iPhone Says No Service Or SIM Error? What To Try, Step By Step

Guide 8b · Connectivity

Seeing No Service, Searching or SOS at the top? Work through these steps. Many fixes take a minute.

Works on: iPhone 6s and newer. Many US iPhone 14 and newer models use eSIM only, with no SIM card tray.

Step 1: Toggle Airplane Mode

1. Open Settings.
2. Turn on Airplane Mode and wait 15 seconds.
3. Turn it off. Wait a minute for bars to appear.

Step 2: Restart The Phone

Turn it off and back on. If the buttons don't work, use our restart without buttons guide.

Step 3: Check For A Carrier Settings Update

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings, tap General, then About.
3. If a carrier update pops up, tap Update.

Step 4: Update iOS

Open Settings > General > Software Update and install anything shown.

Step 5: Call Your Carrier

• Check that your account is active and paid.
• Ask about outages near you.
• Ask if the phone is blocked or needs a new SIM or eSIM.

Step 6: Reset Network Settings

This clears saved Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, but not your photos or apps. Steps are in our Wi-Fi and Bluetooth guide.

If Nothing Works

Carrier says your account is fine? It may be the antenna or other hardware. I can check it.

Source: If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching on your iPhone, Set up eSIM on iPhone (Apple Support, checked Oct 18, 2026).

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.