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How do I fix Android SIM card not detected?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 5 minutes · Wi‑Fi & mobile data

Illustration of a phone showing a SIM card icon, with signal bars on one side and a refresh arrow on the other

Steps to check

  1. Rule out Airplane mode and a quick restart

    Open Settings and turn Airplane mode off if it is on. Restart the phone and wait a minute after it boots. A short software glitch can leave the phone showing No SIM even when the card is fine. Samsung and Pixel both list restart early in SIM troubleshooting.

    Samsung Swipe down twice for Quick settings, then turn Airplane mode off. Restart: Quick settings → Power icon → Restart (or hold Side + Volume down about 7 seconds if the screen will not respond).Pixel Settings → Network & internet → turn Airplane mode off. Restart from the power menu, or hold Power about 30 seconds if the phone is stuck.

  2. Confirm the SIM shows as present and in use

    Open the SIMs (or Mobile network) screen. You should see your carrier name. If Use SIM is off, turn it on. If the line says No SIM or the name is gray, the phone is not reading a card yet. On Samsung you can also open About phone → Status information → SIM card status and check that a network or carrier name appears.

    Samsung Settings → Connections → SIM manager (or Mobile network). Status path: Settings → About phone → Status information → SIM card status.Pixel Settings → Network & internet → SIMs. Select your carrier and make sure Use SIM is on.

  3. Power off, reseat, and inspect the physical SIM

    Power the phone fully off. Push the eject tool straight into the tray hole until the tray pops out. Remove the nano-SIM. If it is bent or cracked, stop and ask your carrier for a replacement. If it looks dusty, wipe the gold contacts gently with a soft, dry cloth (not your fingers or a wet wipe). Seat the card flat in the tray with the angled corner matching the tray, gold contacts facing the direction your phone maker shows, then push the tray fully back in and turn the phone on.

    Samsung Galaxy phones that take a physical SIM use a nano-SIM. Insert the eject pin straight. Gold contacts face up in the tray on many models; follow the tray outline so the card sits flush.Pixel With the phone off, insert the tool in the small hole (left edge on most Pixels; bottom edge on Pixel 3). Place the nano-SIM in the tray, then push the tray back in. You may need another restart for service to return.

  4. Toggle Airplane mode once more, then try another SIM if you can

    After reseating, turn Airplane mode on, wait about 15 seconds, then turn it off. If you have a spare active SIM (or another phone), swap cards: a working spare in this phone points to a bad or inactive card; your card working in another phone points to this phone’s tray or radio. Pixel Help also suggests trying another SIM when the error continues.

  5. Reset mobile network settings

    If the tray looks correct and the card works elsewhere (or you have no spare), reset mobile network settings. This clears mobile network configuration and reconnects with defaults. It does not erase photos or apps. On Pixel, a separate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi reset exists if you need that later; for SIM detection, start with the mobile network reset.

    Samsung Settings → General management → Reset → Reset mobile network settings → Reset settings, then confirm.Pixel Settings → System → Reset options → Reset mobile network settings. Confirm, then restart and check SIMs again.

  6. Check eSIM, carrier locks, and when to ask for help

    If you use an eSIM, open SIMs and make sure that line is downloaded and Use SIM is on. After moving service to another phone, you may need your carrier to re-issue or re-activate the eSIM on this device. Carrier SIM protection can also block a card on a new phone until the carrier turns that off. Contact your carrier for activation, outages, or a replacement SIM. If a known-good SIM never appears on this phone after the steps above, ask the phone maker or an authorized repair center about the tray or network hardware.

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

A brief No SIM message right after you insert a card or finish setup, then the carrier name appears after a restart. Mild delay when switching SIMs on a dual-SIM phone.

Worth a closer look

No SIM or Emergency calls only after reseating a good card, resetting mobile networks, and confirming the line is active with your carrier, or a SIM that works in another phone but never appears here.

What people are saying

Common questions

What does No SIM card mean?

The phone is not reading an active SIM profile right now. That can be a loose or dirty card, Airplane mode, an inactive line, or a software glitch. Follow the reseat and Settings checks above before you replace hardware.

Do I need a nano-SIM?

Most current Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones that take a plastic SIM use a nano-SIM. A larger old card will not fit. Your carrier can cut or replace the right size. Some phones are eSIM only and have no tray.

Will resetting mobile network settings delete my photos?

No. It clears mobile network configuration (and you may need to re-check preferred network type). Your photos, messages, and apps stay on the phone. Saved Wi-Fi networks are a separate reset on many Pixels.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.