Could Not Activate Cellular Data Network: You Are Not Subscribed to a Cellular Data Service

by Sebastien on August 29th, 2009

If you recently updated your iPhone firmware, or jailbroke/unlocked your iPhone to use it with a different carrier, you may have encountered the following error: Could Not Activate Cellular Data Network: You Are Not Subscribed to a Cellular Data Service

This error often appears after jailbreaking and/or unlocking and it is mostly characterized by the fact that your iPhone can’t connect to the internet using the cellular data network, and you can’t send text messages anymore.

The first thing to do in that case is to reset the network settings and reboot your iPhone. If it still doesn’t work, then there is a more radical fix that will put everything back on track.

First, get on wifi and visit this website http://www.unlockit.co.nz/#_Custom from your iPhone. You should see this page, which will allow you to create a custom APN.

Under “Carrier”, tap the drop down menu and choose your carrier. Note that there are many carriers listed there and that it might take you a bit of scrolling down to get you where you want. So choose the right carrier and tap “Done”. This should populate the custom APN info.

Once the custom APN fields are populated, tap “Create Profile” and wait a bit. It will exit Safari, and take you to the settings application. Finally, just tap “Install” and this will set up your custom APN on your iPhone. Reboot your iPhone and you should now have Edge and 3G connectivity.

 

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92 Responses

  1. I didt that but with the webpage you told us. The one that lets you enable tethering as well.

    Anyway, now I have problems with wi-fi… I’ve got this blank untouchable option in settings telling me “no wi-fi”. Do you happen to know sth about it?

     
  2. manofsteel1982 says: September 1, 2009 at 12:45 am

    I had this problem the other day but didn’t want to do this website thing so I connected to itunes and preformed a sync, turned phone off and on and was able to access the data network again without any problems. hope this helps. :)

     
  3. will this break your voicemail?

     
  4. Thanks! This worked great! Saved me loads of time

     
  5. WOW THIS WORKED GREAT. I HAVE 3G NOW TO. FREGGIN AWSOME. OH YEAH AND IF ANYONE HAS A 3G AND ACCIDENTALLY UPGRADED TO 3.1 LET ME KNOW I KNOW HOW TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN WITH JAILBREAK AND UNLOCK WITH WINDOWS. ITS SO EASY BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT REAL SOON.

     
  6. thank you…this method helped me restore my data connection!

     
  7. i recently updated my 2g to 3.1 thinking their was a jailbreak/unlock for it obiuosly i read it wrong, but was wondering if its almost out for tha PC

     
  8. Greg Willis says: October 15, 2009 at 7:17 am

    So easy and fixed it perfectly! Thanks, I was so frustrated with this problem and now it gone!

     
  9. I never comment on anything, but this time i must! It actually worked and now I got my iphone back! woo hoo!

     
  10. Wow….sickness!

     
  11. I need Orange in the UK, and it’s not on the list… any other options?

     
  12. Thank you so much for this. I was worried my unlocked iPhone would be pretty useless, but this fixed the no data plan issue in a heart beat.

     
  13. i recently restored my iphone and it upgraded to 3.1 now i get that message and can’t access the internet any tips?

     
  14. I tried this and however now when i try to access the internet via 3g, the message doesn’t appear, although it has the “loading symbol” and never loads anything. This goes for Facebook and other apps that use the internet. Any help would be great please.

     
  15. NuCKOLS LOVe says: November 16, 2009 at 6:45 pm

    iT WORKeD GReaT i’M GLaD i FOUND THiS!!

     
  16. I have an at&t Blackberry with a data paln. When I put the sim in my iPhone, I get the “You are not subscribed to a cellular data plan”. Will this fix this? I am not unlocked by the way.

     
  17. Will this lock my phone? I have an unlocked 3gs on 3.1.2 with T-Mobile. Sorry, I’m a little paranoid lol I just want a clear answer saying that it won’t lock it up.

     
  18. this is a god send!! Thanks so much! I was without data for 1 month and didn’t know what to do. I am even paying ATT $$ for data plan and they can’t seem to help! THanks !

     
  19. I have no data plan, and I did this, I get the EDGE and 3G connectivity, Will I be charged for this? I did everything it said, Custom APN. Thanks!

     
  20. thank you so much this method worked flawlessly :)

     
  21. Worked Great thanks for posting.

     
  22. It usually works for me if I reset network settings. But now it doesn’t. It still appears that way and I still can’t send messages. Any other suggestions? :(

     
  23. Thank you!!!!!!! :D

     
  24. Thanks! Worked a charm!

     
  25. Hi, i using Starhub from Singapore and it is not in the list.. any other suggestions on how to get my GPRS up and running? thanks

     
  26. Im on tmobile and I had 3 people try to do this easy fix and they couldnt, they all unlocked my 2g and wifi worked but not internet with out wifi….THANK YOU!!!

