Top 12 Tips to Fix No Service on iPhone XS After iOS 12 Update

Updated Oct 19,2018 | by Joy

“After updating to iOS 12, my iPhone will randomly restart and will give me a No Service notification” said one user on the Apple’s discussion forums. “What can I do to fix this?” 

Actually, each iOS update may cause various unexpected issues, like iOS 12 battery drains too fast, iPhone becomes slow after updating to iOS 12, etc. Recently, many users said that there was no service or searching on their iPhone XS after iOS 12 update. Nothing can be more annoying than this, right?

Don't worry. The article lists 12 tips to fix no service or searching on iPhone XS after upgrading to iOS 12. These fixes can also apply to iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6S. 

You need to make sure that you are in the area of good cellular network coverage. Simply go to “Settings” > “ Cellular” and switch on “Cellular Data”.

Note: if you are traveling internationally, you must ensure that you’ve already turned on data roaming on your iPhone XS. Go to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular Data Options” > “Data Roaming” to make a check.

In general, many common iOS 12 update problems can be fixed by simply restarting your iPhone. Follow the steps to have a try.

For iPhone X, iPhone XS or later:

Step 1. Press and hold the Side button and either the volume button until the slider appears. Then drag the slider from left to right to turn off your device completely.

Step 2. After your iPhone XS turns off, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 8 or earlier:

Step 1. Press and hold the Top (or Side) button until the slider appears. Then drag the slider to completely turn off your iPhone.

Step 2. After that, press and hold the Top (or Side) button again to complete the restarting.

For iOS 12:

If you’ve already updated to iOS 12, you can turn off your device by going to “Settings” > “General” > “Shut Down”. It can also apply to iOS 11. Then press and hold the Top or Side button to turn on your iPhone again.

An Article You May Need: [2018] How to Update to iOS 12 on iPhone and iPad

Just reset your network setting to see if it works. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Reset Network Settings”. Then it will delete all network settings, including Wi-Fi networks, passwords, cellular settings, VPN, APN settings you’ve used before.

If the carrier operator updated their system to enhance their service, you have to update the carrier settings, otherwise it will show no service or searching on your iPhone XS. Let’s see how to manually check it.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone XS to a Wi-Fi or cellular network.

Step 2. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “About”. If you haven’t updated the carrier settings, you’ll see an option to update it. You can check the version of carrier settings on the right of “Carrier”.

Note: you need to download the carrier settings for your new carrier if you insert a new SIM card into your iPhone XS.

Also Read: How to Use Dual SIM in iOS 12 on iPhone XR, iPhone XS & iPhone XS Max

If your SIM card gets loose or you don’t install it properly, there will be no service or searching on your iPhone. Remove and reinsert the SIM card might resolve the problem. Follow the steps below.

Step 1. Firstly, you’d better turn off your iPhone. Then get a paper clip or the SIM-eject tool and insert it into the SIM tray on the right side of your iPhone.

Step 2. After dropping it, carefully pull out the SIM-card tray. Then reinsert it and turn on your iPhone XS to see if the problem has been resolved.

Tip: note that you can only use the SIM tray that comes with your devices. For example, a SIM tray from an iPhone 6s will not fit in an iPhone 7. 

Using some unauthorized accessories might cause no service on your iPhone. If you have any accessory connected to your iPhone XS, directly disconnect them. Also, disconnect your earphones if you connect them to your device. Then restart your iPhone to see if it works.

If you inadvertently switch on “Airplane Mode” , your iPhone will say no searching. Now go to “Settings” > “Airplane Mode” to disable it.

Sometimes, wrong date and time settings might also disrupt the service on your iPhone. Follow the steps to ensure that the settings are correct.

Step 1. Strongly recommend you update your iPhone XS to iOS 12 before checking.

Step 2. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Date & Time” > “Time Zone” and then verify your settings. Note: Time Zone will automatically set up the date and time.

Some places are out of the coverage of the particular signal type, so enable voice and data settings might help you fix this no service or searching issue. Just go to “Settings” > “Cellular” > “Cellular Data Option” > to enable voice and data signal types.

If your iPhone recently got wet, then there might be no service on your device. You can check the water damage indicator to see if your iPhone is damaged by water. Each iPhone has a tiny indicator. When it is wet enough to damage your iPhone, it will turn red. 

Want to know how to fix a water damaged iPhone? Read this: 7 Dos and Don'ts of Fixing Water Damaged iPhone

If your iPhone says no service or searching, the carrier operator you are using now may be under maintenance. Contact them to verify whether your account is active or not. Also, check that your iPhone is not blocked from receiving cellular services and make sure there are no outages in your area.

If the above methods can’t fix the problem, then restore your iPhone. Make sure that you have backed up all files on your iPhone before restoring.

Read these tutorials to back up your iPhone with IOTransfer: 

How to back up iPhone Wirelessly

3 Ways to Backup iPhone without Cable

Alternative to iCloud - Backup iPhone/iPad without iCloud

After backing up, follow the steps to restore iPhone.

Step 1. Launch iTunes and then connect your iPhone to computer.

Step 2. Click the Phone icon at the top. Tap on the “Summary” and then click on “Restore iPhone” in the main screen.

Bottom Line:

The article lists 12 methods to fix no service or searching on iPhone XS after updating to iOS 12. Hope the solutions can help you a lot. Here I strongly recommend you back up your iPhone data if you decide to restore your device. Also, if the fixes are useful, hope you can share with your friends and families.

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