iPhone: About the SIM PIN
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
| Carrier |
Default SIM PIN
|
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None
|
|
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1111
|
|
|
0000
|
|
3436
|
|
|
|
Post-paid: 1234 |
|
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0000 or 5555
|
|
|
0000
|
|
|
1234
|
|
|
1234
|
|
|
0000
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
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:
![]() |
|
| iPhone | iTunes |
To complete the restore process:
- Disconnect the iPhone.
- Tap Unlock on the iPhone.
- Enter the SIM PIN to unlock the SIM card.
- Reconnect the iPhone.
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![[iTunes cannot activate your iPhone screenshot]](/library/APPLE/APPLECARE_ALLGEOS/HT1316/itunes_alert.png)