Getting "--" when try to get carrier name

Question

I am trying to get the user carrier name using this code:

CTTelephonyNetworkInfo* info = [[CTTelephonyNetworkInfo alloc] init];
CTCarrier* carrier = info.subscriberCellularProvider;
NSString *mobileCountryCode = carrier.mobileCountryCode;
NSString *carrierName = carrier.carrierName;
NSString *isoCountryCode = carrier.isoCountryCode;
NSString *mobileNetworkCode = carrier.mobileNetworkCode;

But when I try to log, the result is like this:

2023-05-22 16:47:39.831078+0700 MotionTrade[7686:985518] carrier name = --
2023-05-22 16:47:39.831260+0700 MotionTrade[7686:985518] mobileCountryCode = 65535
2023-05-22 16:47:39.831342+0700 MotionTrade[7686:985518] mobileNetworkCode = 65535

Basically I've tried every stack overflow answer but I still get the same results,

I debug this on my iPhone and not using WiFi, and I only use physical sim, not e-sim.

Can anyone tell me why I keep getting that "--"?

And after I browse a bit, country code "65535" is this could be an indication of removed SIM card, or in general inability to make a call at the moment.

Can anyone help me? Why is this happening and how to get a proper cellular provider name?

I even try to do it on my new blank project with this code:

override func viewDidLoad() {
    super.viewDidLoad()

    let networkInfo = CTTelephonyNetworkInfo()
    let carrierName = networkInfo.serviceSubscriberCellularProviders
    
    dump(carrierName)
}

but I still get the same result in my log:

Optional(["0000000100000001": CTCarrier (0x281275d10) {
Carrier name: [--]
Mobile Country Code: [65535]
Mobile Network Code:[65535]
ISO Country Code:[--]
Allows VOIP? [YES]
}
, "0000000100000002": CTCarrier (0x28126ca20) {
Carrier name: [--]
Mobile Country Code: [65535]
Mobile Network Code:[65535]
ISO Country Code:[--]
Allows VOIP? [YES]
 }
  ]    )

Please help me. Why do I keep getting "--" and 65535? Is there any way to get carrier name? Or is getting carrier name in iOS 16 not possible?

Answer 1

CTCarrier is deprecated with no replacement in iOS 16. This information is no longer available, and I would not expect it to become available again. I'm somewhat surprised it was ever available. (Apple generally avoids making information available that can be used to fingerprint the user without a very clear use case, and usually an entitlement.)

You can find the announcement about returning static values in the iOS 16.4 Release Notes.