iOS 26 Cellular doesn't work after update

SIMS can go bad/defective for many reasons. Most cellular providers will replace SIMS for free. AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon all provide SIMS at no charge where I live (Florida).

The fact two other SIMS work in your iPhone indicates your SIM is defective. The SIM may be too old to work with the newer device or newer iOS .

Cellular providers install their own software and firmware. If it hasn’t been updated, that’s not Apple’s fault. A simple visit to the provider store or service locations should resolve your issue.

I agree with your point related to SIM.

That's the action I will take as a workaround: replace the SIM/ switch to another service provider.

But, to me, it is a bug of Apple's iOS 26.1.

Because this issue crashed my whole phone.

As I mentioned in previous reply, the cellular/ Wifi/ Bluetooth all not working because of this bug.

Even though I restart the phone without any SIM card plugged in, the system still crashed with the status of "Searching for a network".

The system is basically hanged at the backend and keep searching for service.

And when I went to Genius Bar to do a diagnosis check, it showed all red on my cellular/ Wifi/ Bluetooth module.

However, when we restored the phone to factory setting, all working fine and the 2nd diagnosis check showed everything green.

(Until I plug back the problem SIM card)

I accept the statement that old SIM card might not be applicable to newer iOS but I don't except this kind of incident happen.

Plus, I updated frm iOS 26.0.1 to 26.1, which the SIM card working completely fine before the update.

It is obviously a bug haven't been fully fixed since iOS 26.

(though it was claimed fixed during 26.0.1)

I don't expect an adaptability on SIM card change within a small patch, not a whole version update.

Hope this makes sense.

Updated to new iOS didn’t have service after …

Tried everything …. On/off hard restart reset network toggled airplane mode .

but here is the fix ! go into settings go to cellular and you have to select your network. Worked for me hopefully works for you

Try flipping your sim to the other side of the tray, it worked for me

Have you talked to your cellular service provider? Inserting a SIM card should not cause issues less there’s an issue with the SIM card or the service providers software and firmware on your device.

Exactly the same with me on 14 Pro Max I tried all the usual suggestions and the actions you mention Apple did a remote diagnostic and said ‘it shows there's an issue with the cellular components of the device so in this case we'll continue with a service option to get your iPhone working properly as soon as possible’. I’m not convinced that I’m not going to have a 100 mile round trip wasted looking at hardware when it’s an update issue. Debating a factory reset via a Mac

i have same Model. I also tried almost everything even Apple support said this is a hardware issue. But i solved it by myself. What work for me:

remove sim card and turn it from back side and insert again.it works 100 percent

Hassan070 wrote:

i have same Model. I also tried almost everything even Apple support said this is a hardware issue. But i solved it by myself. What work for me:

remove sim card and turn it from back side and insert again.it works 100 percent

Works for your phone in your country. What model of 14 pro? What country are you in?

or do you mean you had it in back to front?

s.pam wrote:

Right so the sim tray thing won’t work either. I haven’t ruled out trimming the SIM card but I’m pretty hesitant to resort to this. Genius appointment is for tomorrow morning but I haven’t got high hopes from what people have said on this thread.

This so called fix of trimming the SIM card would, if it worked, indicate damaged contacts inside the phone. May work for some, may cause new unrepairable damage in others.

Far better would be to migrate to eSIM if your provider supports it.

My iPhone 15 Pro Max is now effectively a useless brick unless it’s connected to WiFi. Certainly can’t be used as a phone as it has had no cell service since updating to IOS 26 on the day it was released. 26.01 has not fixed the issue. I’ve read and tried lots of so-called fixes but nothing has worked permanently. Does anyone know if Apple even care enough to produce a proper fix for this issue? Talkmobile have no clue how to fix this and, yes, the SIM

works fine in a different iPhone so it’s the case that IOS 26 caused some catastrophic event that made this fairly crucial point of having phone cease to work. Simply not good enough Apple!

I’m using an iPhone 11 Pro and just received another as an express replacement a couple of weeks ago from apple. The day after I got it, I noticed it wasn’t connecting to the mobile network. When people try to call me, they hear messages like “unable to connect,” “switched off,” or “out of range.”

Today, I checked the details of the iOS 26.0.1 update and saw a note saying: “A small number of iPhone users may be unable to connect to a mobile network after updating to iOS 26.” That’s when I realized I had updated to iOS 26 right after getting the replacement phone.

I’ve contacted Apple Support several times before, but they say they can’t find any issue. I’ve tried using SIM cards from different carriers, but the problem remains. Network diagnostics show a hardware issue, yet Apple Support insists everything is fine.

So I’m wondering, if this is an iOS issue, then why the Apple does not fix it?

I've had this problem since updating from iOS 18 to 26, albeit intermittently. My 13 Pro has no problems with cellular data when I remain within my country, but as soon as I cross the border it loses the signal, and it can take a while to get it back. Turning on Airport mode does not help to find the new carrier when turned back on, and sometime under network selection nothing happens, and occasionally there is no tab for network selection but just shows my cellphone number. We're now on iOS 26.4 and the problem does not seem to have been resolved. My carrier operator gave me a new SIM card, but that has not solved the issue. It's a right pain. If you take it in to Apple they will say it's a hardware problem with your phone and might try to charge you an exorbitant repair fee. But given the very high number of users that experienced the problem following the upgrade to iOS 26, it is clearly a software issues caused by Apple - at least according to more tech savvy people than me. Good luck.

Do you have a single or a dual sim tray currently?

What did your cellular service provider say when you called their customer support team?