Old IPhone SE No Sim Card - Sim Card Tray Damaged?

[ronniejoe]

Gently, gently tap with the smallest hammer you can find or use pliers. Something like this if a small hammer isn't available
View attachment 1828852

Ear, tab, flange many different names used to describe that area of the tray

I used one of those pliers in the photo to unbend it. I then put sim card into the sim card tray and pushed it back in.. It doesn't look like its pushed back in completely but very close to it though. But when i power on iphone... still shows


No Sim


So should i take out the sim card and tray out and try it again?


Is there a way to find out if my sim card is damaged or not?


Would it require me putting my sim card in someone else's iphone? But if i do that, what could they see on their iphone? They won't have any of my information right besides my contacts and name?


How do i know if its damage to the sim card or if its the iphone itself? Is there a good chance i didn't put in the sim card correctly?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I used one of those pliers in the photo to unbend it. I then put sim card into the sim card tray and pushed it back in.. It doesn't look like its pushed back in completely but very close to it though. But when i power on iphone... still shows


No Sim


So should i take out the sim card and tray out and try it again?


Is there a way to find out if my sim card is damaged or not?


Would it require me putting my sim card in someone else's iphone? But if i do that, what could they see on their iphone? They won't have any of my information right besides my contacts and name?


How do i know if its damage to the sim card or if its the iphone itself? Is there a good chance i didn't put in the sim card correctly?

You have a new pic after bending it?

 

[ronniejoe]

You have a new pic after bending it?

yes

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Care to share it so I can see the repair

 

[ronniejoe]

Yea I will post it up in few minutes. For some reason having some issue with my iphone at the moment sending to my email.

 

[ronniejoe]

Care to share it so I can see the repair

For some reason, when i send the pictures from my phone to the email, it doesn't send for some reason. Earlier it did... I do not know why.


I will post the new pics in a bit but is there a way to find out if the sim card is damaged though?


Also where i put the sim card into that sim tray... is it suppose to fit in exactly to where if you hold the sim tray, it won't fall off? Because even though the sim card does go inside the sim tray, it falls easily the moment i am not touching both the sim card/tray together. But i think its always like that?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

For some reason, when i send the pictures from my phone to the email, it doesn't send for some reason. Earlier it did... I do not know why.


I will post the new pics in a bit but is there a way to find out if the sim card is damaged though?


Also where i put the sim card into that sim tray... is it suppose to fit in exactly to where if you hold the sim tray, it won't fall off? Because even though the sim card does go inside the sim tray, it falls easily the moment i am not touching both the sim card/tray together. But i think its always like that?

It needs to be held or at least carefully inserted into the phone. You should be able to download pictures directly from your device to the website. When you click on attach files you'll get a option to download from your photos

 

[ronniejoe]

It needs to be held or at least carefully inserted into the phone. You should be able to download pictures directly from your device to the website. When you click on attach files you'll get a option to download from your photos

Well what I do is i send the pictures from the email on my iphone to another email on my computer. Then i upload these pictures on to this site from the computer at the moment.

 

[ronniejoe]

For some reason, the pictures got sent an hour later... I do not know why. But here are the pictures of it.



Well when i put the sim card into the sim card tray... assuming i just hold it like that... it is like in place. But let say i were to turn it over while not holding it... then it falls down. That is normal right? Like when you put the sim card into the sim tray... its like you putting a jigsaw puzzle in it... but if you were to turn it around or anything without holding it... it drops. That is normal right?



I do not know if im for sure inserting it correctly... but im just putting it in... along with the sim tray...

 

[BugeyeSTI]

View attachment 1828914View attachment 1828915View attachment 1828916


For some reason, the pictures got sent an hour later... I do not know why. But here are the pictures of it.



Well when i put the sim card into the sim card tray... assuming i just hold it like that... it is like in place. But let say i were to turn it over while not holding it... then it falls down. That is normal right? Like when you put the sim card into the sim tray... its like you putting a jigsaw puzzle in it... but if you were to turn it around or anything without holding it... it drops. That is normal right?



