iPhone 18

Apple confirms iPhone 18 Pro Max AT&T cellular issues, affected devices require hardware replacement

Chance Miller | Oct 2 2026 - 1:47 pm PT

Apple has confirmed an issue causing a “small number” of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T to lose cellular service.

Apple released software and carrier updates to prevent the issue from affecting additional users, but the company tells 9to5Mac that devices that have already lost service will require a hardware replacement.

In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said:

“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.”

The carrier settings update for the iPhone 18 Pro Max will download automatically over the next 14 days. However, users can manually trigger the download by going to Settings, choosing General, then About.

Apple explains that the software updates will help prevent future issues for iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T. The software updates will not restore service on devices that have already lost it.

Apple says that iPhone 18 Pro Max users who have already lost service will need a hardware replacement. Those users should contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T location.

As we reported this morning, iPhone 18 Pro Max users affected by this problem can’t connect to AT&T’s network for calls, texts, and data. Instead, those users see “SOS” in their iPhone’s status bar. The connectivity issues aren’t impacting every iPhone 18 Pro Max user on AT&T.

Interestingly, the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the United States uses a Qualcomm modem. The iPhone 18 Pro, which uses Apple’s C2 modem, is unaffected by these AT&T connectivity issues.