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

I updated my iPhone 12 (locked/T-mobile) to iOS 18.5 yesterday. Ever since, I have two issues:

  1. Wi-Fi will no longer 'fully' connect: When I go into settings, I can see my normal wifi network, see the full signal strength and the green checkmark showing that I am connected. When I look at the top right of my screen, it still shows that I using cellular network, not the wifi.
  2. My data is not working for 'most' of my apps. Whether my WiFi is on or off on my phone, I cannot access any data through my apps (app store, mail, reddit, youtube, maps, waze, etc). This is even when I have good 5G cell signal.


What I have tried:

  • I have restarted my phone several times.
  • I tried connecting to a friend's wifi at a different location, and the result is the same: green check mark in wifi settings, but no connection symbol nor any data connectivity.
  • I have reset my network settings.
  • I have tried to use data with wifi turned off.
  • I have turned my cellular data roaming on and off.


What still works:

  • I can still make phone calls and send/receive text messages.
  • My Tesla app works.


I made a Genius Bar appointment for later today. When I got a confirmation text and a suggestion to run diagnostics ahead of time, my phone cannot connect to Apple support to run the diagnostics.


When I go into my phone's software update to see if an update to the update is available, my phone will not connect "because you are not connected to the internet".


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16, iOS 18

Posted on May 18, 2025 7:58 AM

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Posted on May 18, 2025 10:20 AM

I spoke to the Genius Bar. Lawrence was on the right track. While I had McAfee VPN installed, I ensured that it was "off" in the McAfee menu. Of course, "off" did not really mean "off". If i go into Settings->VPN and then click on the "i" information circle for the VPN that I thought was 'off', there is a setting called "Connect On Demand". I needed to turn that off for the VPN to really be off and not affect my wifi and data connections. **** you, McAfee!


Thanks, again, Lawrence!

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18 replies

May 18, 2025 11:15 AM in response to PhiDelt128

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

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

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