New iOS 5.0.1 Build 9A406 Intended to Fix 'No SIM Card' Errors on iPhone 4S

Yesterday, we noted that Apple had quietly released a tweaked version of iOS 5.0.1. The purpose of the tweak was a mystery given that the update was not being pushed to all users and only made available to those newly updating to iOS 5.0.1. The new version arrived as Build 9A406, and increment of one over the original iOS 5.0.1 release.

But based on a new Apple support document, it now appears that the updated build may have been designed to address an issue some users have been experiencing with SIM card-related errors. With the update affecting a relatively small portion of users, Apple may have elected not to push it out to all users in the form of an iOS 5.0.2 software update, and instead rely on those users who are having problems following Apple's advice and obtaining the new build through the restore process outlined as a solution for the issue.

no sim card installed
Last month, some attention was turned on Apple as a quickly-growing thread in Apple's discussion forums revealed a number of users experiencing problems with either a "No Service" or "No SIM Card Installed" warning popping up on their iPhone 4S devices. From Apple's new support document:

In certain situations, iPhone 4S may have difficulty recognizing a micro-SIM card, resulting in the following behaviors:

- "Invalid SIM" or "No SIM Card installed" alert appears intermittently.
- Status bar displays "No Service" or "Searching" in a location with good network coverage.

Apple goes on to describe the recommended solution for the issue, which involves backing up and then restoring the device, an action that involves iTunes pulling down the new Build 9A406 of iOS 5.0.1 and installing it on the user's device. Once the device's system has been restored, the user can then restore content and settings from a backup.

1. Back up your user content and settings using iTunes or iCloud. See this article for more information.
2. Restore your iPhone 4S using iTunes.
3. After the process is complete, restore your user content and settings from your backup.
4. To confirm that you've successfully restored, verify that the version is now iOS 5.0.1 (9A406) in Settings > General > About.

Unfortunately, user reports on the new build appear to be mixed, with some users reporting that it does indeed fix their "no SIM card" issues while others have seen no improvement. It is unclear at this time exactly why results are mixed and whether the fix addresses only some subset of the root causes of the issue or if some other factor is in play. Consequently, we may have to wait for more users to try applying the update before drawing more specific conclusions.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

mms13 Avatar
160 months ago
Just give me 5.1 and please make my battery better.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pizzafootbal Avatar
160 months ago
Now why wouldn't Apple release 5.0.1.1 or 5.0.2?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PurrBall Avatar
160 months ago
If you're still having the problem, just go to your carrier and get a new SIM. Worked for me.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Piggie Avatar
160 months ago
Jeez, how can one company have so many problems with just one phone.

Can you imagine the mess they'd be in if they had 20 or 30 phones they had to support!

Amazing.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bjeff6 Avatar
160 months ago
RE: Battery

I don't know about anyone else's experiences with this whole issue is but I had VERY POOR battery issues with the 1st iPhone 4S I purchased and no matter what nothing could/would fix it. Second iPhone 4S, better battery but still lacking on iOS 5.0 and 5.01. I am now finally seeing OUTSTANDING battery life on iOS 5.0.1 9A406. I had tried the developer releases (both of them) but neither helped with poor battery issues... I choose to roll back to iOS 5.0.1 9A405 until this new release came out, oddly it was about 50MB smaller than 9A405, I suspect it is missing the Carrier IQ stuff... Just a guess though

Of course, YMMV so take it for what it's worth but I am still on 100% battery with light usage (checked email and loaded Facebook) with about 4 hours standby included... Very pleased

:)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
garylapointe Avatar
160 months ago
Delta Updates?

I thought one feature of the new iOS was to be able to do minor incremental updates and not have to do major updates...

That should make something like this relatively minor. And it should have a new number if there are changes, you shouldn't have to know the version and the 4 digit hex code. 5.0.1b would work just fine....

Gary
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
iOS 17 Passkey With Apple ACCOUNT Feature

'Apple ID' Expected to Change to 'Apple Account' Starting With iOS 18

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:13 am PDT by
MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to rebrand "Apple ID" to "Apple Account" across its software platforms and websites like iCloud.com as early as this year, and now Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has corroborated this change. A mockup of the new Apple Account branding In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said the new "Apple Account" branding will start to be used later this...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...