Some iPhone 18 Pro Max owners on AT&T in the US have watched their phones drop to "SOS" and lose calls, texts and data. On 2 Oct 2026, Apple confirmed it. In a statement given to several outlets, an Apple spokesperson said the company had "identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network".
This is narrow. Apple says it has only seen the problem on the iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T. It isn't the whole iPhone 18 range, and Apple says no other models or carriers are known to be affected.
Short version. Update now if your AT&T Pro Max still has signal: install iOS 27.0.1 and the new carrier settings. Get it replaced if it's already stuck on SOS, because Apple says software won't bring service back. Wait a little if you're about to buy a US-model Pro Max, especially to import.
Affiliate disclosure: some tool or platform links may later be affiliate or referral links. Facts in this post come from Apple's support pages and Newsroom, plus Apple's and AT&T's statements as published by 9to5Mac, MacRumors and ZDNET, with further reporting from Macworld and TidBITS where marked, checked on 8 Oct 2026 (SAST). This is a fast-moving story, so check for updates before you act.
What's happening
Apple released the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on 18 September. Since then, some Pro Max owners on AT&T have reported that their phones lose cellular service and show "SOS" in the status bar instead of signal bars.
Here is Apple's full statement, as published by 9to5Mac and MacRumors:
"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. We released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week and strongly encourage all iPhone 18 Pro Max users to update now, and are also issuing a carrier settings update today. These updates together are meant to help prevent this issue from occurring."
AT&T also gave MacRumors a statement. An AT&T spokesperson said: "Apple has released a software update to address an issue that may affect calls, data, texts, and 911 calls on a small number of Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max phones." The spokesperson added that AT&T is "working with Apple to make it right".
Neither company has said how many phones are affected. "A small number" is the only description either has given.
Who is, and isn't, affected
Only the Pro Max on AT&T, per Apple
MacRumors reports that Apple "has only observed this issue with iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the AT&T network". In the same report: "No other iPhone models or carriers are known to be impacted."
That means, based on what Apple has said so far:
- The smaller iPhone 18 Pro isn't known to be affected.
- Verizon and T-Mobile customers aren't known to be affected.
- Pro Max owners outside the US aren't known to be affected.
- The iPhone Duo isn't on sale yet. Apple's Newsroom says pre-orders start 16 October and availability begins 23 October. Our iPhone Duo buy-or-skip guide covers that phone.
One open question: TidBITS says it's unclear whether people on smaller networks that use AT&T's infrastructure, such as Cricket Wireless, are affected.
What about the modem?
Apple hasn't said what causes it. MacRumors reports that US models of the iPhone 18 Pro Max use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem, while the Pro Max sold in other countries uses Apple's own C2 modem. MacRumors also says: "It is unclear if this modem difference is a factor." So treat the modem talk as reporting, not an answer. You'll see plenty of theories on forums. We're not repeating them.
If your phone still works: update now
Apple says iOS 27.0.1 and AT&T's new carrier settings together "are meant to help prevent this issue from occurring". You need both.
- Install iOS 27.0.1. Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. Apple's security releases page dates iOS 27.0.1 to 28 September.
- Get the carrier settings update. According to 9to5Mac, it downloads automatically over 14 days, but you can trigger it sooner. Go to Settings, then General, then About, and wait a few seconds for a prompt to appear.
A small detail: Apple's iOS 27.0.1 release notes list three fixes, and none of them mentions AT&T or this cellular issue. Apple's prevention advice comes from its statement, not the release notes.
If your phone already shows SOS: get a replacement
This is the important part. According to 9to5Mac, Apple says the updates "will not restore service on devices that have already lost it". Apple says those phones need a hardware replacement. Its advice, as reported by 9to5Mac, is to "contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T location". AT&T told MacRumors that affected customers can return to an Apple or AT&T store for more help.
What about cost? Reports say replacements are free. MacRumors writes that "it sounds like Apple Stores will replace affected iPhone 18 Pro Max devices for free", and ZDNET's headline says Apple will replace it for free. Apple hasn't published a policy page saying so.
There's also no official repair program yet. Macworld reported on 5 Oct that "Apple hasn't declared an official service program", and we found no Apple support page or program for this issue as of 8 October.
