Apple iPhone 6s Plus SIM Card Management & Troubleshooting Guide

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards serve as the primary key identifier among #smartphone users anywhere in the world. They work by letting you use cellular services with your phones. While these cards don’t hold any data, they are necessary for your phone to function as a phone.

Apple-iPhone-6s-SIM-Card-Installation

This content demonstrates a series of methods and some helpful tips to help you manage your #iPhone6sPlus SIM card. For the sake of those who are not yet aware of, the iPhone 6s Plus uses a Nano SIM card, just like its corresponding iPhone 6s variant and later versions of the Apple iPads. Your iPhone needs a nano-SIM card in order to use cellular services when connecting to your carrier’s network.

iPhone 6s Plus SIM Card Management & Troubleshooting Guide

What is a Nano SIM?

Technically, Nano SIM cards are the fourth version of 4FF (Fourth Form Factor) of the SIM standard that measures 12.3mm by 8.8 by 0.67mm, reducing the size of the original SIM (1FF) down to the gold contact area with just enough extra insulating card around to prevent short circuits. They are the smallest and thinnest among other SIM card types available to-date. Yet small as they are, nano SIMs still holds the same amount of data as prior SIM cards.

How to Insert SIM card on your iPhone 6s Plus

Follow these steps to properly insert and remove SIM card on your new iPhone:

  1. Power off your device completely.
  2. Open the SIM tray, located at the right side of your phone
  3. Remove or eject the SIM tray using the SIM eject tool or a paper clip. Firmly press it to eject the SIM tray.
  4. Place the SIM card into the SIM tray.
  5. Push the SIM tray back in until you hear it clicks into place. You will know if it’s properly placed when it flush with the side of the iPhone.
  6. Turn your iPhone back on by pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo displays.

If you see the name of your carrier at the top of the screen, then that means you’re good to go.

How to lock and unlock the SIM PIN on your iPhone 6s Plus

The SIM PIN code protects your SIM from being used in other devices without your permission. If the SIM PIN lock is enabled on your device, it will prompt you to enter the code after you power it on. The SIM card remains locked and can’t be used until the correct code is entered. Here’s how it works:

  1. Navigate to the Home screen.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Phone.
  4. Tap SIM PIN.
  5. Drag the SIM PIN slider/switch to turn it ON, if necessary.
  • The default SIM PIN varies from carrier to carrier. If you’re unsure of it, then contact your carrier for the correct information.
  1. To change the SIM PIN code, tap Change PIN.
  2. Enter the current PIN code and tap Done to proceed.
  3. Enter the new PIN code then tap Done located in the upper-right of the screen.
  4. Re-enter the new PIN code to confirm SIM PIN modification.
  5. Tap Done to save your current changes.

Follow these steps to lock and unlock the SIM card on your iPhone 6s Plus:

  1. Go to the Home screen.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Tap Phone.
  4. Tap SIM PIN.
  5. To enable, drag the SIM PIN slider to ON. Otherwise, drag it to OFF.

Note: Entering incorrect PIN code for too many times can lead to PUK code lock. This is when you need to obtain a new PIN Unlock code from your network carrier.

What to do if your SIM card or SIM tray is damaged?

Please note that any damage to the SIM tray or device due to some modifications made to the SIM card will not be covered by Apple’s hardware warranty. This means if you cut, trim, or modify your SIM card for it to fit a different device model, most likely you won’t be able to connect to your cellular networks or access certain features with your phone.

If the old SIM card won’t fit to your new iPhone, the best thing to do is contact your carrier and request them to transfer your account to the SIM card that came with your iPhone in order to make them compatible. Otherwise, ask for other available options to get a new SIM card especially if your iPhone did not come with one.

What to do if the SIM is not detected by your iPhone 6s Plus?

If ever your iPhone does not detect the SIM as generally manifested by the “No SIM” error prompt replacing your carrier’s name on the upper-left corner of your iPhone display, then first check the SIM card and ensure it is properly placed into the SIM card slot of your phone. You are seeing a No SIM error prompt because your iPhone is no longer detecting the SIM card inserted in the SIM tray even though it is actually there.

