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cellular data network tab is missing on my iphone 4

cellular data network tab is just disappeared.
my iphone 4 is a uk unlocked model (MC603B), no jailbreak, 4.2.1 (8C148).
please help

Mac Pro, iMac, Macbook Pro, iPhone 4, iOS 4

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 12:40 PM

Reply
16 replies

Feb 1, 2011 1:13 PM in response to omarsuboh

to be honest these are the solutions that may or may not work..

first thing I would try is rebooting the phone by holding the sleep/wake button and home button for 15 seconds until you see the white apple logo

if that doesn't work I would restore from backup and if that doesn't work I would restore as new if all else fails take it to your closest apple store they may replace the phone for a working one..

Feb 2, 2011 8:35 AM in response to omarsuboh

I think (so could be wrong) that access to 'Cellular Data' settings is controlled by the carrier setting installed on your phone.

Which network are you using? I can vaguely remember noticing this option missing from iPhones using Orange UK.

I think carriers do this to prevent you making changes to the APN as this is what dictates your data charges.

Try and reset the network setting by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Netowrk Settings. Another thing is to try a different carrier SIM card and see if you can access the settings.

Like I said, I could be wrong....

Feb 4, 2011 6:12 AM in response to omarsuboh

omarsuboh wrote:
I tried all what suggested .. not solved.
I don't have another SIM right now, but I removed the SIM .. not solved also!

Do you think guys I have to reset my iPhone to 4.0 as I received it?

Thanks all ..


If you are at 4.2.1, you cannot downgrade to 4.0. Even if you do a factory restore, it will still remain in 4.2.1 installed as it is the latestfirmware.

Feb 8, 2011 8:34 AM in response to omarsuboh

Hey there,

Removing the SIM wont make any difference as it still retains the settings until a new SIM is inserted. I had a look at the phones in the Apple Store (UK); Orange and 3 all remove access to the Mobile Data Network Settings - in fact with 3, the 'Enable 3G' switch doesn't appear. Vodafone and O2 allow access.

Question for you, why is it important for you to access these settings?

Feb 8, 2011 11:13 AM in response to omarsuboh

FYI:

There is a directory on the iPhone which contains a list of "official" carriers, along with their network codes, and for each, there is a carrier bundle. Thus, if a sim is inserted from any of these carriers into an unlocked phone, there is no reason to edit the APN settings, as they are already set. If you insert a sim from a non-official carrier, the ability to edit the APN settings will appear. Occasionally, you may be prompted to connect to iTunes for an updated carrier file from an official carrier when inserting that carrier's sim. Fact is, most carriers do not want you editing the APN settings, that's why the ability to do so is not there.

May 8, 2011 8:26 AM in response to omarsuboh

Guys,


i am also facing the same issue... i am from India and am using Aircel Network. Cellular data network was there when i started using my new unlocked iphone 4. but suddenly it got disappeared and now i cannot connect to internet. i tried restoring it to factory setttings still it remains the same.. kindly help me to fix this issue..

May 25, 2011 8:19 AM in response to wjosten

I had the same problem with an official carrier sim for my unlocked iphone4 from Apple. I get the "unable to connect to cellular data message". At first I thought that the sim was wrong. But I tried something else. I inserted a sim that allows me to edit the apn settings then once I got into the menu I removed and inserted the one that I wanted to use. I entered the apn settings and I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT to the internet. A funny way to solve my problem and I think Apple should let us enter apn settings since we bought an unlocked phone from them.

The sim I got was on a pay as you go plan. And I think that the sim itself does not contain any apn settings at all. The Iphone must connect to the ineternet in order to get that info but since you are not on a plan the carrier won't let you until it sees that you have the ability to pay for the data you use.

Apr 19, 2012 10:12 AM in response to wjosten

Wjosten:


I hope you help me clarify, please see my problem described below and my question at the end.


I bought an UNLOCKED i-phone 4s DIRECTLY from the apple store where they assure me the phone was gonna be fully functional with any carrier BUT, I can't get MMS to work. I took it to the carrier and the tech told me this phone was LOCKED since the "Cellular Data Network" Tab was missing. How can I tell if my phone is actually unlocked? I talked to Apple customer service several times and they told me the carrier is supposed to configure the APN.


So, does it depends on the carrier OR on the fact that the phone is locked or not?


Appreciate it very much!

May 1, 2012 8:03 AM in response to Erika290

The missing "cellular data tab" has nothing to do with the iphone being unlocked or not...One way to find out if it's truly unlocked or not, would be to visit www.imei.info ...It will ask you to put your iphones' imei # and will give you info about your phone, such as if it's out warranty, sim locked (locked or unlocked) etc ..I assume that your carrier is At&t, At&t blocks this tab from appearing on purpose, to prevent people like you and me from editing the "apn settings" one way to get around this is to insert another carriers' sim card into your iphone (other than at&t) to access the missing tab, then inserting your simcard again...Another method would be to jailbreak your iphone...

cellular data network tab is missing on my iphone 4

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