Apple says a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max owners on AT&T may lose cellular service and be unable to make calls. If your phone still has service, install iOS 27.0.1 and check for the carrier settings update. If it has already lost service, Apple says an update cannot restore it: contact Apple or AT&T about a replacement.
What the AT&T iPhone 18 Pro Max issue can affect
Apple confirmed the issue affects a “small number” of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T in the United States. It can cause the phone to lose service and become unable to make calls. AT&T warns that calls, data, texts, and 911 calls may also be affected on some phones. Neither company has published a verified count or percentage of affected devices.
Apple had reported observing the issue only on iPhone 18 Pro Max phones using AT&T, according to MacRumors on October 2, 2026. That describes the scope known at the time, not a guarantee that other devices or networks can never be affected.
What to do, depending on whether service still works
If your phone still has cellular service
- Install iOS 27.0.1: open Settings > General > Software Update and follow the prompts. Apple urged iPhone 18 Pro Max owners to update. The update is intended to help prevent the failure; it is not a repair for a phone that has already lost service.
- Check for the AT&T carrier settings update: open Settings > General > About. AT&T says the update is rolling out automatically over the coming days; follow any prompt that appears.
These are the steps recommended in Apple’s statement carried by 9to5Mac on October 2, 2026 and AT&T’s support notice, last updated October 2, 2026.
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If the phone has already lost service
Contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T location, to arrange help with replacement. Apple says software cannot reactivate service on a device that has already failed. Do not rely on installing iOS 27.0.1 to bring its cellular connection back.
If the status bar says SOS or SOS only
Apple’s general explanation is that SOS means the phone is not connected to its cellular network; emergency calls may still be possible through other carrier networks. That general status description does not guarantee that a 911 call will succeed in this specific situation. AT&T warns that 911 calls may be affected by the reported issue, so use another available phone or connection to contact emergency services if needed.
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What is known—and not known—about the cause
Apple has not publicly identified the technical root cause. The available statements do not establish whether it lies in the phone, its software, or AT&T’s network, so attributing it to a specific component would be speculation. Apple’s description remains qualitative: “a small number,” with no confirmed incident total or percentage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When generic troubleshooting may help
AT&T also lists standard connectivity checks such as restarting the phone, checking signal and service availability, turning Airplane Mode off, and checking the SIM. These can address ordinary connection problems, but they are not a substitute for contacting Apple or AT&T if an iPhone 18 Pro Max has already lost service; Apple’s stated remedy for that condition is replacement.
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