"Could not activate cellular data network" multiple times a day

Several times a day (up to 10 times/day) my phone says "Could not activate cellular data network" and this problem has been going on for about 2 weeks. Does anyone know how to help or troubleshoot it?

I was having the same problem with my factory unlocked phone. Try this it worked for me:
In Settings go to GENERAL-->NETWORK--> and turn off ENABLE 3G. I did this a week ago and I have not had an issue with dropped data since. Why does this work? I don't know.
BE AWARE THAT THE NEW 5.1.1 OS BY DEFAULT TURNS ON 3G EVERYTIME YOU RESTART YOUR PHONE, EVEN IF YOU TURN IT OFF MANUALY

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"could not activate cellular data network"

got a new iphone 6 and repeatedly having problems using cellular data after bringing the phone out of sleep, if I turn it off and back on again it seems to work fine but will have the same issue next time "could not activate cellular data network" Anyone else experiencing same problem or have suggestions ?

Hello there, Krasea.
The following Knowledge Base article offers up some great recommendations for troubleshooting issues with cellular data connections with your iOS device:
iPhone: Troubleshooting a cellular data connection
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3780
Follow these steps for help troubleshooting cellular data issues on your iPhone. After performing each step, please test to see if the issue is resolved.
Toggle airplane mode: Tap Settings, turn airplane mode on, wait three seconds, and then turn off again.
Restart your iPhone.
Make sure that your software is up to date:
Check for a Carrier Settings Update: Tap Settings > General > About.
Check for an iOS Software Update: Tap Settings > General > Software Update.
Note: Some updates may require a Wi-Fi connection.
Remove the SIM Card and reinsert it. Allow the iPhone to acquire the network again.
If your SIM card has SIM PIN enabled, try turning it off: Tap Settings > Phone > SIM PIN.
Try another location. If a different location works, but the original location still doesn't, contact your carrier to report the issue.
Reset network settings: Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Restore the iPhone as new.
Contact your carrier to:
Verify that the iPhone is properly set up on the account with the appropriate, current data plan.
Verify that there are no account-related blocks.
Find out if there are specific error messages in the carrier logs that could help determine why the issue is occurring.
If none of the above steps resolves the issue, contact your carrier, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store, or contact AppleCare to troubleshoot further.
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

Could not activate cellular data network fix

Im on an iPhone 5 with iOS 6.1.2 with StraightTalk and any time I attempt to connect to the internet with 3G it say "Could not activate cellular data network. You Are Not Subscibed." I need a fix for it! Please help!

This is not an uncommon problem apparently.
Did you try dialing *22890?
How did you activate your iPhone (iTunes, iCloud, WalMart kiosk)?
Some on the StraightTalk forums report success by visiting a WalMart which is equipped with an activation kiosk and asking a qualified WalMart empolyee to activate the phone (be sure and back up any critical data before you do that since they will reset the phone).
Also, are you in the home area code of your phone? My iPhone 5 was set to not allow data roaming outside of my home network. I am not sure if that means my area code or the StraightTalk network. Either way, you can go to Settings>Cellular>Roaming and check to see if data roaming is turned on. Be careful if you roam a lot, though as you might incur additional data charges.
Hope this helps.

Could not activate cellular data network iPhone 6

I bought a launch day iPhone 6 and I've been having trouble with my carrier, MetroPCS. I use MetroPCS on the GSM side of the network and for some reason at least three times a day I get the "could not activate cellular data network" message. I've tried everything from getting a new SIM to restoring my iPhone. I don't think it'd be my iPhone because I've used other SIMs in it without a problem whatsoever. Any suggestions to keep this from happening? my iPhone 5S never had any issues with the carrier, I've had MetroPCS's GSM side network since it was released.

Hello espi_will,
Thanks for the question. After reviewing your post, it sounds like you are having trouble with a cellular data connection. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help you resolve or isolate the issue.
iPhone cellular data connection issues
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Have a nice day,
Mario

Could not activate cellular data network att 3g after upgrading form 5.1.1 to 6.1

Hello im deployed in Afghanistan. I brought over my 64gb ipadw att over here. I got a new sim for it day one. It's work flawlessly for 2 months. Last night I upgraded from 5.1.1. to 6.1 and when it woke back up BOOM! I have all the bars along w/ the "E" Edge network icon but no internet. Says could not activate cellular data network. When I put my att sim card in my ipad works perfectly fine racking up ridiculous out of the country roaming fees. Why did my hodgi sim card stop working?

