Apple confirms AT&T network bug affecting iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple has confirmed a network issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T's network in the US. Users who have already lost signal will need a hardware replacement, as a software fix can no longer restore their connection.
Apple has confirmed reports of network problems affecting iPhone 18 Pro Max devices, following complaints from a number of users. The company says the issue is limited to AT&T customers in the United States.
According to a statement Apple gave to 9to5Mac, affected devices display an "SOS" symbol in the status bar instead of normal signal bars, and lose the ability to make calls, send texts, or use 4G and 5G data. Apple described the problem as affecting only a "small number" of users.
A fix is already available
Apple said it released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and is urging all iPhone 18 Pro Max owners to install it as soon as possible. The company is also rolling out a carrier settings update on the same day, which together with the software patch is intended to prevent the issue from occurring.
However, for users whose devices have already lost cellular signal, neither a software update nor a device restore will fix the problem. Apple says those users should contact Apple Support or AT&T directly to arrange a hardware replacement.
Notably, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the only model sold in the US that uses a Qualcomm modem rather than Apple's own, though it remains unclear whether this is connected to the bug in any way.
For anyone using an iPhone 18 Pro Max with an AT&T SIM card, Apple recommends first checking for the iOS 27.0.1 update under Settings > General > Software Update. Users should also check for the carrier settings update by going to Settings > General > About — if no pop-up appears, the settings are already current.
