If your iPhone can use the internet on Wi-Fi but not over cellular, first check that Cellular Data is on and allowed for the app that is failing. If the status bar says “SOS,” “No Service,” or “Searching,” focus on reconnecting to the network, the active SIM or eSIM line, and your carrier account. Work through the steps below in order; save Reset Network Settings for later because it removes some saved network configuration.
Start with the symptom
Check whether Wi-Fi works and what appears in the iPhone’s status bar. If Wi-Fi works but cellular internet does not, look at the data switches. If you see “SOS,” “No Service,” or “Searching,” the iPhone is not connected to a cellular network. A “No SIM” or “Invalid SIM” alert points to a SIM, eSIM, or carrier-plan issue. Menu names can vary by iOS version and region; look for Cellular or Mobile Data in Settings.
Wi-Fi works, but cellular data does not
- Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) and turn on Cellular Data.
- On the same screen, find the app that cannot connect and make sure its cellular-data switch is on. Cellular use can be disabled separately for individual apps.
- Try the app again with Wi-Fi turned off, so you can tell whether it is using cellular data.
When Cellular Data is off, data services use Wi-Fi only. Apple also documents cellular controls, roaming, Low Data Mode, and 5G/LTE options in its iPhone cellular data settings guide.
“SOS,” “No Service,” or “Searching” appears
- Turn Airplane Mode on, wait at least 15 seconds, then turn it off.
- If the iPhone does not reconnect, restart it.
- If the alert remains, check the selected line, SIM or eSIM status, account, and coverage as described below.
Apple says these status messages mean the iPhone is not connected to a cellular network. Its SOS, No Service, or Searching troubleshooting guide includes the Airplane Mode and restart steps.
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Check which SIM or eSIM line supplies data
On an iPhone with Dual SIM or Dual eSIM, one line can be active for calls while another is selected for cellular data. Confirm that the intended line is both turned on and selected for data.
- Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Tap the line you want to use and make sure Turn On This Line is enabled.
- Return to the Cellular or Mobile Data screen, tap Cellular Data (or Mobile Data), and select that line.
If a line is missing or will not activate, the carrier may need to set up the eSIM or provide a SIM. For more detail on dual-line problems, see Apple’s Dual SIM with eSIM troubleshooting guide.
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Resolve “No SIM” or “Invalid SIM” alerts
- Check with your carrier that the line has an active plan, then restart the iPhone.
- Open Settings > General > About and wait to see whether a carrier-settings update prompt appears.
- If your iPhone has a physical SIM tray, you can remove and reseat the SIM carefully. Do not try this on an eSIM-only model.
- If the alert continues, contact the carrier. Apple recommends carrier help for eSIM issues and says a persistent physical-SIM alert may require the carrier to test or replace the SIM.
Apple’s “Invalid SIM” or “No SIM” guide covers these checks. A SIM tray is present only on models that support a physical SIM; many iPhone configurations use eSIM instead.
Check your plan, coverage, and roaming
A phone setting cannot restore service if the account is inactive, the plan does not include the service, the carrier has an outage, or you are outside coverage. Ask your carrier to confirm that the account is in good standing, the plan includes the data service you need, and there is no local network problem.
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If you are abroad or outside your home network, data roaming may be needed. Before turning it on, check your carrier’s terms: roaming can incur charges. The Cellular or Mobile Data settings page includes the Data Roaming control; availability and cost depend on the carrier and plan.
If 5G is missing, check support before changing settings
No 5G icon does not by itself mean cellular data is broken. 5G availability depends on a compatible iPhone model, a carrier plan that supports 5G, and coverage where you are. LTE may be the available fallback, and the iPhone can still have cellular data while using LTE.
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Apple’s guide to using 5G with iPhone explains the network options. With 5G Auto, iPhone can switch to LTE when 5G does not provide noticeably better performance. If your model, plan, and location support 5G but it remains unavailable, try the Airplane Mode reconnect steps above and ask your carrier to check the line.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Reset network settings only after simpler checks
Reset Network Settings is a later troubleshooting step, not a first response. Apple says it does not erase personal data or media, but it does remove previously used Wi-Fi networks and passwords and VPN settings not installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM). Wi-Fi is turned off and back on, and cellular-data roaming may be turned off. You may need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and restore relevant network configuration afterward.
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- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings and follow the prompts.
See Apple’s guide to resetting iPhone settings for the reset’s effects.
Know when to contact the carrier or Apple
- Contact your carrier first for account status, plan eligibility, outages, coverage, roaming, SIM replacement, eSIM setup, or line provisioning. These are carrier-side checks, and service availability varies by location and plan.
- Arrange device service if the carrier confirms the account and network are working but suspects an iPhone hardware problem.
When you contact support, describe the exact status or alert, whether Wi-Fi works, which SIM or eSIM line is selected for data, and the steps you have already tried. That helps distinguish a device setting from a line or network issue.
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