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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →As of October 2, 2026, AT&T and Apple say a small subset of U.S. iPhone 18 Pro Max phones can lose AT&T service, including calls, texts and mobile data. iOS 27.0.1 and an AT&T carrier-settings update are intended to help prevent additional cases, but they are not a confirmed fix for a phone that has already lost service: Apple says affected phones need a hardware replacement.
What the AT&T iPhone 18 Pro Max problem looks like
Owners have reported persistent or intermittent loss of AT&T cellular service. A phone may show SOS and fail to make calls, send texts or use mobile data. The reports concern a subset of devices, not every iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T; the companies have not published an official failure rate or confirmed incident count.
AT&T’s October 1 customer message warned that some phones might be unable to complete calls, texts or data, including calls to 911. If your phone is showing SOS or calls are failing, do not rely on it for an emergency call. Use another working phone or ask someone nearby to call emergency services if needed.
Does iOS 27.0.1 fix a phone that is already stuck in SOS?
Not according to Apple’s stated remedy. Apple said on October 2 that iOS 27.0.1 and an AT&T carrier-settings update are meant to help prevent the issue from occurring. User reports cited by 9to5Mac and MacRumors said that many phones which had already lost service remained unusable after installing iOS 27.0.1. Apple said updates will not restore service on phones that have already lost it; those devices need hardware replacement.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| Option | What it is for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Install iOS 27.0.1 and the AT&T carrier-settings update | Prevention of additional cases, according to Apple | Not a confirmed way to restore service on an already affected phone. Apple said the updates together are meant to help prevent the issue. |
| Hardware replacement through Apple or AT&T | Remedy Apple specifies for a phone that has already lost service | Apple says affected owners need a hardware replacement. Public replacement-program terms or eligibility rules were not stated by Apple or AT&T in the cited reporting. |
What to do if your phone still has service
- Install the iOS update: Open Settings > General > Software Update and install iOS 27.0.1 if it is available for your phone. AT&T urged customers to update on October 1.
- Accept the carrier-settings update if prompted: Apple said AT&T was issuing a carrier-settings update on October 2. Reporting identified it as version 72.1, up from 72.0.2. The update is intended to help prevent cases, not to guarantee that a device will remain unaffected.
- Watch for loss of service: If calls or texts fail, mobile data stops working, or the phone shows SOS, contact Apple or AT&T rather than treating the software update as a repair.
What to do if calls, texts or data have already failed
Contact Apple Support, visit an Apple Store, or go to an AT&T location. Apple directs affected owners to those channels for a hardware replacement; AT&T also points affected customers to an Apple or AT&T store for support. The available reporting does not establish a formal public replacement program, a universal eligibility rule or local replacement-device availability, so ask the support provider what applies to your phone and location.
If the phone has intermittent rather than constant failures, report the failed calls, texts or data anyway. Intermittent symptoms have also been reported, and a momentary return of service does not establish that the underlying problem is resolved.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
What is known—and not known—about the cause
Early coverage described U.S. devices with AT&T connectivity or eSIM-provisioning problems. Reporting also noted that the U.S. model uses a Qualcomm modem, while iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models sold outside the U.S. were described as using Apple’s C2 modem. Neither Apple nor AT&T has confirmed that modem differences caused this incident. The reports do not establish that every regional model or every AT&T customer is affected.
MacRumors reported thousands of user reports across Apple Support Community, Reddit, MacRumors Forums and other platforms. That is not an official incident count or denominator; Apple and AT&T have characterized the affected population as a small number of devices. The scale and underlying cause therefore remain unconfirmed.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Rank #4
- BIGGER, YET SLIMMER THAN EVER: Who would’ve guessed that wider could also be lighter? The design of Galaxy Z Fold7 is refined to feel like a traditional smartphone with its expanded cover display.
- BEST CAMERA ON A FOLD YET: You asked for more – now you can have the most. Galaxy Z Fold7 now boasts an ultra-premium 200MP camera with Pro-Visual Engine so you can effortlessly take incredibly detailed pics.
- SCREENSHARE FOR STREAMLINED ASSISTANCE: Intrigued by something you see? Go Live with Google Gemini, then screenshare or point your camera at it for additional info or assistance on the fly.¹
- DO AND VIEW MORE, ALL AT ONCE: With an 8” screen that allows you to view up to three windows at once, Galaxy Z Fold7 is the ultimate device for seeing and doing more.²
- ALL THE POWER AND SPEED YOU NEED Smoothly run your day with the power and speed of Galaxy Z Fold7. With its customized Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for Galaxy, you can stream your favorite shows, edit photos, scroll social feeds and more with ease.³
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
