Lock Those Cell Phone Sim Cards, The Crooks Figured Out How to Bypass Two Factor Authentication!

Lock Your SIM Card: A Simple Step to Protect Your Phone

Most of us know how important it is to lock our phones with a passcode, fingerprint, or face ID. But here’s something many people forget: your SIM card needs protection too.

Your SIM card is the tiny chip inside your phone that connects you to your mobile network. Without it, your phone can’t make calls, send texts, or use data. If someone gets hold of your SIM, they could pop it into another phone and pretend to be you—scary, right?

That’s where a SIM lock comes in.

What’s a SIM lock?

A SIM lock is like a PIN code for your SIM card. When it’s turned on, you’ll be asked to enter your SIM PIN every time you restart your phone or move the SIM to another device. No PIN, no access.

It’s a simple way to make sure no one can use your SIM card without your permission.

Why should you lock your SIM?

• Stop strangers from using your plan: If your phone is lost or stolen, nobody can rack up charges on your number.

• Keep your texts and calls private: Hackers can’t just move your SIM to another phone and read your messages.

• Extra security for your accounts: Many apps and banks still send security codes via text. A locked SIM helps keep those codes safe.

How to Lock Your SIM

Check with your specific cellular provider. I googled “how to lock my SIM” on my type of phone and got an accurate answer. I connected to my carrier's app and then went to settings > security and locked all the phones connected to my account with the click of a couple of buttons.

On iPhone:

1.    Open Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data).

2.    Tap SIM PIN.

3.    Turn it on and set a PIN.

4.    Restart your phone to check it works.

On Android (may vary by brand):

1.    Open Settings → Security.

2.    Tap Set up SIM card lock.

3.    Switch on Lock SIM card and choose your PIN.

4.    Restart to test.

👉 Tip: Your carrier might have given you a default PIN (like 0000 or 1234). Change it right away to something unique. Just don’t forget it—after too many wrong tries, you’ll need a special code from your carrier to unlock your SIM.

Quick Tips

• Pick a PIN that’s different from your phone’s passcode.

• Write your PUK code (the backup unlock code) somewhere safe.

• Combine SIM locking with your phone’s screen lock for double protection.

Bottom Line

Locking your SIM card is a quick, easy step that makes your phone safer. It only takes a minute, and once it’s done, you won’t have to think about it again—until you really need it.

Your SIM card is just as important as your phone’s lock screen. So why not give it the protection it deserves?