Mobile data not working on your phone

When you are away from Wi-Fi, your phone uses mobile data (also called cellular data) to reach the internet. If that stops working on an Android phone or iPhone, start with the checks that cost nothing.

Before you start

Turn Wi-Fi off for these tests, so you can tell whether mobile data itself is working. Open a web page in your browser. If the page loads, data works and the problem is something else.

Only your mobile carrier can see your account. Some causes, such as an unpaid bill, a used-up data allowance or a blocked device, can be fixed only by them. Look at the status bar at the top of the screen. No bars, or the words No Service, point to a signal or SIM problem. Bars but no pages point to a data setting or account problem.

Try these fixes in order

Fix 1: Check the signal and the data switch

1. Take off a thick case and move away from walls, basements or other places that block signal. Look for bars in the status bar.
2. On an iPhone, open Settings then Cellular (it may say Mobile Data) and make sure Cellular Data is on. Apple notes that with this off, email, web browsing and notifications use Wi-Fi only.
3. On a Pixel phone, open Settings then Network & internet then SIMs, then make sure Mobile data is on. Tap your carrier's name and make sure Use SIM is on. On Samsung and other phones, search Settings for mobile data.
4. If you have two SIMs or an eSIM, make sure the line you want is the one chosen for data. An iPhone allows only one line at a time for cellular data.

Fix 2: Turn Airplane mode on and off

1. Open the quick settings panel by swiping down from the top of the screen, or Control Center on an iPhone.
2. Turn Airplane mode on and wait at least 15 seconds.
3. Turn it off. The phone searches for the network again, which can take a short while.

Fix 3: Restart the phone fully

Power the phone off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it on. Google advises choosing power off rather than the restart option for mobile problems on a Pixel. Wait a minute for the signal bars to return.

Fix 4: Check roaming, Battery Saver and other settings

• Roaming: when you are abroad or outside your carrier's own coverage, data works only if roaming is allowed. On an iPhone, open Settings then Cellular then Cellular Data Options and check Data Roaming. Roaming can cost extra, so check your plan first.
• Data limits: if you turned on a data saver or low data mode, switch it off as a test.
• Battery Saver (Android): Google notes that Battery Saver turns off 5G, so switch it off if you expect 5G speeds.
• Network type (Pixel): in Settings then Network & internet then SIMs, tap your carrier and look at Preferred network type. Google lists the types available to you there, such as 5G or LTE, depending on your carrier and area.

Fix 5: Update the phone and the carrier settings

1. Connect to Wi-Fi. You need it for this fix.
2. On an iPhone, open Settings then General then About. If a carrier settings update is available, a prompt appears. Tap Update. Also check Settings then General then Software Update.
3. On a Pixel phone, open Settings then System then System update and install anything offered. On other Android phones, search Settings for system update.

Fix 6: Check the SIM card

If the carrier name shows No SIM, or the phone says the SIM is missing or invalid, the card may be loose or dirty.

1. Switch the phone off.
2. Open the SIM tray with the ejector tool that came with the phone, or a straightened paper clip. Push gently into the small hole.
3. Look at the card. If it is bent or damaged, ask your carrier for a replacement.
4. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth, place it back flat in the tray, and slide the tray in fully.
5. Turn the phone on again.

If your phone uses an eSIM, it has no tray. Contact your carrier through its website or app to check the eSIM is active.

Fix 7: Reset network settings

Use this only after the earlier fixes. Steps are in how to reset network settings on a phone.

If it still does not work

• Check for an outage and confirm your plan and bill with your carrier's own website or app. Type the address yourself, and do not use links in text messages.
• Ask the carrier if the phone is blocked or on the wrong plan. Only they can see this.
• Try your SIM in another phone, or another SIM in your phone, to find out whether the SIM or the phone is at fault.
• Never call a number from a pop-up or a text. See how to find real support.

In the meantime, use Wi-Fi where you can. Only use public networks with care: see public Wi-Fi safety. If Wi-Fi is the problem as well, see phone won't connect to Wi-Fi.

Frequently asked questions