iPhone SIM Locked Overnight After Charging

Introduction

Many iPhone users are reporting a strange problem following the iOS 26 update — their SIM cards are locking automatically overnight after charging. The next morning, when they pick up their phones, they are prompted to enter the SIM PIN, as if the phone had restarted on its own.

iPhone SIM Locked Overnight After Charging — iOS 26 Update Issue

This issue seems to primarily affect users with iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models, and is being widely discussed across Apple’s community forums.

The Problem: SIM Locking After Charging Overnight

Several iPhone users have experienced the same issue:

“Every morning after charging my iPhone overnight, I’m asked to enter the SIM PIN. It’s like my phone restarted by itself.”

Even though the phone appears to charge normally through the night, it restarts or resets the SIM state, triggering the SIM PIN request. Some users discovered a “SystemMemoryReset” entry in their analytics logs, suggesting that iOS might be performing an automatic background memory reset while charging.

Affected Devices and Versions

The issue has been reported mostly on:

iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
iPhone 15 and 15 Pro
iOS 26.0 and 26.0.1

Although the iOS 26.0.1 patch resolved the issue for some users, others continue to experience the SIM lock every morning after a full charge.

Possible Causes

System Memory Reset:
The logs indicate that iOS sometimes performs a memory reset during charging, which can mimic a reboot and trigger the SIM PIN request.
Automatic Updates or Background Tasks:
If automatic updates or background processes occur while the phone is charging, the system may restart silently.
SIM PIN Security Settings:
When the SIM PIN feature is enabled, iPhones require the PIN only after restarts or SIM card reinsertion. Any software-triggered reset could therefore cause this prompt to appear.
Software Bug in iOS 26:
Multiple users and Apple technicians have confirmed this as a software-related issue, not a hardware problem.

How to Fix iPhone SIM Locked Overnight After Charging — iOS 26 Update

While Apple has not officially acknowledged the bug, several users have shared temporary fixes that worked for them:

1. Update to iOS 26.0.1 or Later

Many users noticed the issue disappeared after updating to iOS 26.0.1, which includes minor system stability improvements.

2. Disable SIM PIN Temporarily

If the problem persists, try turning off the SIM PIN (you can re-enable it later):

Go to Settings → Cellular → SIM PIN → Turn Off SIM PIN
(You’ll need to enter your SIM PIN once to disable it.)

3. Clean or Reseat the SIM Card

If you have a physical SIM, eject it using the SIM tool, gently clean it with your fingers, and reinsert it. This simple action fixed the problem for several users.

4. Force Restart the iPhone

If you’re stuck on the SIM unlocking screen:

Press Volume Up, then Volume Down,
Hold the Power button until you see the Apple logo.
Once the device restarts, reinsert your SIM and enter the PIN again.

5. Avoid Overnight Automatic Updates

Go to Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates and disable automatic installation temporarily to avoid unplanned restarts during charging.

Expert Insight

Apple Support teams in multiple regions have acknowledged the issue as a known software bug related to iOS 26’s background processes. One Apple technician explained that the system “may enter a low-power recovery state during overnight charging,” which triggers SIM reauthentication.

Conclusion

If your iPhone SIM locks itself overnight after charging, you’re not alone. The issue seems to be linked to iOS 26 and has affected many users worldwide.
Updating to the latest iOS version, disabling the SIM PIN temporarily, or reseating your SIM card can help until Apple releases an official fix.

For now, it’s best to monitor future iOS updates closely — Apple is expected to patch this issue in an upcoming release.

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