I am having similar problems.
My network settings are correct and I can communicate both over 3G and WiFi.
However, every few minutes the connection is being dropped. A few seconds later it's back again. I can see this in an application I am developing. It's rather frustrating...
In the console I see this message prior to the connection being lost and rebuilt:
"Mon Sep 20 09:44:58 PeterVs-iPhone-3GS configd[23] <Notice>: network configuration changed."
I have not changed anything to the configuration. What's even more strange is that I ONLY have 3G at this moment, i.e. WiFi is disabled.
What is changing the network configuration? And why does it mean that the current network connection needs to be torn down and rebuilt? After the network is back, there is no difference than before. So it gets torn down and rebuilt for no apparent reason.
I have logged a bug with Apple over a week ago, but haven't had any reply from them yet. I need more information about what is happening, and how I can prevent it. I'm not very happy having to grope in the dark, having to make guesses because somebody decided that he knows what's best for me.
This is happening on multiple iPhones with multiple different OS-es. So I am guessing it is related to my carrier (Vodafone). But I can't verify it because I'm not getting the tools from Apple.

"Could not activate cellular data network" message on iPhone 3GS (iOS 4.1)

May this year I purchased a brand new iPhone 3GS 16GB from Vodafone on a 24mnth plan with 2gb of data monthly for mobile and tether use. The 3G and normal gsm data alwyas worked in areas where it was avalible until 3 months ago. In safari i would get a message stating that "Could not activate cellular data network" and in all apps no internet serivces worked unless wifi was activated.
I put my sim in my n95 and my 5800 and internet worked on both. I got my number put onto a new sim card. I restored iPhone. I updated iPhone to 4.1 and reset all network settings.
Nothing worked and apple came to the conclusion that it was a faulty handset and replaced it on saturday. Today when I woke up, the same message appeared!!!!
Please anyone help
Message was edited by: r.spiroski

I am having similar problems.
My network settings are correct and I can communicate both over 3G and WiFi.
However, every few minutes the connection is being dropped. A few seconds later it's back again. I can see this in an application I am developing. It's rather frustrating...
In the console I see this message prior to the connection being lost and rebuilt:
"Mon Sep 20 09:44:58 PeterVs-iPhone-3GS configd[23] <Notice>: network configuration changed."
I have not changed anything to the configuration. What's even more strange is that I ONLY have 3G at this moment, i.e. WiFi is disabled.
What is changing the network configuration? And why does it mean that the current network connection needs to be torn down and rebuilt? After the network is back, there is no difference than before. So it gets torn down and rebuilt for no apparent reason.
I have logged a bug with Apple over a week ago, but haven't had any reply from them yet. I need more information about what is happening, and how I can prevent it. I'm not very happy having to grope in the dark, having to make guesses because somebody decided that he knows what's best for me.
This is happening on multiple iPhones with multiple different OS-es. So I am guessing it is related to my carrier (Vodafone). But I can't verify it because I'm not getting the tools from Apple.

Could not activate cellular data network service

"Could not activate cellular data network service"
The message appeared when i connected 3G (Dtac carrier,thailand).But it could connected when i used my home wifi.I called my carrier to fixed the problem or reset network settings ,but still had the message.What's the problem?.

There is no expectation that the error will occur when connecting via Wi-Fi. The device simply is not using or attempting to use cellular data at that time.
Contact the carrier and troubleshoot the issue with them.

"Could not activate cellular data network" message after ISO 4.1 update

I updated my iPhone yesterday just like millions of other people, but since the update was completed, I haven't been able to use the data network. Wi-Fi works without any problems, but when I've been out of the house yesterday and today, I haven't been able to establish any connection to the data network and have received the "Could not activate cellular data network" message each time. Is anyone else having this issue too? So much for a flawless update.

Hi,
This happens to me everytime I do a f/w update but for me its for a simple reason and is easy to fix.
I am using a non iPhone Contract SIM in my iPhone and as such is does not like the default iPhone contract APNs for cellular data, hence the message. These reset when you do a f/w upgrade.
I have to go into Settings/General/Network/Cellular Data Network and set the APNs (for data and MMS) to ones given to me by my provider, in this case O2 UK for a non iPhone SIM/Contract - all is then well.
Perhaps you are in a similar situation ?? It shuold be easy to resolve by checking the APNs for your SIM against the ones in the iPhone itself. I found mine by Googling for iPhone O2 APNs. In fact in the end O2 published the setup on their website.
Hope this helps.
Radar.

