It’s easy to take our iPhones for granted until they stop working. If your iPhone says “No Service”, that’s bad news. You literally can’t make or receive any phone calls, send text messages, or connect to the internet unless you’re using Wi-Fi. Our guide will explain why your iPhone says No Service and how to fix it.
What does the No Service on my iPhone mean?
There are multiple reasons why your iPhone says No Service. Some of the common reasons are a software problem, a hardware problem, or an issue with your cell phone plan. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, so this step-by-step guide through the troubleshooting steps I found most effective.
If you’re on top of a mountain or somewhere whereby no cellular network can be reached, we suggest that you return to society first before you continue. If you’re not, then let’s solve your iPhone No Service problem for good.
1. Make sure your iPhone’s cellular settings are correct.
Here’s the first step to fixing your “iPhone No Service” problem. You might not have set up cellular data settings correctly on your iPhone, resulting in no service. Sometimes, the settings can get changed by accident. However, there is a likelihood that the problem can be fixed by simply turning a setting off and back on.
In Settings -> Mobile Data, you’ll see a variety of settings depending on your carrier, making it difficult to diagnose your iPhone’s cellular settings.
Go to Settings, click on Mobile Data, and make sure Mobile Data is on. If it is, try turning it off and back on again.
Changing the voice and data settings can also help to solve the problem since some voice and data signals in a nearby area can interfere with your iPhone’s connection. These simple steps will help you change the settings:
Go to Mobile Data Options -> Data Roaming and make sure Voice Roaming is turned on. Voice & Data should be on for most people in the United States. Carriers don’t charge for cellular roaming like they used to.
Warning: Turn off Voice Roaming when traveling abroad to avoid a massive phone bill.
Go to Settings -> Network Selection and turn off automatic network selection. Manually selecting your cellular network may fix your iPhone No Service issue. Many readers will not see this option on their iPhones, and that’s completely fine. It only applies to certain carriers.
Check your coverage area
The next step to fixing your “iPhone No Service” problem is by ensuring that you’re within an area with cellular network coverage.
You should restart the cellular data after turning it off. You can also go to Settings, then tap Cellular or Mobile Data. If you’re using an iPad, you might see Settings, followed by Mobile Data.
If you are traveling abroad, ensure your device is configured to use data roaming.
1. Go to Settings, followed by Mobile Data.
2. Click on Mobile Data Options
3. Press on Data Roaming.
SOS or SOS only: What does it mean?
You can still make emergency calls while not connected to a network if you see SOS or “SOS only” in the status bar. This feature is, however, only available in Australia, Canada, and the United States.
If you are using AT&T’s 3G network
AT&T is phasing out their 3G network gradually. Seeing No Service in iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, or iPad 2 Wi-Fi + Cellular? Contact your carrier to discuss your options. If you have an iPhone 6 or later or an iPad (3rd generation) or later, follow these steps:
1. Make sure that your iPhone and iPad are updated to the latest versions of iOS and iPadOS.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular. Then:
- For iPhone. Tap Cellular Data Options, then Enable LTE.
- For iPad. Turn on LTE.
3. If your iPhone says No Service after following the steps above, reach out to your carrier.
5G-enabled iPhones and iPads will not be affected by the phasing out of 3G networks.
Restart your cellular service by turning it off and on.
The next step to take if it still shows “iPhone No Service” is go to Settings and click on Mobile Data to see if your cellular line is active. The cellular line should be turned on if it isn’t already. Then check to see if you have service.
If you don’t see your cellular line under the Mobile Data, you should set up an eSIM or insert a physical SIM card. If you are using a physical SIM card, remove it and reinstall it.
If your SIM card is damaged, and it can’t fit into the SIM tray, ask your carrier for a new SIM card. Your iPhone No Service problem will be fixed in a jiffy.
2. Remove the SIM Card
SIM cards are the devices that connect your iPhone to the cellular network provided by your carrier. This is how your carrier identifies your iPhone from the rest. In some cases, removing and re-inserting your SIM card can stop your iPhone No Service problem.
How to remove the SIM card? Just use a SIM card ejector tool or a paper clip.
Check Your Sim Card
Reinsert the SIM card after removing it.
By removing the SIM card and then putting it back in, your phone may be able to reconnect with your service provider. This may restore service on your phone so that you can make calls and use data again, hence ending your problem of iPhone No Service.
This brief removal of your SIM card allows you to inspect if there’s any damage. If there is, you should contact your carrier for a new one. If you just transferred the SIM card from another device, it is important to ensure that the inserted SIM card works with your iPhone.
You can also clean its metal surface with a disinfectant wipe or a cotton swab and a little bit of rubbing alcohol.
Replace Your SIM Card
Should you notice any damage to your SIM card, you should get it replaced by contacting your service provider.
3. Contact your carrier if your iPhone No Service problem persists.
Check with your Carrier Service Provider regarding Your Account.
