iPhone Cellular Update Failed: Top 11 Fixes [iOS 18/17 Supported]

Have you ever met the problem of iPhone cellular update failed? It's a commonly seen issue for iPhone users, especially iOS 18 & 17 users. Unfortunately, this error will bring a lot of troubles to you in your daily life and work if you don't know how to fix it. However, you don't need to be too anxious about it. In this post, 11 best methods for the cellular update failed issue are illustrated below before you send your device to any Apple Stores for reparation.

Part 1: Why Does My iPhone Say Cellular Update Failed?

The "Cellular Update Failed" message on your iPhone usually indicates an issue with updating your carrier settings. As for the reasons why iPhone cellular update failed, either software problems or hardware issues are to be blame. Generally, the cellular update failed is caused by the iOS update failure. Therefore, you can try fixing cellular update failure by fix iOS update error in most cases. The following are the detailed methods that you can take to fix cellular update fail iPhone by yourself.

Part 2: How to Fix iPhone Cellular Update Failed

Fix 1: Best Way to Solve iPhone Cellular Update Failed

To save your time and fix iPhone cellular update failed once and for all, you could adopt this best fix – using professional iOS repair software such as TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It is indeed a powerful tool to deal with iPhone, iPad, iPod and other iOS devices problems. Now matter what complex scenario you are in, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can help you solve such iOS system errors as iPhone cellular update failure, iPhone cellular data not working, iPhone won't update apps. You can have it both on your Win and Mac system computer to fix your disabled iPhone. Get it for free to fix iOS 17 cellular update failed or other iOS versions without data loss as soon as possible.

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• Fix 150+ iOS issues without data loss
• Offer two repair modes - Standard/Deep Repair
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• Downgrade iOS without jailbreak
• Compatible with all iOS versions

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Step 1Connect iPhone to computer and open TunesKit

First, connect your iPhone to a computer with a USB cable and launch TunesKit iOS System Recovery on the computer. After your iPhone is detected automatically, click on the Start button to begin and then choose the Standard Repair to fix the issue without data loss.

Step 2Download and verify firmware package

Make sure your device info is all right and correct it manually if anything is wrong. Next tap on the Download button to download related iOS firmware package matched with your iPhone. Wait a while until the process completes.

Step 3Fix iPhone Cellular Update Failed

Press down the Repair button and start fixing the iOS. Do not plug out your device while it's repairing iOS system, or it may cause other problems. In the end, the cellular data failed iPhone is successfully fixed.

Fix 2: Turn Cellular Data off and on

When the notification of cellular update failed iPhone keeps popping up, you can try to temporarily disable Cellular Data feature and wait a few seconds to enable it again. To achieve that, just directly go to the Settings app on your iPhone's Home screen, then find the Cellular tab to click, finally turn off Cellular Data and turn it on later.

Fix 3: Disable the WiFi Calling

When you have a cellular update failed, you can try to fix it by disabling the WiFi Calling. Though in some cases, it's far from an ideal solution, you can just have a try, and it won't take you too much time. To disable the WiFi calling, you can go to the Cellular menu of the Settings app, and then click on the icon next to Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone to disable it if it's turned on.

Fix 4: Toggle Airplane Mode on and off

Given that still in the Settings app, you could attempt to toggle Airplane Mode on and off to fix cellular update failed iPhone 7/11/12. Why does this way may work? Because it can reconnect related services and remove some network bugs. Of course, you can complete the process on the iPhone Control Center and tap Airplane icon.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings

Resetting iPhone's network settings also has the potential to make the message of iPhone cellular update failed disappear. In order to reset network settings, several click Settings on your device, open General option, scroll down and choose Reset button, lastly hit Reset Network Settings.

Fix 6: Restart iPhone

If the problem still become unresolved, then it's time to try restarting your iPhone. Please follow the guide presented here.

To restart iPhone 8/7 and older, long press down the Power button until the slide to power off appears on the screen, then drag on the slider to close the iOS device. After that, open it by holding down the Power button again till the Apple logo shows up.

To restart iPhone 12/11/X and newer, hold down Volume and Power buttons simultaneously till the slide to power off appears, pull on the slider to turn off the device and press the Power button to turn it on after.

Fix 7: Reinstall SIM Card

Or you can take out the SIM card on your iPhone first, after a few minutes, put it back to the tray and switch on your iPhone to see whether the issue of cellular update failed iPhone is removed.

Fix 8: Check Cellular Carrier Updates

To get rid of iPhone 12 cellular update failed error message, it's also necessary for you to check cellular carrier updates. Please head to Settings on your iPhone and open it, then go to General > About. If it is available, a message will be presented on the interface, and you merely need to click on the Update button. After that, the matter may be settled down.

Fix 9: Update iPhone System

In some cases, you might have a cellular update failed iPhone 11 because of a pending software update. Therefore, you are suggested to update your software system to fix it. To update iPhone system, please go to Settings > General > Software Update, and check if there is an available iOS update for your iPhone. Then click on the Download & Install to finish the update process, and your problem will be resolved.

Fix 10: Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

Restoring iPhone to factory settings is also a viable method to fix the cellular update failed error. You can conduct it on your iPhone without computer. First, go to the Settings app and navigate to General > Reset > Erase All Content & Settings. Then, you will be asked to confirm the reset by entering the passcode.

Fix 11: Put Your iPhone in DFU Mode

As the deepest iPhone restore, DFU mode can erase and reload your iPhone to factory defaults. You are suggested to save a backup of your iPhone before you put it into DFU mode, because everything will get wiped from your device during this process. You can check our other article to learn the detailed guide on how to put your iPhone into DFU mode.

Part 3: Related Questions about iPhone Cellular Update

Q1: What Does Cellular Update Failed Mean on iPhone?

On iPhone 7/8/X/11/12, cellular update failed refers to the situation that you get iPhone cellular update failed notification after you update your iOS version. This failure disables the iPhone to use cellular services, including receive and make calls, send text messages, use mobile data, etc.

Q2: How to Update Your iPhone Over a Cellular Data Network?

First, you need to head over to the Settings app from the home screen of your iPhone. Then, in the Settings menu, click on the General to proceed. Now, tap on About > Software Update to get an available system update over a cellular data network.

Q3: Will updating my carrier settings affect my current network settings or data usage?

Carrier settings updates are designed to improve connectivity without affecting your data usage or personal settings. However, resetting network settings will remove Wi-Fi passwords and VPN configurations.

Part 4: The Bottom Line

Hopefully, this guide can give you some value in terms of solving iPhone cellular update failed. With 11 different ways afforded, you could choose any one as you like to get out of the trouble for sure. We recommend you to use TunesKit iOS System Recovery first, because this professional software can help you out successfully without data loss, and iOS 17 supported. If you have other related questions, feel free to tell us in the comments section.