# Choose Your Network Manually on iPhone: How It Works URL: https://byshahid.com/blog/choose-your-network-manually-iphone/ App: Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322) Author: Muhammad Shahid Updated: 2026-11-04 > Force your iPhone onto a specific network. Turning Automatic off makes your iPhone scan for every network it can see and lets you pick one by hand. It is a useful test when you suspect your iPhone is clinging to a weak roaming partner rather than your home network. - **What it does:** Force your iPhone onto a specific network. - **Published for:** any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular - **Type:** iOS setting Force your iPhone onto a specific network. This page explains what it does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to. I build **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier**, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, [get Secret Codes on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322). ## What is Choose Your Network Manually? Turning Automatic off makes your iPhone scan for every network it can see and lets you pick one by hand. It is a useful test when you suspect your iPhone is clinging to a weak roaming partner rather than your home network. Turn Automatic back on afterwards — a manual selection stops your iPhone re-registering when you move out of that network's coverage. **Important:** Leaving a manual selection in place can cause a total loss of service once you leave that network's coverage. Always switch Automatic back on when you are finished. ## How do I do it? - Open the Settings app. - Tap Cellular, then Network Selection. - Turn Automatic off and wait for the scan to finish. - Choose a network from the list. - Turn Automatic back on when you have finished testing. ## Which carriers does this apply to? | Published for | any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular | | Type | iOS setting | | Good to know | The row is hidden on some carriers and plans, and while roaming is disabled. | _Screenshot: The Secret Codes detail screen shows the steps, the carriers and an Open in Phone button._ ## Related network and signal - [*#33#: Check Call Barring](/blog/check-call-barring-star-hash-33-iphone/) - [Switch Between 5G and LTE](/blog/switch-between-5g-and-lte-iphone/) - [#43#: Turn Off Call Waiting](/blog/turn-off-call-waiting-hash-43-iphone/) - [Wi-Fi Calling](/blog/wi-fi-calling-iphone/) - [*43#: Turn On Call Waiting](/blog/turn-on-call-waiting-star-43-iphone/) - [Check For A Carrier Settings Update](/blog/check-for-a-carrier-settings-update-iphone/) See all [network and signal](/blog/iphone-codes/network/) or [every category of iPhone codes](/blog/iphone-codes/). ## How Secret Codes helps Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line. **Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier** is free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/secret-codes-imei-carrier/id6807154322 ## FAQ ### What is Choose Your Network Manually on iPhone? Force your iPhone onto a specific network. Turning Automatic off makes your iPhone scan for every network it can see and lets you pick one by hand. ### What else should I know about Choose Your Network Manually? It is a useful test when you suspect your iPhone is clinging to a weak roaming partner rather than your home network. Turn Automatic back on afterwards — a manual selection stops your iPhone re-registering when you move out of that network's coverage. ### What are the steps for Choose Your Network Manually? 1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap Cellular, then Network Selection. 3. Turn Automatic off and wait for the scan to finish. 4. Choose a network from the list. 5. Turn Automatic back on when you have finished testing. ### Where do I find Choose Your Network Manually? In the Settings app on your iPhone. ### Is there a dial code for Choose Your Network Manually? No. On iPhone this is not a dial code, so you use the steps on this page instead. ### Which carriers does Choose Your Network Manually work on? It is published for any iPhone, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and UScellular. The row is hidden on some carriers and plans, and while roaming is disabled. ### Is there anything to watch out for with Choose Your Network Manually? Leaving a manual selection in place can cause a total loss of service once you leave that network's coverage. Always switch Automatic back on when you are finished. ### Does Choose Your Network Manually work on Android phones too? These steps are for iPhone. Android phones have their own menus. ### Will Choose Your Network Manually work outside the US? The iPhone steps stay the same, although some features depend on your carrier and region. ### What if Choose Your Network Manually does not work on my iPhone? Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier. ### What is related to Choose Your Network Manually? *#33#: Check Call Barring. See whether outgoing calls are restricted on your line. ### What else is in this category? Switch Between 5G and LTE. Control which cellular generation your iPhone uses. ## Sources - [3GPP TS 22.030: Man-Machine Interface of the phone](https://www.3gpp.org/dynareport/22030.htm) - [Apple Support: iPhone User Guide](https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/welcome/ios)