Is your iPhone says searching or no service? Are you unable to make calls, send or receive messages from others and even can’t use cellular data? Don’t Panic! In this guide, you will learn some solutions to fix iPhone says searching at the top and can’t be activated. So, just keep reading this guide until your problem gets fixed.
- Solution 1: Turn OFF & On Your iPhone
- Solution 2: Turn On And Turn Off Airplane Mode
- Solution 3: Check Your Coverage Area
- Solution 4: Check Your SIM Card
- Solution 5: Update Your Carrier Settings
- Solution 6: Update Your iPhone
- Solution 7: Reset Network Settings
- Solution 8: DFU Restore Your iPhone
- Solution 9: Contact Your Carrier Provider
- Solution 10: Visit Apple Service Center
Let us start with some practical scenarios which are posted by iPhone users!
Practical Scenario 1: An iPhone User Is Unable To Make Call Due To iPhone Keeps Saying Searching
I really need help with this because I can’t make called without service.
Source: AT&T Community Forums
Practical Scenario 2: An iPhone 6s User Is Facing No Service/Searching Problem
I have an iPhone 6s that has the searching/no service issue. I’ve seen this a lot online with the iPhone 6/6 Plus, but no one really talks about it with the 6s. Is it caused by the same baseband ic issue or is it another chip? I’ve looked around to get this repaired, but no one really seems to offer this service. Does anyone know where I can get this chip reballed? Thanks in ad vanced!
Source: iFixit
So, those were two real practical scenarios. Now, you will feel some relaxed as you are not alone, who is facing this problem. Searching or no service issue can cause due to various reasons. So, let us know the reasons first.
Also Read: Ultimate Guide To Fix iPhone Stuck on Spinning Circle
Why Does My iPhone Say Searching Or No Service?
There may be various reasons due to which your iPhone can keep saying Searching and no service. Some of the reasons are mentioned below.
- If you have not updated carrier setting provided by your carrier and still using the old one.
- When your iPhone is unable to recognize your SIM card due to improper installation.
- If you have changed the core network settings or installed a network settings app then it can cause your iPhone to stop searching.
- When the built-in antenna on iPhone is broken or defective.
- If your iPhone is not updated to the latest version.
- Having a problem with your cellular service plan.
Now, we will move the solutions to fix iPhone says searching at the top and can’t be activated.
Note: All the solutions which I am going to share below will be applicable for all iPhone models such as iPhone 12/12 Pro/12 Pro Max/12 mini, iPhone XS (Max), iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 11/11 Pro, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6/6s/6s Plus, iPhone SE, and all other models available in the market.
Solution 1: Turn OFF & On Your iPhone
The first solution to fix no service on iPhone is by turning iPhone off and On. Doing this will fix all bugs and give your iPhone a fresh start.
To switch off your iPhone, you need to press and hold the Power button unless you see the “slide to power off”.
If you are using iPhone X or a newer model then press and hold the Side key and either Volume key to reach “slide to power off” screen. Just swipe the icon across the screen by using your finger and wait for your iPhone to switch off.
After few minutes, switch on your iPhone by pressing and holding the Power key unless the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Also Read: How To Fix iPad White Screen With Black Border/Black Edges
Solution 2: Turn On And Turn Off Airplane Mode
Another easy way to fix iPhone says searching at the top and can’t be activated is by turning on and turning off the Airplane mode.
To do this, open Settings on your iPhone and then tap on Airplane mode to enable the feature. After few minutes tap on the same to turn off the Airplane mode feature.
Solution 3: Check Your Coverage Area
You should also check your coverage area. Ensure that the cellular data is on.
If the cellular network is creating the problem then check the Cellular Data Settings are on by going to Settings > Cellular and turn it on.
When you are traveling, make sure that roaming is turned ON to your iPhone. If it is turned off then turn on it by going to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and then turn on Data Roaming.
Also Read: How To See Private Browsing History Of Safari On iPhone [Ultimate Guide]
Solution 4: Check Your SIM Card
SIM card is a wireless carrier that is used to find particular iPhones on their network. The SIM card which you are using on your iPhone provides your phone number to your iPhone that tells your carrier that you are you.
