Use a SIM PIN for your iPhone or iPad

Lock your SIM card with a PIN (personal identification number) so an identification code is required to make phone calls and use mobile data.

To stop other people using your SIM card to make phone calls or use mobile data, you can use a SIM PIN. Then, every time you restart your device or remove the SIM card, your SIM card will be locked automatically and you'll see "Locked SIM" in the status bar.

Don't try to guess your SIM PIN. The wrong guess can lock your SIM card permanently, meaning you would need a new SIM card.

Turn your SIM PIN on or off

  1. If you have an iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > SIM PIN. If you have an iPad, go to Settings > Mobile Data > SIM PIN.
  2. Turn on your SIM PIN or turn it off.
  3. If asked, enter your SIM PIN. If you've never used one, enter the default SIM PIN from your network provider. If you don't know what the default SIM PIN is, don't try to guess it. Check your network provider's customer service page or the documents that came with your wireless plan. Or you can contact your network provider.
  4. Tap Done.

If you have forgotten or don't know your SIM PIN

Never try to guess a SIM PIN or PUK code. * The wrong guess can permanently lock your SIM card, and then you would need a new SIM card. If your device asks for a PIN or code that you don't know, here's what to do:

  1. Contact the network provider that gave you the SIM card. If you aren't sure which network provider to call, remove your iPhone SIM card or iPad SIM card and check the card for the network provider's name or logo.
  2. Ask your network provider to help you unlock your SIM card using the default SIM PIN or PUK code.
  3. If you can't unlock your SIM card using the SIM PIN or PUK code or if an alert states, "PUK exhausted", ask for a new SIM card.

*If you enter the wrong SIM PIN too many times, your wireless network provider may be able to give you a Personal Unlocking Key (PUK).

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