iPhone: About the SIM PIN

  • Last Modified: November 24, 2009
  • Article: HT1316
  • Old Article: 306230

Summary

You can lock your SIM card, so that it can’t be used without a Personal Identification Number (PIN). You must enter the PIN each time you turn iPhone off and turn it back on again. Some carriers require a SIM PIN to use iPhone.

Products Affected

iPhone, iPhone Activation in iTunes

You can enable, disable, or change your SIM PIN from Settings > Phone > SIM PIN.

Some carriers provide SIM cards with a default SIM PIN already enabled. Click the link below to see a list of default SIM PINs by carrier. If you don't see your carrier listed below (after clicking "Default SIM PIN codes"), contact your carrier to find out what your default SIM PIN code is.

Default SIM PIN codes

Airtel (India)

None

AT&T (US)

1111

Chunghwa Telecom (Taiwan)

0000


Fido (Canada)

3436

Globe (Philippines)

Post-paid: 1234
Pre-paid: Contact carrier

O2 (UK)

0000 or 5555

Orange (France)

0000

Rogers (Canada)

1234

SingTel (Singapore)

1234

Sonera (Finland)

0000

Telia (Denmark)

None

Vodafone (India)

None

 

Personal Unlocking Key (PUK)

If you enter the PIN incorrectly three times, you may need to enter a Personal Unlocking Key (PUK) to enable your SIM card again. Refer to the SIM card documentation or contact your carrier. Important: Entering an incorrect PUK code too many times will result in the SIM becoming permanently locked. If this occurs, you will need to contact your carrier for a replacement SIM card.

Additional Information

When restoring the iPhone software, you will need to unlock the SIM card to complete the restore process. iTunes and the iPhone display the following prompts to notify you:

[Locked SIM screenshot] [iTunes cannot activate your iPhone screenshot]
iPhone iTunes

 

To complete the restore process:

  1. Disconnect the iPhone.
  2. Tap Unlock on the iPhone.
  3. Enter the SIM PIN to unlock the SIM card.
  4. Reconnect the iPhone.

Important: Mention of third-party websites and products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance or use of information or products found at third-party websites. Apple provides this only as a convenience to our users. Apple has not tested the information found on these sites and makes no representations regarding its accuracy or reliability. There are risks inherent in the use of any information or products found on the Internet, and Apple assumes no responsibility in this regard. Please understand that a third-party site is independent from Apple and that Apple has no control over the content on that website. Please contact the vendor for additional information.

Not helpful Somewhat helpful Helpful Very helpful Solved my problem