How to fix iPhone eSIM network not available

In many situations, toggling Airplane Mode or checking that Data Roaming is enabled for international travel is enough to restore service on an iPhone. When you experience an iPhone eSIM network not available status, it usually means the line hasn’t fully registered with a local network, or a key setting is turned off. Below, you’ll find what to review so you can get back online smoothly, whether you’re at home or traveling abroad.

Common reasons why iPhone eSIM shows “Network Not Available”

Quick fixes to restore service

Before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting, try these quick fixes. In many cases, they’re often enough to bring your connection back.

• Toggle Airplane Mode by turning it ON for about 15 seconds and then OFF again. This refreshes the network registration and helps your iPhone reconnect to the nearest available network.
• Turn OFF inactive lines by going to Settings → Cellular and switching OFF any physical SIM or secondary line you’re not using. This can fix the visual No Service status caused by line conflicts.
• Restart your iPhone to clear temporary software glitches that may be affecting mobile data or eSIM performance. 
• Confirm the Travel eSIM line is turned ON under Settings → Cellular and selected as the active line for mobile data.

Troubleshooting tips

If the quick fixes didn’t work, it’s time to review a few key settings on your iPhone.

1. Enable data roaming on iPhone

Data Roaming allows your iPhone to connect to supported local networks and prevents signal conflicts when you’re outside your home coverage area. This is the most common reason why iPhones show SOS or No Service when using a travel eSIM. You can enable it in just a few steps:

• Go to Settings → Tap on Cellular or Mobile Service → Tap on your Travel eSIM → Turn Data Roaming ON.

2. Manually select a network operator on an iPhone

If your device is stuck in SOS, No Service, or you continue to experience the iPhone eSIM network not available status, manually selecting a network can help the device register with a compatible carrier. You can do this directly from your cellular settings:

• Go to Settings → Tap on Cellular or Mobile Service → Tap your eSIM line → Network Selection → Turn OFF Automatic → Wait for available networks to load → Select each network one by one, waiting about 30 seconds between attempts → Keep the network that provides the most stable signal.

3. Switch to LTE or 4G

If the 5G signal is weak or unstable in your current area, switching your iPhone to LTE or 4G can provide a more reliable connection. Here’s how to switch your preferred network:

• Go to Settings → Tap on Cellular or Mobile Service → Tap your eSIM line → Voice & Data → Select LTE or 4G → Test your mobile data connection.

4. Check your data mode: allow more data on 5G vs standard

On iPhones that support newer network modes, the Data Mode setting controls how the device manages mobile data usage. Choosing Standard mode helps prioritize connection stability by reducing constant switching between network bands in areas with mixed coverage. Here’s how to change Data Mode:

Note: This setting appears only on iPhones with 5G support.

• Go to Settings → Tap Cellular or Mobile Service → Select your eSIM line → Tap Data Mode → Select Standard instead of Allow More Data on 5G → Wait a few seconds for the network to refresh.

5. Reset network settings

If the steps above didn’t bring your connection back, resetting network settings is a good option to clear configuration errors. Here’s how to do it:

• Go to Settings → Tap on General → Select Transfer or Reset iPhone → Tap on Reset → Then, select Reset Network Settings → Confirm when prompted. This won’t delete your eSIM, but it will remove saved Wi-Fi networks and cellular preferences, which can help fix no service after eSIM activation.