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Why is my iPhone asking for a SIM PIN every morning after the iOS 26 update?
iPhone users operating on iOS 26.x have reported a persistent connectivity failure where devices spontaneously lock the SIM card. This error severs cellular access until the user manually intervenes. The issue emerged following the October 2025 release cycle and affects various models, including the iPhone 15 series.
Symptoms and Behavior
The primary symptom is the sudden termination of cellular network services. Users report that the device demands a PIN entry to reconnect, mimicking the behavior of a fresh reboot. However, system logs and user observations confirm the devices have not restarted.
This anomaly typically manifests during periods of inactivity or when the device enters extended Sleep Mode, such as overnight. Consequently, users often miss incoming calls and notifications, discovering the disconnection only upon waking the device. While most prompts request the standard SIM PIN, specific reports from technical forums indicate that some devices escalate the lock, requiring the PUK (Personal Unblocking Key) to restore access.
Scope of Impact
Troubleshooting data aggregated from Apple Support Communities and MacRumors forums suggests the bug is software-centric rather than hardware-dependent.
- Version Spread: The failure persists across iOS versions 26.0 through 26.2.
- SIM Type: The issue replicates on both physical SIM cards and eSIM configurations.
- Dual-SIM: Users operating single and dual-SIM setups report identical instability, indicating the problem lies within the iOS baseband management rather than the card slot itself.
Current Status and Mitigation
As of January 2026, Apple has not issued a formal acknowledgment or specific patch for this behavior. Standard troubleshooting steps, such as network resets or replacing the physical SIM, have proven ineffective for most users.
Recommended Workaround:
Until a firmware update addresses the root cause, the only reliable prevention method is disabling the SIM PIN security feature.
- Navigate to Settings > Cellular.
- Select your SIM/eSIM.
- Tap SIM PIN and toggle the switch to Off.
Note: Disabling the SIM PIN removes a layer of security. Re-enable this feature immediately once Apple releases a corrective update.