A hardware issue on a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices has kicked AT&T customers out of their cellular service — and may still cause problems for all of the carrier’s users.
Apple confirmed the issue in an October 2 statement to 9to5Mac, saying the company had identified an issue “causing a device to lose service and be unable to make calls” and would release a solution to those affected.
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Users have reported spotty connection issues, including devices stuck in SOS mode with no data, since the device was released. Earlier this week, AT&T sent a text message to customers alerting them of possible connection issues that could impact their ability to contact emergency services, 9to5Mac reported. The notification recommended updating to the latest version of iOS, but many customers still complained about service interruptions.
Some believe the connection issues could be caused by the new phone’s Qualcomm modem, a standalone feature of the US-based Max model. Non-US iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Duo, and Max models use Apple’s C2 modem.
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What to do if you lost service
Customers who have experienced cellular connection issues may be eligible for a hardware replacement, Apple said in its statement.
Affected users should contact Apple or AT&T customer support, depending on where they purchased their device. Users can also visit an Apple or AT&T store to receive support.
What to do if you still have AT&T service
If you’re an iPhone 18 Pro Max user and still have AT&T service, update your phone’s software as soon as possible. Apple told 9to5Mac that users who update to iOS 27.0.1 will be less likely to experience service interruptions, but it won’t restore already lost service.
The company has released an additional carrier update for AT&T customers, which will roll out automatically to devices within the next 14 days. Users can also update manually in their device’s settings menu.
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