     
  27. What manofsteel1982 wrote also worked for me too.

    My iPhone 3G 16GB was locked to Rogers in Canada … I jailbroke and unlocked using Blackra1n for use on the Bell network. Right when switching the SIM I had the “Could Not Activate Cellular Data Network” error.

    All I did was connect to iTunes, which then prompted a new cellular update, updated and synced and it works fine now.

     
  28. NewiPhoneDude says: January 17, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    Just Jailbroke and Unlocked my iphone 3g myself (first time I ever had an iPhone) using blackra1n (google it). There’s a bunch of tutorials on youtube on exactly how to do it but its so easy I did it on my own instead of paying those people on craigslist that charge $30.

    I recieved this error and than I followed the steps and my 3g internet worked (I’m on T-mobile and note that on the drop down menu there are 2 t-mobile options; I chose the first). I could go on a bunch of sites and the prob seemed fix.

    Only thing is that my phone wont connect to youtube for some reason…

    any know why?

     
  29. thanx this worked great!!!

     
  30. the best 2g phone back in action after update to 3.1

     
  31. Thanks it works!

     
  32. Hi,
    I really need this for mine. I have jailbroken and unlocked an O2 8gb 3G and I’m gettin the message when I try to connect on 3G. I’ve tried the link but it has no T-Mobile UK in the drop down. Please help. Cheers.

     
  33. WOW thanks u saved my life.

     
  34. You da man!! YOuu da mannnnn!

     
  35. brandon scott says: February 6, 2010 at 6:18 am

    i tried this on my iphone 3g worked on wifi only and not 3g did this and it works

     
  36. I tired this… It worked for me! :) ..

    Thank you

     
  37. Great thanks! Sorted now!

     
  38. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!

     
  39. hi
    i have the 3g iphone. it was on 02 but i unlocked it so i can use orange!

    i can use wireless but not 3g… hw can i get it to work? if i go on that link will it lock my iphone again back to 02?

    please help

     
  40. YOU ARE GENIUS
    I spent a lot of time and luckily I found you… thanks A LOT

     
  41. I enter apn as internet2.voicestream.com n internet was working fine

    This one day i called tmobile cuz i had some question since den my internet is not working can any one tell me what should i do

     
  42. SWEET!!! I been at this for a few days now. It worked! Thanks! You’re the bestest!

     
  43. OMG!!! that was perfect!!! and EZ!!!!!! I thought because the website had a .co.nz at the end I’d not be able to use it and it had US carriers for t-mobile. thanks you so much!!!!!!!!

     
  44. Was getting very frustrated before I saw this
    thanks alot!

     
  45. Thanks bro….I though I couldnt fix it….Your the man

     
  46. I have 3gs OS3.1.2 jailbreak w/ blackra1n. My wifi work ok before.. all the sudden it could not search any network. I try to reset the network and also sync. nothing work for me… anyone could help please????????????????

     
  47. restore your fone and unlock it again and after dat ur wife shoould work

     
  48. GREAT! I was nervous I might mess up my phone because it’s unlocked and jailbroken. Nope it works GREAT! Glad I did it! Thank you so much this is wonderful!

     
  49. Could you please add CH – Orange as one of the carriers for Orange access in Switzerland? Thanks!

     
  50. Ing. Arturo says: March 9, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    En mi caso el problema fue una restricción por parte de Telcel al momento de detectar que el celular salió de México.

     
  51. how to fix my 3g iphone GPRS problem i subscribe it from my tele center but my internt it dosn’t work . when i open safari (could not activate cellular data network) what is that mean. plz need help

     
  52. muchas gracias! this did the trick

     
  53. OMG!!! THANK YOU SOO MUCH MATEEE :D xxx

    THIS ACTUALLY WORKS I DID IT ON MY IPHONE 3GS :D

     
  54. So I have AT&T and I will still have my same number and contract w AT&T

     
  55. ^Yes

    I did this and it works awesome. I’m using a GoPhone sim card on my 2G with 3.0.1 update and finally got it working.

     
  56. Awesome … thanks

     
  57. JUST TURN YOUR IPHONE IN AIRPLANE MODE OFF THEN DOWNLOAD WITHOUT ERRORS

     
  58. does this affect the bill?

     
  59. I have no data plan, and I did this, I get the EDGE and 3G connectivity, Will I be charged for this? I did everything it said, Custom APN. Thanks!l
    please let me

     
  60. Thank you, it worked! Hopefully it won’t affect my bill.

     
  61. wyzuveckayo says: May 14, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    I have a Iphone 3G 3.1.3 and I Jaibroke it yesturday but the thing is that I have a contract with bell aliant for 3 years and I was wondering if its gonna **** my phone up or something. Becaus when Im on my wifi network at home its working good but when I turn that wifi off and try my internet with bell its not working.

    Its giving me that error : Could not activate cellular date network
    You are not subscribed to a cellular data service.

    PLEASE someone help me

    And I have a sim card they put in… don’t know if it changed something but anywayz..

