Yet another "Could not activate cellular data network"

I updated my factory unlocked iphone 4 about two weeks ago, and ever since I can't connect to internet services. I have locked everywhere for a solution for this problem and I keep finding people complaining about the very same thing yet no good solutions forthcoming from Apple.
Does anyone know a working solution for this that does not include:
-Pointing out that the iphone might not have been factory unlocked- I definitely was and I paid a high price to Apple for thar.
-Restoring iphone- I have done that about 5 times now. To factory settings.
Also: I have noticed that even when I remove my sim card and ask the iphone to return the network to factory settings, it restores my carrier's APN. The point of an unlocked IPhone should be not to have a default APN and I am hoping that if I manage to get the APN back to its original carrier-free settings I could somehow work around the cellular data issue.Any tips for that? Does anyone know the APN settings of a brand new unlocked phone?

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.

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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.

"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 on iphone 6 plus

I was using an att's prepaid gophone and just bought an iphone 6 plus yesterday. but it shows that "could not activate cellular data network" even if "at&t 4g" logo shows on the top of the screen.
I've asked att for help and they said that my sim card and account are totally correct. When I put other's SIM card in my iphone and put my SIM card in an 5s, both of two iphone worked well. but when my sim card in my iphone, the cellular wouldn't work.
att said that iphone 6 plus which is a very new device may not support prepaid card yet, but i'm not sure if it is the point.
did anyone meet the same problem? i've tried the old solution about clear the cookie and data but it didn't work.
hope for your helps

I am absolutely getting LTE. From the iPhone 5S on, the GSM and CDMA phones had identical GSM radios ostensibly for overseas use (in the case of the Verizon phones). Verizon tells you they're only unlocked for overseas so that you won't leave their service for a domestic GSM. Actually, all of the 6's have identical receivers, however the CDMA antennae are disabled on the T-Mobile and AT&T versions... which doesn't matter anyway because Verizon and Sprint won't activate devices that did not originate on their networks though theoretically you could run on Verizon LTE with a GSM only phone as GSM is required for LTE (thus the SIM card in later model Verizon phones).
The Verizon model is the best of everything because it is completely unlocked for any carrier (except Sprint, but who cares, right?).
Edit: forgot to mention... Verizon is required to make all of their LTE phones GSM-unlocked as per their agreement with the FCC when they were acquiring LTE technology.

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.

ERROR: Could not activate cellular data network: PDP authentication failure

I have an iPhone 3g that was given to me by a friend a couple months ago. Before I got the phone i was on a plan with Softbank in japan with another cell phone. When i got the iphone i unlocked it so that i could use my old sim card with the iphone. everything worked out fine, i was unable to use the internet via 3g since it wasnt on my plan but i could text and make calls with no problem.
Everything was working fine until yesterday when i started getting this error message: "Could not activate cellular data network: PDP authentication failure"
once this happened i could no longer text or make calls. my iphone recognizes the sim card, shows one bar of signal, the network, and the 3g symbol. i have also rebooted, restored, reset network settings, and talked with Softbank; all had no help.
i have no idea how to fix it, any suggestions would be awesome.
thanks.

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

I've Lost cellular data network and emails after 5.0 upgrade. "Could not activate cellular data network". Have turned off and on, removed sim and also checked APN setting can anyone help...

I've lost cellular date network, all unopened important business emails and internet access on my Ipad 2 after 5.0 upgrade. Received "Could not activate cellular date network" - I have turned on and off, removed the sim and checked the APN is correct. Can anyone help - struggling and need for my business.

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 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

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 cellulare data network??? what is the solution please.

everytime i try to log to the internet through the internet service provider on the phone, i get this message (could not activate cellulare data network)
I was loginig before via wifi meanwhile i do not have wifi and i am forced to use the service provider internet.
What should I do , I tried the soft, hard reset as well as the restart with no sucsses.
any advice???

I had the same issue "Cannot Activate Cellular Data Network" sometimes says "No Internet..or You are not subscribed to a Data Network". The phone works fine on WiFi.
I noticed this issue only yesterday when tried to access my emails via 3G Data, this may have started happening when I recently updated to 4.3.2 and my phone has never been Jailbroken.
I found a fix that worked for me..I'm using T-Mobile Germany.
Go to Settings>General>Reset>Reset Network Settings>enter Pin code if you have lock enabled>choose Reset Network Settings..
Remember doing this may also erase known WiFi networks, so you may have to enter the details again to get connected to a known WiFi network.
My 3G data started to work again after I did the above steps to default factory network settings.
T-Mobile Germany wasn't much help at all. All they could tell me was some crap about my config was in the wrong contract, Duh??
They probably did nothing to fix the issue and I suspect the above resets steps resolved it for me. Give it a try..
Cheers!!

I am getting an error message "could not activate cellular data network" with my iPhone when there is no wifi

I am getting an error message with my iPhone whenever I try to access my data with no wifi. It says "could not activate cellular data network". This just started today and has never happened before. Did I change a setting or something?

Hello, romac12.
Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
I have experienced this issue before. If there have been any changes to your cellular account such as adding a line, plan change or upgrade, more than likely there is a provisioning issue on the carrier end. However, I would recommend going through the troubleshooting steps in the article below. If the issue persists, see step 9.
iPhone: Troubleshooting a cellular data connection
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3780
Cheers,
Jason H.

HT4993 getting error message could not activate cellular data network when trying to access the internet without using wifi. what do i need to do? i have already restore the phone.

getting error message could not activate cellular data network when trying to access the internet without using wifi. what do i need to do? i have already restore the phone.

contact your phone carrier as they handle cellular network.

I purchased an unlocked iPhone4 last month. Everything was fine till yesterday. Today morning when I tried to check mail, i suddenly got an error message saying " Could not activate cellular data network: you are not subscribed to a cellular data service"

I purchased an unlocked iPhone4 last month. Everything was fine till yesterday. Today morning when I tried to check mail, i suddenly got an error message saying " Could not activate cellular data network: you are not subscribed to a cellular data service", when I checked on my network settings i was not able to find the cellular data network tab ( where we use to input APN manually). i even tried to restore my iPhone to its factory settings, Still it remains the same. i cant able to connect to Internet using cellular data. help me...Plz..

Where did you purchase it from? There are lots of iPhones sold as "unlocked" which are carrier locked phones that were hacked and are not officially unlocked. These phones are subject to re-locking to the original carrier, particularly when updated.

Yet another "Could not activate cellular data network"

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