How to Fix No service on iPhone 12 [iOS 14.7]

This post tackles a network-related error transpiring in both Android and iOS devices, including the latest iPhone variants. Read on to learn what to do if you see No service on iPhone 12 network status.

iPhone No Service

A No service or Searching notification on your iPhone denotes a cellular network or signal issue. When this error occurs, your phone can’t connect to a cellular network so you won’t be able to make and receive calls and text. In addition, apps and services requiring cellular data also don’t work as intended.

What causes No service error?

There are many possible reasons as to why an iPhone shows No service on the network status.

The most common scenario is when you’re in a place that’s already out of your network coverage. Aside from being out of the coverage area, other factors such as random software glitches, faulty SIM card, incorrect network settings and bad updates must also be ruled out.

Scheduled maintenance and unexpected outages affecting cellular networks are also among the underlying causes.

If the error started after switching to another carrier, it must be due to the new SIM card in your iPhone. In this case, you will need to download the carrier settings for your new carrier.

In worst case scenarios, a No service error could be directly attributed to hardware damage like when the SIM card or SIM card tray is busted. Hardware-related issues typically require a technician’s aid.

Troubleshooting No service error on iPhone 12

To rule out software-related factors that might have triggered cellular network issues, resulting in a No service error on your iPhone 12, you can try the following methods.

Before you go any further, verify and ensure that you’re inside your cellular network’s coverage area. If you are but the iPhone still shows no service, check your surroundings and make sure you aren’t bordered by concrete walls and tall buildings. If you are then, you may have to consider moving to another area where there are no signal obstructions.

If none of that helps, then you may go ahead and perform any of the outlined procedures applicable to you.

First solution: Restart your iPhone (soft reset).

Restarting the phone can help fix various types of software-related issues attributed to minor system errors. So if you haven’t already, do a soft reset or simply reboot your iPhone as you normally do. This can also help clear out any errant cached files including those that caused problems to the network system. To soft reset/restart an iPhone 12, just follow these steps:

Press and hold either Volume button and the Side/Power button until the Power Off slider appears.
When you see the slider, drag it to the right to shut the phone down.
After 30 seconds, turn your iPhone back on by pressing and holding the Side/Power button on the right side and then release when the Apple logo shows up.

Allow your device to re-establish network connections and see if the No service error is gone.

Second solution: Perform the Airplane Mode trick.

Many people found this tweak useful when dealing with iPhone problems affecting wireless services including cellular network and cellular data. Here’s how it works:

Launch the Control Center from the Home screen.
While on the Control Center, tap the Airplane Mode icon to enable it. You will know when it’s enabled if the color of the Airplane mode icon circle becomes vibrant.
After a few seconds, tap the icon to disable Airplane Mode again.
Alternatively, you can go to Settings-> Airplane mode and then toggle the switch to turn on Airplane Mode. After a few seconds, toggle the switch to turn Airplane Mode off again.

Enabling Airplane mode turns off all wireless connections on the phone simultaneously and disabling it re-enables them. It’s like giving your iPhone’s wireless features a quick refresh.

Third solution: Update carrier settings (if applicable).

Carriers usually roll out periodic updates to ensure optimum network performance and updated services. These updates usually contain enhancements to the network system and relevant services. They also contain some special patches to fix bug-inflicted network errors on certain devices. Some of these updates are automatically implemented while others require manual implementation.

To manually check for and install new carrier settings update on an iPhone 12, just follow these steps:

Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi, if necessary.
While it’s connected, go to Settings-> General-> About menu.

If you see an option to update your carrier settings, it means that an update is available. Just follow the rest of the onscreen prompts to update your phone’s carrier settings.

To view the current version of your iPhone’s carrier settings, just go to Settings-> General-> About menu and then navigate to the Carrier section.

More details of the carrier settings version will then be displayed.

Installing new iOS updates can also help fix the problem if stubborn system bugs are to blame.

Fourth solution: Reinstall the SIM card.

No service, No Signal and No SIM card errors may also be directly attributed to a loose SIM card in the tray. To clear this out, removing and reinstalling the SIM card on your iPhone can help. Here’s the proper way to do it:

Turn off your iPhone completely.
While the phone is powered off, insert the SIM ejector into the tiny hole beside the tray and then gently push in to pop the tray open.
Remove the SIM card from the tray and check it for any visible signs of damage.
If the SIM card looks good, place it back into the tray in the same placement before you remove it.
Make sure that the SIM card is secured in place and then push the tray back in.
After closing the SIM tray, turn the phone back on then wait for it to re-establish network connections.

If your SIM appears to be damaged or does not fit in the SIM tray, then you better contact your carrier for further assistance and recommendations.

Fifth solution: Reset network settings.

The last possible solution you can try on, is the network settings reset. This reset will erase all saved networks, Bluetooth connections, VPN settings, custom network settings and other relevant information. It’s usually deemed among the last options when dealing with recurring network issues on an iPhone, including post-update errors.

Unlike a factory reset, a network reset does not affect any saved data on the iPhone storage so you can be assured that you won’t lose any important information in the process. Just be sure to note your Wi-Fi password beforehand because you will need to re-enter it later when you join and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.

Should you wish to proceed with this reset, just follow these steps:

Go to the Home screen and then tap Settings.
Select General.
Tap Reset.
Select Reset Network Settings from the given options.
Wait for your phone to reset Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, previously used VPN and APN settings.

When the reset is finished, the phone reboots by itself. Just wait until it boots up to the Home screen and see if the No service error is gone.

By then you can start reconnecting to your Wi-Fi network to get back online.

If none of the given solutions helped and you’re still getting No service error on your iPhone 12, contact your network carrier and check if there are any ongoing outages or maintenance works that might have affected the cellular network services in your place.

Hope this helps!

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