If a Wi-Fi network is unavailable, you can use a cellular data network to connect to the Internet on your iPhone and iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular).
Select your carrier network technology below to learn more about the cellular data network capabilities and features, including:
- Network types
- Status bar icons
- Whether simultaneous voice and data are supported on iPhone
GSM networks
GSM networks support simultaneous voice and data on iPhone when using a UMTS connection.
| Cellular network | Status icon | Simultaneous voice/data |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMTS | 4G | Yes | Appears on iPhone 4s or later and iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular or later while connected to AT&T's or T-Mobile's high-speed network in the United States. |
| UMTS | 3G | Yes | |
| EDGE | E | No | Might be unable to receive calls while transferring data over the cellular network.* |
| GPRS | ° | No | |
| * If you cannot receive the call, it will immediately go to voicemail. | |||
CDMA networks
CDMA networks don't support simultaneous voice and data on iPhone
| Cellular network | Status icon | Simultaneous voice/data |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EV-DO | 3G | No | Can receive calls while transferring data over the cellular network. |
| 1xRTT | 1x | No | Might be unable to receive calls while transferring data over the cellular network.* |
| * If you cannot receive the call, it will immediately go to voicemail. | |||
LTE networks
You can use LTE with supported LTE carriers, on your iPhone 5 or later and iPad (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular or later. Learn more about carrier support and features on your iPhone.
| Cellular network | Status icon | Simultaneous voice/data |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTE | LTE | Yes | |
| 4G | 4G | Yes | 4G can also indicate a UMTS connection on some GSM networks, including AT&T's and T-Mobile's high-speed network in the United States. For more information, contact your carrier. |
| Simultaneous voice and LTE data is available when using VoLTE. If your carrier or network don't support VoLTE, your iPhone might use 3G for data during voice calls. Contact your carrier for more information about simultaneous voice and data. | |||
Learn more
You need an active phone or data plan to use cellular data. Contact your wireless carrier for more details.
Cellular data might not be available in all locations, and network speed and connectivity might vary depending on your location. Check the carrier's network coverage in your area for availability. Learn more about carrier support and features for iPhone.
When you're outside of your carrier's network, you might be able to access the Internet using another wireless carrier. To use another carrier's network, go to Settings > Cellular and turn on Data Roaming. Roaming charges might apply. To avoid data roaming charges, make sure Data Roaming is turned off. Contact your wireless carrier for more information.
When using a cellular data network that doesn't support simultaneous voice and data, incoming or outgoing calls will interrupt cellular data transfers until the call ends. This doesn't affect Wi-Fi network connectivity.