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How to Troubleshoot an iPhone That Can’t Make Calls or Use Cellular Data

Find out whether an iPhone call or cellular-data problem comes from connection state, settings, a SIM or eSIM, the carrier, or hardware—and what to try next.
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If your iPhone can’t make calls or use cellular data, first check whether it has lost its carrier connection or whether only calls or data are failing. Turn Airplane Mode on for at least 15 seconds, turn it off, and restart the iPhone. If the problem continues, check the affected line, SIM or eSIM, call settings, and carrier account before trying a network reset or arranging service.

Start by identifying what is failing

Look at the status bar and note whether it shows SOS, SOS only, No Service, or Searching, or whether signal bars appear. No Service and Searching mean the iPhone is not connected to a cellular network. SOS or SOS only means it is disconnected from its own carrier network; in Australia, Canada, and the United States, emergency calls through other carrier networks may still be possible. Apple explains these status messages.

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Also note whether outgoing calls, incoming calls, cellular data, or all three fail; whether one or every cellular line is affected; whether Wi-Fi still works; and whether the issue began after travel or a SIM/eSIM change. A phone that has signal but cannot complete calls may have a call-setting or account issue rather than a total connection failure.

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Refresh the cellular connection

  1. Open Control Center and turn on Airplane Mode. Wait at least 15 seconds, then turn it off.
  2. Restart your iPhone.
  3. When it reconnects, try a call and load a webpage with Wi-Fi turned off to test cellular data.

This is the first step to try because it is reversible and does not erase saved settings. If you are outside your usual coverage area, move to a location where your carrier has service and test again.

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Check cellular settings and the affected line

For an iPhone with one line

Open Settings > Cellular (the menu may be labelled Mobile Data in some regions). Confirm that cellular data is on. If calls and data fail despite signal bars, check that the line is enabled and that the selected plan is the one you intend to use.

For an iPhone with multiple lines

In Settings > Cellular, inspect each SIM or eSIM line. Confirm the affected line is turned on, and check which line is selected for cellular data and which is used by default for voice calls. If only one line is affected, focus your troubleshooting on that line and its carrier rather than changing settings for the working line.

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After travel or a network change

Check with your carrier that your plan supports service where you are and that roaming is available if needed. Do not assume that seeing a SIM or eSIM listed means the line is active on the carrier network.

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If only calls fail, check call-related settings

If the iPhone has cellular signal and data works, but calls do not, check settings that can affect calling or who can reach you:

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  • Turn off Focus or Do Not Disturb temporarily and test again.
  • Review blocked contacts if calls from particular people do not get through.
  • Check call forwarding if calls are being sent elsewhere.
  • Check Silence Unknown Callers if calls from unsaved numbers are not ringing as expected.

These settings do not explain a status bar that says No Service or Searching. For a failed outgoing call, an incoming-call problem, or both, Apple’s call troubleshooting guidance covers the relevant symptoms.

If cellular data fails but calls work

Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) and make sure cellular data is enabled. If you use more than one line, confirm that the intended line is selected for data. Turn Wi-Fi off briefly when testing so a working Wi-Fi connection does not mask the cellular-data failure.

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If the settings look correct and calls work but data does not, ask your carrier to verify that your plan includes data, the line is provisioned correctly, and there is no account restriction or local outage.

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Check the SIM or eSIM

If the iPhone says Invalid SIM or No SIM, check whether the affected line appears under Settings > Cellular. For a physical SIM, remove and reseat it carefully if your iPhone has a SIM tray. For an eSIM, do not delete the profile as a troubleshooting shortcut; contact the carrier to confirm that it is active and correctly provisioned, and ask for reactivation instructions if necessary.

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Apple’s SIM guidance addresses Invalid SIM and No SIM messages. A SIM/eSIM change, activation problem, or carrier-side provisioning issue may require the carrier to resolve it.

Ask the carrier to check the account and network

Cellular service depends on more than the iPhone. Contact the carrier and ask it to check:

  • Whether the account is active and has no billing or other service block.
  • Whether there is an outage or coverage problem where you are.
  • Whether the plan includes the voice, data, or roaming service you need.
  • Whether the SIM/eSIM and line are correctly activated and provisioned.
  • Whether the device is blocked from the network.

Apple also recommends confirming account status, coverage, outages, and device blocking with the carrier when service cannot be established. See Apple’s No Service and SOS steps and its guidance for failed calls.

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Reset Network Settings only after simpler checks

If the carrier finds no account or network issue and the problem persists, you can try Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This is more disruptive than toggling Airplane Mode: it removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings. Make sure you can reconnect to Wi-Fi and restore any required network details before proceeding. Apple describes what this reset changes.

When to seek service

If the carrier confirms that your account, coverage, network, and line are in order, but the iPhone still cannot connect or use cellular service, a hardware problem may need investigation. Apple says service may be needed when these checks do not resolve a suspected device issue; contact Apple Support or an authorised service provider.

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