Is cellular data not working on your iPhone after iOS 18 update?
If you do not have a cellular data connection, you won’t be able to connect to the Internet unless there is Wi-Fi.
If cellular data stopped working after installing iOS 18 update on your iPhone, then you have come to the right place.
In this article, we will show you how to fix cellular data problem after iOS 18 update, step-by-step.
How to fix iPhone cellular data not working after iOS 18 update
1. Disable and Enable Cellular Data
This is the easiest fix when cellular data is not working after iOS 18 update. Disable and enable cellular data. Head over to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. Tap the switch to turn it off. Wait a few seconds and again tap to turn it back on.
2. Restart your iPhone
This is also a simple solution for iOS 18 cellular data problems.
- On iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, iPhone 15 or newer, hold down the Power and either of the Volume button until a power off slider appears.
- On iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation), hold down the Power button, then drag the power off slider to power off your phone. Once the screen turns off, hold down the Power button to power it back on.
3. Turn Airplane Mode on and off
This can sometimes help reset your cellular data. The toggle for Airplane Mode can be found right in your Settings app, or in Control Center.
4. Take out your SIM card and put it back in
If your iPhone doesn’t have a physical Sim card, skip this step.
Your iPhone SIM connects to your wireless carrier’s network. In some cases, ejecting and reinserting the SIM card helps to connect to cellular data in the right way.
Using a SIM tool or any alternative, pop out your sim card slot on the side of your iPhone, wait a few seconds, and then reinsert it.
Also, your Sim card could be damaged. In such a situation, reach out to your service provider to replace the SIM.
5. Check for a carrier update
iPhone carrier providers such as AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon etc., frequently release updates. It is important to install these updates to enhance your cellular network efficiency.
You may see a notification on your iPhone asking you to install Carrier Settings Update, whenever a new update is available. However it’s possible to check and install carrier settings update manually.
To check for a carrier update:
- Go to the Settings app and select General.
- Tap About.
- If there is an update available, you’ll immediately see a prompt that says Carrier Settings Update and asks whether you want to proceed with the update now. Install any updates that show up here.
6. Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS 18
Updating your device to the latest iOS 18 version may fix glitches that may disrupt connection to cellular data in your iPhone. To update your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If it says that your software is up to date, then move on to the next solution.
7. Turn Off VPN
If you are using or are subscribed to a VPN on your iPhone, in some rare cases, it can also prevent your cellular signal from connecting. Having a VPN can be used for things like staying safe on public Wi-Fi or bypassing geo-restricted viewing restrictions. Should you find that you are having trouble connecting to your cellular signal, disable your VPN temporarily and see if that helps resolve the connection issue.
It might also help to disable the VPN by going into the VPN settings and toggling your app of choice to “off” and then doing a forced restart. With the forced restart, you can be sure that you are completely disconnected. Now see if your cellular data is working, and if not, move to the next solution.
8. Check date and time settings
Make sure that the date and time on your iPhone are set correctly for your time zone. Here’s how:
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on General.
- Tap Date & Time.
- If the date and time are incorrect, update them or turn on the option to set date and time automatically.
9. Reset your Network Settings
Is cellular not working on iPhone still? It’s time to ‘Reset Network Settings’. Keep in mind, this will erase all of your saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings. Simply follow these steps to reset network settings on iPhone:
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Enter your password when prompted.
10. Contact your carrier
In some cases, the issue could be at your mobile data carrier end. Try to reach out to your service provider to check about proper cellular settings or if any outages in your area that might be the cause of unresponsive iPhone cellular data.
11. Get help from Apple
If you continue to have this problem, take your iPhone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or make a Genius Bar reservation at an Apple Store, as there may be a corrupted hardware component.
Cellular not working after iOS 18 update? Problem fixed
Did you fix your iOS 18 cellular data problems? As someone who has dealt with this issue firsthand, it can be very frustrating. Thankfully these steps have resolved the issue for many people. If not, you can always get help directly from Apple.
Did our solutions fix your iOS 18 cellular issue? Did another solution work that we didn’t mention? Drop a comment and let us know!