Wi-Fi and cellular data not working on my iPhone 12 after iOS 18.5 update

I just had this exact problem! When I turned off the VPN, everything went back to normal. I will not use VPN any longer. Read the article. It’s quite interesting!

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

1. Restart the device. That's it.
2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.

• When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
• To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
• To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
• Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.

If the above fails...

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings: All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.

1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.
4. 

Make sure you have the latest updates installed.

1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.

If nothing above works probably it could be your iPhone may have a WiFi radio or antenna problem. In that case, take your device to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider, or contact Apple Support and get the hardware tested and if needed repaired/replaced.

Find Locations - Location Selector - Apple

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support 

Get a Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Contact Genius Bar. Manage Reservations - My Reservations - Apple

Have you tried and see if you’ll need to install a carrier settings update/

1. Make sure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network.
2. Tap Settings > General > About.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to install your carrier update.

humbertocg84 wrote:

Same Issues. Continuos disconnections. Wifi can’t keep the connection for more than 1 minute. Mobile data plan has been very affected, before updating, the wifi was working as expected.

Try “forgot” wifi and reset Network settings. Nothing works

Do you have ANY 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN. 

I have a similar problem. When I’m off my home WiFi network, but WiFi is still on, data doesn’t work. If I switch off WiFi, data works fine, but kicks me off Apple Car Play. If I switch WiFi back on, phone connects to car again, but data doesn’t work.

You should really completely uninstall McAfee; delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN, restart your iPhone. You can add it back if you want to, However, VPN actually reduces your privacy, it does not enhance it, so you may want to rethink the reason you use VPN.

Here’s the long answer→VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

I have the similar issue:

Wifi doesn’t work when cellular data is on, when i switch off the cellular data the. Wifi works.

Before 18.5 it was seamlessly working.

Do you have a 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN. 

Cherian-262 wrote:

I have the similar issue:

Wifi doesn’t work when cellular data is on, when i switch off the cellular data the. Wifi works.

Before 18.5 it was seamlessly working.

I will suggest what worked for others who posted in the thread you just added to:

Perhaps a long shot:

Do you have ANY 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN. 

SashaRed wrote:

same issue

removed VPN profiles

reset network settings

restart iphone

useless

ios 18.5 iphone 15pro

If it is just Wi-Fi restart your router. If it is both Wi-Fi and cellular your phone is broken; contact Apple for repair options.

Same Issues. Continuos disconnections. Wifi can’t keep the connection for more than 1 minute. Mobile data plan has been very affected, before updating, the wifi was working as expected.

Try “forgot” wifi and reset Network settings. Nothing works

RachelK01 wrote:

I have a similar problem. When I’m off my home WiFi network, but WiFi is still on, data doesn’t work. If I switch off WiFi, data works fine, but kicks me off Apple Car Play. If I switch WiFi back on, phone connects to car again, but data doesn’t work.

Do you have ANY 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN.