Apple iOS devices such as iPhones are designed to access the internet with either mobile data or by connecting to a wireless network. What’s the good thing about having a smartphone is that you will still be able to use internet-based apps anytime, anywhere you go. Even without having connected to a Wi-Fi. But then again, problems could arise at some point, and you would just realize that something is wrong if cellular data is not working on your device. Tackled in this post is a relevant issue on iPhone cellular data not working from an iOS update.
When Apple the iOS 13.3 update, iPhone users are under the impression that this platform should be their most long-awaited answer to the problems that had occurred from iOS 13 beta up to 13.2.3. But it then turned out that the update has brought them new issues including cellular data that’s not working on the iPhone from the iOS update implementation. Read on to find out the possible solutions.
Troubleshooting iPhone XS cellular data problems on iOS 13.3
Using the mobile data service
First solution: Perform a quick restart to fix iPhone XS cellular data not working after iOS 13.3
There are two ways on how to give your phone a quick restart. You can reboot your phone by performing a soft reset or a force restart. Nevertheless, these options provide the same output; which is to refresh your phone’s system and eliminate minor glitches affecting your phone’s cellular data function. Thus, securing your files in iTunes or iCloud is yet necessary as these methods won’t result in a complete data loss. If your phone’s screen is still responding, you can perform a soft reset on your device using these steps:
- Simultaneously press and hold the Side/Power button and either Volume button for a few seconds.
- Release the buttons when the Slide to Power Off command appears on the screen.
- Then drag the power off slider to the right to turn off your iPhone.
- After at least 30 seconds, press and hold the Side or Power button again and release the button when the Apple logo appears.
On the other hand, you can also carry out a force restart on your device. This method is also ideal to utilize especially when your phone is having screen or display issues. Here is how:
- Press and then quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and then quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Then press and hold the Side or Power button and release when the Apple logo appears.
Wait for your iPhone XS to be up and running again. Then check your cellular data to see if it is already working. If necessary, go to Settings->Cellular data to check if the feature is enabled. Otherwise, toggle the switch on to use the cellular data feature again.
Second solution: Toggle Cellular Data off and on again.
Phone’s mobile or cellular data function might have been ruined by the recent iOS update. Thus, refreshing the feature can be of help to fix this cellular network connectivity issue. All you need to do is disable Cellular Data shortly and then enable it again. Here’s how:
- From Home, go to Settings.
- Select Cellular.
- Toggle the Cellular Data switch to disable the feature.
- While the mobile data service is off, reboot (soft reset) your iPhone XS.
- Then head back to Settings-> Cellular and toggle the switch to enable the feature again. Doing so will resume your phone’s cellular data connection.
Once your iPhone XS is showing excellent signal network strength, check your online services and see if you are already able to access them. If the mobile or cellular data problem is still not corrected using this troubleshooting tweak, try the next solution to hopefully be able to fix the cellular data issue on your iPhone XS device.
Third solution: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off again on your iPhone XS device.
Network-related errors can also trigger mobile data issue to become apparent on your iOS device. Such errors can be easily cleared out by refreshing your phone’s wireless radios and functions. And this can be accomplished by turning the Airplane Mode on and off again. When your iPhone is in Airplane Mode, all the wireless services including mobile data will be disabled. This is because your phone can no longer receive network signal from the nearest tower as the signal transmission has been suspended. But once you disable the Airplane Mode again, this will give your network settings brand new starts. Thus, refreshing your phone’s system. To get started, follow these steps and let us see if it will correct the issue. Here is what you need to do:
- From the Home screen, go to Settings.
- Select Airplane Mode.
- Toggle the switch to enable the feature. Doing so will suspend your phone’s wireless radios including the cellular network.
- While your iPhone is in Airplane Mode, perform a soft reset.
- Then head back to Settings->Airplane Mode and toggle the switch again to turn the feature back off.
You can also manage the Airplane Mode feature by launching the Control Center on your iOS device. Whenever your iPhone is up after performing the Airplane Mode trick, enable your cellular data when needed. Then open your browser or any internet-operated apps to check if your data service has been resumed. If not, move forward and continue fixing your iPhone XS.
Fourth solution: Install carrier settings update on your iPhone XS.
If the iOS update ruined your phone’s cellular data function, might as well install another update that will help your phone’s network features and functions improved; the carrier settings update. Thus, providing fix patches for any network-related issues like mobile data not working. This type of update is usually implemented automatically by the respective network carriers. Hence, a manual install is needed when you haven’t received carrier update notifications for quite some time.
Since the process requires an internet connection and you are currently having a mobile data or cellular data issue on your iOS device, connect your phone to a wireless network available to gain internet access. Simply enable your Wi-Fi from Settings->Wi-Fi menu and toggle the switch to turn it on. Search for available network to connect. Once you already have an internet connection on your iPhone XS, follow these steps to check for and install carrier settings update:
- From Home, go to Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap About.
You will then be prompted with a carrier notification update when available. Simply follow the onscreen prompts to download and install the carrier settings update. Then restart (soft reset) your iPhone XS again to make sure that the recently installed carrier settings update will be properly implemented.
Don’t forget to check your mobile data and see if the mobile or cellular data issues had been corrected. However, if you are still having trouble having internet access using your iPhone XS mobile or cellular data, try the next troubleshooting guide.
Fifth solution: Reset network settings to address cellular data issue on your iPhone XS.
iOS update may result in automatic phone settings override and your network setting might have been compromised. Thus, ruining your phone’s cellular data service. To eliminate possible erratic values and options, restore your network settings configuration to default. This can be done by performing a network reset settings on your iPhone XS. To do so, follow these steps:
- From Home, go to Settings.
- Select General.
- Scroll down to and tap on Reset.
- Then select Reset network settings from the options.
- Enter your device passcode when prompted to continue.
- Then select the option to confirm network settings reset.
Your iPhone XS will reboot automatically once reset is done and restores the original network settings configuration. By then, you need to enable and set up your wireless services to use them again. Once the Cellular Data is enabled, check if you the mobile data not working problem on iPhone has been fixed.
Last option: Remove and reinstall the SIM card.
Having a faulty SIM card can affect your phone cellular services. Even if the problem started after an iOS update, it is also important to check the condition of your SIM card as it might have been exposed to physical damages like scratches or has been dislodged. If nothing seemed to be of help up to this time, check your SIM card by removing it from your iPhone. Make sure to turn off your iPhone device and follow these steps:
- Insert the SIM ejector tool or a paperclip into the provided small slot beside the SIM tray.
- Gently push the ejector tool until the SIM card tray pops out.
- Remove the SIM card from the tray and check for scratches or signs of physical damage.
- If there are no indications of physical or liquid damage and the SIM card is free of debris, put it back into the tray in the same way before it was removed.
- Then push the tray back into the SIM card compartment.
Once your SIM card has been properly reinstalled, turn on your phone. Enable the mobile data feature when needed, and then launch an online app to make sure that you already have an internet connection.
Seek Help
Any software-related factors that prompted your mobile data service to quit should be eliminated using the solutions we have listed above. But if issue persists up to this point, the issue may not be rectifiable in your end. Thus, a help from an expert is needed.
You can also report the issue to your network service provider as there can also be a possible outage in your area affecting your cellular data feature. Or it is possible that the issue is account-related.
Alternatively, you can also contact Apple Support for them to help you out with the current cellular data problem you are having on your device. They will surely be able to provide you with appropriate resolutions and do extra miles, if necessary. Just be sure to relay a complete problem description, including any error messages you got when trying to access the internet. Also let them know of when the problem has started and the troubleshooting steps you’ve done prior to contacting them.
