Enter SIM card PIN - Android message

What to when you get the "Enter SIM card PIN" message on your Samsung or other Android device

At Test and Review we decided that in 2022 we will dedicate some time showing resolutions to different tech problems on various platforms and devices. 

Today we are taking a closer look at the Enter SIM card PIN message that pops up on Android devices when turning on or after restart. The device we have on site is an old but might Samsung Galaxy S9 currently with Android 10 and One UI version 2.5. 

This message is asking for the SIM card PIN (Personal Identification Number) for your Android device. The SIM card PIN is a security feature that helps protect your SIM card from unauthorized use. It is typically a four- or eight-digit code that you enter when prompted to unlock the SIM card.

The "Enter SIM card PIN" message on an Android device means that the device is prompting the user to enter the PIN code for the SIM card that is currently inserted in the device. This is a security feature that is used to prevent unauthorized access to the device's SIM card. The SIM card PIN is typically provided by the service provider and can be changed by the user if desired. If the incorrect SIM card PIN is entered multiple times, the SIM card may become locked and require a PUK code to unlock it.

If you do not know your SIM card PIN, you can contact your mobile service provider for assistance or refer to your device's documentation.

What to do when the Enter SIM card PIN message shows up on your screen?

Basically, the Enter SIM card PIN message is showing up on your phone because it was turned off or new SIM card was inserted. What you need to do is the following:

• Put your SIM card PIN to unlock it in this particular device - usually it is at least or only 4 digits
• This is not your phone PIN, do not confuse the two, they are different and most probably you will need to use the phone PIN right after that when the Use PIN after restart message shows.

I know this information is not rocket science but still many consumers get confused when working with PINs and a big mess happens after they lock their SIM card. The process of unlocking your SIM card can be quite complicated sometimes. 

Good luck unlocking your smartphones in 2023! 

You can also check how we resolved the Samsung Warning: Unplug charger immediately problem.