iPhone: About the SIM PIN
Summary
You can assign a PIN number to your SIM card, so it can’t be used in other phones without the PIN number. You must enter the number each time you turn iPhone on after turning it off or if you change your SIM card. If you've already entered the SIM PIN since powering on iPhone, and you reset iPhone or toggle Airplane mode, the SIM PIN is not required.
For more information on the differences between turning off and resetting iPhone see HT1430: "iPod touch and iPhone: Turning on/off and resetting."
Products Affected
iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone Activation in iTunes
Choose Settings > Phone > SIM PIN and turn the SIM PIN On. You will be prompted to enter the current PIN (iPhone ships with a default SIM PIN, please see the table below to determine what should be entered). You can then tap Change PIN to assign a different PIN number. Note that the SIM PIN is separate from the Passcode Lock (Settings > General > Passcode Lock) which comes up when waking from sleep and turning on.
| Carrier | Default SIM PIN |
|
|
None |
|
|
1111 |
|
|
0000 |
| 3436 | |
|
|
Post-paid: 1234 Pre-paid: Contact carrier |
|
|
0000 or 5555 |
|
|
0000 |
|
|
1234 |
|
|
1234 |
|
|
0000 |
|
|
None |
|
|
None |
If you don't see your carrier listed here, contact your carrier to find out what your default SIM PIN code is.
Forgotten SIM PIN
You can enter up to 3 incorrect answers for the SIM PIN before iPhone asks you to enter the PUK code. Contact your carrier to get the PUK code. Note: If you enter the incorrect PUK code too many times (10 incorrect guesses), the SIM will become permanently locked and you'll need to replace the SIM.
If iPhone repeatedly asks for the SIM PIN
If iPhone repeatedly asks for the SIM PIN try the following:
- Make sure you are in a good network coverage area. Contact your carrier for additional information.
- Try disabling the SIM PIN lock, and then reenable it: Tap Settings > Phone > SIM PIN and turn the SIM PIN Off and then On again.
- If you are using a carrying case try removing it.
Additional Information
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