How to Fix iPhone XS Max Cellular Signal That Keeps Dropping

Is your iPhone XS Max constantly losing signal? If calls drop frequently, mobile data cuts out, or your signal bars vanish, you’re not alone — especially after an iOS update. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix the issue.

1. Toggle Cellular Data Off and On

A quick reset of your mobile connection may fix the issue:

Go to Settings > Cellular
Turn Cellular Data OFF
Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back ON

This refreshes the connection to your carrier’s tower.

2. Restart Your iPhone (Soft Reset)

Sometimes, a reboot is all you need:

Press and hold the Side + Volume button until the power slider appears
Slide to power off
Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on

3. Use the Airplane Mode Trick

Toggling Airplane Mode can force a cellular reconnection:

Open Settings > Airplane Mode
Turn it ON and wait 10 seconds
Turn it OFF and let your phone reconnect to your carrier

4. Reset Network Settings

If a network configuration is corrupt, this will restore defaults:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset
Tap Reset Network Settings
Enter your passcode and confirm

You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi afterward, but this won’t delete personal data.

5. Install Carrier Settings Update

Sometimes, carriers release updates separate from iOS:

Go to Settings > General > About
If an update is available, a prompt will appear — follow the on-screen instructions

6. Reset All Settings

This erases all system settings without deleting data:

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings
Enter your passcode and confirm

This can fix issues triggered by misconfigured or corrupted settings.

7. Reinsert the SIM Card

Your SIM card might be misaligned or corrupted:

Power off your phone
Use the SIM eject tool to remove the tray
Remove, clean, and reinsert the SIM card
Power your phone back on and wait for reconnection

If the SIM looks scratched or damaged, contact your carrier for a replacement.

8. Restore Your iPhone via Recovery Mode

For severe software issues:

Connect your iPhone to a computer and open iTunes or Finder
Put your phone into recovery mode
- Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold the Side button until you see the recovery screen
Choose Restore when prompted

If that doesn’t help, consider a deeper DFU mode restore.

Still Dropping Signal?

If the signal still drops:

Contact your carrier to check for outages or SIM issues
Reach out to Apple Support if the problem started after an iOS update
Visit a Genius Bar or authorized service center if hardware damage is suspected