Written by, Nikola Dimovski
Updated April, 20, 2023
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!
Here are some troubleshooting steps you can follow to resolve the “No Service” issue on your iPhone:
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:
Switching the mobile data on and off can help your device find a signal.
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:
To restart an iPhone SE, 8, or older, follow these steps:
Software updates often come with bug fixes and performance improvements that can resolve service issues. Here’s how you can check for 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:
Moreover, Apple advises downloading the new carrier settings if you insert a new 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.
Toggling the Airplane Mode on your iPhone is another old hack that might help refresh your cellular service. Follow these steps to try it:
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:
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:
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:
Note that not all carriers offer 4G or 5G networks yet.
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:
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.
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.
If your phone says “No Service”, but you have Wi-Fi, it could be because your phone is not receiving a cellular signal. In this case, your phone cannot connect to a cellular network to make or receive calls or use mobile data, but it can still connect to Wi-Fi networks.
My name is Nikola, and I’m an SEO Specialist and a tech enthusiast. I graduated from the Faculty of Economics, the department of E-Business Management. My experiences go from implementing ERP Solutions, CRM practices, and finally, on-page and off-page SEO. I take pride in staying ahead of the curve when it comes to SEO and keeping up with the latest changes to search algorithms. I love experimenting with new strategies and testing the results to see what works best. Outside of work, I enjoy tinkering with new tech gadgets and exploring the latest apps and software programs.