How to Fix iPhone Setup Stuck on “Cellular Setup Complete”

As someone who’s always excited to try the newest iPhone (and yes, I’m guilty of upgrading sooner than I really need to), I know how frustrating it is when the setup process doesn’t go smoothly. Recently, when I was helping a friend activate her new iPhone 16, we ran into a problem I hadn’t seen before: during the initial setup, the device got stuck on the “Cellular Setup Complete” screen. No matter how long we waited, it refused to move forward.

If you’ve found yourself in the same situation, don’t panic. This issue is more common than you’d think and usually relates to cellular activation, network glitches, or temporary setup bugs. In this post, I’ll walk you through why it happens and the step-by-step solutions to fix it so you can finally finish setting up your iPhone.

Why Does the iPhone Get Stuck on “Cellular Setup Complete”?

There are a few reasons your iPhone might freeze at this stage:

• Carrier activation delays – Sometimes your carrier’s system takes extra time to recognize your SIM or eSIM.
• Network connectivity problems – Poor Wi-Fi or weak cellular signals can prevent setup from continuing.
• Software glitches – iOS setup isn’t perfect; temporary bugs may cause freezes.
• SIM card issues – A damaged or improperly inserted SIM can stop the process.
• Server congestion – When new iPhones are released, Apple’s servers may be overloaded, slowing activation.

Understanding these causes will help you pick the right fix.

Solutions to Fix “Cellular Setup Complete” Stuck Issue

Here are the troubleshooting steps I recommend (and have personally tried when helping my friend). Start from the simplest and work your way down.

1. Be Patient and Wait a Few Minutes

It may sound silly, but sometimes the system just needs more time. Carrier activation can take a few extra minutes, especially if many users are activating devices at the same time.

👉 If you’ve been stuck for less than 5 minutes, give it another 5–10 before trying other fixes.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

The setup process requires a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection.

• Ensure you’re connected to a strong Wi-Fi network.
• If Wi-Fi is weak, switch to another network if available.
• Restart your router if you suspect an internet issue.

When my iPhone refused to move forward, I realized my Wi-Fi had dropped for a moment—reconnecting solved it.

3. Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart often clears temporary glitches.

• Press and hold the Side button + Volume Down button.
• Slide to power off.
• Wait 30 seconds, then turn your iPhone back on.

After rebooting, the setup usually resumes correctly.

4. Reinsert Your SIM Card (or Re-Activate eSIM)

If you’re using a physical SIM card:

1. Remove the SIM tray with a SIM ejector or paperclip.
2. Check if the SIM is damaged or dusty.
3. Reinsert it carefully and retry setup.

For eSIM users:

• Go to your carrier’s app or website and make sure the eSIM is properly activated.
• Some carriers require scanning a QR code again for eSIM setup.

👉 My friend’s iPhone 16 had this exact issue—reinserting the SIM solved it instantly.

5. Skip Cellular Setup (If Possible)

Sometimes, the setup screen offers a “Set Up Later” or “Skip” option. If you see it, tap it and continue with the rest of the setup. You can always configure cellular settings later from:

Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM

This lets you get into the phone first before dealing with activation.

6. Force Restart Your iPhone

If a normal restart doesn’t work, try a force restart:

• Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
• Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
• Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

This method clears deeper glitches that might be freezing the setup screen.

7. Check Apple’s System Status

Sometimes the problem isn’t your phone—it’s Apple’s servers.

• Visit Apple System Status
• Look for issues under iOS Device Activation.

If it’s marked as down or slow, all you can do is wait until Apple resolves it.

8. Update or Restore with iTunes/Finder

If nothing else works, you may need to use your computer to complete setup.

1. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC.
2. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. On Windows or older Macs, open iTunes.
3. Select your iPhone and choose Update (this keeps your data).
4. If update doesn’t help, choose Restore iPhone (this erases data, so use only as a last resort).

This method reloads the setup process and often clears stubborn freezes.

9. Contact Your Carrier

If your iPhone setup is stuck specifically on cellular, your carrier may need to finalize the activation.

• Call your carrier’s customer support.
• Ask them to check whether your SIM or eSIM is activated properly.

Sometimes carriers have to push a refresh signal for the line to work.

10. Reach Out to Apple Support

If all else fails, it could be a hardware issue or a rare software bug.

• Visit Apple Support.
• Or book an appointment at your nearest Apple Store.

Apple can run diagnostics to pinpoint whether the issue is device-specific.

My Experience Fixing It

When my friend’s iPhone 16 froze at “Cellular Setup Complete,” we tried waiting, restarting, and switching Wi-Fi networks—nothing worked. Finally, I removed and reinserted her SIM card, and like magic, the setup moved forward instantly. Sometimes the simplest fixes really are the most effective.

Preventing Setup Issues in the Future

Here are a few tips I recommend before you start setting up a new iPhone:

• Back up your old device so data transfer goes smoothly.
• Make sure your SIM card is active (test it in your old phone first).
• Update your old iPhone to the latest iOS version before transfer.
• Do setup in a strong Wi-Fi environment, not on a weak mobile connection.

These little steps can save you a lot of headaches during activation.

Final Thoughts

Getting stuck on the “Cellular Setup Complete” screen is annoying, but thankfully, it’s usually easy to fix. Start with simple steps like checking your connection, restarting your iPhone, or reinserting your SIM card. If those don’t work, you can skip cellular setup temporarily, update via iTunes/Finder, or reach out to your carrier or Apple Support.

From my experience, this isn’t a permanent problem—it’s just a temporary hiccup in the setup process. With the right troubleshooting steps, you’ll be past that screen in no time and ready to enjoy your new iPhone.