Fix iTunes: The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported

Also read: Top 10 Must Have Cydia Tweaks for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch

If this message appear after update iPhone software to iOS 4.1, you should read the latest tutorial how-to jailbreak iOS4.1 by using limera1n.

Or, if you can’t get it work using limera1n, try greenpois0n instead.

Read the latest tutorial how-to jailbreak iOS4.1 by using greenpois0n.

If this message appear after your iPhone 4(4G) or after you updated to iOS4, you will need to activate your iPhone using official SIM card (i.e: AT&T micro SIM card) or phonebook card, because the recent jailbreak tools such as Spirit Jailbreak or JailbreakMe need an activated iPhone (doesn’t support hacktivation like blackra1n does).

Most people will see this problem after restore iPhone software or Update iPhone software.
And then, when the iPhone connected to the computer, iTunes says:

 

The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported.

Only compatible SIM cards from a supported Carrier may be used to activate iPhone.
Please insert the SIM card that came with your iPhone or visit supported Carrier’s store
to receive a replacement SIM card.

If your iPhone is not Factory Unlocked (FU), but you are using unofficial SIM card in the iPhone, you will get this message after restore/update iPhone software, unless you either insert compatible sim cards or continue read this post.

So, how to fix “The SIM card inserted in this iPhone does not appear to be supported” error on iTunes?

iTunes showing this error because your iPhone is asking for activation. You can simply remove this error by inserting official SIM-card where the iPhone locked to. i.e. I have an iPhone which is locked to AT&T carrier (US). When I connect it to iTunes, this issue came up. All I need to do now is inserting AT&T SIM card to iPhone, re-connect to computer, and iTunes will start the activation process.
But, I do not live in the US. Can I still use AT&T SIM card to activate iPhone? YES, you can.
You can buy AT&T SIM card, or any sim card which your iPhone locked to on eBay for a few bucks.

Any other solution?
– Another simple solution to fix this incompatible sim card issue is: jailbreak the iPhone with software which supports hacktivation.

On 3rd November 2009, Hacktivation was supported by blackra1n.
So, you can resolve this issue by read and follow this guide: Jailbreak iPhone 3.1.2 Firmware using blackra1n

On 10th October 2010, Hacktivation is supported by limera1n.
So, you can resolve this issue by read and follow this guide: Jailbreak iOS 4.1 by using limera1n

On 10th October 2010, Hacktivation is supported by greenpois0n.
So, you can resolve this issue by read and follow this guide: Jailbreak iOS 4.1 by using greenpois0n

On 16th February 2011, Hacktivation is supported by PwnageTool 4.2
So, you can resolve this issue by read and follow this guide: Jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 by using PwnageTool 4.2