One of the few things you can do to fix your iPhone No Service issue is to check with your carrier service provider as there could be a possibility that they may have made some changes that can interfere with your iPhone’s network. They could also have deactivated a service due to late payment or fraudulent activities.
Should any of these reasons ring a bell with you, then I would recommend that you give your carrier a call, so that you can make sure everything is going smoothly. The most common, yet easily-overlooked reason for No Service problem in your iPhone is that your account has been cancelled.
Most network carriers will respond to your queries in a very short time and if they are the problem, they will often fix it quickly, solving your iPhone No Service problem quicker than you can ever imagine.
There might be a problem with the software on your iPhone if the problem does not lie with your carrier (and most of the time, it doesn’t).
4. Updating your iPhone or iPad
The next step to solve your iPhone No Service problem is by ensuring your iPhone’s iOS is up-to-date:
1. Open the Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. At this point, your iPhone will check if an update is available. When one is found, tap Download and install.
Keep your iPhone’s Software and Carrier Settings updated.
Ever since Apple released iOS 8, there have been many complaints by users saying that iPhone No service. Even though the iPhone No Service problem has long been fixed, iOS updates can contain software bugs. You can proceed in one of two ways:
Connect to Wi-Fi to see if a software update for your iPhone is available. Here’s how things work:
Go to Settings. Next, head to General and click on Software Update.
If an iOS update isn’t available, go toSettings -> General -> About. You can check for a carrier settings update here. Just a quick note that there is no button to check for these updates, so hang around the About page for about 10 seconds or so. If nothing pops up, your carrier settings are up to date and you are good to go.
If you don’t have access to WiFi, link the iPhone to your computer and use iTunes or Finder (only on Macs running Catalina 10.15 or newer) to check if a software update is available for your iPhone. You will automatically be notified if an update is available on your iPhone. It’s also a good idea to update iTunes and Finder when asked as they also check for carrier settings updates automatically.
If your iPhone No Service problem still exists after updating your iPhone’s software, you need to troubleshoot further.
5. Reset Date and Time Settings
You should also ensure that the data and time settings on the device are up-to-date since the iPhone relies on this information to connect to a network. Your “No Service on my iPhone” issue might just resolve after this!
In order to do that,
1. Go to Settings, click on General.
2. Next, tap on Date & Time and then turn on “Set Automatically.”
6. Reset Network Settings
Resetting your iPhone’s network settings to factory defaults can fix all sorts of cellular and Wi-Fi related problems on your iPhone, such as Wi-Fi networks and passwords, mobile data settings, and VPN and APN settings that you’ve used before. The Wi-Fi passwords for all your Wi-Fi networks will be forgotten, so you’ll need to re-enter them after this step. The iPhone No Service problem may disappear after your iPhone reboots.
Here are the following steps to Reset Network Settings:
1. Open Settings, tap General
2. Go to Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap Reset and proceed to Reset Network Settings.
3. Enter your iPhone passcode. After that, tap on Reset Network Settings when the confirmation pop-up appears near the bottom of your iPhone’s display.
7. Restart your iPhone or iPad
Sometimes, restarting your iPhone may be enough to resolve your iPhone No Service issue.
To turn off an iPhone X or later, follow the instructions below.
1. You must simultaneously hold the volume up/down button and the side button.
2. Wait until the power slider appears. After that, swipe the power button to the right to off it.
3. Wait till the iPhone completely shut down. Then, press and hold down the side button again until your phone restarts.
Turning off an iPhone 8 Plus or earlier is slightly different.
1. Press and hold down the side button.
2. Wait until the power slider appears. After that, swipe the power button to the right to off it.
3. Wait till the iPhone completely shut down. Then, press and hold down the side button again until your phone restarts.
To restart an iPad:
1. Press the top restart button until the power slider appears. Swipe the power button inside it to the right.
2. Wait till the iPhone completely shut down. Then, press and hold down the side button again until your phone restarts.
Now check again if your iPhone No Service issue has been resolved.
8. Turn your iPhone’s Airplane Mode on and off
If your iPhone No Service still persists, it’s time to reset your iPhone’s Airplane Mode. You can do this by heading to the Control Center.
1. To reveal the Control Center, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen. If you’re on iPhone X or later. If you’re using an iPhone 8 Plus or earlier, swipe upwards from the bottom of the screen.
2. You can recognise the Airplane Mode icon by its circle with an inside plane. Tap on it. Airplane Mode is enabled when the icon is orange in colour. The Airplane Mode is disabled when it’s grayed out.
Is your iPhone No Service resolved yet? Read on if the problem still exists.
9. Turn on Wi-Fi Calling and Consider Signal Boosters
When your iPhone has a low cellular signal, use Wi-Fi Calling to make and receive calls through a Wi-Fi network. Hopefully your iPhone No Service problems end here. You can fix it by:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings. Go to Mobile Data.
- Tap Wi-Fi Calling, then turn on Wi-Fi Calling on this iPhone.
