In a statement shared with MacRumors today, AT&T said it is “working with Apple” to fix the cellular issues with the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
“Apple has released a software update to address an issue that may affect calls, data, texts, and 911 calls on a limited number of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max phones,” an AT&T spokesperson said. “AT&T customers with an iPhone 18 Pro Max should update their phones to the latest available software now. Our top priority is ensuring customers can stay connected when they need it most, and we are working with Apple to resolve this issue.”
As we reported last week, affected iPhone 18 Pro Max users are unable to connect to the AT&T network for phone calls, text messages, or data either persistently or intermittently, and as a result, their devices typically enter SOS mode. The underlying cause has not been confirmed, and Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
Thousands of users have encountered this issue since the iPhone 18 Pro Max launched on September 18, according to discussion threads in the Apple Support Community, Reddit, MacRumors Forum, and other online platforms.
Notably, the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only new iPhone released last month that features a Qualcomm cellular modem. The smaller iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo are equipped with Apple’s C2 modem worldwide, as is the iPhone 18 Pro Max in all other countries. However, it is unclear whether this is a contributing factor.
AT&T said iPhone 18 Pro Max users who have experienced or continue to experience problems can return to an Apple or AT&T store for further support.
Yesterday, AT&T sent a text message to some customers advising them to immediately update to iOS 27.0.1, even though that update doesn’t appear to fix the problems, according to comments shared by affected users.
In a purported internal email shared on Reddit today, AT&T clarified that its guidelines on updating to iOS 27.0.1 are intended to help mitigate future impacts, but it’s unclear if or how the update actually helps. Apple’s release notes for iOS 27.0.1 only mentioned fixes for other bugs, including a Face ID issue affecting iPhone 18 Pro models.
The alleged email added that customers can visit an Apple or AT&T store for a replacement device, but some customers said their warranty replacement requests were denied. As this issue becomes more widespread, hopefully Apple and AT&T are working to inform employees about the issue and implement a formal process.
iPhone 18 Pro Max users should be aware that today is the last day to return the device to Apple under the company’s standard 14-day return policy in the US, for customers who purchased or received it on September 18, launch day.
Typically, Apple is able to fix issues like these with software updates, so hopefully it’s able to fix the issue in iOS 27.0.2 or later. Hardware problems are rarer, but when they occur, Apple sometimes launches a free repair program. We will continue to provide further updates on this topic as more information becomes available.
