole on the SIM tray. The SIM tray is found on the side of your iPhone.
  3. Gently push the ejector tool until the tray pops out.
  4. Remove the SIM card from the tray and inspect it for any signs of damage like liquid traces and scratches. If there’s none, place the SIM card back into the tray in the same position and orientation before it was removed.
  5. Push the SIM card tray back into the phone until it’s locked.

After putting back the SIM properly, turn on the device and check if it has been recognized already and is working as intended.

Fourth Solution: Reset All Settings on iPhone 12 

iphone 12 reset all settings 2

Invalid settings on the phone could also lead in a no SIM card error. This is why you may want to restore all manually configured settings on the iPhone 12 to their default values and options. Do not worry as this won’t affect the personal files on your iPhone. 

  1. Access Settings from the Home screen. 
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down to and then select Reset
  4. Tap the Reset All Settings option.
  5. Enter your device passcode once prompted.
  6. Then tap to confirm all settings reset. 

Your device might restart by itself once the reset process has been completed. Just check if the invalid SIM or no SIM card error has been rectified.

Fifth Solution: Restore your iPhone 12 Via iTunes

iphone 12 restore

One of the best ways to deal with a major software problem on iOS devices is to perform a recovery mode restore. This procedure should allow you to fix software glitches that may have been causing the iPhone to not recognize the SIM card. 

To carry out this process, you’ll need to prepare a Mac or Windows computer with the latest iTunes installed. Also ensure that your computer runs on the latest operating system that is compatible with your iPhone 12. 

If all requirements are met, connect your device to the computer using the Apple-supplied USB/lightning cable. Then allow iTunes to sync with your iPhone and backup files, if possible. Once the backup is secured, follow these steps to put your iPhone in recovery mode and then restore iOS in iTunes:

  1. Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
  2. Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
  3. Then press and hold the Power/Side button once prompted with Connect to iTunes screen. Do not release the button when the Apple logo appears as you will need to enter recovery mode state.
  4. Once you enter the recovery mode, you’ll see either Update or Restore option.
  5. Select Restore if you want to reinstall and download iOS on your device without erasing data. 

Do not disconnect your phone and keep it connected until the entire restore process is finished. You will notice a prompt saying that  you are good to remove/disconnect the iPhone and that means the process is complete. Just check if it is able to rectify the no SIM card or invalid SIM error on iPhone 12. 

Still Getting an Invalid SIM or No SIM Card Error on iPhone 12

If your iPhone 12 still provides a no SIM card or invalid SIM error up to this point, then it is time to check with the experts. Contact Apple support through their official website to get official recommendations on how to deal with the problem. 

You may also check if this is a SIM card issue by inserting your SIM on a different device. If it works well on a different phone, then that means your iPhone 12 is the problem. But if the SIM is not working on a different device as well, contact your carrier provider and ask for a SIM card replacement. 

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