No service after iOS 11 update

This is my experienced SOLUTION for the intermittent and consistent "No Service or Searching" and Cellular Data/Cellular Network connectivity issue on one of my company’s mobile device. Problem was not a device software/hardware issue, which is especially demonstrated for those who have a new device or have performed a full device reset. Apologies in advance for the lengthy reply and hope this steers you as well as others towards a permanent resolution.

Device Information was incorrectly logged in the wireless carrier's system.

Step 1 - Accurately confirm your Device Information. First, go to Settings>Phone to view My Number (phone number). Second, go to Settings>General>About to view the device's Serial #, IMEI, ICCID, etc. IMEI=International Mobile Equipment Identity and this 15-digit serial # differs from the manufacturer’s serial #. ICCID=Integrated Circuit Card Identifier and this 20-digit # directly references the SIM card that's physically installed in device’s external port.

Step 2 - Contact your wireless carrier and ask them to verify that pertinent device info is respectively aligned. Just an FYI, a carrier’s system may demonstrate info correctly, but a refresh of info may be required in their system so that correct functionality is stimulated. ASK THEM TO CLEAR OUT ALL OF THEIR LOGGED FIELDS FOR DEVICE INFO AND RE-ENTER THE INFO. They should also ask you to power down your device during this process. Begin with the basic info assigned in their system, such as phone number and iPhone 5, 5S, 6, 6S, 7, 8, X. Next, confirm the serialized type info. ICCID is critical. Be prepared to replace the carrier’s provided SIM card should the ICCID not match their system. Once device is powered up and is functioning correctly through cellular service ONLY, it’s also a good time to ensure that the Visual Voicemail is functioning. You or they, using another phone, can leave a test voicemail.

***Resolution steps above makes assumptions of mobile device general readiness.***

Refer to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201415. I’m sure I’ve missed some, but a few examples of readiness are as follows:

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Device isn’t damaged.

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Device appropriate SIM card is correctly installed.

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Device cellular is turned on and cellular settings within device are correctly configured.

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Device software is updated to iOS 8 or later version.

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Device is manufactured specifically for and/or approved for use through wireless carrier.

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Within wireless carrier service area and no cellular outages.

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Wireless carrier account is in good standing/active and there isn't service type block referencing your device's IMEI. Blocks/blacklisting logged by wireless carrier can be from device reported as lost or stolen.

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Carrier Settings update has been installed on device. If cellular or Wi-Fi service is available when checking Carrier version installed, you’ll see a pop up window for a Carrier Settings Update Available. Go to Settings>General>About and wait a few moments. Apply this update whenever it’s available.

Cheers & Good Luck!

John

My daughter's phone had same problem. Took to Apple Store today (Feb 3 2018) and they said the "just this morning" rolled out a diagnostic process for this problem, which seems to be a hardware issue, and if the process confirms that, they will replace phone for free. My phone was replaced with a brand new iPhone 7. Took about 45 mins from start to finish, but the store folks were just learning this new process.

These are the appropriate steps to take and the most updated (as of Nov 2, 2017):

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad

If you see No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), or can't connect to a cellular network or cellular data, follow these steps:

Check your coverage area

Make sure that you're in an area with cellular network coverage. Then follow these steps:

• If you can't connect to a cellular network on your iPhone, make sure that cellular data is on in Settings > Cellular^*. On your iPad, go to Settings > Cellular Data.
• If you're traveling internationally, make sure that your device is set up for data roaming. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming.
  

Restart your iPhone or iPad

Restart your device. If you're not sure how to do this, follow these steps.

Check for a Carrier Settings update

To manually check for and install a carrier settings update:

1. Make sure that your device is connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.
2. Tap Settings > General > About. If an update is available, you'll see an option to update your carrier settings.
3. To see the version of carrier settings on your device, tap Settings > General > About and look next to Carrier.

If you insert a new SIM card into your iPhone or iPad, you need to download the carrier settings for your new carrier.

Take out the SIM card and put it back in

If the SIM card is damaged, or doesn't fit in the SIM tray, contact your carrier. Learn more about removing your SIM card.

Reset your Network Settings.

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

Update your iPhone or iPad

Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS.

Contact your carrier

Issues with your carrier or account might affect your service. 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 isn't blocked from receiving cellular services and is set up with the right data plan.

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.

Only your wireless carrier can access and manage details about your account. If you need help finding your wireless carrier's service page, use the Apple carrier-support article or an online search engine.

In some countries or regions, you might see Mobile instead of Cellular. For example, you might see Settings > Mobile or Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data Network instead of Settings > Cellular or Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network.

Published Date: Nov 2, 2017

I was having the exact same problems after my 6 year old accidentally installed iOS 11 on my SE last night. All day today I had no cellular data and I was so frustrated. Did all the fixes and nothing worked. Until...

I reached out to my carrier (Ting) and online chatted with a rep who asked me to reboot the phone (ugh) and try the data again. Started feeling more annoyed since I had tried this and more already but BOOM my cellular data was working! I asked “what happened” and the rep told me I had reached an internal limit that he reset on his end. That was it! So I suggest trying your carrier to see if there is someThing causing the issue on their end.

I have something working and I thought I would share it. (I think it's a fluke, but sharing is caring). I have two places I use wifi calling that the wifi is terrible - at home, and in a private plane (satellite). When this started happening, it was after the update but also after having wifi calling in a bad wifi area. My fix was to do a hard reset (holding buttons down for a long time well past the time it goes dark) WHILE I was outside the slow wifi area. This worked and I didn't have to reset all my wifi passwords. Since the fix is free and it may be a combination of wifi quality, wifi calling and switching to carrier, I thought I would put this out to get feedback from others. I did get to a VERY senior tech at Apple and they now know about this problem and this thread. I expect it will be addressed soon.