Why I face the error could note activate cellular date network

I have IPhone since three months, I bought it from Egypt and each time I lose the network signal then I catch it back I can't browse or use Internet at all ad I see error " could not activate cellular data network" even I didn't go abroad how can I fix that

Go to Settings > General > Network > Cellular Data should be "ON"

HT4623 Could not activate cellular data network. You are not subscribed to a cellular data service" "Cellular Data Plan Usage-There is no data remaining on your current plan. Would you like to add more data now?"what is the best thing i can do with this p

Could not activate cellular data network. You are not subscribed to a cellular data service"
"Cellular Data Plan Usage…There is no data remaining on your current plan. Would you like to add more data now?"what im going to do whit this problem??

I have done that and it is definitely on. My husband has the exact same phone and I upgraded his IOS at the same time, but this problem is not happening to his phone (we are also on the same plan, so our service should be the same). Our settings appear to be identical and my phone is showing the 3G symbol at the top, so I can't understand why it won't access the network.
I've turned it on and off twice and have reset all settings with my iTunes account, but it still isn't working.
I'm not a complete idiot with this sort of stuff - I have tried all the obvious things.

HELP : Could not activate cellular data network ?

Hello i have just updated to OS4 and when i try to access my mails i get the following message:
"Could not activate cellular data network - you are not subscribed to a cellular data service."
What is going on? iTunes gave me message that it could not 'activate' me now and that i would have to try again later. I have since then plugged in my iphone numerous times in iTunes. I don't get this 'can't activate now' message but I still cannot access my mails in my phone and i still get the message above.
no mails = help plz!!!!!
thxs,
me

sorry for delay in posting my reply. I have found that updating had in fact cleared all my cellular settings. basically it just needed to be reconfigured again. Why it cleared all the setting is a mystery.
Also, as a 3G user, I am not entirely convinced the new update is that good on the 'old' 3G. I have suffered from loss of performance and stability. My phone regularly gets stuck. Apps shut down of their own accord etc...
Am desperately waiting for the iPhone 4 to come out.

HT4623 My new iPad can no longer connect to the 3G network. I keep getting the message "could not activate cellular date network".

I updated my new iPad to the iOS 6 while connected to wifi. However, it will no longer connect to the 3G network. I keep getting the message "could not activate cellular data network" even though the 3G symbol appears normal. I have tried rebooting, but it still doesn't work. Please help!

No. You can't

How to solve the error message "Could not activate cellular data network: PDP authentication failure"when using 3g or gPRS on safari with an iphone 4 and latest software updates

Please can someone help me to solve the error message "Could not activate cellular data network: PDP authentication failure"when using 3G or GPRS on safari with an iphone 4GS and latest software updates. I have tried resetting the network and phone settings. I have restored the factory settings on itunes and still the problem persists.

All iPhones sold in Japan are sold carrier locked and cannot be officially unlocked by the carrier. If you unlocked it, it was by unauthorized means (hacked), and support cannot be given to you in this forum.
Hacked iPhones are subject to countermeasures by Apple, particularly when updating the firmware. It is likely permanently re-locked or permanently disabled.
Message was edited by: modular747

IPHONE 5: can't receive calls & random error messages, such as "could not activate cellular data network" and "no connection - network unavailable, please connect to wifi or cellular network." This occurs even when signal strength or wifi is operational.

IPHONE 5: can't receive calls and random error messages, such as "could not activate cellular data network" and "no connection - network unavailable, please connect to wifi or cellular network." This occurs even when signal strength or wifi is operational, and it does not matter whether wifi is on or off. ATT went through the standard protocol - resetting network, resetting sim card, etc. No changes. Other phones working fine in same region with same carrier. Apple's solution is to restore software, but haven't gone there yet. Anyone successfully addressed this/these issues?

I should point out that it worked when the iPhone was set back to factory settings, but when restored with the backup, data/internet no longer works again, and I get the "Could not activate cellular data network" error message yet again.

HT4623 Hi. After I updated ios6, I couldn't use my cellular network. It said "could not activate cellular data network - You are not subscribed to a cellular data service". I don't know why. My iphone is 4s

Hi. After I updated ios6, I couldn't use my cellular network. It said "could not activate cellular data network - You are not subscribed to a cellular data service". I don't know why. My iphone is 4s

Contact your carrier to ensure data access via their network is provisioned properly for your account and iPhone with the new iOS 6 update installed.

"Could not activate cellular data network" multiple times a day

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