Seeing "No Service" or a missing signal icon on your Fairphone 5 is a real headache, especially when you need to make a call or use mobile data. This usually means your phone can't connect to your carrier's cellular network. The good news is that most of the time, it's a simple software glitch or a setting that needs adjusting.
Given the Fairphone 5's modular design and long-term software support promise, many connectivity issues are temporary and can be fixed without any special tools. I'd start with the simplest steps first, as they often do the trick.
Restart Your Fairphone 5
This is always the best first step. A simple restart clears out temporary software bugs that can interfere with the modem or radio. Just press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Restart."
If the screen is unresponsive, you can perform a force restart. Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds until you feel a vibration and see the Fairphone logo. This is a soft reset that won't erase your data.
Check Airplane Mode and Mobile Data
It sounds obvious, but it's worth a quick check. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open the full Quick Settings panel. Make sure the Airplane Mode icon is not highlighted or turned on.
While you're there, also tap the mobile data icon to turn it off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. This refreshes the connection to your carrier's data network. You can also go into Settings > Network & internet > Internet to toggle your SIM's data.
Reinsert Your SIM Card
One of the Fairphone 5's best features is its easy-to-access SIM tray. Since the phone is slightly thicker to accommodate its modular parts, a SIM card can sometimes shift or not seat perfectly.
Use the included SIM eject tool to pop out the tray. Take out the SIM card, gently blow on the tray to remove any dust, and carefully reinsert the card. Push the tray back in until it clicks. This physical reset can often restore a lost connection immediately.
Verify Your Network Operator
Your phone might be trying to connect to a network it can't actually register on. You can manually force it to search for and connect to your proper carrier.
Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Tap on your SIM card, then tap Network operators. Turn off "Choose automatically." Your phone will search for available networks. When the list appears, select your carrier's name from the list. After it registers, you can turn "Choose automatically" back on.
Update Your Access Point Name (APN) Settings
Incorrect APN settings are a common culprit for mobile data issues. These settings tell your phone how to connect to your carrier's internet gateway.
Navigate to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Tap on your active SIM, then scroll down and tap Access Point Names. If the list is empty or the settings look wrong, you'll need to enter them manually.
You'll have to get the correct APN details from your carrier's website or customer service. Once you have them, tap the "+" icon and enter every field exactly as provided. Save the new APN and select it as your active profile.
Reset Your Network Settings
This is a more thorough step that resets all network-related configurations to their factory defaults. It will erase saved Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth pairings, and cellular settings, but it won't touch your personal photos, messages, or apps.
To do this, go to Settings > System > Reset options. Tap on Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth and confirm. After your phone reboots, you'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi and re-pair Bluetooth devices, but it often clears up persistent cellular bugs.
Check for a Software Update
Fairphone is committed to providing 8+ years of software updates, and these often include important fixes for connectivity and modem stability. It's always worth checking if you're running the latest version of Android.
Head to Settings > System > System update. Tap "Check for update." If an update is available, download and install it. Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and has at least a 50% charge, or better yet, plug it into its 30W USB-C charger first.
Use the Phone Information Menu
Android has a built-in testing menu that lets you see detailed radio information and run diagnostics. To open it, open your phone's dialer app and type *#*#4636#*#*.
This will open the "Testing" menu. Tap on Phone information. Here, you can see your signal strength in dBm, check your network type, and even run a ping test. A useful trick is to tap the three-dot menu, select "Run radio off," then "Run radio on." This forcibly restarts the phone's cellular radio.
Test Your SIM Card in Another Phone
This step helps you figure out if the problem is with your Fairphone 5 or with the SIM card itself. If you have access to another unlocked phone, power it off, insert your Fairphone's SIM card, and turn it back on.
If the other phone also shows no service, the issue is almost certainly with the SIM card or your carrier account. If the other phone gets a perfect signal, then the issue is localized to your Fairphone, likely in the software or, less commonly, the hardware.
Contact Your Mobile Carrier
Before considering anything more drastic, give your carrier a call. There could be a service outage in your area, a problem with your account, or your SIM card might be deactivated or damaged.
They can run diagnostics on their end and tell you if they see your phone trying to register on the network. If the SIM card is the issue, they can usually issue a replacement, which you can easily pop into your Fairphone's tray.