URL: https://esimgo.in/help/mobile-data-not-working/ Source: eSIM Go (esimgo.in) Author: Nadezhda Semenova, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Trippy travel service, https://esimgo.in/author/ Updated: 22 Oct 2026 # Why is my phone's mobile data not working? Checks for iPhone and Android, in order Mobile data stops for one of four reasons you can check in order: the data switch or data SIM, a used-up plan or data limit, no mobile network, or the APN. Each answer to "why my phone internet is not working" below quotes Apple, Google or Samsung in their own words, checked on 20 Oct 2026; other fixes are in the [help centre](/help/). ## Short answer: the checks, in this order Start with the mobile data switch and the data SIM: both are switches you can set back. Reset network settings comes last. Apple says it removes "All network settings", and neither Apple's nor Samsung's reset list mentions your plan's balance. | What you see | First check | Section | |---|---|---| | Data is on but you can't access the internet; Wi-Fi works | Mobile data switch; which SIM carries data | Switch and SIM | | Mobile data stopped working after heavy use | Data limit; the plan's balance in your operator's app | Limit and plan | | "Mobile network not available" or "Emergency calls only" | Aeroplane mode on and off, then restart | Network, mode, APN | | No data indicator, or pages do not load | Signal, then network mode and APN | Network, mode, APN | | Still no data connection | Restart, then reset network settings | Restart and reset | | No mobile data in another country | The travel checklist | Abroad | ## Mobile data switched off, or set to the other SIM Check that mobile data is on and that the right SIM carries it. Apple: "Tap the slider next to Mobile Data to turn mobile data on or off." For two SIMs, Apple adds: "If your iPhone has multiple SIMs, tap Mobile Service and then tap Mobile Data." On a dual-SIM iPhone, check which line is set for mobile data. Samsung India (page updated 11 Sep 2024) calls it "Check SIM card preference to use Mobile Data". The path: "Settings > Connections> SIM card manager> Mobile data > Choose SIM 1/ SIM 2". On a Pixel, Google's path is Network and Internet > SIMs > Mobile data, and "Only one SIM can be the default for data." The [dual SIM guide](/help/dual-sim/) explains the data line. ## A data limit reached, or the plan used up Samsung's pre-checks include "Mobile data quota for daily/ monthly is not exceeded". Its page (updated 11 Sep 2024) explains the failure: after heavy use, "the daily limit gets exhausted and it results in the mobile data not working." The fix is a higher limit at "Settings > Connections> Data usage> Mobile data usage> Settings> Data limit". A limit on the phone is not the plan, so check the plan's balance in your operator's app. Apple's no-service page also says to ask your network provider whether your account is active and "in good standing". For a travel eSIM from us, the balance is on your order page. The [data usage guide](/help/check-data-usage/) shows where. ## No signal, "Mobile network not available" or "Emergency calls only": network, mode and APN "Mobile network not available" and "Emergency calls only" mean the phone has no mobile network it can use, so mobile data cannot work either. The Apple, Google and Samsung pages we read do not print these messages. Apple's nearest page, for No Service or Searching, says "your device isn't connected to a mobile network". Apple's page lists, in this order: Airplane Mode on "for at least 15 seconds" and off, a restart, then your network provider, to check your account, coverage and any barring. A network provider settings update and "Turn On This Line" come after. Google's Play Help page turns aeroplane mode on "for 10 seconds", then off. On a Pixel, "Use SIM" must be on for your operator under Network and Internet > SIMs. For a travel eSIM from us, write to us. For No SIM or Invalid SIM, see [SIM not detected](/help/sim-not-detected/); abroad, use the [no-signal checklist](/help/esim-no-signal/). Google's Play Help page says to look for a data indicator, such as 2G, 3G, 4G or H, next to the signal bars. It sometimes does not show while Wi-Fi is connected, so turn Wi-Fi off and check again. With no indicator, Google says you may have no coverage there and suggests moving to another area. If the indicator shows but pages do not load, try the network mode, then the APN. Samsung India (updated 11 Sep 2024): "Settings > Connections> Mobile networks> Network mode SIM 1/ SIM 2 > Choose 5G/LTE/3G/2G (auto connect)". A Pixel offers "Preferred network type" under Network and Internet > SIMs. Apple warns: "If you enter incorrect APN settings, you may lose mobile data connectivity and receive additional charges." Samsung's page offers "Settings > Connections> Mobile networks >Access point names > More icon > Reset to default". A travel eSIM's APN is in the [APN guide](/help/apn-settings/). The "PDP authentication failure" message has [its own page](/help/pdp-authentication-failure/). ## Restart, then reset network settings: what each one removes Restart first. Google's Play Help page lists "Restart your device" at the top, and Samsung says a force restart preserves your data and files. Before any reset, one rule: never delete an eSIM to fix data. "Delete All eSIMs" is a separate option on Apple's reset screen, and a deleted profile usually cannot be installed again from the same code. Apple's iPhone User Guide path is Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset. Of Reset Network Settings it says: "All network settings are removed." It adds: "Cellular data roaming may also be turned off." Abroad on a travel eSIM, turn Data Roaming back on for it afterwards. Apple's text does not mention eSIMs. Samsung India's path (updated 11 Sep 2024) is General management, Reset, Reset network settings. Its note: "resetting your networks will reset your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other network settings." A Pixel's is System > Reset options > Reset mobile network settings (Google). Write to us before you touch a travel eSIM from us; the [delete guide](/help/delete-esim/) explains why. ## Mobile data not working abroad: a different checklist Abroad, "why my phone internet is not working" has two more answers: data roaming on the line that carries data, and a plan or pack that covers the country. Apple: "If you have an international data plan, you may need to keep Data Roaming on"; the [data roaming guide](/help/data-roaming/) covers the switch line by line. If your travel eSIM shows no signal after you land, use the [no-signal checklist for abroad](/help/esim-no-signal/). ## Sources Checked on 20 Oct 2026 (IST). 1. [Samsung India: How to troubleshoot Mobile data issues](https://www.samsung.com/in/support/mobile-devices/how-to-troubleshoot-mobile-data-issues/), last update 11 Sep 2024 2. [Google Play Help: Fix internet connection problems on Android devices](https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2651367?hl=en-IN) (no date on the page) 3. [Google Pixel Help: Connect to mobile networks on a Pixel phone](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2926415?hl=en-IN) (no date on the page) 4. [Apple Support India: Use mobile data on your iPhone or iPad](https://support.apple.com/en-in/109323), published 16 Sep 2026 5. [Apple Support India: If you see SOS, No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad](https://support.apple.com/en-in/120000), published 6 Jul 2026 6. [Apple Support India: View and edit your APN](https://support.apple.com/en-in/102483), published 14 Jul 2026 7. [Apple iPhone User Guide, en-IN: Reset iPhone settings to their defaults](https://support.apple.com/en-in/guide/iphone/iphea1c2fe48/ios), iOS 27 8. [Google Pixel Help: Fix mobile connectivity issues](https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/14116080?hl=en-IN) (no date on the page) Items 2, 3 and 5 re-read on 21 Oct 2026 (IST). ## FAQ ### Why is my mobile data on but not working? Check which SIM carries data. Then look for a data indicator next to the signal bars; Google says it sometimes does not show while Wi-Fi is connected. Check the data limit and your plan's balance next. ### How do I reset mobile data on an Android phone? Restart first. A Pixel's reset is System > Reset options > Reset mobile network settings (Google); Samsung India's is General management > Reset > Reset network settings, which also resets Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. ### Why did my mobile data suddenly stop working? Samsung lists a reached daily or monthly data limit as one cause; the plan may also have run out. Check both before you change any settings. ### Why is mobile data not working on my Samsung? Samsung India's pre-checks cover the SIM, the data switch, the plan, the quota, Wi-Fi, signal, roaming and software. Its fixes then cover the data SIM, data limit, network mode and APN reset. ### Does resetting network settings delete anything? Yes, network settings. Apple says all network settings are removed and cellular data roaming may be turned off. Samsung says Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other network settings are reset. Apple's text does not mention eSIMs, and "Delete All eSIMs" is a separate option. ### What does "Mobile network not available" mean? The phone has no mobile network it can use, so mobile data cannot work either. The Apple, Google and Samsung pages we read do not print this message. Apple's page for No Service says "your device isn't connected to a mobile network". Its first two fixes are Airplane Mode on for at least 15 seconds and off, then a restart. ### Why is my mobile data not working abroad? Check that data roaming is on for the line that carries data and that your plan or pack covers that country. A travel eSIM that shows no signal after landing has its own checklist.