iPhone Cellular Data Not Working? Here's How to Get It Back

Your iPhone shows signal bars, but apps and webpages won’t load over cellular — only over Wi-Fi.

Why: Having signal and having working data are two different things. Usually it’s a setting: Cellular Data is off, it’s switched off for the specific app, you’re roaming without it enabled, or your carrier profile is out of date. Work through these in order.

Fix 1: Make sure Cellular Data is on

1. Go to Settings > Cellular (called Mobile Data in some regions).
2. Turn on the Cellular Data switch at the top.

If it was already on, toggle it off and back on, then try loading a webpage in Safari.

Fix 2: Check that the app is allowed to use cellular data

iPhones let you block data on a per-app basis, which is a common reason one app “has no internet” while others work.

1. Stay in Settings > Cellular and scroll down to the list of apps.
2. Make sure the switch next to the app you’re having trouble with is turned on.

Fix 3: Turn on Data Roaming if you’re travelling

If you’re outside your home network — including in another country — data won’t work unless roaming is enabled.

1. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
2. Turn on Data Roaming.

Be aware roaming may incur charges from your carrier, so turn it off again when you’re done.

Fix 4: Update carrier settings, then reset

1. Connect to Wi-Fi, then go to Settings > General > About. If a carrier settings update is offered, install it.
2. Restart your iPhone and test again.
3. As a last resort, reset network settings — this erases saved Wi-Fi passwords and cellular, VPN, and APN settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

If data still won’t work, contact your carrier to confirm your plan includes data and your account is active.

FAQ

Cellular data is on but still nothing loads. Toggle Airplane Mode on for 15 seconds and back off to force a reconnect, then restart. If only one app fails, confirm it’s allowed in Settings > Cellular.

My iPhone shows No Service, not just no data. That’s a different problem — see iPhone says No Service, SOS, or Searching.

Should I leave Data Roaming on? Only when you need it while travelling. Leaving it on at home is fine on a domestic network but can cause charges abroad.

Sources: Apple Support — Use cellular data on your iPhone or iPad