Couldn’t get to access the internet via cellular data on your iPhone XR after installing the latest iOS update? If that’s so, then this post might be able to help you. Read on to find out what to do if your iPhone XR cellular data is not working in iOS 13.
Online services can be accessed on your iPhone through Wi-Fi or cellular/mobile data. Although cellular data is not that stable (as data connection depends on your phone’s cellular signal), it is a handy alternative to Wai-Fi, especially if you’re the type of person who travels a lot and Wi-Fi connection is not feasible. But then again, there are a lot of factors that can trigger various problems when using cellular data on your device.
Geographical factors, network signal instability as well as temporary network service outages are usually among the common triggers. There are also other cases wherein cellular data errors are inflicted by some software bugs including after installing firmware updates.
Tackled in this post is a similar issue on the iPhone XR cellular data that doesn’t work as intended following the recent iOS 13 update implementation. If you’re facing the same dilemma on your iPhone after updating its operating system to the latest version, then you may find a permanent fix from this context. Keep reading for more detailed solutions.
Troubleshooting your iPhone XR cellular data that is not working in iOS 13
Although the problem has instigated from a software update, it is still imperative to rule out other factors that can trigger cellular data issues on your iPhone. To eliminate common software-related attributes, try each of the following procedures.
First solution: Soft reset (restart) your iPhone XR.
Many devices would experience some sort of system irregularities after installing major system updates. And more likely, your iPhone’s cellular network system is the one that’s vexed. As a result, cellular data features aren’t working as they should.
Often times, problems like this are just due to some minor update bugs and therefore can be resolved by restarting the device. Hence, if you haven’t already, consider performing a soft reset on your iPhone XR as the very first potential solution to apply. Doing so will correct errant apps and clear out any corrupt temporary files and data that caused some flaws to your phone’s cellular functions.
There’s no need to create backups beforehand because nothing will be deleted from your iPhone storage. Just follow these steps whenever you’re ready:
- Press and hold the Power/Side button and either of the Volume buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
- Release both buttons once you see the Slide to Power off message on your screen.
- Drag the power off slider to the right to turn off your phone.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds then press and hold the Power/Side button again until the Apple logo appears.
Alternatively, you can perform a force restart to forcibly kill all suspended applications that caused adverse system behaviours on your device. This is usually needed if your device seemed to become unresponsive from the recent update. Here’s how it’s done:
- Press and release the Volume Up button quickly.
- Press and release the Volume Down button quickly.
- Lastly, press and hold the Power/Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Allow your phone to complete the reboot process and then check if mobile data functions are already working as intended. If it doesn’t, then you’ve got to try other means to fix the problem.
Second solution: Toggle Cellular data off and then on again.
Another simple yet very effective means of resolving random software glitches including post-update cellular data errors is to refresh its cellular feature. Enabling and disabling the phone’s cellular data feature will render a quick refresh on its cellular network connections. Minor flaws inflicted by the recent update to your phone’s cellular functions are typically rectified in the process. If you wish to give it a try, then here’s how it’s done:
- From the Home screen, access Settings.
- Tap on Cellular.
- Toggle the Cellular Data switch to turn it off, if necessary.
While the Cellular data is disabled, perform a soft reset on your iPhone and then go back to your phone’s cellular settings to re-enable cellular data again.
An alternative method you can use to give a simultaneous restart on your phone’s wireless data functions is the so-called Airplane mode trick. Enabling Airplane mode will turn off all radio signals on your phone including Cellular Data while disabling it re-enables all wireless features. Thus, it’s like giving a simultaneous reboot to the wireless features of your phone. Random errors affecting wireless services including cellular data are likewise cleared out in the process. If you think it’s worth a shot, then you may try it as well and see how it does. Just refer to these steps:
- Access Settings from the Home screen.
- Select Airplane mode.
- Toggle the switch next to it to turn Airplane mode on or enabled. All wireless functions of your phone are then disabled.
- While the Airplane mode is enabled, perform a soft reset on your device.
- Wait until your phone is finished rebooting and then go back to Settings-> Airplane mode menu.
- Tap the Airplane Mode switch again to disable the feature.
