No Service On iPhone 8 Plus? Here's Why & The Real Fix!

David Lynch

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Your iPhone 8 Plus says No Service and it's starting to get frustrating. With no service, you can't make calls, send texts, or connect to the internet without Wi-Fi. This article will explain why there's no service on your iPhone 8 Plus and show you how to fix this cellular problem!

How To Fix An iPhone 8 Plus That Says "No Service"

9 Steps Total
1.

Make Sure Cellular Data Is Turned On

In order to use cellular data, a switch in the Settings app of your iPhone needs to be turned on. If it was turned off accidentally, your iPhone won't use cellular data.

How Do I Make Sure Cellular Data Is Turned On?

  1. Go to the Settings app.
  2. Tap Cellular.
  3. Make sure the switch next to Cellular Data is turned on. You'll know it's on when the switch is green and positioned to the right.
  4. If the switch is already on, try turning it off and back on to give your iPhone a second chance to connect to its cellular network.
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2.

Update Carrier Settings

The UpPhone recommend that you update carrier settings immediately after they become available because outdated settings may lead to connectivity issues between your iPhone and your wireless carrier's network.

Some potential issues include having poor service or your iPhone going straight to voicemail anytime you receive a call.

  1. Make sure that your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network, or that Cellular Data is turned on.
  2. Open the Settings app.
  3. Make Tap General.
  4. Tap About.
  5. After a few seconds, if a carrier settings update is available, you'll see a pop-up on the screen of your iPhone which says, "New settings are available. Would you like to update them now?"
  6. Tap Update.
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3.

Turn On Voice Roaming

If Voice Roaming is turned off, your iPhone may have trouble connecting to your carrier's cellular network.

How Do I Turn On Voice Roaming?

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Cellular.
  3. Tap Cellular Data Options.
  4. Tap Roaming.
  5. Turn on the switch next to Voice Roaming. You'll know it's on when the switch is green.
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4.

Update Your iPhone Software In iTunes

You can use iTunes to perform iOS updates on your iPhone. If you're unable to update your iPhone in the Settings app, sometimes using iTunes to update your iPhone is a simple workaround.

How Do I Update My iPhone Software In iTunes?

  1. Plug your iPhone into your computer using a Lightning cable (charging cable).
  2. Open iTunes.
  3. In the upper left hand corner of iTunes, click the iPhone icon. iPhone icon in itunes
  4. In the top box underneath iPhone, click Check For Update.
  5. If an update is available, click Update.
  6. Keep your iPhone plugged into your computer while the update downloads and installs.
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5.

Remove And Reinsert The SIM Card

Taking out the SIM card and putting it back in can give your iPhone a second chance to connect to your wireless carrier's network.

  1. Use a SIM card ejector tool or small paperclip to open the SIM card tray on the right side of your iPhone.
  2. Close the tray once you've opened it.
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6.

Reset Network Settings

When your iPhone connects to a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth device for the first time, it saves information about how to connect to that network or device. If something changes with that process, it may cause connectivity issues.

Deep software problems, especially with network settings, can be difficult to track down. Rather than trying to track an issue down, we're going to reset all network settings and give your iPhone a fresh start.

How Do I Reset Network Settings?

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap General.
  3. Scroll down and tap Transfer Or Reset iPhone.
  4. Tap Reset.
  5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
  6. Enter your passcode if prompted.
  7. Your iPhone will shut down, reset, and turn itself on again when the reset is complete.
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7.

Contact Your Wireless Carrier

Sometimes when your iPhone experiences issues related to your cellular network (no or poor service, calls going straight to voicemail), the problem is stemming from the cellular network, not the iPhone itself.

Below are the support numbers of major wireless carriers to contact if you're experiencing problems.

  1. Verizon: 1-(800)-922-0204
  2. Sprint: 1-(888)-211-4727
  3. AT&T: 1-(800)-331-0500
  4. T-Mobile: 1-(877)-746-0909
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8.

Get A New Cell Phone Plan

Getting a new cell phone plan may be the only solution when you're having issues getting cell service on your phone. If your phone consistently has says "Searching" or has no service, you may want to consider switching carriers.

