2 days ago
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ZDNET’s cardinal takeaways
- Some iPhone 18 Pro Max users connected AT&T are losing cellular service.
- Apple said 2 updates tin assistance forestall the issue.
- Affected phones necessitate a escaped hardware replacement.
If your iPhone 18 Pro Max has mislaid work connected AT&T and is incapable to marque calls, nonstop texts, oregon adjacent usage mobile data, 2 caller bundle updates won’t beryllium capable to get it moving again. But Apple volition regenerate the telephone for free.
A mates of weeks ago, iPhone 18 Pro Max owners connected AT&T began reporting they had mislaid cellular service. AT&T initially directed customers to instal iOS 27.0.1 “immediately,” informing the occupation could forestall calls to 911.
Also: iOS 27.0.1: Apple fixes annoying iPhone 18 Pro restart issues
Apple has present confirmed to ZDNET that an contented affecting “a tiny fig of iPhone 18 Pro Max users” connected AT&T’s web whitethorn origin their devices to suffer service. “We released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and powerfully promote each iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update now, and are besides issuing a bearer settings update today,” Apple said. “These updates unneurotic are meant to assistance forestall this contented from occurring.”
Since the updates are intended to forestall the issue, they won’t hole devices already affected. Those volition necessitate a replacement, according to Apple.
What’s happening?
iPhone 18 Pro Max owners connected Reddit person reported randomly losing their connection to AT&T, with phones switching to SOS mode. While Wi-Fi inactive works, they can’t marque calls, nonstop texts, oregon usage information implicit the network.
Also: 7 iOS 27 features that marque aged iPhones breathtaking again
AT&T has subsequently sent a substance to customers to pass them astir an “important Apple Software update” that’s disposable for affected phones. “Some phones whitethorn beryllium incapable to implicit calls/text/data, including to 911,” the mobile bearer said. “Update to iOS 27.0.1 instantly — Settings > General > Software Update.”
Apple has not provided an nonstop fig of affected devices, though it has lone observed the contented among iPhone 18 Pro Max users connected AT&T.
What’s causing the AT&T issue?
Apple and AT&T person not publically explained the cause, but the iPhone 18 Pro Max’s cellular hardware could beryllium a factor. Our sibling site, CNET, noted a recent iFixit teardown shows the US mentation of the telephone uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X80 modem.
Also: Your iPhone conscionable got a hidden anti-scam upgrade successful iOS 27
However, CNET besides cited a TechInsights teardown that shows the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max usage the aforesaid modem, portion the iPhone 18 Pro Max seems to adhd a caller millimeter-wave antenna. Neither Apple nor AT&T has linked that antenna to the work failures.
For now, the origin remains unconfirmed.
What Apple and AT&T accidental to do
According to Apple, 2 caller updates for iPhone 18 Pro Max users connected AT&T are intended to assistance forestall the cellular transportation problem, but they won’t reconstruct work to phones already affected.
1. Install the iOS 27.0.1 bundle update
If you person an iPhone 18 Pro Max connected AT&T, Apple powerfully recommends installing iOS 27.0.1. To cheque for the update, spell to Settings > General > Software Update. AT&T is besides urging customers to instal the update.
2. Install the bearer settings update
Next, instal a caller bearer settings update connected your iPhone 18 Pro Max. It volition automatically download for AT&T users implicit the adjacent 14 days, according to Apple. To manually trigger it, spell to Settings > General > About.
What if you already mislaid service?
If your iPhone 18 Pro Max is already without AT&T cellular work due to the fact that of this issue, it cannot beryllium reactivated done bundle updates and requires a hardware replacement instead, Apple said. The institution confirmed to ZDNET that replacements volition beryllium provided escaped of charge.
Also: 5 iOS 27 upgrades that marque a large quality – and wherefore I emotion them
So, affected owners can:
- Contact Apple Support oregon AT&T.
- Visit an Apple Store oregon an AT&T location.
When contacting support, explicate you person an iPhone 18 Pro Max connected AT&T that has mislaid service, and notation whether you installed iOS 27.0.1 and the bearer settings update. From there, petition your escaped replacement.
AT&T antecedently told ZDNET that customers who proceed to acquisition problems should question further enactment from Apple oregon an AT&T store. “Our apical precedence is ensuring customers tin enactment connected erstwhile they request it most, and we are moving with Apple to marque it right,” AT&T said.
Elyse Betters Picaro
Editor successful Chief
Elyse Betters Picaro is exertion successful main of ZDNET. Previously, she was EIC of Pocket-lint and operations manager astatine Valnet, overseeing its user tech brands specified arsenic XDA and Android Police. See afloat bio
Artie Beaty
Contributing Writer
Artie Beaty is simply a freelance writer, based conscionable extracurricular Charlotte, with a passionateness for astute location tech and tech news. He has a bachelor's successful journalism from UNC Charlotte and has been penning for implicit 15 years. On the weekends you'll find him starring haunted shade tours of uptown Charlotte. See afloat bio
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