If your Nothing Phone (2) shows "Not registered on a network" or "Emergency calls only," you're stuck without calls, texts, or mobile data. This means your phone can't properly identify itself to your carrier's towers. Before you worry about a hardware problem, there are several steps you can take to get back online.
I'd start with the simplest fixes first. A quick restart or toggling Airplane Mode can often clear up a temporary software glitch that's blocking the connection. These are the same steps I'd try on any Android phone, and they take less than a minute.
Restart Your Nothing Phone (2)
Hold the power button and tap the restart option on your screen. Let the phone boot up completely. This forces a fresh attempt to find and register on the local cellular network, which can resolve many temporary issues.
If a standard restart doesn't work, try a force restart. Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds until you feel the phone vibrate and the screen goes black. Release the button and wait for the Nothing logo to appear.
Toggle Airplane Mode
Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the Airplane Mode icon to turn it on, wait for 10-15 seconds, then tap it again to turn it off. This cycle completely resets the cellular radio, prompting your phone to search for the network again from scratch.
Check and Reinsert Your SIM Card
Power off your Nothing Phone (2) completely. Use the SIM ejector tool that came in the box to pop open the SIM tray on the bottom edge of the phone. Carefully remove the SIM card and inspect it for any visible damage or dirt.
Gently wipe the gold contacts on the SIM with a soft, dry cloth. Blow any dust out of the SIM tray slot, then reseat the card firmly. Push the tray back in until it clicks and power your phone back on.
Verify Your Carrier Account Status
Sometimes the issue is on your carrier's end, not your phone. An unpaid bill, expired prepaid plan, or a service suspension will prevent registration. Try logging into your carrier's account portal from a computer or another phone, or give their customer service a call to confirm everything is active.
Reset Your Network Settings
This clears all saved network configurations, including Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings, which can fix deeper software conflicts. Go to Settings > System > Reset options. Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth and confirm.
Your phone will restart. You'll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and re-pair Bluetooth devices afterward, but this often resolves persistent cellular registration problems.
Manually Select Your Network Operator
Your phone might be trying to latch onto a weak or incompatible network signal automatically. You can force it to search for and choose your specific carrier. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs.
Tap on your active SIM, then tap Network operators. Turn off "Choose automatically." Your phone will search for available networks. Select your carrier's name from the list that appears and wait for it to register.
Update Nothing OS
Software updates frequently include patches for connectivity and radio issues. Make sure your Nothing Phone (2) is running the latest version of Nothing OS. Go to Settings > System > System update and tap "Check for update."
If an update is available, install it. It's a good idea to connect to Wi-Fi first and ensure your battery is above 50%. After the update and restart, check if your network connection is restored.
Change Your Preferred Network Type
If you're in an area with spotty 5G coverage, forcing your phone to use 4G LTE can sometimes provide a more stable registration. Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and tap on your active SIM.
Tap Preferred network type. Try switching from "5G" to "LTE" or even "3G/2G" temporarily to see if your phone can register on that band. You can always switch it back later.
Try a Different SIM Card
This test determines if the problem is with your SIM or the phone itself. Borrow a known-working SIM card from a friend (on any carrier) and insert it into your Nothing Phone (2). If their SIM registers on the network, your original SIM card is likely faulty and you need a replacement from your carrier.
If the borrowed SIM also fails to register, the issue is with your phone's hardware or software configuration.
Perform a Factory Reset
This is your last resort before seeking repair, as it will erase all data from your phone. Back up everything important first. Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).
Follow the prompts to confirm. After the reset is complete, set up your phone as new without restoring a backup immediately. If the network registration works on a fresh system, a software corruption was the cause. If the error persists, there may be a hardware issue with the phone's cellular modem.