8 ways to fix your iPhone when it has no service
- To fix iPhone service, turn Mobile Data and Airplane Mode on or off, and update carrier settings.
- You can also try restarting and updating your iPhone or removing and re-inserting the SIM card.
- If all else fails, contact your network carrier or Apple Support for assistance.
When you're in a remote area, it makes sense that your iPhone's service would be a little unreliable.
However, if you're in a densely populated area or a big metropolis, seeing the dreaded "No Service" notification on the top of your iPhone's screen can be confusing.
Here are 8 fixes to try when you don't have service on your iPhone to help restore your coverage.
Check your coverage area
First, you need to make sure that you're in an area where your iPhone's service provider has cell towers to provide you coverage. If you're certain that you are, you can try toggling your data on and off by following these steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Mobile Data.
3. Tap the toggle for Mobile data to turn it on and off When the bar is green, mobile data is enabled; when it's gray, it's not.
Sometimes turning this option on and off could be enough to help your iPhone find service.
Quick tip: If you're traveling internationally, you'll need to enable international roaming by tapping Mobile Data Options below Mobile Data section, and ensuring that the toggle for Roaming is turned on.
Check for a carrier settings update
Carrier settings contain important data about your selected network that allow you to make calls, check voicemails, and use data. Ensuring that your carrier settings are up to date is important, especially if you're struggling with no service.
1. Connect to a cell phone or Wi-Fi network of your choice.
2. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
3. Tap General.
4. Tap About. Should an update be available, you'll be able to do so from this screen.
Restart your iPhone
Sometimes simply restarting your iPhone is enough to restore service. The reasoning behind this isn't totally understood, but hey, that's technology. We don't necessarily need to know how it works, only that it does!
To turn off an iPhone X or later, follow the instructions below.
1. Press and hold down the side button and either the volume up button or volume down button.
2. When the power slider appears, swipe the power button inside it to the right.
3. After the iPhone has completely shut down, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Turning off an iPhone 8 Plus or earlier is slightly different.
1. Press and hold down the side button.
2. When the power slider appears, swipe the power button inside it to the right.
3. After the iPhone has completely shut down, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Turn Airplane Mode on and off
You can toggle your iPhone's Airplane Mode on and off from the Control Center.
1. To reveal the Control Center on iPhone X or later, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen. If you're on iPhone 8 Plus or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap on the Airplane Mode icon, which is represented by a plane inside a circle. When the icon is orange, Airplane Mode is enabled; when it's grayed out, it's disabled.
Quick tip: You can also turn Airplane Mode on or off by opening the Settings app and tapping the toggle for Airplane Mode.
Take the SIM card out and put it back in
By removing the SIM card and then putting it back in, your phone may be able to reconnect with your service provider to restore service on your phone so that you can make calls and use data again (as well as anything else you use your phone's mobile network for).
Removing the SIM card momentarily also gives you a chance to see if there's any damage. If there is, you should contact your carrier for a new one. You should also ensure that the inserted SIM card works with your iPhone, especially if you transferred it from another device.
Update your iPhone
Ensure your iPhone's iOS is up to date:
1. Open the Settings app 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.
Note: If there's more than one update available, tap on the one you want to download and install on your phone.
Reset your network settings
In case there's a problem with your network settings, resetting them might help.
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone at the bottom.
4. Tap Reset.
5. In the menu that appears, tap Reset Network Settings.
Contact your carrier network or Apple Support
Contact your carrier to ensure that the network isn't experiencing outages, that your account is in good standing and your service operational, and that your iPhone isn't blocked from sending or receiving data.
If none of these methods work, reach out to Apple Support for further help or visit your nearest Genius Bar.
Jennifer Still Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill. Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvHqK5mnJ9ixrDBjJ%2BgsWWepHq0sdGvoJydXaS7brXPoaannQ%3D%3D