IOS 11.2.1 "No service/searching"

To downgrade iOS11.2.1 to 11.2 only (as long as Apple is still officially signing the 11.2 version)...

On your pc or mac, go to iDownloadblog.com then select their Downloads tab, scroll down to the iPhone section & select the specific iOS 11.2. version for your specific iPhone model. Then select Go & download that specific .ipsw file to your pc or mac desktop.

Once downloaded, connect your iphone via usb cable & open your latest version of iTunes, then *fully backup* your iPhone first, then after it's done, while pressing & holding the Shift key on pc, select Restore tab in iTunes & pick the specific downloaded iOS11.2 version now saved on your desktop (if you don't press the shift key on the pc, iTunes will only download & restore the latest iOS version).

Once the Restore process is finished, your iPhone should then be on iOS11.2. Now set your phone up as a New phone first, then afterward, you can then restore data from your correct backup date. This process will work the same for any iOS downgrade as long as Apple is still allowing/signing that specific version (usually for only a few weeks after every iOS update).

Apple now has a program for fixing iPhone 7, which is what I have. Mine has been fixed (including Backup restore issue) and so far the “Searching issue” hasn’t come back. It was a hardware repair.

https://www.apple.com/support/iphone-7-no-service/

I had the same problem on my unlocked AT&T iPhone 6 iOS 11.2.1 after the update. Tried everything mentioned in all the replies & nothing worked. Then realized that since the Apple iOS signing window for iOS 11.2 was still available, I downgraded to iOS 11.2 & magically the cell signal immediately came back fine. Have only tested this for several hours, but good so far.

I think something in the iOS 11.2.1 update and the cell carrier update file are somehow in conflict causing the baseband modem in the phone to search constantly (as seen in the PRL showing as 1 which is not valid). As some have mentioned, it still could also be evidence of gradually failing hardware. Hope this info helps.

Make sure you've backed up your iPhone first to iTunes. Then within iTunes, (via Windows), you need to press Shift and select Restore and then when the window pops up, find & select the appropriate .ipsw file you downloaded. This should then start the full restore process on your iPhone. Keep in mind, if you've ever had the phone's battery or screen replaced, during the repair, they may have accidently loosened the internal cellular antenna tiny connector which will cause you to lose cell service.

Hi,

I encountered the same issue with my Iphone 5s (alternatively "searching network" or "no service"), I did find this workaround after several attempts :

1) eject/insert the simcard : failed (Iphone always says searching/no network, instead of "no sim"...)

2) insert another simcard : failed

3) reset all settings : failed

4) soft reset : failed

5) factory reset : I first thought I bricked my Iphone, because iphone was unable to activate on the network

Genius bar guy told me I'd better buy a new Iphone

Then here is how I'm able to make it work again :

6) after a factory reset, booting under DFU mode :

- Iphone switched off, connected to Macbook with itunes

- press home button and lock button together, and release lock button after 8sec

7) start a recovery with the latest backup

8) Iphone can't activate because no simcard is detected

9) insert another simcard... and this SOLVED THE PROBLEM (unlock code asked then ok)

10) eject this simcard and replace it with the old one ... still OK (unlock code asked then ok)

11) finish Iphone backup recovery... still OK

Unfortunately, after 2 weeks, the issue came back again, and I did the same, and it worked again.

Fyi, once it was necessary to add a little piece of paper behind the sim card at the step #10.

Hoping this will help some of you, and help Apple to find a solution.

The issues starts for me december 19th 2017 (iphone 5s 64Gb late 2013)

Please confirm if it works or if you have a better way / workaround...

JB

As an update to my previous post, it seems like this may be a conflict between iOS 11.2.1 and the Facebook Messenger app. Having the same "no service" issue as everyone else with an iPhone 6, I reinstalled the iOS using iTunes, updated carrier settings, and restored my backup data. I had signal from Verizon for a few hours, but as soon as I opened the Facebook Messenger app, I lost signal and it was back to "no service." I deleted the Messenger app, and still the same. However, yesterday I reinstalled the iOS as before to 11.2.1 and again updated carrier settings and restored backup data. But this time did not install Messenger, and I have perfect connection to Verizon. It's been 24 hours and still good. Does anyone else have this coincidence? I read up a little and it seems like the update to iOS 11.2 changed the way iOS interacts with Facebook permissions. Also Messenger wanted access to my phone contacts and SMS permissions. Could this somehow be the glitch? I will update if I lose signal again, but so far ok...

At the current moment, only iOS 11.2, 11.21 and 11.2.2 are still being signed by Apple servers for iPhone restores on the iPhone 6, 7, 8 & X. If you've performed multiple restores and resets etc without any success, it may be a hardware issue. The baseband modem radio chip in your phone, which controls cell service, may be the culprit, resulting in a loss of all cellular connectivity. This has been a previous problem in some iPhone 6.

As stated in earlier posts, one other thing to investigate, especially if your screen or battery has been replaced recently, is to make sure the tiny internal cellular antenna connector near the battery connector cover is properly seated.

I found a solution! I tried everything once I updated to IOS 12.2.6 I kept having no service no matter what. I restarted my phone, restarted network setting, did a restore from a backup, nothing worked. Solution: update to the new beta IOS.

I have the IOS 12.3 beta now and I have service again. You can download the beta version here:

https://developer.apple.com/support/beta-software/install-ios-beta/

Just to be sure, I’ve tried this on my wifes phone (also iPhone SE). After update same problem, no service. I’ve then used the “Reset Network Settings” - no effect... Switched mobile data off, used the ”Reset Network Settings” once more, now it’s working fine.

We finally gave up. Multiple calls and emails to Verizon and working with their technical support, and nothing worked. They sent us a refurbished phone that is working. We had to send the phone that wouldn't get cell service back to Verizon (where we originally purchased it). Waiting to see if we will have to pay for the refurbished phone after they look at the faulty one. This took much persistence on my husband's part to get that far.

I have this exact same problem, no service with iOS 11.2.1 on an iPhone 6. After much work I did not fix the problem even with a complete fresh iOS install. I spent 2 hours at Verizon and Apple support and no resolution. Following guidance, we did many things which did not work, (1) new SIM card, (2) soft restart, (3) hard restart, (4) reset network settings, (5) reset all personal data. Finally, (6) I completed a fresh install of iOS 11.2 from itunes. It prompted me to update carrier settings, and update again to 11.2.1, and restore my data from backup. After all that, I did have signal for about 2 hours and was able to make some test calls. Then inexplicably, my phone is back to "no service" and I can't get it to work. So, this definitely seems to be an iOS issue. For now, I am using the wifi calling feature to make calls, but that only works when I am connected. Getting very frustrated at this point and hope Apple fixes this soon. Otherwise, I will probably switch to another brand of phone. This is ridiculous....

iPhone 7 Repair Program for "No Service" Issues - Apple Support

Sorry to hear you lost service again. If your phone has ever had either the screen or battery replaced, sometimes the service person accidently loosens the tiny internal cellular antenna connector on the motherboard (which will cause cellular signal loss). It's located very close to the battery connector cover if you venture to investigate yourself. Good luck.

Had the exact same issue on my iPhone SE, after upgrade to 11.2.1 I see "No service". Though I was able to fix this by going to "Settings" -> "General" -> "Reset" -> "Reset Network Settings". After reboot everything seems to be back as usual. I would confirm/agree that this is indeed a software issue.