If your iPhone cellular data isn’t working, then there are some different possible fixes that you should try. You should first keep in mind that there are some areas where you’re simply not going to get very good coverage. Assuming that is not what’s happening, let’s look at some of the fixes for you to attempt.

Turn Cellular Data Off and On Again

If you contact your cell carrier or Apple, more than likely the first thing that they’re going to suggest is turning your phone off and on. Restarting your iPhone is something that does indeed fix many issues, and that might be enough to get your cellular data working again.

1. Press down the Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” button appears.
2. Slide the button to the right, and then after waiting a few seconds, switch the phone back on again.

Check and See if Your Cellular Data is Turned On

You can also go to Settings and then check Cellular to see if your cellular data is on. It’s an obvious move, but better to look into it before trying more complicated fixes.

Switch on the Data Roaming Feature

Many individuals who have trouble with their iPhone cellular data can rectify the issue by switching on data roaming. That’s often the case if you have just done an iOS update. This is because, after some updates, it seems as though iOS gets confused about whether you are roaming or not.

1. First, go to Settings.
2. Select Mobile Data, then Mobile Data Options.
3. Switch on Data Roaming, and then reboot your iPhone.

While this may fix the problem, remember that you’ll still need to switch the data roaming feature off again if you’re going abroad. Otherwise, you’re going to get slapped with a hefty phone bill.

Reinsert the SIM Card

SIM card issues are also sometimes to blame when your cellular data refuses to work. When you take the card out and reinsert it, it essentially forces the phone to re-read the card. That could be enough to reboot your cellular data.

1. Power off your phone.
2. Remove the SIM card.
3. Carefully reinsert it.
4. Power your phone back on to see if that corrected the problem.

Reset Your Network Settings

If you’ve tried some other fixes and your data still stubbornly refuses to work, the next step might be to reset the network settings. This will get rid of any saved Wi-Fi networks that you have on your phone, and your cellular data settings will return to their default. This may also be helpful if you’re having Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

1. Open up the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and hit the “General” menu option.
3. Scroll all the way to the bottom and tap the “Reset” menu option.
4. Select the “Reset Network Settings” that is in the middle of the screen.
5. You will be prompted to enter your iPhone passcode to authorize the reset.
6. Finish up by tapping the “Reset Network Settings” to confirm.

Check for Any Carrier Updates

A carrier update might help restore iPhone cellular data functioning if you’re dealing with a bug from a shaky iOS update. This doesn’t happen very often, but it’s still possible.

1. Open up the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and then tap the “General” menu option.
3. Hit the “About” menu option.
4. Wait for a few seconds, and see if a “Carrier Settings Update” option appears. If it does, install it, and then see if you’re getting cellular data again.

Try Toggling Airplane Mode

There’s also a chance that your iPhone has gotten confused, and by toggling your cellular data on and off, you can reset the connection, thereby solving the problem.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen so that the Command Center opens.
2. Hit the “Airplane Mode” icon.
3. Wait for a couple of seconds, so the phone’s radios turn off.
4. Press the “Airplane Mode” icon again and wait for the device to reconnect. That might return your cellular data functionality.

See if there are Any iOS Updates

Much like carrier updates, an iOS update might get your cellular data working again.

1. Open up the Settings app.
2. Scroll down, and then tap the “General” menu option.
3. Under “General,” press “Software Update” and see if there are any results.

If there’s an update available, wait for it to install. Your phone will restart automatically during this process. Once it’s done, check your cellular data status.

Back Up Your Phone, then Perform a Factory Reset

This last one should probably only be done as a last resort, but if you’ve tried everything else on this list and your cellular data still has not been restored, then it’s time to bring out the big guns. Be sure you have backed up the device first, though, since you don’t want to lose any data.

1. Connect your iPhone to a computer and do an iTunes backup for it. Make sure that the backup is encrypted.
2. When the backup is complete, press the “Restore Backup” button. That will start the restoration process.
3. When the restoration is done, check to see if cellular data functioning has returned.
4. If it hasn’t, then you can restore the phone to Factory Reset to see if that works. Open the Settings app.
5. Scroll down and hit the “General” menu option.
6. Scroll down to the bottom and hit the “Reset” menu option.
7. Hit “Erase All Content and Settings” to wipe your iPhone completely.
8. Enter your passcode when prompted to do so.
9. Hit “Erase iPhone” to complete the process.

Fixing iPhone Cellular Data 

It is highly likely one of these fixes is going to solve the problem. Going down this list systematically should get your cellular data working again, and hopefully, it will be one of the first options you try.

If you find that none of what we suggested is working, then the problem is most likely with the hardware rather than the software. In all probability, that is not something that you’ll be able to fix on your own. If that is what’s happening, then you may need to get the device replaced.