- Enter or confirm your address for emergency services. Note: All emergency calls on your iPhone are routed through cellular service when available. In the event that cellular service isn’t available, and Wi-Fi Calling has been enabled, emergency calls may be made over Wi-Fi, and your device’s location information may be used for emergency calls to aid response efforts, regardless of whether you enable Location Services. Some carriers may use the address you registered with the carrier when signing up for Wi-Fi Calling as your location. When connected to Wi-Fi calling, your iPhone may not receive emergency alerts.
“Wi-Fi” will be displayed after your carrier name in the status bar when Wi-Fi Calling is available, and all your calls will go through Wi-Fi.
Note: If the Wi-Fi connection is lost when you make calls, calls switch automatically to your carrier’s cellular network using VoLTE (Voice over LTE), if available and turned on. (VoLTE calls also switch to Wi-Fi when a Wi-Fi connection becomes available.) Contact your carrier for feature availability.
You may also want to consider setting up Signal Booster within your personal premises if weak signal is suspected as the culprit to your problems. Once connected, your iPhone No Service problems should resolve as your device will receive an amplified signal from your booster while at home or on the go.
10. Check For Water Damage
It’s easy to understand if a physically damaged phone says iPhone No Service, but water water-damaged phone is hard to detect. There is a high possibility that your phone has been damaged by water, if it starts showing No Service after it gets wet.
Apple doesn’t repair water-damaged iPhones; they replace them. AppleCare+ makes replacing a damaged iPhone relatively cheap compared to what it would cost without it.
11. Factory Reset
Take note of the warnings before backing up and restoring Your iPhone
The problem of software corruption can lead to a number of problems such as excessive battery drain, iPhones getting too hot, and problems like no service on the iPhone. Restoring your iPhone will erase literally everything on it, so please make sure you have backed up your iPhone to iTunes or iCloud if you choose to continue.
An Extremely Important Warning
There is one reason why you should not restore your iPhone to factory settings when it cannot connect to a cellular network, and that is because an iPhone must be activated before it can be used after it has been restored to factory settings. If you restore your iPhone, and it still says No Service, it will be totally unusable. There will be no way for you to do anything at all: from not being able to restore your iPhone to not being able to use any of the apps on it.
As long as you are willing to take a chance, and you have a backup phone handy, restoring your iPhone may be the best solution for your current issue; however, there is no guarantee of success. However, in my personal opinion, I don’t recommend you try to restore your iPhone unless you have an Apple Store nearby.
12. The next step is to contact your carrier or send in your iPhone for repair.
Sometimes carriers have special activation codes that can resolve the problem when your iPhone says No Service. These codes change too frequently and there are too many carriers to list specific codes here, but there could be a chance your carrier may be able to help you over the phone. It is possible that your carrier might send you to an Apple Store so that you can have your iPhone diagnosed by a technician if the special activation code does not work.
13. Contact your carrier
Whether you like it or not, your service may be affected by issues with your account or carrier. Contact your carrier:
- To verify that your account is active and in good standing.
- To make sure that there are no outages in your area.
- In order to receive cellular service, make sure your device is set up with the proper data plan.
Repair Options
If you choose to go to an Apple Store, it is a perfect idea to call ahead or go online to make an appointment at the Genius Bar prior to your arrival as you could end up hanging around for a while if you don’t.
14. Get more help
Contact Apple Support if you are still unable to access the Internet after confirming your account and network are working fine with your carrier.
Tips And Alternate Solutions
An iPhone’s battery will begin to deplete very quickly the moment it starts saying No Service. If that’s happening to you, here are some tips on how to save iPhone battery life can make a world of difference.
1. Fix your Push Mail
- Go to Settings -> Mail -> Accounts.
- Tap Fetch New Data.
- Turn off Push at the top of the screen.
- Scroll to the bottom and choose Every 15 Minutes under Fetch.
- Tap on each individual email account and, if possible, change it to Fetch.
2. Turn Off Unnecessary Location Services
- Go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services.
- Tap those Share My Location apps and close those unnecessary apps.
3. Don’t Send iPhone Analytics (Diagnostics & Usage Data)
Go to Settings, followed by Privacy, scroll to the bottom, and open Analytics & Improvements. Turn off the switch next to Share iPhone Analytics to stop your iPhone from automatically sending data to Apple about how you use your iPhone.
4. Close Your Apps when not in use
5. Keep Your iPhone Cool
What they don’t always tell you is that exposing your iPhone to temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius can permanently damage your battery, so keep it below the 35 degrees benchmark.
6. Turn On Dark Mod
If you are fed up with your current cell phone provider, and it isn’t the first time that you are experiencing the No Service issue, perhaps it’s time to check out other cell phone coverage plans as well as save your family a considerable amount of money if you switch to another provider.
No Service? Say no more.
The inability to make phone calls from anywhere used to be considered a “luxury problem”, but things have changed, and staying connected is now a necessity to our daily lives. So in this article, we have shared what to do when your iPhone says No Service. Share with us how this article has helped you to solve your No Service issue; we love to hear from you.