After updating to the newly released iOS 9 on iPhone and iPad, a large number of iPhone users have been facing problem on cellular data connection error. Users have flooding iOS community forums and Reddit with a major complaints regarding iOS 9's cellular data, leading to internet connectivity problems. Some users have even reported that some apps are not able to access the internet via cellular data, while some users have no such problems. Whatever it might be, problem of cellular data is among the major issue that has been on the top of the list. If you face this kind of issue, how will you fix them.
0: Update iOS to the Latest Version
The first thing you should do is update to to the latest version of iOS. In fact, iOS 9.0.2 is specifically aimed at fixing this problem with cellular data. If you haven’t done that, do that first.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and when you see iOS 9.0.2 (or later) available, install that first.
When the iPhone reboots to the latest version, the cellular data should work just fine. If not, continue on with the troubleshooting solutions outline below.
Solution 1: Reset Network Settings
Resetting all your network-related settings removes WiFi password and refreshes your wireless carrier network, which means the iOS device will be reconfigured automatically. This usually fixes most of the common cellular issues you face.
Solution 2: Enable / Disable Airplane Mode
Whenever cellular data signal drops (signal is weak or you see “searching…” at the top, on the status bar) consider enabling and disabling the Airplane mode on your iOS device.
Solution 3: Check Cellular Data is Enabled
This sounds way too simple, but if you cannot access the Internet over 3G/4G network, then check the cellular page once again. Make sure it is enabled.
Solution 4: Change Cellular Restrictions
If you want to allow apps to use cellular data, you need to change the restrictions.
Solution 5: Reset APN Settings
This is a trick a reader posted, who said that removing and adding the APN details (fake details) forces the cellular switches to work again.
Here’s how to do it: Settings -> Mobile Data -> Mobile Data Network and you will find APN, Username, Password, etc. In the APN field, enter iOS9 and tap the back button.
Then go to the same page and remove iOS9 from the APN field. This seems like some weird magic trick taken right out of the fairytale, but hey it seems to be working.
Solution 6: Update to iOS 9.0.1
As mentioned earlier, iOS 9.0.1 fixes a different cellular issue. It forces the cellular network to work once again even when you are already using a custom APN profile (as mentioned in solution #5).
To update, and learn more about iOS 9.0.1, read this: New iOS 9.0.1 Update.
Solution 7: Factory Reset or Clean Install iOS 9
If you faced any issues during iOS 9 installation, which you think is the root cause of the cellular issue that’s troubling you, then perform a factory reset. In other words, you will have to reinstall iOS 9 on your device.
Solution 8: Downgrade From iOS 9 To iOS 8
If you think your iPhones and iPads are now useless without the cellular data network, and no amount of solutions are working in your favor, then downgrading is your last option.
When you downgrade from iOS 9 to iOS 8, you are going back to the old interface, with old features, where cellular data’s switches worked without any problems.
Of course, you will lose data – you can’t restore the new backup – but it’s worth it as you can peacefully enable and use your cellular data bandwidth on apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, FaceTime, etc.
