No sim

[Lc34]

Hi I’m currently abroad in Turkey and my phone is saying no sim and asking me to set up mobile service transfer from a nearby iPhone or use a qr code ? It’s like my phone isn’t attached to a network . I’m currently using hotel wifi but isn’t the most reliable. 
can anyone help ? 

[bristolian]

The SIM provides network authentication so the result of "no SIM" errors tends to be no connection.

Have you used this phone abroad before? Assuming it's a physical SIM, are you using a dual-SIM phone? Check the other slot if so.

[Lc34]

Not dual sim , yes used abroad many times . Can I get a qr code to scan or something?

[XRaySpeX]

Are you on contract or PAYG? Had you used that SIM for making calls or texts in UK before you left to go abroad?

If you are on contract, did you activate roaming on your EE a/c before you left UK by texting ROAMING to 150? Having a roaming billing add-on doesn't of itself activate roaming on your a/c. Having roaming activated on your EE a/c, not just on your device, is crucial to using your contract SIM abroad.

Often just rebooting the phone is the simple remedy. Also try selecting a network manually rather than auto.

Otherwise you need to call CS to get your roaming activated. Try calling CS on the Freephone no. in my sig. on Skype over WiFi. It should be free.

[Lc34]

Hi I’m on a contract the phone was working perfectly fine when I left the UK . I also activated roaming 

[Ali_A]

Hi @Lc34 

Welcome to the Community 🙂

The Mobile Transfer/ QR code it's offering you is to install an eSIM (digital SIM) - 
Mobile transfer is only applicable if you're swapping an eSIM from one iPhone to another. 
The QR code option would need your existing physical SIM card to be working to receive a PIN code to activate it. 

Are you able to test your SIM card in another device at all? And if possible test a different SIM in your phone. 
This would help determine if the SIM card is having an issue, or if it's the phone that is unable to read physical SIM cards. 

Ali