Apple pulls select iOS updates due to connectivity issues

Chance Miller | Jan 28 2026 - 4:19 am PT

Apple this week released an array of iOS updates, including iOS 26.2.1, iOS 18.7.4, and more.

Now, however, it appears that Apple has pulled some of these new updates due to problems with network connectivity in Australia.

In a support document published today, Australia telecommunications company Telstra says that it is “investigating an issue preventing some older Apple devices” from connecting to its network. Importantly, this includes calls to 000 (which is the equivalent to 911 in Australia).

We’re currently investigating an issue preventing some older Apple devices from connecting to our network, including calls to 000. We’re working on this as a priority with Apple and will share updates as we have them. We recommend customers using these devices delay updating the software on their device until we confirm the issue is resolved.

Here are the devices Telstra says may specifically be impacted by this problem:

iPhone 8 updated to iOS 16.7.13
iPhone 8 Plus updated to iOS 16.7.13
iPhone X updated to iOS 16.7.13

For its part, Apple has paused the roll out of these updates for older iPhone models worldwide. That includes iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8.

Importantly, Apple’s website indicates that these updates do not include any security patches, so there’s little harm in pausing the release while the connectivity problems are ironed out.

iOS 26.2.1 appears to be unaffected by this problem and remains widely available for supported iPhones.