Earlier this week, a rumor from Brazilian website Blog do iPhone claimed that iPhone 15 Pro models might not have a physical SIM card slot in at least some countries and regions, but the change might happen even sooner.
Image: iFixit
An anonymous tipster informed MacRumors that Apple has advised major U.S. carriers to prepare for the launch of eSIM-only smartphones by September 2022. The tipster shared a seemingly legitimate document outlining the timeframe for this initiative, although the document does not specifically mention Apple or the iPhone.
As part of the transition, some U.S. carriers will allegedly start offering select iPhone 13 models without a nano-SIM card in the box in the second quarter of 2022. iPhone 13 models sold at Apple Stores or on Apple.com already lack a nano-SIM card in the box, with users typically able to activate a cellular plan via eSIM by turning on the iPhone, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and following the on-screen instructions.
Given the alleged September 2022 deadline, it is possible that Apple might remove the physical SIM card slot starting with some iPhone 14 models, rather than some iPhone 15 models as originally rumored, but nothing is definitive at this point.
An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a cellular plan without having to use a nano-SIM card. It's worth noting that eSIM service is not available in all countries, so iPhones with a SIM card slot may remain available in some markets. Adoption is expanding rapidly, though, with over 100 carriers offering eSIM service worldwide and more planning to roll out support in 2022, including Three in the UK and Vodafone in New Zealand.
iPhone 13 models already support multiple eSIM profiles, allowing users to subscribe to several cellular plans digitally and switch between them, and this functionality could pave the way for the SIM card slot's removal in select countries.
Apple's former design chief Jony Ive once envisioned the iPhone as becoming a "single slab of glass," and the SIM card slot's removal would be another step towards a seamless design and improve water resistance in the process. Taking out the slot would also free up some valuable internal space in the iPhone — every bit counts.
Update: Leaker @dylandkt, who has a respectable track record with Apple rumors, tweeted that they are "in agreement with recent rumors regarding the removal of the physical SIM card tray."
I am in agreement with recent rumors regarding the removal of the physical SIM card tray. In February, I had shared the following information below: //t.co/zOyeJr0V1d — Dylan (@dylandkt) December 27, 2021
When you use an iPhone for the first time – whether it's a new iPhone fresh out of the box or a used phone that you've gotten from another user – you need to activate it to set up cellular service.
For the most part, this process is painless and straightforward thanks to the iPhone's setup wizard.
How to activate your iPhone
First, we need to install the SIM card. This is the small chip that links your phone to the cellular network.
If you purchased a new iPhone in an Apple Store or from your wireless provider, the SIM card has probably already been installed for you. If not, or if you're moving your SIM card from an older phone, you need to insert the SIM card yourself.
To do this, ensure the phone is turned off, and carefully insert the SIM ejection pin (you should have gotten one with your iPhone, but a paperclip can work in a pinch) into the hole on the side of the phone until a tray pops out.
1. Insert the SIM card you want to use into the tray and push it back into the phone.
Insert the SIM card in your iPhone using the SIM ejection pin.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
Important: The SIM card you're using need to have already been activated by the same carrier that you're going to use the phone with. If you want to unlock your iPhone and use it with a different carrier, you'll need to contact your current carrier.
2. Turn on your iPhone by holding down the Power button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
3. Begin the setup process by following the on-screen instructions.
4. When you're asked to choose a connection option, you can choose your Wi-Fi network and enter your Wi-Fi password, or choose to activate the phone over the cellular network.
Configure your Wi-Fi network – or you can do that later and just activate over the cellular network.Dave Johnson/Business Insider
5. You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. This is a security feature called Activation Lock and it's designed to prevent theft. If this is your own iPhone, log in with your Apple ID. If this phone originally belonged to someone else, you'll need to ask the original owner to sign in with their Apple ID so you can complete the setup. You can change the Apple ID later.
It'll take several minutes for the phone to activate. Once it's done, you can proceed with the rest of the initial setup. Following the instructions in the setup wizard, you have several choices:
- Restore from iCloud Backup. If you're moving to a new iPhone and had iCloud backups set up on your old phone, you'll want to choose this option to restore all your data.
- Restore from Mac or PC. If you don't use iCloud, you may have manually backed up your old iPhone using iTunes or Finder on your computer. If so, you can choose this option and connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB connection cable.
- Transfer Directly from iPhone. If you're moving from an old iPhone to a new one, you can transfer all your data using Bluetooth. You just need to keep the two iPhones on and near each other for a while.
- Move Data from Android. If you're moving to the iPhone from an Android device, you can use Apple's Move to iOS app.
- Don't Transfer Apps & Data. This is the simplest and fastest setup option, but you'll be left with a factory-fresh iPhone with no apps or data installed.
Restore your data from iCloud.Apple
How to troubleshoot an iPhone that won't activate
If you're having trouble activating your iPhone, there are a few things that might have gone wrong. Try these troubleshooting steps:
- If the iPhone says that there's no SIM card installed or the SIM card is invalid, make sure that the SIM card is compatible with the plan you currently have with your cellular provider. If it is, turn your phone off, open the SIM tray, and make sure the card is properly seated. Then reinsert the card and restart the phone.
- Visit Apple's System Status web page to make sure that there's a green dot beside iOS Device Activation. If it's offline, try activating again later.
- If you're trying to activate via a cellular data connection, go somewhere that has Wi-Fi and try that way instead.
- Restart your iPhone and try again.
If none of these help you activate your phone, contact your cellular carrier or Apple support for assistance.
Dave Johnson
Freelance Writer
Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.
Read more Read lessWilliam Antonelli
Tech Reporter for Insider Reviews
William Antonelli (he/she/they) is a writer, editor, and organizer based in New York City. As a founding member of the Reference team, he helped grow Tech Reference (now part of Insider Reviews) from humble beginnings into a juggernaut that attracts over 20 million visits a month. Outside of Insider, his writing has appeared in publications like Polygon, The Outline, Kotaku, and more. He's also a go-to source for tech analysis on channels like Newsy, Cheddar, and NewsNation.
How do I manually activate my iPhone without a SIM card?
Activate iPhone Without SIM Card.Press the Power Button to start iPhone and Slide-right to start the Setup Process..On the next screens, select Language > select Country > tap on Set Up Manually option..Select your WiFi Network > enter WiFi Network Password > tap on OK to dismiss “No SIM Card” pop-up..Do I need a SIM card to activate my phone?
In order to activate your used phone, you will need to insert a SIM card for your plan. Unless the device has been unlocked, it can generally only be activated on the same carrier it was originally activated on.What happens if you use an iPhone without a SIM card?
Even if iPhone lacks a SIM Card, it can still send and receive iMessages, browse internet, use Google Maps, Play Videos, Play Movies and perform other tasks using Free WiFi Network.How do I activate an iPhone without service?
Go to Settings > Cellular and check to see if your cellular line is turned on. If your cellular line is off, turn it back on. Then check to see if you have service. If you don't see your cellular line in Settings > Cellular, you should set up an eSIM or insert a physical SIM card.