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Getting 3G toggle back in iOS 8 - Solved

All those missing the 3G toggle after updating to iOS 8 - here are some solution to try:

Mostly, everybody updated over the air(OTA) using Wi-Fi, something broke there & quite possibly also missed the included Carrier update.

As iOS 8 is a major jump, try Restoring through iTunes, it works.

You could also download the Firmware(.ipsw) file for your model & use click Shift/Option on Restore in iTunes.

Remember to backup your device in iTunes first.


Another Option is to go to an Authorized Apple Service Center & they will do it for you - tested & works.

You get your 3G toggle back in iOS 8 if your Carrier supports it.

Note : Applicable for users who had 3G toggle under Cellular in iOS 7.1.2 & lost it after updating to iOS 8

iPhone 5c, iOS 7.1.2, Windows 7

Posted on Sep 20, 2014 6:30 AM

Reply
74 replies

Oct 20, 2014 12:56 PM in response to sunnywalia

Goto Settings->Cellular->Voice (or Voice & Data if your data is turned on)->Select one among 2G, 3G or LTE. Those are the options I see. It's also important that you get the carrier update. My carrier version upgraded to Airtel 18.0 from Airtel 17.0. These options are only enabled if you receive the carrier update too. Unfortunately it's how iOS works.


For me (on iPhone 5) the carrier update came with the iOS update. Ideally, it should be the case for iPhone 6 as well. Apple release notes did not mention anything about restricting this option for iPhone 6. If you did not receive the carrier update, then you might need to get in touch with Airtel.


Thanks,

Rajeev.

Oct 20, 2014 1:26 PM in response to sunnywalia

Oh boy!!! That is bad. I somehow feel this has got something to do with the carrier update of Airtel not supporting iPhone 6. You better clarify this with Airtel first and also lodge a complaint if required. You can also call up Apple customer care and let them know that it is still an issue with iPhone 6.


There is a remote possibility that Airtel chose not enabled this option for iPhones that supports its LTE band (read iPhone 5S and above) and if that really is the case, then the situation has just gone from bad to worse.


In the past 1 month I've had atleast 6-7 calls with Airtel executives explaining them that their Airtel 17.0 carrier update disabled my 3G toggle resulting in me lodging a couple of complaints in that process. You should probably pursue that route. It took me some of my precious time to make them understand what is a 3G toggle and why/how it matters including the fact that my iPhone 5 does not support their LTE band of frequency. So, their LTE toggle is pretty much useless.


Leave LTE, it's difficult to survive with 3G alone in India yet. Learned this the hard way.


Thanks,

Rajeev.

Oct 21, 2014 6:52 PM in response to inpuli

Agree to you, its definitely an apple issue, but i believe its not 100 % apple's fault, there just be something with carrier too. But anyway, I believe when it is working with android without carrier update, why not with iOS?

The customer care guys are really foolish mahn, I called them many times. The funniest and most irritating thing is that when you suggest them about turning on 2G and turn off 3G, they suggest you as per you ar an adroid user, and when you say them that it is apple, they give you foolish answer like "This is the option available for all phones". When you talk to them about carrier update, they just dont have any idea about it, this adds to the irritation further.

Oct 21, 2014 9:18 PM in response to rajeevkvssp

rajeevkvssp wrote:


GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!!!


Apple has fixed the problem in iOS 8.1 update. Now we can select between 2G, 3G or LTE. There is also a carrier update with the bundle. It's Airtel 18.0


Just upgraded my iPhone 5. Happy days are back :-)


Thanks,

Rajeev.

Hey Rajeev,

this will not work with 5s/5c and later models, as they have an additional LTE band which Airtel India uses. Unfortunately, Airtel provides 4G/LTE in only a few Indian cities, but that's a different discussion. So, this is an Airtel India, issue since iOS 7 on iP 5s/5c. FYI all the toggles show up with Vodafone SIM on iOS 8.1 🙂

Oct 21, 2014 9:20 PM in response to inpuli

inpuli wrote:


I'm sure its purely apple issue. I called more than 10 times to Airtel in India and each executive taking 15min to understand the issue and then transferring to someone else but no resolution yet. Not expecting too.

