Android · Troubleshooting
Diagnose mobile network and SIM issues
Provides tools to check SIM status, run network diagnostics, and reset APN settings to troubleshoot problems like no signal, failed calls, or data connectivity issues.
How to open Network & SIM Diagnostics
- Open Settings → Network & internet
- Tap 'SIMs' and select the relevant SIM
- Review signal, carrier, and status details
- Tap 'Access Point Names' to review or reset APN configuration if needed
What you should know
- Displays SIM status including carrier name, signal strength, and network type
- Allows manual APN (Access Point Name) configuration review and reset
- Includes toggling airplane mode as a basic connectivity reset step
- Found under Settings → Network & internet → SIMs
Why it matters
Mobile connectivity problems are among the most disruptive issues a phone can have, cutting off calls, texts, and data access entirely. Having a centralized place to check SIM health, verify network settings, and reset APN configuration means users can often resolve common connectivity issues themselves before needing to contact a carrier. This is particularly useful after switching SIM cards, traveling internationally, or following a software update that may have altered network settings.
Best practices
- Toggle airplane mode on and off first as a quick connectivity reset before deeper troubleshooting
- Verify SIM status shows the correct carrier name after inserting a new SIM
- Reset APN settings to carrier defaults if data stopped working after a manual change
- Check network type (4G/5G) settings if experiencing unexpectedly slow data speeds
Common problems and fixes
- No service despite the SIM being properly inserted
- Check SIM status for errors, try airplane mode toggle, and confirm the SIM isn't reported as invalid or locked.
- Mobile data doesn't work after switching carriers
- Reset APN settings to the new carrier's defaults, since old APN configurations can conflict.
- Calls fail to connect while data still works
- Check VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling settings, since these can be misconfigured independently of general data connectivity.
Tips and tricks
- Restart the device after resetting APN settings for changes to fully take effect
- Check signal strength readings here rather than relying solely on the status bar icon, which can lag behind actual conditions
Frequently asked questions
Will resetting APN settings delete my contacts or apps?
No, APN reset only affects network connection parameters, not personal data or installed apps.
Does this tool work for eSIMs as well as physical SIMs?
Yes, SIM status and network diagnostics apply to both physical and eSIM profiles.
Can I run these diagnostics without a working data connection?
Yes, most SIM status and diagnostic views don't require an active data connection to display.
Related settings
- Device Status InformationDisplays live technical status details including SIM status, IP address, Wi-Fi MAC address, Bluetooth address, network signal strength, and device uptime since last restart.
- Carrier Software UpdatesCarrier software updates deliver network-specific fixes — like updated cellular radio firmware, VoLTE/Wi-Fi calling profiles, or APN settings — separately from the general Android operating-system update process.
- Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & BluetoothResets Wi-Fi networks, saved passwords, mobile network/APN settings, and Bluetooth pairings back to factory defaults, without erasing personal files, photos, or installed apps.
More Troubleshooting guides for Android
- Factory ResetFactory data reset erases all data on your device and restores its original settings — useful for resolving persistent software issues, or before selling or recycling the device.
- Safe Mode & RecoverySafe mode is a temporary boot state that disables all third-party apps, making it easy to tell whether a downloaded app is causing a crash, freeze, or battery drain. Recovery mode is a separate, more powerful boot menu — accessed with hardware buttons before Android fully loads — used for wiping the cache partition, sideloading an update, or performing a factory reset when the device won't start normally.
- Phone DiagnosticsPhone diagnostics tools — built into some manufacturers' software or provided by your carrier — run guided tests on hardware components like the touchscreen, speakers, cameras, sensors, and buttons to confirm they're working correctly.
- Send FeedbackSend feedback lets you report a problem straight to Google (or an app's own developers) with an automatically attached diagnostic report and, optionally, a screenshot with areas you can highlight or blur out.
- Battery UsageBattery usage breaks down exactly how much charge each app and system component has consumed since the last full charge, making it the go-to screen for diagnosing unexpectedly fast battery drain.
- App Crash & ANR ReportsShows a log of recent app crashes and 'Application Not Responding' (ANR) events, letting you identify which apps are unstable and access details useful for reporting bugs to developers.