"No SIM" message - Do I believe AT&T's answer?

Ask - DEMAND- ATT to unlock your phone and buy a local SIM card. It's the least to expect.

Unlocking isn't always as easy as people say. My iPhone 5 was unlocked and contrary to all the advice here on the forum , my husband calling ATT , mr going to a Wind and Vodafone store here in Italy my unlocked iPhone never worked. I've been using an Italian friend's old phone here. When I return to the states I will try and figure out why. Numerous phone calls and assurances that it is unlocked have not resolved the issue. A long 5 months trying to use a Windows phone!

keri,

You could try once again to power cycle the phone, but that's a long shot and probably won't solve the problem. I suspect the reboot changed some of the settings that were allowing the phone to operate on European networks.

This may help (although still a long shot) - https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201420

Do you know if your phone is unlocked? If not a phone call to AT&T should solve that. I know that as all it took to get my phone unlocked was a quick call to the carrier. They change a software code and it's done (I was told the same thing by an Apple rep.).

If the phone is unlocked, go to a mobile phone shop and buy a PAYG SIM. Vodaphone is probably the best bet. In Malta the staff will probably speak English, as you may need some help setting it up. Be sure you're clear on the method for topping up once you leave the country of purchase.

The agent asked you if Malta was in the U.S. - seriously???

Thanks, all. Yes, Ken, my heart sank when he asked if Malta was in or out of the US.

The good news. I was chatting (and posting) around midnight. I had powered off and on a couple of times then (had moved chat to the iPad so as to not disrupt the exchange with the agent). No go. So I powered down the phone and left it. This morning when I powered on it gave me "searching" instead of the No SIM message. Yay! So perhaps those two agents actually did tweak something on their end for the phone and it just took time. (??)

And, no, this phone is not unlocked. I'd considered that as an option and had planned to check the options at a store in Valletta today. But i'm glad I didn't need to go that route.

Ken, Thanks for the link. That one is good; I'd also found this one, which might prove useful to others:
https://www.payetteforward.com/why-does-my-iphone-say-no-sim-card-heres-the-real-fix/

Lots to try. I suppose I'll never know what the actual problem was.

Or maybe the SIM card has a bad/dirty contact. It sometimes helps to turn off, remove and replace SIM card and power on again.
I am glad it is working now

"remembered I was to power cycle when changing countries". Sounds like bum advice to me. You don't normally have to power off and on when changing providers, it does it automatically. People cross borders all the time, and don't have to keep turning their phones off and on.

Thanks, Chris. I don't know where I heard that, but be assured I won't be doing that in the future!

keri,

It sounds like the problem is now sorted, and I assume you have cell service again? If so, you might clarify with AT&T that you're now back on the Passport plan, or you might find a huge bill waiting when you return home.

For future reference, it's not always necessary to power down the phone in case of problems. Switch it to Airplane mode for 30 seconds or so, and when you switch it back on the phone should start searching for a network. This may solve some problems (but not all).

Happy travels!

There's Malta in my state.