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If the message “Invalid SIM card” appears, this can have various causes. We’ll show you what’s behind it and how you can fix the problem.
Invalid SIM card: How to solve the problem
If you receive a message on your smartphone stating that your SIM card is invalid, there may be several reasons for this.
- If you have a prepaid card, this happens if you have not topped it up for a long time. In this case, you should contact customer service and ask them to reactivate the card. This is usually possible up to 3 months after the SIM card expires.
- It is also possible that the SIM card is dirty or inserted incorrectly. Carefully remove the SIM card and clean the contacts with a brush. Then reinsert the card into the device.
- Your smartphone may also be causing the problem. Therefore, restart your device. If this does not help, you should check the APN settings. These determine which access points are to be used for mobile Internet.
- On Android, tap on “Settings,” then “Connections,” “Mobile networks,” and “Access points.” On iOS, you will find this option in the settings under “Cellular” and “Mobile Data Network.” The correct APN settings vary depending on your provider and can be found on their website.
- If you have a contract mobile phone that was purchased before 2015, a SIM lock may also be the cause of the problem. This was common in the past to tie devices to a specific network operator. Today, SIM locks have been virtually abolished in the EU, but may still occur on used or imported devices.
- You can check the status either in the device settings or by contacting your provider. Unlocking is usually free of charge in the EU. Do not use third-party unlocking services, as these are often unreliable.
- If possible, insert the SIM card into another mobile phone and check whether it works there. If this is not the case, the SIM card is probably defective. In this case, you must contact the provider and ask them to send you a replacement card.
Special problems and solutions for eSIM
Even with an eSIM, it can happen that it is not recognized correctly. This is often due to the eSIM profile being installed incorrectly, deleted, or no longer valid.
- In such cases, you can remove the eSIM profile in the settings and then reload it. On Android, you will find the option in the settings under “Connections” and “SIM Manager.” On iOS, open the mobile settings and then tap on “Delete eSIM.”
- Then restart the device and reactivate the eSIM profile. This can be done using a QR code or the activation code provided by your provider. If you no longer have this information, contact your provider.
- Not every device is compatible with every eSIM or provider. Some European eSIM providers are not properly supported, especially on devices imported from China or the US. Therefore, check whether your smartphone is compatible with the desired tariff and provider.