But, if there is some problem with your SIM card or if it is not set to its slot properly then your iPhone can say searching at the top.
So what you have to do is just take out the SIM card and insert it back properly. Also, check that there is no damage to the SIM card slot.
Solution 5: Update Your Carrier Settings
You should check the update for your carrier and update it because the new update changes the way your iPhone interacts with the cellular network. Updating it may fix searching problem in iPhone.
Here, follow the steps to do the same.
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to stable Wi-Fi.
Step 2: Then, go to Settings > General > About.
Step 3: Now, just wait for few seconds.
Step 4: If there is any new update is available, then you will find a window that asks your permission to update your carrier settings.
Step 5: If you find the update, then tap on Update or OK. But if nothing happens then it means there is no new update is available.
Also Read: How To Retrieve Photos From iPhone That Won’t Turn On
Solution 6: Update Your iPhone
You can also fix iPhone says no service issue by updating your iPhone to its latest iOS version. But before doing this, create a backup to iTunes or iCloud.
Follow the below steps to update your iPhone to its latest iOS version to fix iPhone searching problem.
Step 1: First connect your iPhone with a good Wi-Fi connection and if your phone has a low battery then plug it into the power source.
Step 2: After that, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Step 3: If there is a new update available then tap on “Install” to update it now. But if you want to update later then select “Install Tonight” or “Remind Me Later”.
Step 4: If you are asked to enter the passcode then enter it.
Solution 7: Reset Network Settings
You can also reset the network settings of your iPhone to fix this searching problem.
Here, follow the steps to reset the network settings of iPhone to fix iPhone keep searching for other devices or no service on iPhone.
Step 1: On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset and then tap Reset Network Settings.
Step 2: Now, enter the passcode and hit on Reset Network Settings.
Step 3: After this, your iPhone will reboot.
Now, check the issue is solved or not. If not then follow the next solution.
Also Read: [Answered] If I Delete Photo Vault Will I Lose My Photos On iPhone?
Solution 8: DFU Restore Your iPhone
You can also DFU restore your iPhone to fix this iPhone searching problem. This will fix any network problem on your iPhone. If your device’s firmware has corrupted then restoring your iPhone to factory settings will solve it.
Note: Please backup your iPhone to iTunes or iCloud before resting as this will erase all data, settings, and apps from your iPhone.
Below, follow the steps to DFU restore your iPhone to fix constantly searching problem on iPhone.
Step 1: Firstly, you need to connect your iPhone to your computer and then launch iTunes on your computer. You can switch off your iPhone during the process.
Step 2: After that, press and hold the Sleep and Home buttons (for iPhone 6s and earlier) or Volume Down buttons (for iPhone 7 and newer model) simultaneously for few seconds.
Step 3: Leave the Sleep button but hold another one unless iTunes gets detected under recovery mode.
Step 4: Now, release the other button. Now, your iPhone display will get completely black which means that your iPhone has entered the DFU mode.
That’s It! Now you can restore the backup which you have created before doing this.
Solution 9: Contact Your Carrier Provider
If the above solutions are not working then you should contact your carrier provider. You can call the carrier provider and tell them about your problem. They will check any outage in your area and your iPhone is not blocked to get the cellular network and the data plan is active.
If you need help in finding your wireless carrier’s service page then you can use the Apple carrier support article to get carrier-related support.
Also Read: Recover Photos From Disabled iPhone Without Backup [Ultimate Solutions]
Solution 10: Visit Apple Service Center
If the above solutions do not fix the issue then there is any physical damage to your iPhone. In this case, you should visit the Apple service center and repair your phone. You can book an appointment with the Apple Service Provider.
Bottom Line
We hope that this tutorial is helpful for you to fix iPhone says searching at the top and can’t be activated. The above solutions will help you to fix this but if they don’t then contact the service provider or you can visit the Apple service centre.
Jasper Madison
Jasper Madison is a passionate technical writer with more than 9 years of experience. She has a keen interest in Android and iOS and everything surrounding it. She is a technology enthusiast and fascinated with technology since her childhood days.