I do not know if im for sure inserting it correctly... but im just putting it in... along with the sim tray...

I place the SIM card into the tray while holding it horizontally then orientate the phone so I can slide it into the slot without having to turn the tray if that makes sense. From the pics it looks like the tab is still slightly bent. Maybe laying it on a flat surface will help you determine when it's flat. It's also possible the card was damaged so if you have access to another phone you might try to install it and see if it works in a different device. It is also very possible the card reader may have been damaged from the drop or it's connector came loose, damage to the logic board solder joints is another possibility. I'd try the easy stuff like test the card in another device and if your technically inclined checking the connection of the reader inside the phone.. There are many YouTube videos showing tear downs of the SE

 

[ronniejoe]

I place the SIM card into the tray while holding it horizontally then orientate the phone so I can slide it into the slot without having to turn the tray if that makes sense. From the pics it looks like the tab is still slightly bent. Maybe laying it on a flat surface will help you determine when it's flat. It's also possible the card was damaged so if you have access to another phone you might try to install it and see if it works in a different device. It is also very possible the card reader may have been damaged from the drop or it's connector came loose, damage to the logic board solder joints is another possibility. I'd try the easy stuff like test the card in another device and if your technically inclined checking the connection of the reader inside the phone.. There are many YouTube videos showing tear downs of the SE

Well the way i put it in... i just hold it horizontally and then push it in. Yea the tab is still slightly bent... it looks like a bit of damage if you look at it closely. But wouldn't that have nothing to do with it though as long as it goes in?


Well i can still use the plier to unbend it. I was unbending it from both directions to make it straight. If you look at the iphone from the side, it looks like its fit in correctly... except the other end of it where its not completely flat because there is some damage to that area.


I don't have another phone with me at the moment. I have just my iphone SE. The thing is could i try this sim card with anyone's iphone or android device? I remember when i went from an old iphone to this iphone, i needed a new sim when i wanted to keep the number.


Well what about going to that phone carrier store and see what they say? Thing is i bought the sim card from that carrier and theres many stores here where you can buy a new sim card. I assume go there... and they would put their sim card on one of their phones to see if it works? If it does... then its my iphone? But if it doesn't... then its the sim card so just buy another sim card even though that means i would have to get a new number?


OKay so you say card reader might be damaged, connector came loose or damage to the logic board solder. So of these three... which is the worst?


So basically to repair this... would be extremely hard and expensive right?


Also in terms of security... is there any security issue if you give someone your sim card and they put it in their phone? Such as what information do they have on their phone when you do that? Is it only your contacts and phone and text call history and nothing else?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

If the sim is going in all the way, and latching, and the phone is not registering the sim, you need a new sim, at the least.

As far as 'sharing' a sim with someone, I have to ask, with all due seriousness, 'Would you share underwear with someone?'. And aside from that, I think you need more help than can be dispensed here. I'd recommend going to a store or reseller for the carrier that you use. And good luck to you...

 

[ronniejoe]

Hey. Well if I need to buy just a new sim, that is fine. The thing is if its an issue with my iphone, that would be my bigger concern.


Well the sim does seem to go all the way. Im pretty sure im putting in the sim correctly. I mean theres only one way to put the sim card into the slot right? Any other way... it won't work. Also when you put the sim card into the sim tray... its not suppose to be like stuck to it like jigsaw puzzie where it doesn't fall even if you flip it over or something like that right? Because the moment i turn it around or flip it over, it drops. So just want to make sure of this.


What do you mean sharing a sim with someone? I meant if i were to put my sim card in someone else's phone to test if my sim is damaged or not... what could they see on their phone when i put my sim there? Like if i go to a phone store and they put my sim card into their phone... they will just have my phone number and my contacts and that is all right? They won't have access to anything else like my email or anything like that? So i ask this for security issues etc because i wouldn't want to give my phone to anyone. Like I don't even feel comfortable leaving my phone at the iphone store etc.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

So basically to repair this... would be extremely hard and expensive right?

