iPhone users across multiple models are waking up to an unexpected problem. After charging their devices overnight, they’re finding their SIM cards locked and asking for PIN codes, even though the phones haven’t actually restarted. The issue started appearing shortly after Apple rolled out iOS 26 in late September, and it’s affecting everything from the iPhone 13 mini to the iPhone 15 and beyond.
What makes this bug strange is that affected users aren’t being prompted to enter their device passcode or Face ID unlock, which would normally happen after a phone restart. Instead, only the SIM PIN is requested, suggesting something specific is happening with cellular connectivity during extended periods of inactivity. Multiple users in Apple’s support forums have confirmed this behavior, with one iPhone 15 owner noting the issue happens “consistently after several hours of inactivity”.
The problem appears most frequently during overnight charging sessions, typically occurring somewhere between 1 am to 4 am. Users on Reddit’s iOS community have been comparing notes, with dozens reporting identical experiences across iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 15 models. One user pointed out that the bug even affects both physical SIM cards and eSIMs simultaneously.
A Facebook discussion in the iOS group shows users from different parts of the world experiencing the same overnight locking behavior.
Some reports online have suggested this could be an intentional security measure introduced in iOS 26. However, there’s no evidence to support this theory. Apple’s official support documentation still states that SIM PIN codes should only be required “every time you restart your device or remove the SIM card”. The overnight locking behavior doesn’t fit this description.
Apple support representatives in the forums have been directing users to run diagnostics or contact Apple directly, but there’s no official acknowledgment.
The iOS 26.0.1 update released on September 30 hasn’t resolved the issue for all users, with some reporting the problem continues even after installing the patch. For now, affected users are left choosing between disabling their SIM PIN security entirely or dealing with the daily inconvenience of unlocking their cards each morning.
We’ll keep an eye out for any further details and will update this article if there’s something to share. Feel free to drop a comment below to let us know if you too are facing the problem.
Dwayne Cubbins
1747 Posts
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.
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