Check local coverage and your carrier’s service status, then turn Airplane Mode on for at least 15 seconds and off again. Restart the iPhone and check that the intended cellular line is enabled. If the line is missing or the account is blocked, contact the carrier rather than repeatedly resetting the phone.
Match the symptom to the next check
Section linkScroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Symptom | Next check |
|---|---|
| Only one location is affected | Coverage or a local carrier outage |
| Intended line is missing | Carrier SIM or eSIM setup |
| Problem started abroad | Destination coverage, plan, and roaming settings |
| Carrier account and network check out | Apple support and device diagnostics |
01Separate loss of service from a slow internet connection
Section linkNo Service or Searching means the iPhone is not connected to a cellular network. SOS indicates it is not connected to your own carrier; Apple documents emergency calls through other carrier networks in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Do not assume that capability is identical everywhere. Note whether the problem began in a new location, after changing a SIM, or while traveling. Wi-Fi working does not by itself establish that cellular service is available.
02Try reconnection, then check the intended line
Section linkIn Settings, enable Airplane Mode for at least 15 seconds, then turn it off. Restart the phone and check the status again. This may reconnect an available network; it cannot repair a carrier outage. Open Settings → Cellular, select the intended line, and check Turn On This Line. With multiple SIMs, inspect the line you actually need. If it is missing, ask the carrier to check its SIM or eSIM setup.
03Check carrier settings separately from iOS updates
Section linkConnect to Wi-Fi and open Settings → General → About. Follow a carrier-settings update prompt if one appears. The carrier settings version is shown beside Carrier; your carrier can confirm whether it is current. A newly inserted SIM or newly configured eSIM may need its carrier settings. Also check for an iOS update through the normal update controls. A carrier-settings update and an iOS update are different checks, not interchangeable buttons.
04If it started abroad, verify the roaming plan first
Section linkAsk your carrier whether your plan supports the destination and what charges or limits apply before enabling data roaming. In Settings → Cellular or Cellular Data, choose the relevant line when needed, then open Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming. Follow the carrier’s instructions. For example, an enabled home line without a suitable travel plan and a missing travel eSIM need different carrier checks. A roaming switch does not establish that a plan has been purchased or activated.
05Give the carrier a useful failure record
Section linkProvide the location, exact status message, affected line, and whether the issue began after travel or a SIM change. Ask about account activation, coverage, outages, service blocks, and the correct plan. Only the carrier can manage those account details. If the carrier confirms the account and network are working and a device fault is suspected, contact Apple for further help. Keep the comparison results rather than treating the status label alone as proof of hardware damage.