Apple suggests the annoying “SIM Not Supported” error that some iPhone 14 owners are getting could be fixed in a future iOS 16 software update.
- What’s happening? Apple says an error message saying “SIM Not Supported” that some iPhone 14 owners are seeing isn’t indicative of a hardware problem.
- Why care? Because hardware problems can rarely be fixed in software.
- What to do? Wait until Apple releases a software update to fix this issue.
Is the iPhone 14 “SIM Not Supported” error a bug?
In a memo Apple sent to its retail staff, seen by MacRumors, the company acknowledges that the “SIM Not Supported” bug may affect some customers of the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. When the issue manifests itself, the device may freeze and require a restart.
The memo acknowledges that Apple is “investigating” the issue problem, underscoring that “customers should keep their software up to date.”
As the investigation is ongoing, Apple advises customers to wait a few minutes to see if the message disappears. If it doesn’t, customers should not attempt to restore the device, Apple emphasizes in the memo.
So, what should then I do if I see this error?
Instead, customers should head to an Apple store or authorized service provider where a request for technical assistance can be submitted, and the issue resolved.
The memo doesn’t make it clear whether this problem affects all iPhone 14 units sold worldwide or is restricted to eSIM-only devices sold in the United States.
It is no secret that iOS 16 is an unusually buggy release for Apple. The SIM Not Supported” error appears to be one of the bugs that iOS 16.0.1, iOS 16.0.2 and iOS 16.0.3 have failed to address. Read: 15 fixes for iPhone SIM problems
Our take: Why doesn’t Apple disclose a workaround?
If you were expecting a class action, Apple says this is a software bug and not a hardware issue. Apple would be wise to avoid any recall of the affected units. To this date, no iPhone model has been recalled over a hardware problem. Maybe that’s why Apple insists this problem isn’t rooted in hardware in the first place?
But why does then the memo instruct Apple’s retail staff to send a customer to an Apple store or authorized service provider to get “the issue resolved”?
Resolved precisely how? By issuing a new unit to the customer? Or installing a software fix that’s yet to release publicly? If there is some kind of software workaround to mitigate this annoying problem, Apple surely isn’t disclosing it.
Will iOS 16.1 fix the “SIM Not Supported” error?
The jury is still out there on this one. iOS 16.1 is going to bring even more fixes for the numerous bugs in iOS 16, that’s for sure. We’ll be surprised if the release doesn’t resolve this particular annoyance with the SIM not being recognized.
By the way, Apple, how’s that while work-from-home thing going for ya’? Are your quality assurance people still stuck at home, using old devices and last year’s iOS?
Because if not, it sure feels like it! Whether your software quality has taken such a strong hit due to the pandemic and “the whole work-from-home thing” is irrelevant.
Dear Tim Apple, If you’re going to be building medical and automotive devices in the future, then you better bring your processes in order because your quality assurance—pardon my French—sucks currently. Read: How to change your iPhone’s SIM PIN