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User profile for user: Alexandre7
Alexandre7 Author
User level: Level 1
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My iPhone 5s keeps "searching" and I can't get service

I have an iPhone 5s for 6 months. I had no problem until recently that I lost service and and instead of saying "no service" it said "searching". I waited for a while and thought nothing of it because I genuinely thought that my phone was searching for service, but no one has a similar problem in my location, having the same phone and similar SIM card. The first times I used to restart the phone and it usually fixed the problem. But whenever I go to another place just in the city, the network service goes and starts searching!

The first times, after about an hour, It asked me to activate my iphone through a network and iCloud sign-in. I signed out of iCloud and the problem still remains.


Here are ways I have tried to fix it:

- Reboot

- Upgrade from ios 8.3 to ios 8.4 (at first, ios 7 was installed and my upgrade to 8 may have caused the problem!)

- Reset all settings

- Set carrier to manual

- Sign out of iCloud permanently

- Change/renew SIM card

- Restore to factory settings

Still sometimes I have the service and more often It goes to SEARCHING mode! I don't know what to do. Is there anything else I should try?

Thanks!

iPhone 5s, iOS 8.4

Posted on Jul 15, 2015 7:18 AM

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3 replies
User profile for user: chuck_3rd
chuck_3rd
User level: Community Specialist

Jul 17, 2015 7:05 AM in response to Alexandre7

Hello Alexandre7,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.


From your post I see that your iPhone is constantly searching for cellular service. Given your previous troubleshooting steps, the remaining steps I'd like you to go through are checking for a Carrier Settings Update, and to also contact your carrier.


If you see No Service or Searching

If you see No Service or Searching on your device, or can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data, follow these steps:

  1. Check your coverage area to make sure you're in an area with cellular network coverage.
    • If you can't connect to a cellular network, make sure cellular data is on in Settings > Cellular.
    • If you're traveling internationally, make sure your device is set up for data roaming. Go to Settings > Cellular > Data Roaming.
      User uploaded file
  2. Restart your iPhone or iPad.
  3. Check for a Carrier Settings Update.
  4. Remove the SIM card then reinsert it. If the SIM card is damaged, worn, or bent, or doesn't fit in the SIM tray, contact your carrier.
  5. Try another location. If possible, see if other devices are able to connect to your carrier's network in that location.
  6. Contact your carrier to:
    • Verify that your account is active and in good standing.
    • Make sure there are no outages in your area.
    • Check that your device is not blocked from receiving cellular services and set up with the right data plan.
  7. Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

If you still can't connect to a cellular network, and have confirmed with your carrier that there isn't an issue with your account or network, try restoring your device.

If you can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data - Apple Support


Take care.

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My iPhone 5s keeps "searching" and I can't get service

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