How to Fix “No Service” on iPhone (Quick and Proven Solutions)

Are you unable to make or receive calls on your iPhone? Is your device showing alerts like “No Service” or “Searching”? This usually points to a software or hardware problem preventing your iPhone from connecting with your carrier.

Here are some quick fixes to try when your iPhone has no service.

Why Does My iPhone Say ‘No Service’?

It could be due to a failed carrier settings update, incorrect network settings, or even a hardware issue with your iPhone. Sometimes, the carrier itself may face operational issues.

Other common reasons include:

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• You’re out of the network area
• Cellular plan expired or not enabled by the carrier
• Incorrect network settings
• System glitches after an iOS update (such as iOS 18 or later)
• Damaged SIM card

How to Fix No Service on iPhone

There are several ways to troubleshoot the No Service error on iPhone. Let’s go step by step.

1. Check Your Coverage Area

If you live in a rural area with no nearby cell towers, you likely won’t have the best cellular reception. Search the web for “your carrier cell coverage map.” Here are the cell coverage maps for AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Additionally, some areas lack reliable 5G networks. So, try switching to 4G for better cellular reception. For that, go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Voice & Data → Select LTE.

Are you out of your carrier’s coverage zone? In that case, consider getting a cellular data signal booster for your home.

Alternatively, if you have Wi-Fi, check its network condition using a Wi-Fi analyzer app. If your connection is strong and reliable, enable Wi-Fi calling to contact anyone.

2. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

Refreshing your network connection often fixes temporary glitches.

To do so, go to Settings → Toggle on Airplane Mode → Wait for a few seconds and toggle it off. Now, toggle Cellular Data and check the network status bar.

This simple solution may fix the No Service error, but you can check out the fixes mentioned below if your iPhone still has no service.

3. Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone might help you fix the error, so don’t hesitate to try it.

• For iPhone X or later: Press and hold the Volume button and the Side button, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds before turning it back on.
• On iOS 18 or later: You can also shut down directly from the Control Center by tapping the power icon.

4. Reinsert SIM Card

You can skip this solution if your iPhone uses eSIM rather than a physical card.

Sometimes, the problem isn’t too advanced; this could be the case with your iPhone. If you inserted the physical SIM card incorrectly, or it shook out of place during use, that may be why your iPhone has no service. 

Try reinserting the SIM card properly and restarting your iPhone. If the problem persists, proceed to the next step.

5. Toggle Cellular Data

This one is obvious, but sometimes small mistakes trip you up. 

Go to Settings → Cellular → Toggle off Cellular Data → Toggle on Cellular Data after a few seconds.

6. Enable Data Roaming

Sometimes your carrier doesn’t connect you to the network if you’re out of your home network zone, which may be why your iPhone says ‘no service.’ So, make sure data roaming is enabled on your device.

To do so, open Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Toggle on Data Roaming.

You may also enable automatic network selection to avoid connecting to the wrong network. From the Cellular Data Options menu, select Network Selection → Toggle on Automatic.

7. Reset Network Settings

On a rare occasion, your network settings may be corrupted, causing your iPhone to display the “No Service” error message. Resetting the network to its factory default settings could help you resolve that issue.

To do so, open Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings. Now, enter your passcode and tap Reset Network Settings.

Note: Resetting network settings to default will reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN, and APN settings. It will NOT delete any photos, videos, or files stored on your device.

8. Check Date and Time settings

Sometimes, the wrong Date and Time settings are the culprit behind the No Service message.

To modify the date and time: 

1. Open Settings → General → Date and Time.  
2. Toggle on Set Automatically → Select the appropriate Time Zone. 

9. Update carrier settings

You may have installed the wrong carrier settings, or a bug in the latest carrier settings update could be causing the No Service error message on your iPhone. In such a case, see if an update is available for your carrier settings.

Note: Make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General → About.
   You will get a notification if your carrier has released an update. 
3. Next, tap Update.
   
   

Now reboot your iPhone and check if it still has no service.

10. Update iOS

Apple regularly releases iOS updates to fix bugs, introduce new features, and improve security settings. 

If you frequently encounter the “No Service” issue after updating to iOS 18, install the next iOS update as soon as Apple makes it available.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General → Software Update.
3. If the update is available, tap download and install.
   
   

11. Contact Your Carrier

If none of the fixes worked out for you, there might be an issue on your mobile carrier’s end. It’s best to contact your service provider for help fixing the issue.

12. Other Fixes Worth Trying

• Switch from AT&T 3G: If you’re still on AT&T’s 3G network, this is likely the cause of your No Service woes. AT&T is discontinuing its 3G coverage, meaning you’ll need a new iPhone if you’re using an iPhone 5 or earlier.

We hope one of the solutions mentioned above solves your issue. If you’re still getting the No Service error, I suggest contacting Apple Support and chatting with the troubleshooting team online or scheduling an in-person appointment. It could be a hardware issue specific to your iPhone.

Have any other related questions? Share them in the comments below.

Read more:

• iPhone Cellular Data Not Working? 11 Ways to Fix It!
• How to Fix “Call Failed” Error on iPhone (14 Easy Solutions)