How Do I Get A New Cell Phone Plan?

  1. Go to the UpPhone cell phone plan comparison tool.
  2. Use the sliders to select how many minutes, messages, and gigabytes of data that you need.
  3. Use the menus to select the features, pricing structure, and contract type that you want.
  4. Click View Plan when you've found one that you're interested in!
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9.

Repair Your iPhone With Apple

Apple repairs iPhones at the Genius Bar in Apple Stores and through their online mail-in repair service. Apple repairs are high-quality, but out-of-warranty repairs can be much more expensive than third-party solutions. If you're looking to save some money you're not covered by Apple's warranty, you may want to check out our other recommendations.

How Do I Repair My iPhone With Apple?

How To Repair Your iPhone With Apple's Mail-In Service

  1. Visit Apple's support website to begin the online mail-in repair process.
  2. Alternatively, call 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753) to set up a repair.

How To Repair Your iPhone At The Genius Bar Inside Your Local Apple Store

  1. Visit Apple's website to make a Genius Bar appointment before you go into the store. Apple Stores are extremely busy, and if you don't have an appointment, you may have to wait for hours or end up being turned away. (Editor's note: I'm a former Apple tech and we're not exaggerating — please, do yourself a favor and make an appointment first!)
  2. When you arrive, go to the Genius Bar to check in for your appointment.
  3. Genius Bar appointments always include free diagnosis. If you're under warranty, many repairs can be done on the spot, but it all depends upon which parts are in stock. If you're not under warranty, the Genius will give you a quote for the cost of a repair.
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Serving Up Service, One iPhone At A Time!

Your iPhone 8 Plus has service once again and you can start making calls and sending texts. Make sure to share this article on social media so your friends and family known what to do when they have no service on an iPhone 8 Plus. Thanks for reading and leave any other iPhone-related comments or questions below!

  1. Make Sure Cellular Data Is Turned On
  2. Update Carrier Settings
  3. Turn On Voice Roaming
  4. Update Your iPhone Software In iTunes
  5. Remove And Reinsert The SIM Card
  6. Reset Network Settings
  7. Contact Your Wireless Carrier
  8. Get A New Cell Phone Plan
  9. Repair Your iPhone With Apple

Applies To: iPhone 8 Plus

AUTHOR

David Lynch

David Lynch is an expert on cell phones, cell phone plans, and other tech. After using a flip phone into his early 20s, he learned the ropes about iPhones and Androids from a former Apple employee. Today, his articles and videos are read and viewed by millions, and he has been cited by major publications including Reader's Digest, Wired, CMSWire, Consumers Advocate, and more.

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elizabeth
elizabeth
1 year ago

iPhone 8 plus has no service it doesn’t let me use my phone I have factory reset I have contacted my carrier the network works and the sim works in another iPhone

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Hynes
Hynes
3 years ago

These are the most unhelpful and ineffective solutions to be found on the internet. The 8 & 8 Plus have Apple’s built-in hand grenade designed to take down phones so owners will replace them. Every model had one: on the iPhone 4 it was the WiFi chip. On the 5 it was the charging, and so on. On the 8/8 Plus it is the baseband chip causing 90% of no-service issues. Go to Settings and check if you have an IMEI number displayed. If you don’t, promptly bin your phone and change to Samsung.

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Ernest
Ernest
3 years ago

iPhone 8 Plus fell down and now the signal keeps going on and off.

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Cheryl
Cheryl
4 years ago

My iPhone 8plus says no service. Updated phone and carrier . Spent 2 hours with carrier and they tried everything . Still no service. Everything else works. Could it be my antenna?

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Liam Shotwell
Liam Shotwell
4 years ago
Reply to  Cheryl

It’s likely, but try a DFU Restore first before you go to get it fixed. You should do that to be absolutely sure it’s not a software issue. No need to spend money on repairs if it’s a software problem.

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Jason Wright
Jason Wright
6 years ago

This also happens when the phone is locked or reported lost or stolen.

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