Several users have said that they see the error message below on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max:
Cellular Update Failed. Your iPhone cannot make and receive cellular data until it has been updated.
If you are seeing this error, you will not be able to make or receive phone calls, send text messages and you will not be able to connect to a cellular network or cellular data even if cellular coverage is available. You will also see a “No Service” notification in the status bar on the top of your iPhone’s screen.
Sometimes this alert clears after the steps below. Sometimes it does not, and the iPhone 18 Pro might need service. Please try each step one at a time, until your issue is resolved.
1. Turn Airplane Mode on and off again. Go to Settings and turn on Airplane Mode. Wait at least 15 seconds. Then turn off Airplane Mode.
2. Check for a carrier settings update. Here is how:
- Make sure that you connect your device to Wi-Fi.
- Open the Settings app, tap General, then tap About.
- If an update is available, you’ll see an option to update your carrier settings. Follow the onscreen instructions to install it.
- If your carrier releases a mandatory update, you will see an OK button instead of an Update button.
3. Update your iPhone. Here is how:
- Connect your device to a Wi-Fi network.
- Now go to Settings > General > Software Update. If there is an update available, tap Download and Install.
4. Reinstall the SIM on your iPhone. Note that this step only applies to an iPhone 18 Pro with a physical SIM. In some countries and regions, including the United States, iPhone models are sold as eSIM-only and do not have a SIM tray. Here is how:
- Turn off your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Shut Down, then drag the power-off slider.
- To pop open the SIM tray, insert a paper clip or a SIM-eject tool into the hole beside the tray. Push in, towards your iPhone, but don’t force it. If you’re having difficulty ejecting the SIM tray, take your device to your carrier or an Apple Store for help. Remove the SIM card.
- Place the SIM card into the tray again, then insert the tray into the device completely and in the same orientation that you removed it.
- Now turn on your iPhone by pressing and holding the side button until you see the Apple logo.
Does reinstalling the SIM fix your “No Service” problem? If not, continue.
5. Reset Network Settings. Resetting causes all network settings to be removed, including your home, work, and school network configurations. Reset network settings only if other solutions fail. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, then tap Reset Network Settings.
6. Reinstall the current version of iOS from a computer. You may want to back up your iPhone first. To back up with iCloud, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Then:
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac. Make sure that your Mac is running the latest version of macOS.
- On your iPhone, you may see an alert asking if you trust this computer. Tap Trust.
- In a Finder window, your device appears in the sidebar. Select your device.
- Click the General tab. If you have not backed up already, you can also back up here: select “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac,” then click Back Up Now.
- Command-click Check for Update, then click Download and Update. Follow the onscreen instructions to reinstall iOS. Don’t disconnect your device from your computer until the download completes.
If the alert comes back
If you still see the Cellular Update Failed alert after all of the steps above, your iPhone 18 Pro might need service. Take your iPhone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or make a Genius Bar reservation at an Apple Store. You can also contact Apple Support to find the best support option for you.
Contact Apple before paying anyone for a repair.
