iPhone Troubleshooting Mechanical Issues
Troubleshooting Home button or Touch ID issues
Troubleshooting SIM card issues
Troubleshooting Taptic Engine or haptic feedback issues
Troubleshooting Home button or Touch ID issues
Identify issues
Note: This procedure is for iPhone models with Home buttons. Check tech specs to verify iPhone features.
Read this article if you notice any of these issues:
The Home button doesn't respond
Can't feel taptic feedback when pressing the Home button
Unable to read a fingerprint
Unable to enroll a finger in Touch ID settings
Unable to make a purchase using Touch ID
Use the Home, side, and other buttons on your iPad
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Not everyone may be able to use the fingerprint scanner feature. Some people lack the impedance needed to activate biometric sensors, which is normal and not a service issue. If possible, try to activate a functioning device with Touch ID to verify whether you're among this small group of users.
Clean the iPhone. Clean dirt or debris from the Touch ID sensor with a clean, lint-free cloth.
Ensure that your fingers are clean and dry.
Note: Moisture, lotions, sweat, oils, cuts, or particularly dry skin may affect fingerprint recognition. Certain activities can also temporarily affect fingerprint recognition, including exercising, showering, swimming, cooking, other conditions.
Check for obstructions such as a screen protector around the Touch ID sensor and ring.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Note: Service is not recommended for issues with a specific finger or fingers. If you have an issue with specific fingers, be aware that in some cases Touch ID may be unable to match those fingers consistently. The cause is usually the readability of the specific fingerprint. You can try to enroll the finger later or use a different finger for Touch ID. If you’re unable to enroll any fingers on the device, then the Touch ID sensor may have a service issue.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Test a single click and double click on the Home button.
Press and hold the Home button for Voice Control or Siri.
With the display off, press the Home button and verify that the display turns on.
When you press the Home button, verify that the haptic feedback simulates a physical button press.
Rest your finger on the Home button while you press the Home button or side button to wake the device. When a user who has an enrolled fingerprint is recognized, the device should unlock.
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone Repair Manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the display.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting SIM card issues
Identify issues
Note: This procedure is for iPhone models with SIM trays. Some iPhone models, such iPhone 14 and later models purchased in the United States, do not have a physical SIM card and SIM tray. These models have an eSIM. Check tech specs to verify iPhone features.
Read these articles if you notice any of these issues:
“Invalid SIM card installed” appears
“No SIM card installed” appears
“Different SIM detected” appears
Learn which size SIM card your iPhone or iPad uses
Remove or switch the SIM card in your iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Ensure that the iPhone has an active plan with a wireless carrier.
Ensure that the SIM card is authorized for use with the iPhone. A non-Apple authorized carrier SIM card may cause SIM alert messages. Inserting a SIM card that isn’t the SIM used for the current iPhone activation may cause SIM alert messages.
If a “Locked SIM” message in the iPhone status bar appears, use the personal identification number (PIN) to unlock the SIM.
Ensure that the correct SIM tray is installed in the iPhone.
Note: SIM trays vary slightly in size and shape.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
Use a SIM removal tool to eject the SIM tray. Ensure that the tray ejects. If ejecting the tray is difficult, replace the SIM tray.
Inspect the SIM tray for damage. If it's damaged, replace the SIM tray.
Ensure that the SIM tray is correct for the iPhone model. If it’s incorrect, replace the SIM tray.
Remove the SIM card by using a SIM removal tool to eject the SIM tray. Ensure that the SIM card is flush with the tray during reinstallation. If inserting the SIM tray is difficult, replace it.
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone Repair Manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the SIM tray.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Troubleshooting Taptic Engine or haptic feedback issues
Identify issues
Read this article if you notice this issue:
iPhone doesn’t vibrate when expected
Use the side, Home, and other buttons on your iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.
Try quick troubleshooting steps
Restart the iPhone. If the iPhone doesn’t restart, try to force restart the iPhone.
Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.
Run manual and diagnostic tests
If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:
On an iPhone with a Ring/Silent switch, move the switch toward the display so the orange indicator isn’t showing — the Ring position. On models with an Action button, ensure that the device is set to Ring with the Action button or Control Center.
Use another phone to call the iPhone.
Listen to the iPhone and feel it while it’s ringing. The iPhone should emit a ring tone and vibrate.
On an iPhone with a Ring/Silent switch, move the switch away from the display so the orange indicator is showing — the Silent position. On models with an Action button, ensure that the device is set to Silent with the Action button or Control Center.
Listen to the iPhone and feel it while it’s ringing. The iPhone should vibrate but not emit a ring tone.
End the call.
Open and inspect the iPhone
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following support articles or running diagnostics tests, refer to the iPhone Repair Manual to open and inspect the iPhone. A damaged or out-of-place part may be causing one of the issues.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.
Replace the part
If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, replace the Taptic Engine.
Note: This section requires ordering parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.