It's an Airtel India issue, with iPhone 5s/5c and later models, as Airtel India uses a different LTE band. Works with Vodafone India on 8.1

Oct 26, 2014 4:54 AM in response to Sandeep Roy

Just to end the speculation as to whose fault is this please go through this link I found on another thread,


Understanding LTE options on your iPhone


Apple and the carriers are equally responsible for this mess (though I will still blame Apple for actually having this feature in place). Apple signs a file with extension "ipcc" for every carrier (which gets modified with carrier versions) and this is responsible for the options each of your various iPhone models display w.r.to the 2G or 3G toggles.

Oct 26, 2014 6:43 AM in response to rajeevkvssp

rajeevkvssp wrote:


Just to end the speculation as to whose fault is this please go through this link I found on another thread,


Understanding LTE options on your iPhone


Apple and the carriers are equally responsible for this mess (though I will still blame Apple for actually having this feature in place). Apple signs a file with extension "ipcc" for every carrier (which gets modified with carrier versions) and this is responsible for the options each of your various iPhone models display w.r.to the 2G or 3G toggles.

Thanks ! That cleared the air.

Apple will lose share in emerging markets like India, if this continues. Once they realise that, they'll probably make amends.

Oct 26, 2014 12:00 PM in response to Sandeep Roy

Hi guys.....

I am a great gadget lover, I have been using android and smart phones but now I am new to Apple.

I possessed an Iphone 5C 16 GB on 24th Oct.

I am here to clarify with a good news for the people of India regarding 2G/3G/Lte toggle, especially Airtel customers.

Yes, ITS WORKING 100% now after updating it to iOS8.

Yes, its working and even I am a Airtel user.

Its neither an operator's problem nor an Apple's.

Just read below.

Very interesting fact that Airtel has launched 3G in India few months back, but I dont know about other cities but in Kolkata Airtel doesnot has its own 3G tower, it is using Vodafone's. So I am going to share all the experience I had today morning before having my Iphone with Airtel 3G.

Please note I have provided all the information below for Airtel users and after updating it to iOS8.

I was also not getting Airtel 3G.

Firstly, I took a Reliance GSM sim which I converted it to nano sim and then plugged in my Iphone, it gave me an option of 2G and 3G and ofcourse LTE. I used choosing 3G for 5-10 mins and it was fine. Then there comes the question that why not Airtel working the same way?

Then I used my other android phone and plugged my airtel sim in that phone and I found that there was no 3G in it also. Then I contacted customer care, he noted the problem and transferred the call to his senior. He then further clarified that Airtel doesn't have its own 3G tower and they use Vodafone's.

Here the steps you need to do- (on that same another 3g featured android phone)

1. Plug your Airtel sim in that android or any other 3G featured phone and check if your geeting 3G coverage, if yes then sim is ok then the below steps will not be useful.

2. If no 3G coverage your getting in the phone then follow the below steps.

1. Go to mobile network settings

2. Select manually instead of automatic and wait for it to search all the networks.

3. Then you will find Vodafone 3G or Vodafone IND, select that.

4. It will be configured, so now turn on your mobile data and see the new H or 3G icon will show, that means 3G is working on Airtel now.

Now comes steps for Iphone-

1. Now you plugged that same Airtel sim back in your Iphone.

2. Go to network settings and similarly select manual network and then select Vodafone IND.

3. The phone will update itself taking 1-2 minute and it might also restart if required.

4. Thats it, your done, now you will see your phone will show Vodafone 3G instead of AIRTEL, thats it your done.

What I believed that senior executive had done was registered my AIRTEL SIM on Vodafone's 3G, might be but I am not sure.

So now sad days are gone, Cheers and Enjoy 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂.

I just love Apple, thanks Apple lovely Iphone and awesome features and everything..

Oct 26, 2014 12:25 PM in response to sunnywalia

No bro in airtel there will be no 3G option

it will be lte only but it does not matter whether u turn lte on/off if your are getting 3G icon on top left corner of your phone.

Did you tried your sim in another phone and manually changed it to Vodafone ?

Did you get 3G connection in that other another phone after changing it to Vodafone?

Did u contact customer care and reported the issue to get 3G access on your Airtel sim ?

until your sim works 3G in any other phone till then you can't ble Apple or iOS 8 bro.

Getting 3G toggle back in iOS 8 - Solved

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