The preferred method for streaming videos, downloading files, or doing anything else on a phone is through a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) connection.
However, sometimes you might be traveling, or your Wi-Fi connection might be acting up. In such scenarios, using your phone’s cellular data would work as the perfect backup alternative.
However, a large number of iPhone users have reported a common error. The phone displays the following error message when they try to use cellular data – “an update is required to use cellular data on this iPhone”.
The error is quite restricting, as it renders iPhone users unable to use their coveted cellular data as and when they please. Although there is no one fixed cause as to what is causing this problem, there are several things that you can do to fix it.
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How to Fix iPhone Cellular Data Error: Fool-Proof Solutions
If you are facing the error, “an update is required to use cellular data on this iPhone”, then you should follow these steps sequentially.
One of these solutions is bound to fix your problem.
1. Reboot your iPhone
The simplest solution for the majority of problems is to simply force your iPhone to restart. Many of these problems arise due to some software glitch. Once your phone reboots, all the system applications close and open once again, eliminating any simple software issues.
Here’s how you can restart your iPhone –
For iPhone 8 or newer versions
- Press the Volume Up button and then quickly release it.
- Now, press the Volume Down button and then quickly release it.
- Press and hold the Side button for a while. Release it when you see the Apple logo.
For iPhone 7/7 Plus
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and Power button till you see the Apple logo.
For iPhone 6s or older versions
- Press and release the Home button and Sleep/Wake button when you see the Apple logo.
2. Toggle the Airplane Mode On and Off
When there is an issue with your cellular network performance, disabling and then enabling your iPhone’s airplane mode usually does the trick.
The same solution can work in the case of “an update is required to use cellular data on this iPhone” as well.
Here’s how you can do this –
- Go to the Settings app.
- Switch on the Airplane mode,
- Wait for a few seconds.
- Now turn on the Airplane mode again.
3. Check if the Carrier’s Settings Need Updating
Since the issue is related to cellular data, you might find the solution while tinkering with the Cellular Data and Carrier settings. An effective method to eliminate the problem would be to update the whole carrier’s setting.
Here’s how you can do it –
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to a working Wi-Fi network.
- Go to your Settings app.
- Tap on General settings.
- Choose the About option.
- If there is a pending Carrier Settings update available, you will see a pop-up asking you to complete the update. If it asks, then update the settings and recheck your issue.
4. Update your iPhone
Updating your iPhone doesn’t only acquaint you with new phone features, but might also fix a lot of errors and software glitches that you might be experiencing. It smoothens your overall iPhone experience.
Thus, if updating just the Carrier settings doesn’t work, your next step should be to check if there is any software update available on your iPhone device.
Here’s how you can do it –
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select General settings.
- Scroll down until you see the Software Update option.
- If there is any update available, download and install it.
5. Re-Insert your SIM Card
Sometimes, your SIM card starts acting up if it collects dust or is misaligned with the phone SIM cardholder.
Thus, for any network-related issue, an easy fix could be to simply eject your SIM and then re-insert it to see if it solves your problem.
Moreover, if you see that your SIM card has some amount of dust on it, you can even clean or brush it with a small piece of a soft cloth.
6. Reset Network Settings
The issue that you might be facing is largely a network-related problem. A fool-proof method of eliminating all network issues is to simply reset all your network settings.
- Go to the Settings app.
- Choose General settings.
- Locate the Reset (Called Transfer or Reset iPhone setting in iOS 15 or newer versions) option and tap on it.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
- You will be asked to enter the passcode. Enter it and then tap on Reset.
7. Reset all iPhone Settings
If resetting your network settings doesn’t help, you can go a step further and reset your iPhone’s entire settings.
When you do this, your iPhone will reset all the customized settings back to default. This means that any changes that you have made in your settings manually will be lost.
There is no risk of your data being deleted or lost.
Here’s how to reset iPhone settings –
In iOS 15 and later versions
- Go to the Settings app.
- Choose General settings.
- Locate and tap on the Transfer or Reset iPhone settings.
- Tap on Reset.
- Tap on Reset all Settings.
In iOS 14 or earlier versions
- Go to the Settings app.
- Choose General settings.
- Click on Reset.
- Hit on Reset all Settings.
- Enter the passcode.
- Confirm by tapping again on Reset all Settings.
8. Turn off Wi-Fi Calling
You might think that the idea of your solution being resolved by switching off Wi-Fi calling might be a little too far-fetched. Believe me, relating Wi-Fi calling to cellular problems is a bit dubious for us too.
But there have been several occasions when a lot of cellular data-related problems were fixed by sampling turning off Wi-Fi calling on one’s iPhone.
Here’s how to turn off wifi calling on iPhone –
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down until you see the Phone app. Tap on it.
- Tap on Wi-Fi Calling.
- Choose the Turn off Wi-Fi Calling on this iPhone option.
9. Factory Reset your iPhone
Last but not the least, if none of the above solutions work for you, you’ll have no choice but to factory reset your phone.
Unfortunately, this method will wipe your entire iPhone and reset it back to its factory settings. You will lose your data, files, and everything else. So please make sure that you back up your iPhone before you follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Choose General settings.
- Scroll down and tap on the Reset option.
- Choose Erase All Content & Settings.
- Enter your iPhone passcode.
- Confirm your decision by tapping on Erase iPhone.
Final Thoughts
We’ve come up with a comprehensive, sequential guide on how to fix the “An update is required to use cellular data on this iPhone” error.
We recommend that you try using your iPhone’s cellular data after trying each of our aforementioned solutions. If none of the methods work for you, then you might be a victim to some complex issue. To get that resolved, you should consult with Apple support.
