How to Fix No Service on iPhone? 10 Easy Hacks!

iPhones are Apple’s most popular product, accounting for 58.9% of the company’s total profit. However, iPhone users often experience service issues. Having no service can be a frustrating experience, especially when you need to make an important call or send an urgent message. Fortunately, there are several workarounds.

Let’s find out how to fix the “No Service” error on an iPhone!

10 Ways to Fix an iPhone With No Service

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the “No Service” issue on your iPhone:

1. Check Your Network Coverage 

Before troubleshooting, ensure you are within the network coverage area. If you’re in a remote location, the signal may be weak or non-existent. In such cases, move to a different place with a stronger signal. If you are sure you are within a covered area but are still experiencing service issues, try the following steps to turn your data on and off:

1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Click on Mobile Data.
3. Tap the Mobile Data switch to toggle it on and off. 

Switching the mobile data on and off can help your device find a signal.

2. Restart Your iPhone

A seemingly simple solution, rebooting your iPhone can be just the thing that nudges your cellular service. Here are the steps to restart an iPhone X or newer:

1. Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons together. 
2. Once the power-off slider appears, swipe it to the right.
3. After your iPhone shuts down, press the side button again to turn it on.

To restart an iPhone SE, 8, or older, follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the side button.
2. Wait for the power-off slider to appear and swipe right.
3. Once your iPhone turns off, press the side button again to turn it on.

3. Perform a Software Update

Software updates often come with bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve service issues. Here’s how you can check for updates:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Under General, select Software Update.
3. If a new iOS update is ready, tap Download and Install.

4. Look for Carrier Settings Updates

Carriers periodically send updates to iPhones to keep malware and safety issues at bay and enhance the overall performance of your device. Usually, these updates take place automatically in the background. Still, it’s best to manually check for any available updates if your iPhone says it has no service. Here’s how:

1. Connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi or a hotspot.
2. Open the Settings app. 
3. In General, select About.
4. If a carrier settings update is available, you’ll see on-screen instructions.

Moreover, Apple advises downloading the new carrier settings if you insert a new SIM card.

5. Re-Insert Your SIM Card

Sometimes, the SIM card may become dislodged or damaged, causing your phone to lose service. To fix this issue, turn off your iPhone, remove your SIM card, and re-insert it. Make sure the SIM card is properly aligned and firmly in place. If the SIM card is dirty, lightly clean it with a cotton swab or a cloth before putting it back in. 

If the SIM card is inserted, but you still have no service on your iPhone, the card is likely damaged. In this case, contact your carrier for a replacement and make sure you perform a backup of the SIM card.

On another note, dual-sim phones have more than one network option. Consider investing in one to get more coverage.

6. Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

Toggling the Airplane Mode on your iPhone is another old hack that might help refresh your cellular service. Follow these steps to try it:

1. Scroll from the top of your screen to the bottom to enter the Control Center.
2. Tap the aeroplane image in the top left corner to activate Airplane Mode.
3. After waiting a few seconds, tap the aeroplane icon again to exit Airplane Mode.

7. Allow Data Roaming

If you travel to a different country or region, you may need to enable data roaming to get service. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Make sure you turn Mobile Data on.
3. Under Mobile Data, select Mobile Data Options.
4. Toggle the Data Roaming switch on.

8. Select a Network Automatically or Manually

During network selection, your network should match your service provider. If your iPhone is not connecting to the correct network, you can manually select the network or choose the automatic option. To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Under Mobile Data, tap on Network Selection.
3. To perform an automated search, switch the Automatic toggle on.
4. If you want to select your network manually, switch the Automatic toggle off.

9. Switch to 4G or 5G Voice and Data

With 3G becoming outdated, some carriers are discontinuing old 3G networks and supporting 4G or even 5G networks. This may cause service issues on some iPhones. To switch to a 4G or 5G network, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Under Mobile Data, tap Mobile Data Options.
3. Under Mobile Data Options, select Voice & Data.
4. In the Voice & Data menu, choose the network of your choice.

Note that not all carriers offer 4G or 5G networks yet.

10. Reset Network Settings

Ultimately, you can completely reset your network settings. This action will erase all saved Wi-Fi passwords, paired Bluetooth devices and carrier information. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Under General, select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
3. In the Transfer or Reset iPhone menu, tap Reset.
4. From the pop-up menu, select Reset Network Settings.

If none of the above solutions works, it may be a hardware issue, and you should contact Apple Support or your carrier for further assistance. They can diagnose the problem and provide the necessary support.

Finishing Thoughts

Experiencing service issues on an iPhone is common. Nevertheless, following the solutions in our guide will likely restore your phone’s service. Don’t hesitate to contact Apple Support or your carrier for additional assistance. Remember to keep your iPhone software updated and to regularly check for network coverage to avoid similar issues in the future.