I assure all my friends that such problem is neither apple hardware nor software related issues, absolutely not. I have been suffering from such issues since one month of my purchase of iPhone SE i.e February'2018 from Apple store.

I have contacted both apple support and my network carrier i.e. Airtel India. None of them have resolved the issue. Finally I visited the network carrier store i.e Airtel store and asked for SIM swap. Actually this SIM swap is done when your SIM is either lost or damaged without loosing your mobile number. The executive asked me about MNP if done previously and how many months back ? I said yes I have done such Mobile Number Portability from other network carrier i.e. BSNL India two months back. The executive has issued me one new SIM (H1 type) written in sim card cover "4G MNP Ready" free of cost and requested me to insert the new SIM when the network signal goes off. I waited about exactly two hours and suddenly signal was off. I inserted the new SIM. As soon as iPhone open, immediately I see signal.

From that day I didn't see "no service or searching". This is the trick that has to be followed for resolving the issue definitely.

I assure all my friends that such problem is neither apple hardware nor software related issues, absolutely not. I have been suffering from such issues since one month of my purchase of iPhone SE i.e February'2018 from Apple store. I have contacted both apple support and my network carrier i.e. Airtel India. None of them have resolved the issue. Finally I visited the network carrier store i.e Airtel store and asked for SIM swap. Actually this SIM swap is done when your SIM is either lost or damaged without loosing your mobile number. The executive asked me about MNP if done previously and how many months back ? I said yes I have done such Mobile Number Portability from other network carrier i.e. BSNL India two months back. The executive has issued me one new SIM (H1 type) written in sim card cover "4G MNP Ready" free of cost and requested me to insert the new SIM when the network signal goes off. I waited about exactly two hours and suddenly signal was off. I inserted the new SIM. As soon as iPhone open, immediately I see signal. From that day I didn't see "no service or searching". This is the trick that has to be followed for resolving the issue definitely.

Apple Genius Bar told me the phone antenna is causing the problem. Only fix is to replace the device. So I replaced the device.

So after getting the new SIM card I did another hard reset (hold home + lock button) and it’s been working for about 12 hours. Yet to see it searching for service, which is looking promising. I’ll post again in a couple of days.

Okay, so I went back through the thread to check on one thing in particular - VoLTE coverage. No one has mentioned it.

When your 4g service gets congested due to it trying to send your voice and data info through together along with everyone else who is trying to do the same, the 4G tower is telling you "no, I just can't handle all of this right now and possibly for a while

Typically happens around seasonal times of the year, large events and related. Everyone is trying to transmit their calls, voicemail AND data through the 4g tower or towers near them. This is when we see "No service or searching and it can remain that way until the towers free up, which could be ???

VoLTE service however separates your voice transmissions from your data ones, to put it simply.

Voice transmissions are sent separate from data transmissions allowing your calls & data to transmit bc they are not so tied up or connected. They can focus on calls singularly and data singularly; 3g/4g, etc tried to transmit voice and data info TOGETHER. Not efficient in today's society. This type (VoLTE) of transmission just makes sense especially with emerging technology & the increase of mobile tech users

Most carriers offer you this type of service for free now. You simply have to make sure you have it initiated on your device and with your carrier.

Check on this. I've had mine with T-Mobile and previously, with Verizon for example & it was a rare occurrence and still is when I see "No service or searching"

I know it's a traffic issue so I wait, but there's no way I'd wait if I experienced at the level you all are.

I'd check to see if my carrier definitely has me on LTE coverage. I'd ask about what tower my device is pinging & what the status of that tower is.

I'd make sure my info is correct on phone & LTE is checked/on, but doesn't matter if my carrier doesn't see me set up as using LTE service through them.

So, start there.

There's much more on the topic but I just want to get this out there asap as I see you all continually struggling with no other options presented.

And yes, update your carrier settings or none of what any of us have offered or tried and/or will try will resolve the issue.

I'll attach info separately.

Please keep me updated ☺

If you live in the UK get your phone sent back to who ever you purchased it from. All mobiles have to be fit for purpose for 6 year under your consumer rights for all hardware faults. There has to be no damage to the phone.

I’ve just sent mine back to EE and I’ve been told it will be exchanged or refunded once it’s been inspected.

If you bought from Apple they should do this for you too.

Hi TAL95,

This is likely a carrier update issue. You can usually correct this type of behaviour by going to Settings > General > About. If a carrier settings update is available, you'll know by visiting this page.

If a carrier update is not available, try going to Settings > Service Provider. If the "Automatic" toggle is turned off, turn it on. If it is already on, try turning it off and then on again. Once you've done this, Restart your iPhone. This should solve your issue. If it does not, it's an issue with your carrier - in which case, you'll likely need to request a new SIM card.

If you have any further questions, queries or concerns, please don't hesitate to reply to the thread as I'm following it.

If you found that my answer solved your question, please mark the question as solved, and my response as "Helpful".

Best of luck!

**Of note: carriers who previously had no updates available are now getting updated ones to their customers. Check again if you have previously to see if you fall into that category & can now update your carrier settings

For reference & regarding what these updates do:

Update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad

I had the same problem, I’m in U.K. and I updated my iOS to 11.1.2 yesterday and suddenly had no service, I spoke to my carrier (EE) who told me it must be a fault with the phone and I’d have to buy a new one. Today I rolled the update back to 11.1 and lo and behold it’s all working again. Apple never admit the problem is caused by their software