Apple to replace iPhones affected by AT&T network fault
A small number of US iPhone 18 Pro Max devices lose mobile connectivity; updates should prevent new cases.
Apple is allowing some US customers to replace their iPhone 18 Pro Max after the device can lose its connection to the AT&T network. Software and carrier updates should prevent more phones from experiencing the same problem.
Apple says a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on the US AT&T network can lose mobile connectivity. Affected phones can consequently no longer make calls, send text messages or use mobile data. AT&T also warns that the fault could affect emergency calls.
For devices on which the fault has already occurred, Apple says a software solution is not sufficient. Customers must contact Apple or AT&T for a hardware replacement. The company has not disclosed exactly how many devices are affected.
Apple has released iOS 27.0.1 and is also distributing a separate carrier update for AT&T. The updates are intended to prevent the fault from occurring on devices that are still working normally. Apple says the carrier update will be rolled out automatically, but users can also check its availability manually.
The reports currently appear limited to the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max in combination with AT&T. The US Pro Max uses a Qualcomm modem, while other new iPhone models and Pro Max versions outside the United States use an Apple-designed C2 modem. Apple has not confirmed that this hardware difference is the cause.
AT&T says it is working with Apple and advises customers with an iPhone 18 Pro Max to install all available updates. The provider has not published an overview of the number of reports. It is also not yet clear whether the fault lies solely in the modem hardware or is partly caused by the interaction between the device, software and network.
The direct impact on users in the Netherlands is therefore limited. The US network configuration differs from that in many other countries, but as long as Apple has not published a technical cause, it cannot be ruled out that similar problems are being investigated elsewhere. The current information does justify the conclusion that this is a limited, but serious connectivity problem for affected customers.
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The technical and practical consequences are based on statements from Apple and AT&T, supplemented by Apple's official product information. The cause, scale and consequences outside the United States are explicitly described as uncertain.
- confirmed A small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max devices on AT&T can lose mobile connectivity. — Apple confirmed this in a statement published by 9to5Mac. source
- confirmed According to Apple, affected devices must be replaced. — Apple says software updates do not restore existing faults and that a hardware replacement is required. source
- confirmed AT&T warns that the fault could also affect emergency calls. — In its statement, AT&T mentions calls, data, text messages and 911 calls. source
- confirmed The US iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a Qualcomm modem. — This is stated in reporting on the problem and is consistent with product information about the modem differences. source
- uncertain The modem difference is the cause of the fault. — The reporting mentions the difference, but Apple has not confirmed a causal connection. source
Editor's note
Apple and AT&T confirm the problem and the replacement process, but have not published the number of affected devices or a definitive technical cause. The possible role of the Qualcomm modem remains unproven.Sources
More on this in Dutch media
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