Can I turn off the SIM PIN request entirely?

Yes, in the same menu under Tap on SIM lock you can disable the PIN request toggle instead of just changing the PIN. Some carriers still ask for the current PIN once to confirm the change.

Does changing the SIM PIN also change my phone's screen lock code?

No, the SIM PIN and your device screen lock are separate. Changing one has no effect on the other, and you can use different codes for each.

I forgot my old SIM PIN before trying to change it. What now?

You need the PUK code from your carrier to unlock the SIM first. Once unlocked with the PUK, Android lets you set a brand new SIM PIN right away.

Android

Android: Change Your SIM PIN

If your carrier ships the SIM card with a default PIN, you are stuck typing a code you never picked yourself every time the phone restarts. Mistype that PIN too often and the SIM locks completely, which means a call to your carrier for a PUK reset just to get back online.

Updated: 04.08.20265 min6 steps

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Android

Change SIM PIN auf Android

Most carriers activate a SIM PIN by default. It protects the SIM card itself, not the phone, so a stranger who swaps your SIM into another device still hits the lock screen for it.

Keeping the carrier-assigned default PIN is risky. If you never wrote it down and enter it wrong three times in a row, Android locks the SIM completely and asks for a PUK code from your carrier instead. Changing the PIN to something you actually remember avoids that situation.

To change it, go to Tap on Settings ➔ Tap on Security & privacy ➔ Tap on More security & privacy ➔ Tap on SIM lock ➔ Tap on Change SIM PIN. Enter the old PIN first, then follow the on-screen instructions to set the new one.

This setting only exists if your carrier and SIM card support a PIN lock. Dual-SIM phones list each SIM separately, so confirm you are editing the correct one before saving changes.

Frequently asked questions

After three failed attempts, Android locks the SIM card and asks for a PUK code instead of the PIN. You get that code from your carrier, and entering the PUK incorrectly too often can permanently block the SIM.

Network & Connectivity

Android: Change Your SIM PIN

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