This is the modern way of activating a SIM card on a new device, and it will likely replace physical SIM cards. The possibility of removing the physical SIM card tray from our devices is no longer ...
If your SIM card is locked and requesting a PUK code ... Get a New SIM for the Same Number If the previous methods fail, you can replace the old SIM with a new one that has the same number.
Power down the phone, then replace the old SIM card with a SIM from a different network. Check that the iPhone is able to connect a phone call over the new network. That’s the short version ...