You should put a PIN on your SIM card to prevent unauthorized use of your phone number, calls, and data if your phone is lost or stolen, stopping thieves from using your line for calls, texts, or accessing accounts that use SMS for two-factor authentication (2FA) like banking or social media. It adds a crucial security layer by requiring the PIN whenever the phone restarts or the SIM is moved to another device, blocking access until it's entered.
Having a pin code will help protect you from misuse if somebody steals the physical sim, but it does nothing in terms of sim swapping fraud, which happens at the operator (somebody gets a new sim issued on your account, just like you would do if you lost/broke the sim).
What Can Someone Do With Your SIM Card?
However, the big downside of a SIM PIN is that smartphones don't remember it and prompt you each time they reboot (there's no technical reason preventing this, the phone can remember the SIM's ICCID + PIN and automatically unlock it each time it boots if the ICCID matches the registered card's one), so now think about ...
It's a security feature that you (or someone else who accessed your phone) must have enabled. Do remove it, simply go Settings, Security and Set up SIM card lock. Uncheck the Lock SIM card option to get rid of that annoying message.
SIM PIN is an optional feature that when enabled, prevents a SIM card from being used by others for mobile calls or cellular data. Every time the device is restarted or the SIM Card is removed, the SIM card will automatically lock and display "Locked SIM" in the status bar.
Your phone number is linked to everything from your email to your bank account. That's why SIM card exploits can open the door to broader system intrusions and identity theft. Once hackers control your number, they can: Bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) or two-factor authentication (2FA)
Either you've set up a sim pin code, in which case you can turn it off from Settings > Security or you've encrypted your phone which requires a factory reset to remove.
Users of modern smartphones can stay connected without a physical SIM card as long as there is access to the internet. In most cases, you need a Wi-Fi connection for regular communication using a phone without a SIM card.
Can You Tell If Your Phone Has Been Hacked? Unfamiliar apps, losing access to your accounts, call and messaging features that suddenly stop working, and performance issues — such as apps crashing, a hot or loud device, and reduced battery life — are all common signs that your phone has been hacked.
With just your number, a cybercriminal could try and scam you or your loved ones, sell it on the dark web, or dupe you into disclosing more info. Then, combined with other data like your name, email, and birthday, they could attempt to hack your personal accounts or commit identity theft.
Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on or inside ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture card data and record cardholders' PIN entries. Criminals use the data to create fake payment cards and then make unauthorized purchases or steal from victims' accounts.
Common Alternatives to SIM Ejectors
Safety Pin: A small safety pin can be used similarly to a paperclip. Carefully insert the pointed end into the SIM tray's pinhole and press gently to eject the tray. Staple: A sturdy staple, such as one from a stapler refill, can be unfolded and used to eject the SIM card tray.
Do I need to use a pin code with my eSIM? No, unlike physical SIM cards, eSIM doesn't require you to use a pin code. However, you can turn this on if you prefer.
Here's how you can avoid SIM jacking or SIM swap fraud: Add a SIM lock and other account passcodes. Every time your SIM card is removed, it locks and requests a PIN number. Most Apple and Android devices have setup instructions available.
Setting a SIM PIN seems like an extra chore, yet it shields you from several risks. Stops unauthorized calls and texts: With a SIM card PIN in place, the network refuses to connect. This keeps the thief from running up charges or tricking your contacts.
Lock your SIM card or eSIM with a PIN (personal identification number) to require an identification code for phone calls and cellular-data usage. To protect your SIM card or eSIM from others using it for phone calls or cellular data, you can use a SIM PIN.
While carriers benefit from locking you into their network, it comes with limitations for users. Restricted Freedom: A SIM lock prevents you from switching to a different wireless carrier, even if they offer better deals or coverage.
WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted and messages are stored on your device. A WhatsApp account can only be registered with one phone number at a time. It's not possible to recover an account without a SIM card with the same phone number as your account.
How identity theft happens
After three wrong tries, your SIM automatically locks itself. You'll then see a message asking for your PUK code — short for Personal Unblocking Key. That PUK is an 8-digit code only your carrier can give you. Enter it correctly, and you can reset your SIM PIN.
Your photos, videos, contacts, apps, ringtones… everything else that isn't your phone number, will still be on your phone after you remove the SIM card.