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iPhone 14 Pro Cellular Connection Issues

Is anyone else having major issues with their cellular service on the iPhone 14/14 Pro series? Ever since switching from my iPhone 13 Pro Max, I've had nothing but constant issues which include:

- Slow data (at times even when right next to a 5G UW tower)

- Frequent cellular service drops - noticing this happen especially when the phone switches on 5G, but even happens when my phone is on Wi-Fi calling (this is to the point where I cannot reliably use texting for SMS)

iPhone 14 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Sep 26, 2022 7:16 AM

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98 replies

Oct 27, 2022 8:40 AM in response to Basspro22

There is no “simmless” technology. Just instead of physical SIMs like your iPhone 7 Plus newer phones have electronic SIMs. The only “simless” phones were early Verizon phones that used CDMA technology and the first AMPs network phones (c. 1985) that used TDMA technology.


Your 7 Plus should be upgraded to iOS 15.7 and you should verify that you have the latest carrier settings update→Update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support.


And note that T-Mobile now only supports LTE for data and VoLTE for voice on your iPhone 7.


BTW, carriers aren’t always up to date on network status. Here’s a link to a crowd-sourced site that has more current information→Down Detector - Crowdsourced Outage Check

Oct 27, 2022 8:45 AM in response to Jaesim

VPN frequently creates more problems than it solves. But one important fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, iOS version and network that the phone uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your phone then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.


Something to think about→Don't use VPN - GITHUB


There are two legitimate purposes for using VPN:


  • To allow access to a private network such as a school or business when you are not on site. 
  • To allow access outside of a country with a repressive government that has restricted Internet access. (This has suddenly become more important)


Any other use is risky, and can lead to problems like the one discussed in this thread. VPN disguises your location by making you appear to be somewhere else in the world. But you usually can’t control that “somewhere else”, and if it is in a location that an app isn’t approved for the app won’t work. Plus the fact that the provider of the VPN knows everything about you and your location, as well as what sites you access through the VPN. So you are totally dependent on the VPN provider’s honesty. As a start, if the VPN is free, DON’T USE IT. The provider has to make money somehow, and if you aren’t paying them then they are selling your private data to make money. But even those that charge can’t necessarily be trusted. For example, a few years ago Avast was caught selling user browsing data. They claim they have stopped doing so. 


You don’t really need VPN when using public Wi-Fi, because all communications between your device and the servers it accesses are end-to-end encrypted.


If you want VPN for privacy about the sites you visit, that’s not a good choice as discussed; instead you should download and use the TOR browser.


With iOS 15.2 and later for iOS/iPadOS and MacOS Monterey 12.2 and later Apple now has iCloud+ Private Relay, which is not VPN, but provides a safer browsing environment than VPN, and it doesn't spy on you→About iCloud Private Relay - Apple Support

Nov 1, 2022 8:08 PM in response to goalstopper07

I'm with T-Mobile and having similar issues. No problems on WiFi but frequent connectivity issues with cellular data. Very frustrating when I can't use GPS even though i have 3 or 4 bars on 5G. Rebooting sometimes works but often requires 3 or 4 or even more reboots. Right now 11/1/2022 I loading a new software update with hopes that will be the solution. When the 5G works it's faster than my WiFi but more often than not I just can't access any cellular data.

Nov 1, 2022 8:46 PM in response to jay.jmt

It is obvious to me that i had better non-Wi-Fi phone service with less dropped calls with my 7Plus 4G phone. Apple states that there are little changes mechanically speaking with the Simm-less 5G phones, it says to me that T-Mobile 5G service is lacking capacity which may (in my non-technical mind) may present problems for the phone to manage switching between 5G & 4G service in order for the phone to stay connected. (Just a thought i had to share!

Nov 2, 2022 7:10 AM in response to Basspro22

Basspro22 wrote:

It is obvious to me that i had better non-Wi-Fi phone service with less dropped calls with my 7Plus 4G phone. Apple states that there are little changes mechanically speaking with the Simm-less 5G phones, it says to me that T-Mobile 5G service is lacking capacity which may (in my non-technical mind) may present problems for the phone to manage switching between 5G & 4G service in order for the phone to stay connected. (Just a thought i had to share!

Wirecutter says that T-Mobile is currently the best 5G service of all of the US carriers, and my experience in Northern New Jersey certainly is. I have a solid connection, usually 5Guc, with data speeds of up to 500 mbps. But 5G rollout is not complete for any carriers. Have you tried switching to LTE where your connection is spotty?

Nov 9, 2022 9:25 PM in response to drewfromsaint louis park

Iphone 14 pro here on the T-Mobile Network in the Renton area and Burien/Normandy Park Washington state.


I'm having constant issues with only 1 or 2 bars and it switching from LTE to 5G once in awhile I see 5gUC. I have done various resets. I'm not sure if I should just return the phone to T-Mobile and get my money back or what! I traded in a iphone 11 for this iphone 14 pro. I don't even know if I would get that phone back or what?


OR


Do I wait things out for a fix, but loose out on my return window??


I really don't know what to do!!

Nov 9, 2022 10:26 PM in response to drewfromsaint louis park

personally, i feel it's a T-Mobile issue, as soon as i started putting pressure on T-Mobile, the issue started to become less of an issue, I am still experiencing dropped calls and low bars in the same areas i did with my iPhone 7 Plus. If you purchased, it thru T-Mobile they can work with you on a phone replacement or work with you on extending the full replacement period until the issue is resolve to your satisfaction.

Nov 15, 2022 10:56 AM in response to Basspro22

I’m from Spain and I am also having the same issue. Every day my iPhone 14 Pro loses connection to cellular network and has to be rebooted. The connection bars in the upper right corner still full but without data network connection. I have IOS 16.1.1 exactly with the same problem, lag when closing application (swipe up) and network problems.

iPhone 14 Pro Cellular Connection Issues

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