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Some users reporting “Invalid SIM” error after updating iPhone 4S units to iOS 5.0.1

This doesn’t bode too well…

Per AppleInsider, multiple users on Apple’s discussion boards complaining that the recent iOS 5.0.1 update has lead to messages that read “Invalid SIM” and “SIM Failure” on their iPhone 4S users. This person said the errors began occurring after they updated to iOS 5.0.1, though other users posting on Apple’s official Support Communities website, in a thread with more than 30,000 views to date, have experienced similar problems since the iPhone 4S first went on sale in October.

“This problem can only be solved when you reboot your iPhone,” the person, who is an AT&T customer, wrote in an e-mail. “Everything else fails — restore, removal of the SIM, etc.”

When users experience a SIM-card-related error, basic functions including making phone calls, sending text messages, and using mobile data become unavailable, as the handset cannot make a connection with the wireless data provider.

The iPhone 4S is a “world phone,” which means its redesigned antenna and internal components are compatible with both CDMA and GSM carriers. Micro SIM cards placed in the iPhone 4S are only used by GSM carriers to identify a subscriber and grant them access to a carrier’s wireless network.

But while only GSM carriers, like AT&T in the U.S., use the micro SIM slot on the iPhone 4S, users on CDMA carriers, like Verizon and Sprint, have also reported experiencing SIM-card-related errors. iPhone 4S units sold through CDMA carriers come with a “roaming SIM” installed, which allows CDMA customers to roam worldwide on GSM networks.

“No service on my white 32 GB 4S on Verizon,” user ‘racyb’ wrote in October. “Did a shutdown and reboot….it went into searching mode and finally found Verizon again after 1 minute. What is going on?”

Since the release of iOS 5.0.1 earlier this month, another thread at the Apple Support Communities website features more users who say the problems began occurring after they updated their iPhone 4S. Some say their iPhone displays full signal reception, yet error messages like “Call Failed” and “Invalid SIM” continue to display.

“Same problem here in Brazil,” user ‘GuiMedrado’ wrote on Wednesday. “Bought my 4S – 32GB unlocked in Switzerland and couldnt’ make it work after upgrading to 5.0.1. Any solution?”

The iOS 5.0.1 update was released earlier this month in an attempt to address battery life issues reported by some users. But some battery-related problems have remained, and Apple has publicly said it is still working to fix those issues.

One rumor this week claimed that Apple will issue a new update, iOS 5.0.2, no later than next week in a second attempt to improve battery life with iOS 5. There was no mention of any fixes for SIM card issues or error messages.

Stay tuned for additional details as they become available and if you’ve seen this bug on your end, please let us know.

8 replies on “Some users reporting “Invalid SIM” error after updating iPhone 4S units to iOS 5.0.1”

We had the same issue , invalid sim card after updating to ios 5.1 , after many frustrating hours of trying everything from trying new sim cards from our provider….3 in total…to standing around the Apple Store for hours only to be told there was nothing they could do as the phone was out warranty…nice huh? Apple product screwed up by Apple software update….nothing they can do?  My son took the phone to a little kiosk in the mall that does unlocking…and he figured it out!  The phone was originally locked to another provider other than the one we are on so when the software updated it locked it back to the original provider…invald sim…..but get this , the original phone bricked with a fatal hardware issue so we were instructed to take it into the Apple store for a replacement…..turns out that all the replacement phones are locked to AT&T and then unlocked to be used with your provider , after we updated the software it locked it back to AT&T ….we are on Rogers. My son took the phone back into the Apple store armed with this information , they checked their records and low and behold were able to unlock it again….problem solved.THE APPLE STORE CAN FIX YOUR PHONE!!!!  Don’t take no for an answer

 I can make it work by rebooting or taking the sim card out and putting it back in.  It’s random.  One time I took the sim out, rubbed it with a cloth and put it back in and got 2 days of it working.  I am on US AT&T Service.

I went to the ATT store and got a new SIM.  My phone works great now.  Haven’t had a problem since. 

I can make one call every now and again. After upgrading to IOS 5.1 it searches for signal all the time as well as displays INVALID SIM after a while. Please help me apple

I am experiencing the same extract issue here in Lebanon, and my carrier is mtc touch. It’s super annoying.

I am in Brazil and have just done the software update to my new iPhone 4S and it says invalid sim…….aaaarggh

I have been seeing this problem with “no sim” and “invalid sim” since before I upgraded to 5.0.1.  It is horrible. Sometimes I can make it work by rebooting or taking the sim card out and putting it back in.  It’s random.  One time I took the sim out, rubbed it with a cloth and put it back in and got 2 days of it working.  I am on US AT&T Service. 

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