If it's the sim, no. They give them away (usually) without much hesitation. If you broke the slot, yeah, that's not an easy fix. Well, it is when they tell you you need a new phone. I don't think anyone could fix that level of damage with a high degree of certainty. If it is the slot, yeah, that's a big ticket fix. And even though I'm pretty good at fixing things, I wouldn't even come close to wanting to try it. Even though I knew I couldn't make things worse.

Do what you want, but I would strongly recommend taking your phone to someone who can really help you, in 'meat-space'. Again, good luck...

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

what could they see on their phone when i put my sim there

I'm not sure.

Some early phones allowed your phone to 'bless' the sim card with information tied to your phone. Some of that information could allow someone to 'clone' your phone. Meaning that they would have a phone that would behave exactly like your phone, on that carrier's network. It could be that the iPhone doesn't do that, but I do not know.

Get real help.

 

[ronniejoe]

If it's the sim, no. They give them away (usually) without much hesitation. If you broke the slot, yeah, that's not an easy fix. Well, it is when they tell you you need a new phone. I don't think anyone could fix that level of damage with a high degree of certainty. If it is the slot, yeah, that's a big ticket fix. And even though I'm pretty good at fixing things, I wouldn't even come close to wanting to try it. Even though I knew I couldn't make things worse.

Do what you want, but I would strongly recommend taking your phone to someone who can really help you, in 'meat-space'. Again, good luck...

Okay would you say its fine to just go to one of those cell phone carriers and have them put my sim card in one of their phones to see if it works on their phone? Then if it works, then i know it has to be my iphone where something is damaged? But if it shows up no sim on their phone, then its almost always a damaged sim card then... which mean i just buy a new sim card from there?


Or go to a phone shop and have them look at it? Obviously they would also take my sim card and put it in one of their phones. So if it show no sim... then thats a good thing since that means its just the sim card and i go to then cell carrier and just buy a new sim? But if it recognizes my sim... then well they going to have to look at my iphone and open it up right? And that would be a very hard and expensive job?


Because if its my iphone that is the issue, I would rather just buy a cheap smartphone to use in the time being until i go back to the US and buy a new iphone.


So what are your thoughts on this?


Go to that cell carrier and have them put my sim card in their phone to see... then buy a new sim card right there if its in fact the sim card? But they could obviously put their sim card in my phone and see if it recognizes it... so then i know its not my iphone that is the issue right?


Or go to a phone repair shop instead? Obviously I cannot fix this issue myself with any tough DIY thing. Also the thing is I don't really trust leaving my phone with people when fixing things since it has to be unlocked right? Could they fix it while its unlocked? But you can't even see if there is a sim card in it when unlocked right?

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Okay would you say its fine to just go to one of those cell phone carriers and have them put my sim card in one of their phones to see if it works on their phone? Then if it works, then i know it has to be my iphone where something is damaged? But if it shows up no sim on their phone, then its almost always a damaged sim card then... which mean i just buy a new sim card from there?


Or go to a phone shop and have them look at it? Obviously they would also take my sim card and put it in one of their phones. So if it show no sim... then thats a good thing since that means its just the sim card and i go to then cell carrier and just buy a new sim? But if it recognizes my sim... then well they going to have to look at my iphone and open it up right? And that would be a very hard and expensive job?


Because if its my iphone that is the issue, I would rather just buy a cheap smartphone to use in the time being until i go back to the US and buy a new iphone.


So what are your thoughts on this?


Go to that cell carrier and have them put my sim card in their phone to see... then buy a new sim card right there if its in fact the sim card? But they could obviously put their sim card in my phone and see if it recognizes it... so then i know its not my iphone that is the issue right?


Or go to a phone repair shop instead? Obviously I cannot fix this issue myself with any tough DIY thing. Also the thing is I don't really trust leaving my phone with people when fixing things since it has to be unlocked right? Could they fix it while its unlocked? But you can't even see if there is a sim card in it when unlocked right?

