Apple is replacing some iPhone 18 Pro Max units after owners on AT&T lost cellular service, according to an Apple statement. Affected phones cannot make calls, use mobile data, or send texts.
Apple has released a carrier settings update and iOS 27.0.1 to stop more devices from running into the problem, but phones that have already lost service need a replacement from Apple or AT&T.
"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," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement.
Customer reports describe the problem only on the iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T, and Apple says it has seen the same pattern. AT&T has confirmed to customers that the issue is known and under investigation together with Apple.
Apple has not disclosed the number of affected devices or why a replacement is the only fix for phones that have already dropped off the network.
How iPhone 18 Pro Max Owners Can Check for the Fix
Apple is pushing the carrier settings update to AT&T users automatically, with delivery expected over the next 14 days. The company also advises customers to install any available software updates as soon as possible, including iOS 27.0.1. Owners who do not want to wait can check manually:
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap About. If a carrier settings update is available, the iPhone shows a prompt to install it.
- Return to General and open Software Update to install iOS 27.0.1 if it is not already on the device.
- If the iPhone has already lost service, contact Apple or AT&T to arrange a replacement device.
Until a replacement arrives, Wi-Fi is the only way to use internet-based services on an affected phone. Standard cellular functions such as calls and SMS cannot be relied on without a network connection.
Carrier settings updates are separate from full iOS releases. Apple and wireless carriers use them to change network-related settings without shipping a new version of the operating system, while iOS 27.0.1 gives Apple a second route to address software causes linked to the service failure.
Qualcomm Modem Sets the Pro Max Apart
The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses different cellular hardware from the rest of Apple's new lineup. In the US, the Pro Max includes a Qualcomm modem, while the other new models, including the smaller iPhone 18 Pro, use Apple's own C2 modem.
Nothing published so far shows that the Qualcomm modem caused the outage. The available information confirms only that the problem is limited to the iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T's network. Cellular service also depends on the operating system and the carrier configuration, and a fault in either one can keep a phone from connecting.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 and went on sale two weeks ago. Apple's foldable iPhone Duo is due October 23. Apple has not said whether owners on other US carriers could be affected, and the carrier settings update may take up to 14 days to reach every AT&T customer.
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