If your phone cannot connect to mobile data, loses signal, or displays a network registration error, follow these steps to restore your cellular connection.

What to check before troubleshooting

Before making changes to your settings, verify your phone model and understand the common causes of network connection issues.

• Users in the United States: If you are an owner located in the United States, carrier restrictions may block your connection. Check that your phone's IMEI is whitelisted for your network by getting in contact with your network operator.
• Active data connection: Make sure mobile data is turned on under Settings → Network and internet → SIMs.
• Data roaming: If you are traveling internationally, turn on Roaming under your SIM settings. Check with your network operator first, as international roaming may incur extra fees.

Update your phone software

Make sure your phone is running the latest software version before continuing with network adjustments.

1. Go to Settings → System → System update.
2. Tap Check for update.
3. Install any available updates and restart your phone.

Select your preferred network type

Forcing your phone to connect through a specific network protocol can stabilize a fluctuating data connection.

1. Go to Settings → Network and internet.
2. Tap SIMs and select your active SIM card.
3. Tap Preferred network type. (If you use Android 10 or 11, tap Advanced first.)
4. Select the highest option supported by your model:
   • 5G: The Fairphone (Gen. 6), Fairphone 5, and Fairphone 4
   • 4G: Fairphone 3(+) and Fairphone 2

Manually select your mobile network operator

Manually selecting your network operator forces your SIM card to register on the correct network.

1. Go to Settings → Network and internet.
2. Tap SIMs and select your active SIM card.
3. Turn off Automatically select network. (If you use Android 10 or 11, tap Advanced to find this toggle.)
4. Wait for the phone to finish scanning for all available operators.
5. Tap your exact network operator from the list.
6. Turn Automatically select network back on to maintain smooth connectivity when traveling.

Reset your access point names (APN)

Resetting your APN removes corrupted data settings and restores the default connection to your operator. Perform these steps separately for each SIM card you use, including eSIMs.

1. Go to Settings → Network and internet.
2. Tap SIMs and select your active SIM card.
3. Scroll down and tap Access point names.
4. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner.
5. Tap Reset to default.
6. Restart your phone.

Manually configure APN settings

If you use a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), you may need to enter custom APN settings manually. Contact your operator directly to get their exact parameters.

1. In the Access point names menu, tap the + icon in the top-right corner.
2. Tap each field and enter the exact values provided by your operator.
3. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and tap Save.
4. Restart your phone.

Reset your network settings

If your APN menu is locked or unresponsive, reset all network configurations across the operating system.

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset options.
2. Tap Reset mobile network settings (or Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth on older Android versions).
3. Confirm whether you want to delete your downloaded eSIM cards.
4. Tap Reset settings and test your connection.

Test your physical SIM card

If you suspect a physical SIM card is damaged or faulty, run this isolation test:

1. Power off your phone and remove the physical SIM card completely.
2. Restart your phone and connect to a WiFi network.
3. Use the phone on WiFi. If network errors or random restart behaviors stop while the card is removed, your physical SIM card is faulty. Contact your network operator to request a replacement.

If you use an eSIM or your physical card is undamaged, contact your network operator to confirm your subscription supports your required data speeds.

Perform a factory reset

If your mobile data still fails after completing all the steps above, persistent software errors may be blocking the connection.

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset options.
2. Tap Erase all data (factory reset).
3. Confirm your security code or pattern to proceed.
4. Wait for the device cleanup to complete and restart your phone.