How to properly inspect the SIM card and SIM tray in your iPhone 6s Plus

  1. Remove and re-insert the SIM card from the SIM tray. Get a paperclip or the SIM ejector tool that came with the iPhone, and then insert it into the tiny hole to eject the tray containing the Nano-SIM card.
  2. Thoroughly examine the SIM card and SIM tray and check for any possible damage. Also ensure they’re free from dust or dirt. If necessary, clean them up using a soft damp cloth to wipe the dust or dirt. Just be sure to let them dry completely before you place them back into your iPhone.
  3. Ensure the SIM tray has no bent. Even a little misalignment can bar the connection between the SIM card and the internal contacts in your device.
  4. Check for any debris inside the SIM tray opening. You can use a flashlight to clearly see through of what’s inside the SIM tray opening. You may use some compressed air to blow it out, if necessary.
  5. Check for any liquid damage. To check for any possible liquid damage, look for a white sticker inside the SIM tray opening. That sticker is a liquid contact indicator used by Apple technicians in determining whether the iPhone got wet.

If you see a red dot in the middle of that sticker, then it’s a hint that the device has gotten wet at some point and it’s more likely damaged. If you haven’t seen any indication that the SIM tray or device got wet or damaged, place the SIM card back into the tray, and re-insert the SIM tray into your iPhone. It has to be in the same orientation that you removed it. Afterwards, turn your phone back on to see if the error is gone.

  1. Try another SIM card, if available. To help isolate what’s really causing the problem, you can try placing a different nano-SIM card into your iPhone. If the error is gone, then the problem is your own SIM card. To solve your problem, visit or contact your carrier and ask for SIM card replacement.

However, if the error remains and that you’re positive that there’s no physical damage on your device, then the error is most likely triggered by a software glitch.

Here’s what you can do next, should you suspect the ‘No SIM’ error on your iPhone 6s Plus is triggered by a software bug.

  1. Perform a soft reset with the SIM card inserted on your iPhone 6s Plus.

Try to turn your iPhone off for a few seconds, and then turn it back on. For those who need further assistance, follow these steps:

  • Press the Power button on your iPhone until you see the prompt saying, “Slide to Power Off.”
  • Move your fingers across the slider to Power off your device.
  • When you see the wheel stopped spinning and the iPhone screen has completely turned black, hold down the Power button.
  • Release the Power button when you see the Apple logo.

A soft reset is a commonly used method to deal with software-related issues occurring on a device. This simple method has by far, done wonders to many smartphone users.

  1. Reset Network Settings on your iPhone 6s Plus.

Resetting network settings will restore the network configuration of your iPhone to the factory defaults. To do this, navigate to your iPhone Settings->General->Reset, and then tap the option to Reset Network Settings.

The process often helps fix software glitches in some invisible processes running in the background, which are responsible for managing cellular and other network connections of your iPhone.

Important Note:

While resetting network settings can help rectify the existing problem, the process will likewise erase all saved Wi-Fi connections on your iPhone. Given this circumstance, be sure to take note of your Wi-Fi passwords before you begin. After your iPhone reboots, you will need to reconnect to your wireless network by going to your iPhone Settings->Wi-Fi menu.

To install your wireless carrier settings update, head on to your iPhone Settings-> General-> About. Your iPhone will automatically check for any available updates. If an update is available, a new screen displays. Simply follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

  1. Update to the latest iOS version available.

Software updates are purposely rolled to bring in new features for performance enhancement and/or bug fixes for all sorts of issues including those associated with the No SIM error. For this reason, device manufacturers highly recommend keeping your device software up-to-date. To check for software updates, go to your iPhone Settings->General->Software Update.

Aside from updating the software, updating your wireless carrier settings is also recommended. This can be done by heading to Settings-> General-> About.

  1. Restore your iPhone.

Be sure to back up all your files via iTunes or iCloud beforehand. All your personal information including saved contacts and customized settings will be erased as the phone will be restored to factory defaults. After restoring your iPhone, you will need to re-activate with your carrier and then restore your backups from iTunes or iCloud. But here’s a catch.

You should consider this method as your last resort. Why? Because, when you restore your iPhone and the No SIM error remains, you may not be able to restore your backups via iTunes or iCloud. That said, only opt to restore your iPhone if you have a backup phone you can use to restore your iPhone 6s Plus should the process won’t fix the No SIM error.

If none of the aforesaid methods worked, then you have to contact Apple support for any further recommendations. Otherwise, you may take your iPhone to a repair shop.

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