Iphone 12 cannot connect to mobile data or wifi

Question

Level 1

14 points

Iphone 12 cannot connect to mobile data or wifi

While browsing the internet, I was suddenly disconnected. I thought it was an issue with the wifi so I turned turned the wifi off but I still could not connect to the internet while on mobile data. The wifi in the house is working fine because all the other devices in the house can connect to the internet through the wifi except my Iphone. An interesting thing is although my Iphone cannot connect to the internet with mobile data, I can still use the phone as a hotspot source for my laptop and other devices. Other interesting things that are happening are I have received notifications for new emails received but when I go to the email app to read the email, there are no new emails because the app cannot connect to the internet. Also, I can receive Whatsapp phone calls but when I answer, the calls do not connect because of lack of internet access.

I have (i) turned the phone off for several minutes, (ii) force restarted the phone, and (iii) reset the network settings and nothing has fixed the issue.

Are there any other troubleshooting options that someone can recommend? Thanks

iPhone 12, iOS 17

Posted on Dec 2, 2023 1:48 AM

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Answer 1

JAAPII Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 2, 2023 3:07 AM in response to JAAPII

I figured out the issue. I had to disable my VPN. My phone is now able to connect to both the wifi and the mobile data.

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Answer 2

ProustGiulio

Level 10

209,802 points

Dec 2, 2023 2:06 AM in response to JAAPII

I would try to:

Turn off all your devices (the ones connected to your wifi network)
Turn off your modem-router for at least 1 minute
Turn it back on, waiting for its complete autoconfiguration (it might take some minutes)
Check your modem-router settings, using these instructions:--> Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points . If you have problems, contact your Internet provider.
Turn on your iPhone, making sure it is connected to your SSID and it has Internet access

If the issue still persists, contact your cellular carrier and/or Apple support directly at this link: Contact Apple for support and service

Regards

Giulio

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Answer 3

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,863 points

Dec 2, 2023 2:19 AM in response to JAAPII

If your iPhone is in capable of connecting to any network I think it is a hardware error with your cellular and wifi antennas.. can you try to go to settings>is wifi greyed out there? That would suggest a hardware error

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Answer 4

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,863 points

Dec 2, 2023 1:50 AM in response to JAAPII

Have you tried to install a carrier settings update?

Make sure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network.
Tap Settings > General > About.
Follow the onscreen instructions to install your carrier update.

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Answer 5

JAAPII Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 2, 2023 2:04 AM in response to WheelieNick

I cannot install a carrier update when my phone cannot connect to the internet either by wifi or mobile data. Moreover, my carrier has no updates so that is not why my phone cannot connect to the internet.

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Answer 6

JAAPII Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 2, 2023 2:18 AM in response to ProustGiulio

Thanks for the suggestion Giulio but I tried resetting the router as you suggested and my phone still cannot connect to the home Wifi. The thing is my phone cannot connect to any WiFi network. I have tried the WiFi network at my office and other friend's homes and my phone is unable to connect to any Wifi network. This coupled with my phone's sudden inability to connect to my carrier's mobile network has rendered my phone without any capacity to connect to the internet.

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Answer 7

JAAPII Author

Level 1

14 points

Dec 2, 2023 2:35 AM in response to WheelieNick

WheelieNick - Wifi is not greyed out. The frustrating thing is there is the check mark next to the wifi network which indicates that the phone is connected to the network. However, the phone does not actually connect to the network. Instead of the wifi symbol that should appear in the top right, it still shows that the phone is connected to 4G or 5G, but I cannot connect to the internet on my phone via the mobile network.

What I do not understand is why can I not connect to the internet on my phone via the mobile network but my phone can be used as a hotspot source for other devices.

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