    Thanks

     
  62. Thanks. This saved me from having to pay someone $25 for my stupidity. I recommend this site to anyone.

     
  63. I hope this helps! I have never had a problem with this happening. I have been up all night searching for a resolution! And it worked, thanks!

     
  64. It worked!!! You rock!! ;-)

     
  65. Thanks dude your the best… Worked just like instructed. I am running on 3.1.3 just if anyone wants to know. On iPhone 2g

     
  66. Will adding a unlockit profile mess up my mms ability I’m on prepaid AT&T

     
  67. eye_shield says: May 21, 2010 at 9:26 am

    Thanks man.. This is great. it really worked…*salute*

     
  68. That was easy, once I got the wifi signal strength up. You are my hero!

     
  69. Hi, I have No data plan and this works! will i be billed for it?

     
  70. will this work for 2g 3.1.2

     
  71. I do not recommend this because this runs up your bill in a instant.

     
  72. i never comment on anything but thank you so much

     
  73. How come the data is slow? My provider is Tmobile and it still says edge and works like edge, but not 3g. How do we get faster data on my iPhone 3g? Please advise.

     
  74. to everyone who is wondering:
    all this does is give the phone a code (read profile) on where your phone needs to connect to when it wants to connect to a network. i have been working with winmo devices for many years, know my carrier’s (AT&T) access protocol, and i can verify, THAT THIS DOES WORK!!! no strings attached. will not harm a jailbreak. as for people without a data plan, yes, you will incur charges, because most carriers allow devices data access without a plan, usually charging by the kb.

     
  75. @D
    you will NEVER get 3g on an iphone on t-mobile. AT&T’s 3g (HSDPA) band frequency is 850mHz, where t-mobile’s 3g (UMTS) band is 1900 mHz. the hardware will not allow it. i have an unlocked HD2 on AT&T and i suffer from the same issues with that phone. just something you have to learn to live with to have the phone you want!

     
  76. Thankful says: July 8, 2010 at 9:37 am

    i dont bother leaving comments..BUT THANK U SOOO MUCHHHHH! =D

     
  77. Great thanks for the fix – it works great for Vodafone.ie Ireland

     
  78. I never comment on anything like this, but not only is this easy and super quick, it works! I have a 3GS that’s running ios 4, and I have a “pick your plan” account with AT&T with unlimited data. I was getting frustrated because I didn’t think I could use my internet until a jailbreak for ios 4 came out, but this saved me! Thanks so much!

     
  79. Worked a charm. Now I have working Edge and 3G on my iphone. Thank you so much!

     
  80. Excellent…. worked perfectly…
    I shud have seen this link earlier.. I wasted so much time talking to AT&T reps over the phone.. they couldnt solve this issue, but your simple trick did it !!

     
  81. Thank you so much, I was going beserk last night after upgrading Itunes to 9.2.1 and my Iphone (no jailbreak, bought officially at an official supplier) broke down: no internet, no e-mail.

    After following your tip it works again: thanks a lot!

     
  82. Hi,

    Sounds like a great idea, but does not work on my 3gs IOS4.01 jailbroken iphone on vodafone in Ireland.

    Any help appreciated!

     
  83. Pardeep Banga says: August 7, 2010 at 10:46 am

    very helpful.. the information on Could Not Activate Cellular Data Network: You Are Not Subscribed to a Cellular Data Service
    worked for me

    Thank You !!
    Pardeep

     
  84. This is really cooooooooooooooool…just 2 min affair and works like magic….You are a GeNiUs buddy

     
  85. I’m with Crazy johns in AUS, its listed but when i try to create a profile it says Cannot install profile due to an unknown error..
    help anyone???

     
  86. I restored and updated my iphone last night as well as jailbreaking it with redsn0w. I just got a data plan today with at&t. I’ve been trying to do this all day but it just loads another page. It doesnt take me to the setting or to install anything. I can txt just fine. But i did this working already pls help

     
  87. This one is a great find.. worked on an unlocked 3gs with ios4. thanks.. i have an at&t bb data package and now i have the data working on my 3gs..

     
  88. Thanks!!!! worked perfect. Score for RED team.

     
  89. iphonegirl says: August 25, 2010 at 7:22 pm

    I was freaking out that my unlocked phone would not work on the Bell network, and I had wasted a lot of buying and unlocking this phone.
    All I had to do to fix the “Could Not Activate Cellular Data Network: You Are Not Subscribed to a Cellular Data Service” was install a simple update and synch in itunes and VOILA! Problem solved.
    I would never have known what to do without this helpful page!! Thank you!

     
  90. HEY ..CMON GUYS…..JUST CONNECT TO ITUNES AND “CHECK FOR UPDATES”, YOU WILL FIND THAT THERE IS AN “UPDATE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CARRIER NETWORK SETTINGS”, INSTALL THE FREKKING UPDATE ( TAKES ABOUT 3-4 SECONDS) AND POOOOOF …LIKE MAGIC UR DATA STARTS WORKING….FUNNY NO ? HEHEHE…the email is kasakaybarahay@gmail.com….any probs…feel freee

     

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