One practical tip from Macworld. A technician told Macworld that some replacement phones still had outages, but those phones didn't have both iOS 27.0.1 and AT&T's carrier settings installed. So before you walk out with a replacement, check it's on iOS 27.0.1 and has the new carrier settings.
Other iPhone 18 issues
A few other bugs have come up since launch. Here's where each one stands.
- Face ID restart (iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max). Apple's notes say these phones "may unexpectedly restart when Face ID fails to authenticate". Status: fixed in iOS 27.0.1.
- 2x photo colour artifact (iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max). Apple's notes describe a colour artifact on 2x photos "under certain lighting conditions at f/1.48 on a small number of" devices. Status: fixed in iOS 27.0.1.
- Touchscreen freeze. Opening Notification Center and Control Center at the same time could make the touchscreen unresponsive. Status: fixed in iOS 27.0.1.
- Speaker crackling or popping (iPhone 18 Pro). MacRumors and 9to5Mac covered owner complaints on forums and Reddit, and 9to5Mac says it doesn't look widespread. Status: user reports only. Apple hasn't acknowledged it.
Should you still buy an iPhone 18 Pro Max?
If you're in the US and on AT&T, there's no need to panic-skip it, but a short wait costs you nothing. Make sure any new phone is on iOS 27.0.1 with the latest carrier settings before you rely on it, and watch for any formal Apple notice.
If you're on another US carrier, or buying outside the US, Apple says no other carriers are known to be affected. Install iOS 27.0.1 anyway, since it fixes the Face ID restart bug.
If you'd rather skip the new models altogether, the iPhone 17 range is still a solid option. Our iPhone 17 vs 17 Pro comparison can help.
Buying one abroad or importing?
If you're buying a US-model Pro Max abroad or importing one, slow down. MacRumors says the US model uses a different modem from the Pro Max sold elsewhere, and Apple has only observed this issue on AT&T. Warranty and replacement options can depend on where a phone was bought, so check what support you'd get at home before you pay. Our grey-import and marketplace checklist walks through the questions to ask.
Update, replace, or wait?
| Your situation | Call | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T, still has signal | Update now | iOS 27.0.1, then Settings, General, About for the carrier settings prompt |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T, stuck on SOS | Get it replaced | Contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T store |
| Replacement in hand | Check before you leave | Confirm iOS 27.0.1 and the new carrier settings are installed |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max on Verizon, T-Mobile or outside the US | Update, don't panic | Apple says no other carriers are known to be affected |
| iPhone 18 Pro, or waiting for iPhone Duo | No action for this issue | Apple says no other models are known to be affected |
| Buying a US-model Pro Max abroad or to import | Wait a little | Watch for an Apple notice and check warranty support first |
FAQ
Is every iPhone 18 affected?
No. Apple says it has only seen this on the iPhone 18 Pro Max on AT&T, and that no other models or carriers are known to be affected.
Will iOS 27.0.1 fix my phone?
It's meant to help prevent new cases, together with AT&T's carrier settings update. Apple says it won't restore service on a phone that has already lost it.
Is there an official repair program?
Not as of 8 October. Apple says affected phones need a hardware replacement, and reports say replacements are free.
What causes it?
Apple hasn't said what causes it.
Featured photo: Francesco / Unsplash
Sources: About iOS 27 Updates (Apple Support), Apple security releases (Apple Support), Apple debuts iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max (Apple Newsroom, 9 Sep 2026), Apple unveils iPhone Duo (Apple Newsroom, 9 Sep 2026), Apple's statement and replacement guidance (9to5Mac, 2 Oct 2026), Apple's statement, scope and modem details (MacRumors, 2 Oct 2026), AT&T's statement (MacRumors, 2 Oct 2026), Apple's statement to ZDNET (ZDNET), Replacements and service-program status (Macworld, 5 Oct 2026), Carrier settings and the MVNO question (TidBITS, 6 Oct 2026), iPhone 18 Pro speaker crackling reports (MacRumors, 29 Sep 2026), iPhone 18 Pro speaker pops (9to5Mac, 30 Sep 2026). Facts checked 8 Oct 2026 (SAST)