Poor network connectivity is a common struggle for any smartphone user. Although switching between Wi-Fi and cellular data often resolves temporary glitches, persistent problems may require deeper troubleshooting already. In these cases, the best approach is to change your iPhone network settings. It’s a quick, simple process to improve device connectivity and resolve a range of issues, from slow-loading videos to dropped calls. Just follow these steps.
What Happens When You Change Your iPhone’s Network Settings?
Resetting your iPhone’s network settings erases all saved Wi-Fi networks, cellular preferences, Bluetooth pairings, VPN information, and other network-related data. You’ll also get disconnected from any network you’re using. From there, you can reconnect to Wi-Fi from another iPhone or iPad or enter your Wi-Fi password manually.
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How to Change Your iPhone’s Network Settings
1. Reset Network Settings
Time needed: 1 minute
Restoring your iPhone’s network settings to its factory settings only takes a few simple steps. Here’s how:
- From the Settings app, tap General.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
- Key in your passcode.
- Tap Reset Network Settings.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode On and Off
Another way to potentially address network issues on your iPhone is toggling Airplane Mode. This function temporarily disconnects your device from Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth connections. To activate Airplane Mode on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Swipe up on your home or lock screen to access the Control Center.
- From there, tap on the airplane icon.
- Wait a few seconds and tap on the airplane icon again.
You can also toggle Airplane Mode from the Settings app.
3. Force-Restart Your iPhone
If all else fails, force-restarting your device might do the trick. It’s a quick way to clear network bugs within your device.
- Press the power button and any of the volume buttons at the same time. A slider should appear on the screen.
- Drag the slider and wait 30 seconds for your device to switch off.
- Power your device back on by pressing the power button until the Apple logo appears.
Contact your Wi-Fi or cellular network provider if connectivity issues persist. If you’re also seeing an error saying “Could Not Activate Cellular Data Networks” on your iPhone, you can try updating your carrier settings or deleting your eSim.