iPhone 12 Not Connecting to Internet? Fix!

The reasons an iPhone 12 won’t connect to the internet can include anything from an app issue or software problem to a Wi-Fi network misconfiguration, router issue, or internet service provider problem. There are several reasons you can’t reach the internet, though most of them will involve your connection to your Wi-Fi (although it technically is possible to connect your iPhone via Ethernet connection). Read through the troubleshooting steps below, in order, to identify where the iPhone 12 internet problem lies and learn how to fix it.

These steps also applies to iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max that won’t connect to Internet.

How to Fix iPhone 12 Internet Problems

Is your iPhone 12 not connecting to Internet? We certainly feel your pain. There are a number of solutions you can try out if your iPhone 12 is not connecting to Internet, none of which require any expert skills whatsoever. Each solution only takes a few minutes to complete, so you’ll be able to go through this entire list in no time:

Test the internet connection

On your iPhone, open a web browser such as Safari or Chrome and visit a website such as apple.com or iphonearena.com.

If the page displays in the browser, accessing the internet isn’t the problem. It may be an isolated issue and related to the specific app you’re using. The only thing you can do is wait for the developer to fix it.

If you can’t connect to the website, continue to troubleshoot the problem.

Reboot the iPhone

A reboot is a common fix for many pieces of technology and is always an important step in basic iPhone troubleshooting. A quick restart might power cycle whatever the issue is and get you back online.

To restart an iPhone 12, hold the side button and either the volume buttons, then slide the slider to power off. When the screen is completely black, press and hold the power button once more to power it on.

Connect the iPhone to a Wi-Fi network

Double-check to make sure the iPhone 12 Pro is connected.

To access the Wi-Fi settings, select Settings > Wi-Fi.

Networks with a lock symbol are password protected while others are open networks that you can connect to freely without knowing the password.

If you don’t remember the Wi-Fi password, change the password to the Wi-Fi network. Or, if a Wi-Fi hotspot locator app is installed on the iPhone, find a free Wi-Fi nearby.

Forget the Wi-Fi network, then reconnect

Deleting the iPhone’s memory of the network and then re-establishing it can be helpful.

Go to Settings > WiFi. Tap the small (i) next to the network you’re connected to, choose Forget This Network, then repeat Step 3 above to connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi.

Reset the network settings on the iPhone

There may be a glitch or misconfiguration that stops your iPhone 12 from connecting to the internet.

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Check the Wi-Fi strength and move closer to the router

When you’re connected to Wi-Fi, you’ll see the three-lined Wi-Fi symbol at the top of the display. The Wi-Fi symbol looks like a dot with two circular waves above it and appears on the far right side of the status bar.

If you have a poor connection, one or more of the waves above the dot are gray rather than black. If there is only a dot, the Wi-Fi connection might be so degraded that you can’t connect to the internet.

Disconnect other devices from the network

As more and more devices connect to the same network, bandwidth has to be divided equally, which can lead to each device having only a tiny slice of the network bandwidth.

To improve WiFi performance on your iPhone, shut off devices or remove devices from the network.

Check the internet connection speed if your iPhone 12 is connected to Wi-Fi but no Internet access

A speed test shows even a really slow connection speed, which can make it clear whether you’re completely disconnected or just connected with such a slow speed that the internet doesn’t work.

Restart the router

The router handles all the network connections, so a restart can be helpful whether it’s just the iPhone 12 Pro that’s having internet issues or other devices, too.

To reboot your router, unplug all the cords from the device and then wait a few minutes. After you plug it back in, wait a minute or two for the device to set up.

Contact your Internet provider

Check with your ISP to ensure that there isn’t a system-wide problem. If there is a system-wide problem, you’ll need to wait until your ISP fixes the issue.

Disable VPN

Using a VPN can be extremely useful, especially if you are trying to keep your online information protected. However, VPNs can act up from time-to-time and can cause your internet connection to not work properly.

Go to Settings and if VPN is on, turn it off, then try to connect to your Wi-Fi network again.

Toggle cellular data

Go to Settings > Cellular. If data is on, turn off the Cellular Data toggle switch, then re-enable it after a minute. If data is off, tap the Celluar Data toggle switch to turn it on.

Check for carrier updates

If refreshing the mobile data option didn’t make the iPhone work properly, go to Settings > General > About and check for a carrier settings update.

If there isn’t a carrier settings update, remove and reinsert the SIM card.

Contact your carrier

Call your cellular provider if your iPhone 12 still won’t connect to the internet.

Update iOS

When it comes to diving into more troubleshooting, one step is to double-check and make sure that your iPhone 12 is running the latest version of iOS software. This is especially true as of late, as Apple has been releasing some “point” updates at a more frequent pace. Here’s how to check your software:

Start the Settings app.
Go to General.
Tap Software Update.
If an update is available, download it and then once prompted, install the update. Another reason for this is if you happen to be on the iOS beta cycle, as releases are coming even more frequently than the stable releases. So it’s important to make sure that your iPhone is up to date, as there could be some bugs wreaking havoc.

Backup and restore your iPhone

So you’ve exhausted all of the other options and are just at your wit’s end. The next step you’ll want to try before resorting to something more extreme is to wipe your iPhone completely clean and start anew.

Backup first

Before just erasing your iPhone, make sure that you have an iCloud backup saved, so that you can restore pertinent pieces of information. Here’s how to backup your iPhone to iCloud:

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap your profile at the top of the page.
Select iCloud.
Tap Back Up Now.

Scroll down under Apps using iCloud, and select iCloud Backup.

The backup process could take some time if you are connected to your cellular network. However, it’s still important to back everything up before you perform a Factory Reset, so patience is key here.

Now Restore

After the backup has been completed, you can rest easy and proceed with the Factory Reset of your iPhone.

Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
Go to General.
Tap Reset.
Select Erase All Content and Settings.
Type in your passcode or Apple ID password, when prompted.

After your iPhone has wiped itself clean, you will need to go through the setup process again. If you want, you will have the option to restore the recently-created iCloud backup.

Contact Apple

Did you try out all the fixes listed in this post but your iPhone 12 is still not connecting to Internet? If so, there’s a chance you’re going to have to contact Apple. But before you do, try to figure out if the problem is with your device, carrier or router. Try connecting as many devices as possible to your Wi-Fi network. If none of them can get online, the problem is with the router or the network. But if only one of them can’t connect, it’s likely there’s something wrong with that specific device.

Make a Genius Bar reservation to have a professional look at your iPhone. There might be a hardware problem that can only be fixed by a service technician.