Last line no longer available error may appear on an iPhone with a Dual SIM configuration when it has trouble detecting the default or preferred line while attempting to make a phone call. It primarily affects the various iPhone 13 models, but it can also affect other Dual SIM-enabled iPhone models.
When iPhone users with an eSIM try to make a call, they may get an error message that says “last line no longer available.” What does this mean, and what can you do about it? Just keep on reading to find out.
What does it mean when the iPhone displays last line no longer available?
As it turns out, the error message has been observed to appear after a recent update, after which the device is unable to select a line to make the requested phone call. Typically, the issue is caused by the eSIM being activated after a particular update, but this is not always the case. This article will demonstrate how to resolve the error message in question, so please continue reading.
When the eSIM is activated on your phone and you are also using a physical SIM, the device may become confused as to which line to use when attempting to make a call, resulting in the error message. In some instances, the issue may also manifest itself when network selection or Wi-Fi calling are enabled. Before discussing the various methods for resolving the issue, let’s examine its causes so that you have a better grasp of the situation.
Common Causes
Wi-Fi Calling — Having Wi-Fi calling enabled is one of the possible causes of the error message in question. In such a case, you will need to disable it from your phone’s settings to resolve the issue.
Network Selection — In certain instances, the network selection setting on your phone can also result in the aforementioned error message. Network selection permits manual or automatic network selection. As it turns out, you must disable the automatic network selection to resolve the issue.
Recent Call Logs — As it turns out, your recent call logs are the primary cause of the error message in question. Reportedly, the issue has been affecting contacts who were present in your recent call logs prior to an update. Therefore, you must clear the call logs to circumvent the issue.
What’s more?
This error appears to affect the preferred line on an iPhone that uses dual-SIM functionality. If you have more than one cellular plan linked to your iPhone using a standard SIM and an eSIM, you may encounter the problem.
The error seems to appear most often when attempting to dial out from the “default” SIM using the recent call log under Phone > Recent. You’ll see an error that offers you the alternative of calling using your “remaining” line. You can tap “Call” in the box that appears but keep in mind that this will call from whatever number isn’t set as your default.
How to fix Last line no longer available issue on iPhone
1. Change iPhone Phone Lines by Hand
When you tap the Call button on the “Last Line No Longer Available” pop-up, the call goes through your iPhone’s other line. If that doesn’t work as well, try manually switching the numbers.
Tap the current line at the top of the screen and choose the other line while dialing a new number.
Tap the Info button and choose the number you want to call from the “Favorites” or “Recents” lists.
If you don’t want to use the second line on your iPhone, read on for possible solutions.
2. Turn on and off Airplane Mode on an iPhone
Most iPhone problems with cell service can be fixed quickly by turning on and off Airplane Mode. Just swipe down from the top right of the screen or double-click the Home button to bring up the Control Center, then tap the Airplane Mode icon. Tap the icon a second time after 10 seconds.
3. Turn on your iPhone again
You can also get rid of the “Last Line No Longer” error quickly by restarting your iPhone. iOS doesn’t have a “Restart” button, so you have to turn off the device and turn it back on by hand.
Open the Settings app and go to General > Shut Down to do this. Then, swipe the Power icon to the right, wait until the screen is completely dark, and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
4. Erase the call history on your iPhone
If you get the “Last Line No Longer Available” error on your iPhone when you try to call a contact or number from your “Recents” list, delete the call entries for that number and try again. So as to:
5. Update the Carrier Settings on iPhone
Check if your iPhone has a pending carrier update. To do that, open the Settings app and tap General > About. Then, scroll down to the Carrier section and wait for up to a minute. If you get a “Carrier Update Available” prompt, tap Update to install it.
6. Avoid Using Your Preferred Line for Cellular Data
The “Last Line No Longer Available” error can also show up on your iPhone if you use your default or preferred line to access cellular data. You can change that by following these steps:
Open the Settings app and tap Cellular.
Tap Cellular Data.
Select the other phone line or Off to disable cellular data altogether.
You may also want to try experimenting by setting the Allow Cellular Data Switching option to on or off.
7. Disable Automatic Network Selection on iPhone
Another reason for the “Last Line No Longer Available” iPhone error is a feature called Automatic Network Selection. It prompts your iPhone to pick the best network to establish a connection but causes issues on Dual-SIM iPhones.
To disable Automatic Network Selection, open the Settings app and tap Cellular > Network Selection. Then, turn off the switch next to Automatic Network Selection and pick your carrier network.
8. Disable Wi-Fi Calling on iPhone
Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make and receive phone calls over Wi-Fi in areas with poor cellular signal strength, but it could also create conflicts and result in the “Last Line No Longer Available” error.
To fix that, open the Settings app and tap Cellular > Wi-Fi Calling. Then, turn off the switch next to Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone.
Say Goodbye to the “Last Line No Longer Available” Error
Turning Airplane Mode on and off, restarting your iPhone, or clearing your “Recents” list almost always fixes the “Last Line No Longer Available” error. If not, take the time to go through the other fixes above, and it should eventually go away.
However, if the problem persists, the only remaining option is to contact your carrier or Apple Support for help. But don’t worry; they can help you in more ways than we could.
Find out more about eSIMs
With an eSIM, adding more than one number to your iPhone is easy, and you don’t need more than one SIM card. You can switch between eSIM providers pretty easily, as long as the technology is supported by the carrier you want to use.
So that’s all for this post. We hope the solutions above can help you troubleshoot this issue.
