Intermittent loss of cellular connection after ios update 26.2.1

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Level 1

4 points

Intermittent loss of cellular connection after ios update 26.2.1

I have an iPhone 14 which is only 15 months old. It was working perfectly fine until last Friday when the IOS 26.2.1 update was automatically installed overnight. Since then every now and then the cellular network connection keeps dropping and then the cellular strength bars are replaced with a triangle symbol and exclamation mark, and there is no network connection. When I run the diagnostic tool it says there is a hardware issue. However when I restart the phone and the network connects again, and then run the diagnostic tool it says there is a cellular service issue due to the environment, network, device settings, software or IOS. I took it into the Apple Store on Sunday and after a factory reset it seemed to be working ok. I returned home reloaded all my apps and password. The next morning I had the same issue as before with dropping connectivity. I took it to a different Apple Store today and explained the situation. When they ran the diagnostics while the phone had network connection it said everything was fine. However when it lost network connection and they ran the diagnostics it said there was a hardware issue. Therefore they told me I would have to pay ¥52k ($350) to fix the hardware issue. I told them the issue is due to the IOS update but they said there must have been a hardware issue before the IOS update and the update has highlighted the issue. I told them that I had a perfectly functioning phone before and would like to return it to the previous state. They said that was impossible and the only way to move forward was for me to pay the fee to fix it. It was almost like blackmail as Apple had pushed an iOS update onto me and then told me to pay up. I spoke to the manager and he repeated the same story. I told him I could not accept that there was a hardware issue before when the phone was fine, and it had to be the IOS update. However he said according to their information no such issues have been highlighted by other users and hence must be a hardware issue with my phone. I told him this was a poor way to treat loyal customers. As a family we own 3 IPhones, 3 iPads, 2 MacBook airs, and a Mac mini. I was also considering buying a higher spec Mac mini to replace my current PC but had lost all trust in Apple and would not buy Apple anymore if this is how they treat their customers ie push unnecessary costs on to them after forcing an IOS update. He just said that was my choice. Very frustrating experience. Has anyone had any similar issues with their phone and was able to find a fix?

iPhone 14, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 9, 2026 3:46 AM

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Answer 1

SravanKrA

Level 10

438,662 points

Feb 9, 2026 3:53 AM in response to Tokyo_Trev

It surely is not iOS 26.2.1 because...

I conducted a thorough search of this forum using the term 'Cellular network after iOS' and uncovered numerous posts detailing similar issues across various iOS updates. This suggests that iOS updates may not consistently be the root cause. Below are a handful of examples extracted from over 6,000 search results:

The issue you are experiencing is either device-specific or related to the SIM or eSIM.

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Answer 2

Tokyo_Trev Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 9, 2026 4:14 AM in response to SravanKrA

Thank you for the research. It seems some of the articles say that the network carrier may have needed to provide an update so will need to check with them.

The reason I suggested that The iOS update caused the issue was that it was the only variable from when the phone was working to not working.

my point was also that Apple support do not know for sure it is a hardware issue based on their diagnostics but expect me to pay for a hardware repair.

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Answer 3

SravanKrA

Level 10

438,662 points

Feb 9, 2026 3:51 AM in response to Tokyo_Trev

Loss of cellular connection is not due to an iOS update! Many things can cause phone problems. If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: OS — iOS 26, About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...