7 ways to fix SIM not provided error on Android

Although rare, it is disconcerting to encounter the "SIM not provided" or "SIM not prepared" error on your phone. If the “SIM Provisioning Not Performed MM2” error occurs, there is likely a connection problem between the mobile phone and your Internet operator. Normally, this error occurs if there are functionality problems with the SIM card. Fortunately, there are several solutions to help you resolve the error.

Let's take a look at the possible causes of the error.

• You are using a new SIM card that has not been activated or registered.
• Your carrier's network is slow or unavailable at the moment.
• You are in a location that is not supported on the network by your carrier.
• SIM cards or slots contain foreign materials such as dirt, dust, or moisture.
• Incorrect placement of the SIM card in the slot.
• You are using a SIM card or a malfunctioning device.

Here are the seven best solutions to eliminate the “SIM not provided”, “SIM not prepared” or “SIM not provisioned MM2” error and improve the performance of your device.

1. Restart your phone

The first step to clear the SIM not provided error is restarting the phone. By restarting your device, you allow apps to update. Restarting also helps in restarting blocked applications and this can increase the performance of the phone.

2. Enable and disable airplane mode

Enabling and disabling airplane mode can help restore the network connection. It also helps in discovering network towers which have a better connection to your SIM card. Here's how to turn airplane mode on and off.

• Swipe down from the top of the screen to view the quick settings screen.
• Locate the Airplane button and click on it to turn it on.
• Wait a few seconds and click again to disable the airplane option.

3. Change SIM port or phone

A damaged phone or SIM holder could also be the cause of the error. If you are working with a dual SIM device, we recommend placing the SIM card in different ports to find out if one of them is faulty. Alternatively, place the SIM card in a different device and observe if the error disappears. If not, it's time to try other solutions.

4. Update Android on your phone

If your phone uses outdated software, it could also cause such an error. Although most systems perform automatic updates, a manual check should be performed once in a while. To confirm if your system has pending updates, here is a process you can follow.

• Go to Settings and scroll down to the About phone option and click on it.
• Select the System Update option to check for the latest updates.

If you don't find the updates available on your device, you are using the latest versions. If there are any updates available, run them and see if the error is resolved. In addition to resolving the “SIM not provided”, “SIM not prepared” or “SIM not provisioned MM2” error on your phone, the updates will also improve the performance of your mobile.

5. Position the SIM card correctly

If your SIM card was working fine until recently, it has likely moved from its original location. To make sure incorrect placement does not cause any problems, turn off the device and remove the SIM card.

You can reinsert the SIM card, wait a few seconds and turn on the device. Observe if the error is displayed and if not, it means that the cause of the error was the wrong SIM placement.

6. Make sure the SIM card and slot are clean

A dirty SIM slot can prevent the device from detecting a SIM card. Dirt, moisture, dirt, and dust can block the connections between the SIM card and other device peripherals.

If your device has an open SIM slot, you can use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off the dirt. If you are working with a hollow crack, consider using a can of compressed air to remove foreign materials.

Also, use only clean, dry hands to touch the SIM card and the device. Remember never to blow air into the ports of your device as this introduces moisture which can damage your phone.

7. Contact your telephone operator

Even after you have registered your SIM card, it may take some time for your service provider to activate it. But even so, there may be other problems that could be causing the error.

To rule out registration and activation issues, it is important to contact your service provider. Your service provider will investigate the problem and recommend the best solutions.

What to do if the phone does not read the SIM?

One or more of these fixes should help resolve the “SIM not provided”, “SIM not set up” or “SIM not provisioned MM2” error on your phone.

If the “SIM card not detected” error persists even after trying the above solutions, you may need to check for old and worn parts. 

A broken device or SIM card can restrict access to carrier services. And in the case of an older Android device, consider updating or replacing components, which should help fix the problem.