Are you American? You are using a domestic carrier, domestic to US? Is your iPhone 'unlocked'?

(I always buy unlocked iPhones. I used to travel a lot internationally, and if you are using a US based phone carrier's sim in a foreign country, you are getting raped for phone charges. Like WOW!)

If you are all of the first paragraph, go to a local carrier that offers sims. Some will 'give you' a sim, but require a payment (pay ahead) for service. Some might be able to also test your iPhone to see if it recognizes a different sim. You will end up with a new local phone number with a foreign carriers sim, but if it works, it should be good until you get back. People will need to know your 'new number' to call you. (I remember AT&T charging many dollars per minute to call back to the US, when a local sim in the UK was charging less than $0.10 a minute. People that use their cell phones in foreign countries with domestic carriers are insane, or know someone. Heck, even the AT&T 'special rates' are above the local foreign carriers US call rates. I mean, it's close, but still)

But you need to decide, 'do I need a working phone', if no, power it down and stow it. If you do, you need to think how to get it fixed. An Apple Store might (should) be able to help. A foreign carrier store might be able to help. Weigh how long you have there, and how much of a hassle it's going to be to fix it.

 

[BugeyeSTI]

You can put your SIM card into any phone that it will fit into android or iPhone. Your carrier should give you a new SIM card for free if you ask, at least that's how it works in the U.S. As far as the worst thing it could be, if the solder joints cracked due to the impact then someone that can do board level soldering would have to fix it. If it's the reader, you can purchase a new one online and replace it if you are technically proficient but it isn't as easy as replacing the battery or display so not sure what repairs your comfortable with.. I'd say if a new SIM card doesn't fix it or your SIM card works in other phones, you might as well look for a cheap used phone to hold you over as the repair would most likely cost more than the phone is worth

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

You can put your SIM card into any phone that it will fit into android or iPhone. Your carrier should give you a new SIM card for free if you ask, at least that's how it works in the U.S. As far as the worst thing it could be, if the solder joints cracked due to the impact then someone that can do board level soldering would have to fix it. If it's the reader, you can purchase a new one online and replace it if you are technically proficient but it isn't as easy as replacing the battery or display so not sure what repairs your comfortable with.. I'd say if a new SIM card doesn't fix it or your SIM card works in other phones, you might as well look for a cheap used phone to hold you over as the repair would most likely cost more than the phone is worth

True. 'Resoldering' a device has a 50/50 chance of success or tears. But usually when faced with that issue, you already have a broken device, one that is not working, and putting it on a hot plate isn't likely going to break it anymore than it already is. Sometimes, it works perfectly. Often, from what I've heard, it's a waste of time, but if you knew that ahead of time, you would already have a new device. But some people get lucky...

 

[BugeyeSTI]

True. 'Resoldering' a device has a 50/50 chance of success or tears. But usually when faced with that issue, you already have a broken device, one that is not working, and putting it on a hot plate isn't likely going to break it anymore than it already is. Sometimes, it works perfectly. Often, from what I've heard, it's a waste of time, but if you knew that ahead of time, you would already have a new device. But some people get lucky...

True.. The right way to do it is remove the component, clean off the old solder and contact pads, re-ball and attach it back on the board.. Hardly worth it unless you do the work yourself!

 

[ronniejoe]

I'm American. But im outside the US at the moment. My old iphone SE is unlocked and the sim im using is one of the carriers that are here... thus non-US carrier. Thus im using a foreign sim card. I bought this sim card years ago.


I even use this back in the US as it allows roaming for free. So yea my iphone is unlocked because i travel.


Well the number doesn't mean that much to me. I rarely use this phone number. I use other apps for communication here but i would prefer to keep this number


I still will be here for a while. There is apple store here i believe but i got to assume they would help even though my iphone was bought from the US? Like they would put my sim card in another iphone they have and check and that can pretty much tell me right away if its the sim card or not?


