Why can a phone use Wi-Fi but not make calls or send texts after a SIM change?
Answer
Wi-Fi working while calls and texts fail usually means the cellular SIM/eSIM is missing, inactive, or not provisioned. Check that a SIM/eSIM is installed and active, then have the carrier refresh or replace the line rather than troubleshooting apps.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Account and SIM changes should go through the carrier’s official support channels only.
Follow these steps
Check SIM and network status
Open mobile network or SIM settings and confirm whether a SIM or eSIM is present and turned on. Also confirm Airplane mode is off.
You should see: You can see if the phone has no SIM, a disabled line, or an active line with no service.
Restart after reseating a physical SIM
If you have a physical SIM, power off, reseat it firmly in the tray, power on, and wait two minutes for network registration.
You should see: Cellular signal returns, or the phone still shows no service with the SIM detected.
Ask the carrier to activate or replace the SIM
Contact the carrier on an official channel, explain that Wi-Fi works but calls and texts do not, and ask them to activate the line or issue the promised replacement SIM/eSIM immediately.
You should see: The carrier confirms the number is active or provides a same-day SIM/eSIM replacement path.
Enable Wi-Fi calling only after the line is active
Once the carrier says the number is active, turn on Wi-Fi calling in settings to restore calls over Wi-Fi while cellular coverage is weak.
You should see: A test call or text succeeds over Wi-Fi calling or cellular.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Wi-Fi works, status bar shows no cellular service or emergency calls only, and a SIM was recently requested or swapped.
Before you change anything: Note whether a physical SIM is in the tray and whether any eSIM line appears in settings. Use Wi-Fi calling only if the carrier supports it and the line is active. Contact the carrier through official channels about the delayed SIM. Never share account codes with unexpected callers.