3G Data Issue in iPhone12 Mini

[Sameer_shrestha]

Hi,

I am having following two issues:

a) Data does not work in 3G in my iPhone 12 Mini. Data in 4G works fine. Whenever, 4G is not available my phone switches to 3G, but then data download doesn't work in 3G. I can make call, however.

b) In "Setting>Mobile>Mobile data Options> Voice & Data>" only 4G, 5G are available, not 3G. How do I select 3G? (However, whenever 4G is not available I can see 3G bar at the right/top corner, but data doesn't work).

Regards,

Sameer

[BasilDV]

Hi @Sameer_shrestha 

Welcome to the Community!

The selection of the Mobile data network from 5G/4G/3G should be available in your device. It is the feature of the device and not from the SIM cards.

We've checked this further and appears that this is a common issue with iPhone 12 devices. Even in other countries, they don't have the option to select the 3G network, even though it was declared that 3G is still supported by the device.

You may need to raise the case with Apple in order to check this further. An OS update might be needed to provide this option to all iPhone 12 variant users.

Stay safe.

BasilDV

[Sameer_shrestha]

Thank you Basil for replying promptly. I have checked with them and also updated software to the latest, still no luck. The Apple support site says this iPhone 12 supports all, 2G to 5G, and I shall contact carrier. It says carrier sets which Gs to allow in the phone, not Apple. 

What is strange is my iPhone shows 3G whenever 4G drops (even without selecting it, as there is no option) but it just doesn't download data.

[Sameer_shrestha]

Hi Basil,

See what they are saying in Apple Support site:

"The switches that select networks are installed on your phone by your carrier, not by Apple. It’s part of the Carrier Settings file that is installed when you activate a phone on a mobile network. If there is no 3G switch it is because the CARRIER DID NOT INSTALL IT; Apple has no control over what the carrier installs on your phone.""

"Thus, IT IS NOT AN APPLE ISSUE! The iPhone 12 supports 2g, 3g, 4g and 5g. And if there is no 4g or 5g service available it will revert to 3g. You just can’t force it to because your network operator doesn’t want you using 3g. Most networks will be eliminating 3g completely in the next year or so. Even before the official shutdown carriers are switching many towers from 3g to 4g to improve 4g coverage. For every 3g channel on a tower there is one less 4g channel available for that location."'

[Anonymous]

Hi @Sameer_shrestha,

Shoot me a private message with your account details (Customer ID/Mobile number) with your best contact number and preferred time. We will raise this with our Mobile Specialists for further investigation and handling.

How do I private message (PM) in the community

Regards,

Hi Basil,

See what they are saying in Apple Support site:

"The switches that select networks are installed on your phone by your carrier, not by Apple. It’s part of the Carrier Settings file that is installed when you activate a phone on a mobile network. If there is no 3G switch it is because the CARRIER DID NOT INSTALL IT; Apple has no control over what the carrier installs on your phone.""

"Thus, IT IS NOT AN APPLE ISSUE! The iPhone 12 supports 2g, 3g, 4g and 5g. And if there is no 4g or 5g service available it will revert to 3g. You just can’t force it to because your network operator doesn’t want you using 3g. Most networks will be eliminating 3g completely in the next year or so. Even before the official shutdown carriers are switching many towers from 3g to 4g to improve 4g coverage. For every 3g channel on a tower there is one less 4g channel available for that location."'