Are you among the iPhone users experiencing 4G/3G & LTE connectivity issues? Have you tried seemingly every possible solution, but the issue persists? What’s the fix to this 4G/3G & LTE issue?
Speaking of fixes, there are some tried and true tricks that have solved this pesky problem for ages. Let’s give them a shot to fix the issue of 3G, 4G & LTE not working on iPhone or iPad.
How to fix 3G/4G & LTE not working on iPhone or iPad
- Check your Cellular Connection
- Toggle Airplane Mode
- Remove the SIM Card/Restart your iPhone
- Turn off SIM PIN
- Contact your Carrier
- Update Carrier Settings
- Reset Network Settings
- Update iOS
- Restore your iPhone
- Contact Apple Support
Check your Cellular Connection
Time and time again, easy tricks work wonders in solving annoying issues. Therefore, we’re going to mention some basic hacks first. If they click, you won’t have to look any further.
First off, ensure that 3G/4G is enabled on your device. This may sound obvious, but sometimes basic details slip our minds. So, it’s better to check them upfront—you might save yourself a lot of time.
- Head over to Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data. Make sure it’s toggled on.
- Then, tap Cellular/Mobile Data Options → Enable 4G → Choose Voice & Data.
Turn Mobile Data on/off a few times. It might solve the issue immediately.
Toggle Airplane Mode
Turning on Airplane Mode and then turning it off after a few seconds might solve the 4G/3G or LTE connectivity. To do so: swipe up on the iPhone home screen (On iPhone X Series or later, swipe down from the top-right corner) and Turn On and Off Airplane Mode.
Remove the SIM Card/Restart your iPhone
Sometimes, restarting your phone can automatically fix a few issues. Let’s see if it can help.
- Power down your iPhone.
- Remove the SIM card and reinsert it.
- Restart your phone: Press and hold on the sleep/wake button and when the red slider appears, drag it to switch off your device.
- After a while, press and hold the sleep/wake button to power on your iPhone.
Turn off SIM PIN
Turn off SIM PIN if it’s enabled. SIM PIN is used to prevent access to cellular data.
If you want to use cellular data, you need to enter the PIN when you swap SIM cards or restart your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular Models). This only applies to devices that work with SIM cards.
- Launch Settings → Scroll down and tap Cellular.
- Tap SIM PIN → Switch off SIM PIN.
Note: Some carriers distribute iPhones with SIM PIN enabled by default. Contact your carrier to check your default SIM PIN.
Contact your Carrier
No luck? Contact your carrier and explain the problem.
- Contact your carrier to make sure your account is properly set up and there is no problem with your current data plan.
- Check the error messages in the carrier logs.
Update Carrier Settings
To boost performance or resolve existing bugs, carriers often roll out updates. So, be sure your carrier settings are updated.
Go to Settings → General → About → check the carrier version. If an update is available, download and install it.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting Network Settings can fix 3G, 4G, or LTE not working on iPhone or iPad.
Note: Resetting your Network Settings will remove all the previous preferences such as Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, preferred network, etc.
- Launch Settings → Tap General → Scroll down and tap Reset.
- Tap Reset Network Settings → Enter your iPhone Passcode and Confirm.
Update iOS
iOS updates have a reputation for solving specific annoying issues.
If you haven’t updated your device in a while or if there’s a software update waiting for you, upgrading might just do the trick.
- Plug your iPhone into a power source.
- Launch Settings → Tap General → Tap Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install → Tap Install.
Restore your iPhone
If all the solutions mentioned above haven’t fixed the issue, restoring your iPhone can work as a last resort. Before moving ahead, back up your device!
Note: Restoring your iPhone will delete all of your data and install the newest version of iOS.
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC → Launch iTunes or Finder.
- Select your iPhone from the left menu → Click on Restore iPhone.
- Click on Restore and Update to confirm.
Contact Apple Support
Don’t give up yet if the issue still isn’t resolved. Contact the godfather! But seriously, contact Apple itself.
That’s all!
We hope one of these solutions fixed your 3G, 4G, & LTE not working on iPhone or iPad. If you have any questions, ask away in the comments below!
Take a look:
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- How to Turn ON or OFF 5G on iPhone 12 Series
- No Service on iPhone? Try these 10 fixes!
Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com, who has a keen eye for news, rumors, and all the unusual stuff around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting content on social media.