When the cellular data stops working on your iPhone, there are several services that will be affected. You won’t be able to send or receive text messages as well as make phone calls.
And when you’re relying on the mobile data to connect to the Internet, then you can expect to have no Internet connection the moment such a problem occurs.
Applications that need to be constantly connected to their respective servers will also stop downloading information.
Facebook will cease to update your timeline or won’t open at all. You will not be able to stream videos through YouTube or watch your favorite series on Netflix.
So a simple iPhone cellular data network issue will be magnified up to the point that you won’t be able to use your new device properly anymore.
That’s why it’s very important that at the very first sign of this problem, you will be able to fix cellular data problem immediately to prevent having various issues.
Troubleshooting Cellular Data Issue on iPhone 13
The iPhone cellular data not working issue may occur every now and then. It might seem like a serious problem but most of the time, it’s just a minor problem with your iPhone, the network or the SIM card.
Needless to say, you will be able to fix it by doing some basic troubleshooting procedures, unless the problem is with the network. In that case, you will need the help of your Network Service Provider.
Now, here are the things you can do to try and fix the iPhone 13 cellular data problem:
First solution: Force restart your iPhone
Before anything else, make sure that such a problem is not just due to a minor glitch in the system. Thus, the first thing you have to do is to refresh the memory of your device by doing the Forced Restart.
Here’s how you do it:
Step 1: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
Step 2: Press and release the Volume Down button.
Step 3: Immediately after releasing the Volume Down, press and hold the Power key for 8 seconds.
Step 4: When the Apple logo appears, release the Power button and allow your iPhone to continue booting up.
Once your iPhone has finished rebooting, try sending an MMS to your own number to see if it goes through. If it does, then the problem is fixed, if not, move on to the next solution.
Second solution: Enable Airplane Mode for a few seconds
When you enable the Airplane Mode, all wireless communications on your iPhone will be disabled. But once you disable the Airplane Mode back, your device will reconnect to the networks, including the cellular data network.
This procedure might work for you. So follow these steps:
Step 1: Pull down the Control Center.
Step 2: Look for the airplane icon and tap on it to enable it.
Step 3: Leave it enabled for a couple of seconds, and after that, tap on it again to disable it.
Give your iPhone a few seconds to reconnect to the networks and then try to see if the mobile data problem is fixed.
Third solution: Disable Cellular Data & reenable it
Another thing you can do to force your iPhone to reconnect to the cellular network is by disabling the service for a few seconds and reenabling it back. It worked for some users so it’s worth a try.
Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Go to the Home screen and open the Settings app.
Step 2: Tap Cellular.
Step 3: Toggle Cellular Data switch to disable it.
This will turn mobile data off on your device.
Step 4: Leave it disabled for a couple of seconds and then tap on the switch to enable Cellular Data again.
This will re-activate Cellular Data network services on your iPhone.
Now try sending a picture message to your own number to see if your iPhone 13 can now send and receive it. If still not, then move on to the next solution.
Fourth solution: Reset Network Settings
After doing the first three solutions and the cellular data on your iPhone 13 is still not working, then you have to reset the network settings. This procedure is very effective when it comes to network-related issues like this.
This is how it’s done on your iPhone 13 with iOS 15:
Step 1: From the Home screen, tap Settings to open it.
Step 2: Tap General.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 4: Tap Reset at the bottom of the screen to reveal all the options.
Step 5: Tap Reset Network Settings and enter your security lock if prompted.
Step 6: Tap Reset Network Settings at the bottom of the screen.
Your iPhone will reset the network and reboot.
After the restart, wait for your iPhone to reconnect to the network and then try to send an MMS to your own number.
Cellular data problems can be fixed by this procedure and the only iPhone settings that will be reset are the cellular settings, APN settings, carrier settings and no other.
Your saved Wi-Fi networks will also be deleted including your Bluetooth pairings and connections.
This might be enough to make your iPhone 13 work perfectly again. However, if the problem remains, then you have no other choice but to reset it.
Fifth solution: Factory reset your iPhone 13
If the cellular service on your iPhone continues to be buggy affecting the data connection and other things, then you have no other choice but to reset your device.
A factory settings reset will delete all your files and data so make sure to create a backup of your important stuff before doing it.
When ready, follow these steps to reset your iPhone 13:
Step 1: Open settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap General.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Step 4: Tap Erase All Content and Settings at the bottom of the screen.
Read the information on the screen as it’s important because it tells you which ones will be deleted. You can use the information to backup your data.
Step 5: Tap Continue and then enter your security code if prompted.
You will then be prompted to turn off the Activation Lock by entering your Apple ID password.
Step 6: Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off at the top-right corner of the screen.
Now follow a few on-screen instructions to proceed with the Factory Reset.
Once the reset is complete, set up your iPhone 13 until it becomes ready.
Final Thoughts
A cellular data issue isn’t a serious problem but if left alone, you may encounter several issues on your iPhone 13.
It is important you spend a little time troubleshooting your device because even a procedure as simple as enabling and disabling the Airplane Mode might fix it.
Of course, it’s possible that the problem is with the network or the carrier settings on your iPhone needs to be updated manually. But still, you have your service provider to help you with it.
And then, you always have an option to reset the network settings or even to do the Factory Reset is all else fails.
We hope that this troubleshooting guide can help you.