Allow your phone to re-establish all its wireless network connections. Once everything has stabilized, go back to Settings and turn on Cellular Data again to see if it’s already working as intended.
Third solution: Update carrier settings on your iPhone XR.
Network service providers/carriers typically release their own updates to keep network services aligned with the new software version of your phone. Installing these updates is also necessary as they could be the key to removing glitches that causes your cellular data not to function as intended. Refer to these steps to check and update your iPhone’s carrier settings, if needed:
- Connect your iPhone XS to a Wi-Fi network, if isn’t already.
- Access Settings from the Home Screen.
- Tap on General.
- Tap About.
You’ll see the Update option if there is an available update from your carrier. If the carrier update is mandatory, you’ll see the OK option instead of Update. Just follow the onscreen instructions to implement any available carrier update on your device.
Perform a soft reset or force restart your iPhone XS after successfully updating your carrier settings. This is imperative to ensure that all new network changes are properly implemented.
ALSO READ: How to fix iPhone Wi-Fi signal that keeps dropping in iOS 13
Fourth solution: Reset network settings on your iPhone XR.
If the problem is inflicted by some incorrect or invalid network settings, performing a network reset will likely be able to fix it. Any faulty network settings override that was implemented automatically during the update will be eliminated. Network settings errors causing trouble to your iPhone’s cellular data functions will likewise be addressed. If you wish to give it a try, then here’s how it’s done:
- Access Settings from the Home screen.
- Scroll down to and select General.
- Tap Reset then select Reset network settings option.
- Enter your device passcode if prompted.
- Tap Reset network settings again to confirm.
Your iPhone will restart automatically when the reset is finished. Just allow the reboot process to complete and once your iPhone is back up and running, get back to settings and to re-enable cellular data and see if it’s already working.
Fifth solution: Reset all settings to fix your iPhone’s cellular data that’s not working in iOS 13.
A major software update like iOS 13 typically comes with major platform changes. Along with these changes are new built-in system settings that are automatically installed on your device. While this isn’t usually a problem, things could turn out bad if there are existing settings or customization on your device that don’t compliment with the recent system structure. When this happens, various system errors can be triggered. To make sure that this isn’t ruining your phone’s network functions, particularly cellular data services, reset all settings on your iPhone XR. Doing so will remove all customized settings and then restore the original values. Any errors associated with some settings conflicts will also be rectified. Just follow these steps to get started:
- Access Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down to and then select Reset.
- Once prompted, enter your device passcode.
- Select the option to confirm reset all settings.
After the settings are reset, your phone will restart automatically and then restores the original configuration on your device. To use necessary features, particularly those that are disabled by default, enable them individually. That also denotes the need for you to re-enable cellular data.
ALSO READ: How to fix your iPhone 8 that cannot make or receive calls in iOS 13, phone bug
Still troubled with your iPhone XR cellular data that’s not working in iOS 13?
The workarounds listed above were generic solutions to address common errors affecting cellular services on your iPhone XR. If none of them works, then you may opt-in for stronger solutions like a factory reset, recovery mode restore or a DFU mode restore (if needed). These methods have already been proven effective in addressing fatal system errors, clearing out stubborn bugs including those that were inflicted by major updates. Should you wish to proceed, be sure to back up all your important files beforehand so you could still recover them later.
You can refer to a step-by-step guide on how to perform a recovery mode restore or DFU mode restore on an iPhone XR, posted on this site’s tutorials section.
For further assistance and official recommendations, escalate the problem to your network service provider. You can also ask your carrier to check your account and ensure that cellular data services are active. Also ask them to check on their outage boards. While the symptom has started from the recent update, it is also possible that a temporary network outage in your place is the underlying cause.
Finally, you can report the problem straight to Apple Support so that they can make necessary assessments on their end and confirm if this really is a post-update bug that needs a permanent fix.
Connect with us
We are committed to helping our readers fix the problems with their phones as well as learn how to properly use their devices. So, if you have other issues, you may visit our troubleshooting page so you can check by yourself the articles we’ve already published that contain solutions to common problems. Furthermore, we do create videos to demonstrate how things are done on your phone. Visit our Youtube Channel and please subscribe to it. Thanks.