You can tell your iPhone has no service from either an error message, a message that reads “No Service“ in the status bar, or you can’t make calls or send texts. It’s a common problem that generally doesn’t require advanced troubleshooting solutions.
The “No Service“ issue can easily be remedied with a wide arrange of quick fixes. You should start with restarting your phone, resetting network settings, and toggling on and off cellular data. If none of those work, proceed to inspect your sim card.
The most likely reason for your phone’s inability to connect to cellular service is that you’re not in an area with cellular coverage. Still, other settings and apps may be interfering with your phone’s connectivity.
Why is Your iPhone Saying “No Service“?
The first thing that comes to mind when an iPhone has no service is the network coverage in that area is poor, and while that’s a huge contributing factor to the issue, it’s by no means the only reason an iPhone wouldn’t have service.
The Airplane mode setting is also a prevalent factor behind that “No Service“ notification.
Other than that, several other factors and settings can interfere with your iPhone service. For instance, something as simple as your carrier settings can cause service interruptions. Sometimes, the issue is a bit technical and requires a software update.
In other less likely cases, your Sim card or service plan needs to be replaced. Unfortunately, there’s no way of figuring out precisely what the issue is from the get-go, so your best bet is troubleshooting.
How Do You Fix No Service on iPhone?
You should start with the easiest solutions when troubleshooting the “No Service“ issue. More often than not, they’ll take care of the problem.
Check if Your Phone is set on Airplane Mode
Airplane mode or flight mode is a feature that nearly all smartphones are equipped with. When turned on, it disables all wireless connections, including cellular service.
The feature is most commonly used in airplanes, especially during landing and taking off, because wireless connections can interfere with radion equipment on planes. While airplane mode is handy inside and outside a plane, having it on interrupts your phone’s service.
Here’s how to turn it off:
- From the home screen on your iPhone, go to Settings.
- Locate the Airplane Mode switch and toggle it off.
Check That You’re in an Area With Coverage
You might have noticed that your cell phone loses service in specific areas; there’s a simple explanation for this. A smartphone needs to be within roughly 35km of a cell tower to have strong cellular connectivity.
Telecom companies don’t generally build cellphone towers in remote areas like the mountains. So if your phone isn’t getting cellular connectivity, chances are you’re not within a coverage area.
Turn Cellular Data On and Off
Temporary interruptions can occur for a wide array of reasons. Although these interruptions can cause a temporary loss of service, your phone often won’t automatically reconnect when the service is back on. Refreshing your data usually fixes this issue:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular Data, and turn it on and off.
Restart Your iPhone
Restarting a device is usually the first step when troubleshooting any tech issues because it almost always takes care of the problem. The science behind it is that your device’s RAM fills up as you use your phone for extended periods, ultimately affecting your device’s performance.
Restarting your phone lets it start from a clean slate, improving performance. To safely restart your iPhone, do the following:
- Press and quickly let go of the Volume Up button, then repeat with the Volume Down button.
- Then, press the Side button and hold it until the Apple logo appears on your screen.
Reset Your Network Settings
Network settings don’t just affect your WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular data. Cellular preferences such as 4G/5G settings can also be affected by your overall network settings.
Certain apps and websites can create connectivity bugs and glitches without you knowing about them. A network reset will restore factory settings. It’s an effective solution if you’ve already tried a handful of easier solutions.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General, then Transfer or Reset.
- Tap Reset, then Reset Network Settings.
Remove and Reinstall the Sim Card
Without a sim card, your phone won’t be able to connect to wireless cellular service. It’s unlikely that your sim card will suddenly stop working, but your phone won’t necessarily notify you when that happens.
Sometimes, an error message might appear on your phone, but several other factors can trigger that notification. So while removing or even replacing your sim card should be last on your list of quick fixes, it shouldn’t be ruled out as a potential solution.
- Turn your phone off, find the sim card tray on your iPhone, and gently insert the sim card tool or any pointy object.
- Gently slide the tray open and remove the sim card.
- Inspect the sim card for any signs of damage.
- Reposition the sim card on the tray, close the tray and turn your phone back on.
If you’re still not getting any service, you may need to replace your sim card.
Conclusion
As a rule of thumb, you should always opt for the obvious solution first. In this case, turn on and off your phone’s mobile data, and if the glitch persists, then try out more complex methods.