How to Fix Cellular Data Not Working in iOS 18

I recently updated my iPhone to iOS 18, excited to try out the new features, but I ran into an unexpected issue—my cellular data just stopped working. Apps that required cellular data, like Maps, Safari and Spotify, wouldn’t load, but they worked perfectly fine on Wi-Fi. I went through the settings and confirmed that cellular data was turned on for all apps (Settings > Cellular), but when I tried to open some of them, it took me back to the settings screen, and the cellular data option was greyed out. It also seemed like all the apps listed under Settings > Cellular > Show All were stuck in whatever state they were set to before the upgrade. Even though I could move the toggle buttons, the new settings wouldn’t take effect. Interestingly, the apps listed outside of Show All in the main Settings > Cellular menu could still be toggled on and off as expected. It was frustrating, especially since I rely on these apps when I’m out and about. For instance, I use the Tapo app for my security cameras, and I couldn’t check on my cameras while on cellular data due to this problem. If you’ve found yourself in a similar situation after updating to iOS 18, you’re not alone. Luckily, I found some solutions that worked for me, and I’m here to share them so you can get your cellular data back up and running quickly.

Fix 1: Turn on Airplane Mode

One of the simplest fixes I found for my cellular data issue was toggling Airplane Mode on and off. This can help reset your network connections. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Settings.
2. Toggle on Airplane Mode (you’ll see a small airplane icon).
3. Wait about 30 seconds.
4. Toggle Airplane Mode off.

After doing this, check if your cellular data is functioning again. This quick step worked for me when I was experiencing connection issues, and it’s often the easiest first move to reset your network connections.

Fix 2: Disable and remove VPN

Another potential culprit could be a VPN. Sometimes, a VPN can interfere with your network connection and prevent cellular data from working properly. To see if your VPN is causing the issue, try disabling it:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down to VPN & Device Management.
4. If a VPN is connected, toggle it off or disconnect from the VPN.

If disabling the VPN doesn’t make a difference, you might need to go a step further and completely remove the VPN profile from your device:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Select VPN & Device Management.
4. Find your VPN configuration and tap Delete Profile.

Once the profile is removed, restart your iPhone and test your cellular data again. In some cases, a VPN can leave behind settings that interfere with your connection, so removing it entirely might be necessary. This worked for a friend of mine who had a similar issue, and it could solve your problem too.

Fix 3: Update Cellular Carrier Settings

If disabling your VPN didn’t resolve the issue, the next step is to check for updates to your cellular carrier settings. These updates can improve network connectivity and performance. Here’s how to do it:

1. Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or has access to cellular data.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap General.
4. Select About.

If there’s an update available for your carrier settings, you’ll see an option to update. Follow the prompts to complete the update. Afterward, restart your iPhone and see if your cellular data is working again.

In my experience, updating carrier settings has helped fix connection issues, especially after a major iOS update. It’s a simple step that can often make a big difference.

Fix 4: Turn Off RCS

If you’re using a messaging app that supports Rich Communication Services (RCS), which is a new feature introduced in iOS 18 and is turned on by default when you update, it might be causing conflicts with your cellular data. RCS enhances messaging capabilities but can sometimes lead to connectivity issues. To turn off RCS, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps near the bottom of the menu.
3. Tap Messages.
4. Tap RCS Messaging under Text Messaging.
5. Tap the toggle off next to RCS Messaging.

After turning off RCS, restart your iPhone and check if your cellular data is working again. I found that after disabling RCS in my messaging app, my connectivity issues improved significantly. It’s a quick fix that might just resolve your problem.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

If you’re still having trouble with your cellular data, a more comprehensive fix is to reset your network settings. This can help resolve deeper connectivity issues by returning your network settings to their factory defaults. However, be aware that doing this will erase network-related data, such as saved Wi-Fi passwords and VPN settings, so you’ll need to re-enter them afterward.

We previously discussed what happens when you reset network settings.

To reset your network settings, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
4. Choose Reset.
5. Tap Reset Network Settings and confirm your choice.

After your iPhone resets, it will restart, and you can reconnect to your Wi-Fi and check if your cellular data is working again. This step worked for me when all other options failed, so it’s worth trying if you’re still having issues.

Related articles:

• How to Fix the ‘Cellular Issues Detected’ Error
• How to Check Your Cellular Data Usage on iPhone and iPad
• An Update is Required to Use Cellular Data on this iPhone, Fix