iOS 26.0.1 persisting cellular data issues (?Private Relay)

[Jgpsolo]

Hi all,

I’m running iOS 26.0.1 on an iPhone 17 Pro Max and am struggling with cellular data connections in specific contexts:

• Accessing websites via Safari or Chrome over 4G or 5G (sites fail to load entirely, left with a clean white tab but no error)
• Using certain apps which rely on internet (such as PayByPhone, Gemini, Instagram, Speedtest which say there’s no connection)
• Calls, texts, iMessage and WhatsApp are unaffected, so it’s not a data issue across the board

The problem is not replicated on WiFi, but persists over 4G or 5G with 2-4 bars. Restarting provides a temporary fix, but the problem soon reoccurs. I have reset network settings but this has not resolved the issue. I’m not running any third-party VPNs or connecting via proxy etc.

I’ve noticed a possible link with iCloud Private Relay: when off, pages load as expected and apps connect without difficulty (in the exact same location with the same signal strength). I can tether my iPhone to my iPad, and find I then need to disable Private Relay on my iPad to get sites to load. I had a quick look for existing threads, but couldn’t find the exact issue. I understood that 26.0.1 was there to fix cellular issues, but this is not fixed.

So…

• Is anyone else having this issue on their device when WiFi is disabled, or when out and about on cellular? [turn off WiFi, and access a non-cached page via Safari should highlight if this is the case]
• Any thoughts on the cause here? I’m hoping the new modem technology is just experiencing some software quirks and it’s not a deeper issue.
• Any other suggestions (other than permanently disabling Private Relay until 26.0.2)?

Please redirect me if there’s an existing threads. Thanks everyone!
JP

 

[Bigwaff]

Any other suggestions (other than permanently disabling Private Relay until 26.0.2)?

Nope. Private Relay has always been a nuisance for me; same flaky behavior you describe. I keep it disabled.