iPhone 18 Pro Max is suddenly losing service on AT&T, but there's a fix
Another day, another iPhone 18 Pro Max bug. This time, it's related to AT&T network.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. | Image by PhoneArena
UPDATE: An Apple spokesperson reached out to PhoneArena to share the company's official statement on the issue:
"We have identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network that may cause a device to lose service and be unable to make calls. We released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and strongly encourage all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update now, and are also issuing a carrier settings update today. These updates together are meant to help prevent this issue from occurring."
While some customers have shared that iOS 27.0.1 doesn't fix things for them, Apple informs us this update is meant to prevent future instances of this bug. Meanwhile, the second part of the care package, the new carrier settings, should automatically arrive for AT&T users within two weeks, but users can manually download them by going to Settings > General > About.
However, if your iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T has already lost carrier service, you'll need to contact Apple or AT&T support in order to resolve the issue, since it sadly cannot be fixed via software update.
The original story follows below:
The latest iPhone 18 Pro lineup comes with some really exciting features, like the variable aperture, a smaller Dynamic Island, a faster processor, and much more. However, at the end of the day, the main purpose of a smartphone is to make and receive calls. But what if I told you that the latest phones from Apple are completely failing to do that?
That's what has been happening with some iPhone 18 Pro Max owners, as they are reportedly losing service on AT&T.
What's the problem all about?
A good number of users in the US are reporting cellular connectivity issues with AT&T on their iPhone 18 Pro Max. Online platforms like Reddit and the Apple Community forum are filled with complaints from affected customers. A user who claims to have coverage through AT&T made a post on Reddit claiming that they are seeing SOS on the latest iPhone Pro Max model.
Comment
byu/Beez131313 from discussion
iniphone
It can be clearly seen in the image that the device is reporting an issue with the cellular service.
Poll
26 Votes
What problem are you facing with your iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max?
Face ID is not functioning properly.
3.85%
It's crashing upon moving the widgets.
3.85%
Network related issue.
88.46%
Cracking sound is coming from earpiece speaker.
3.85%
What could possibly be causing the issue?
Since the problem is only affecting the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max, it is reportedly assumed that it might stem from the Qualcomm cellular modem used in it. For reference, only the US model of the biggest iPhone this year comes with a Qualcomm modem. In the rest of the world, the device features Apple's C2 modem, just like the one in the iPhone 18 Pro and the iPhone Duo.
There's a fix available
Initial reports from customers suggested that AT&T employees had no clue what exactly was causing the network problem or how to resolve it. However, the carrier has now finally acknowledged the issue and has asked all affected customers to install the latest iOS 27.0.1 update to get rid of the issue on the latest iPhone. Here's the exact statement from AT&T.
Hi, it's AT&T. Action needed: An important Apple software update for your iPhone 18 Pro Max is available. Some phones may be unable to complete calls/text/data, including to 911. Update to iOS 27.0.1 immediately — Settings > General > Software Update. Please contact AT&T or Apple if you have questions.
The update did not make things better for everyone
While the carrier statement did suggest that the latest iOS update would resolve the issue, some users report that the problem isn't fixed even after installing the software update. It's also worth mentioning that the update logs for iOS 27.0.1 make no mention of resolving any sort of network issue. This iOS version was basically released to resolve the highly reported Face ID problem on the iPhone 18 Pro models.
Comment about the update not fixing the network issue. | Image by Reddit
With AT&T claiming that updating to the latest iOS version resolves the problem but affected customers denying it, this is certainly pointing toward a serious situation. If everything is stemming from a software bug, we might see Apple release another update, possibly iOS 27.0.2, to make everything right. However, if the network issue is indeed related to the Qualcomm modem or any other hardware component, then it might indicate a really big problem.
The iPhone 18 Pro models didn't have a really great start
Since their launch, the latest iPhones have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. First, there were reports of Face ID not working properly on them; then, we reported on the widgets' movement crashing the iPhone; and now, we are talking about customers facing cellular issues with the iPhone 18 Pro Max. As mentioned above, Apple has already addressed the Face ID issue in the latest iOS update; now, it urgently needs to fix the other two reported problems.
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