Cellular Data Connection Dropping On iPad: 14 Tested Solutions

If the cellular data on your iPhone or iPad suddenly stops working, aside from being in a low-signal area, there are a few simple steps you can take to fix it.

Restart Device

To troubleshoot your iPad when cellular data isn't functioning, begin by restarting your device. 

Hold down the top button until you spot the “Power Off” slider. Slide it to the right wait for a minute and switch the iPad on. Hold the top button until you see the Apple logo to confirm the iPad is restarting.

For iPad Air, Pro, and Mini 6:

Press and hold the power button on the right side until the “Slide to Turn Off” screen appears. Slide the slider to the right, then wait for 30 seconds before restarting the device.

Mobile Data Settings

Ensure your phone's mobile data settings are activated by navigating to Settings >> Cellular/Mobile Data>> Cellular or Mobile Data. If already activated, turn it off and then back on.

Enable Mobile Data Roaming

When you're in an area outside your SIM card's region, activate data roaming:

Go to Settings >> Cellular or Mobile Data >> Mobile Data >> Options >> Data Roaming.

Disable Wi-Fi

If Wi-Fi is active but you prefer to use mobile data, disable Wi-Fi. Access Settings >> Wi-Fi, and switch it off.

Disable Airplane Mode

To deactivate Airplane mode, access Settings and toggle off Airplane Mode.

If it's inactive, briefly activate it and then deactivate it. This action resets network connections and may resolve your mobile data issue.

Get Rid of the Cellular Profile

If you have a new SIM card for your iPhone, it's important to delete any old profiles linked to your previous SIM card. Here's how:

Go to Settings>>General>>Device Management>>Choose Profile>>Delete Profile

Disable VPN

Sometimes, having a VPN active on your iPhone can interfere with your cellular network connection. Try disabling your VPN temporarily to see if it resolves the mobile data issue.

Navigate to Settings >>General >>Device Management>>VPN.

Turn off any VPN profiles and uninstall third-party VPN apps, then restart your iPhone.

Check the Cellular Data Settings of an App

If only a specific app, like Safari or WhatsApp, isn't using cellular data, check its settings to allow cellular data access.

Go to Settings >> Cellular Data/Mobile Data.

Scroll down and make sure the toggle next to the app in question is turned on. If it's already on, consider reinstalling the app. If Safari isn't working, we have troubleshooting tips available.

Disable Wi-Fi Calling

Wi-Fi calling can interfere with your cellular connection. To address this, turn off Wi-Fi calling when you're using cellular data.

Navigate to Settings >> Cellular/Mobile Data >> Wi-Fi Calling. Toggle it off.

Reinsert SIM Card

Try taking out and putting back in your SIM card, if the above solutions don't work. Reinserting it prompts your phone to re-read the SIM card, which might fix your cellular data issue.

Update you iOS and Carrier

Updating your phone's software can often improve its performance and resolve network issues.

Go to Settings >> General >> Software Update.

Select “Update if you see “Carrier Settings Update.”

Factory Reset or Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings can sometimes resolve cellular data problems. However, saved network networks settings (Cellular data, Bluetooth, and WiFi) will be erased.

Navigate to Settings >> General >> Transfer or Reset iPhone >> Reset >> Reset Network Settings/Reset All Settings.

Contact Apple Support

If none of the above solutions work, consider reaching out to Apple for assistance. You can contact them via phone or visit a store to explain the issue. This should be your last resort.

If the steps provided do not fix your cellular data problem, it might be due to a hardware issue. If your device is under warranty, Apple may replace it. They may also suggest upgrading your device, which your carrier can assist with, to see if that resolves the problem.