There are other phone shops here. But there is also that foreign carrier store here that sell sim card for it. So im not sure which of these three i should go first. There are small carrier stores here that sell sim card and phone for that carrier.

 

[ronniejoe]

You can put your SIM card into any phone that it will fit into android or iPhone. Your carrier should give you a new SIM card for free if you ask, at least that's how it works in the U.S. As far as the worst thing it could be, if the solder joints cracked due to the impact then someone that can do board level soldering would have to fix it. If it's the reader, you can purchase a new one online and replace it if you are technically proficient but it isn't as easy as replacing the battery or display so not sure what repairs your comfortable with.. I'd say if a new SIM card doesn't fix it or your SIM card works in other phones, you might as well look for a cheap used phone to hold you over as the repair would most likely cost more than the phone is worth

Well my issue is i only have my old iphone SE... thats it. I don't have a spare phone. I also don't have a spare sim card as well like say i kept a US sim card with me... but I don't have one.


Here we have to buy a new sim card. Its not free like in the US but its not expensive.


Well if its something broken inside my iphone, i would most likely buy a cheap android smartphone and use it until i get back to the US. But right now im not sure where i should go first... the apple store here... since im not sure they help people with iphones from the US... or a phone repair shop here... or like that carrier store... those carrier stores are little shops that sell sim for that carrier and also sell other sell phones etc.


Obviously if its the sim card, i just buy a new one.


But im not sure which of the three i should go first.

 

[ronniejoe]

True. 'Resoldering' a device has a 50/50 chance of success or tears. But usually when faced with that issue, you already have a broken device, one that is not working, and putting it on a hot plate isn't likely going to break it anymore than it already is. Sometimes, it works perfectly. Often, from what I've heard, it's a waste of time, but if you knew that ahead of time, you would already have a new device. But some people get lucky...

Well there is zero way i can do this myself. And i don't really want to have a phone repair shop to do this since its probably going to cost a good amount?


Someone else mentioned that if you could actually put the sim tray into the slot without the sim card... there is no issue with it and its the sim card. That statement is incorrect right? Because i could put the sim card tray into it without the sim card with no issue.


Also its impossible for me to put in the sim card/tray incorrectly right? I mean there is literally only one way to put the sim card into the sim tray... and only one way to put the sim tray into the slot.


Well I won't have a new iphone until I go back to the US which will be in a while.


So I need a smartphone to use while here until then.


The wifi and everything else seem to work though.


Also when you click on cellular it shows off and when you click on it... shows nothing. That is how it is when there is no sim right?

 

[ronniejoe]

You can put your SIM card into any phone that it will fit into android or iPhone. Your carrier should give you a new SIM card for free if you ask, at least that's how it works in the U.S. As far as the worst thing it could be, if the solder joints cracked due to the impact then someone that can do board level soldering would have to fix it. If it's the reader, you can purchase a new one online and replace it if you are technically proficient but it isn't as easy as replacing the battery or display so not sure what repairs your comfortable with.. I'd say if a new SIM card doesn't fix it or your SIM card works in other phones, you might as well look for a cheap used phone to hold you over as the repair would most likely cost more than the phone is worth

Okay. So if the sim card i have doesn't work in another phone... such as at the store... then just completely abandon the idea of having them fix it right? That is what i was thinking of as well.


But also... try to have them put a sim card into my phone to see if it would read it right? Then once you do that... that will pretty much confirm if its indeed my iphone that is the issue? I guess this is the most important issue here?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Okay. So if the sim card i have doesn't work in another phone... such as at the store... then just completely abandon the idea of having them fix it right? That is what i was thinking of as well.


But also... try to have them put a sim card into my phone to see if it would read it right? Then once you do that... that will pretty much confirm if its indeed my iphone that is the issue? I guess this is the most important issue here?

Correct on the SIM cards. As far as repairs, Apple wouldn't repair the phone you have they would want to replace it for an out of warranty fee which in the U.S. would be $279. Not sure what a 3rd party repair would cost but there's no guarantee they could fix or how long the repair would last..