Apple will replace affected iPhone 18 Pro Max devices:Tech giant asks users to swap devices hit by network glitch

Imagine buying Apple’s most expensive iPhone and then finding out that it cannot make calls, send texts, or use mobile data. That is what some ATT customers using the new iPhone 18 Pro Max are reportedly facing because of a cellular connectivity bug. Apple has confirmed the problem and says a small number of affected users will need to replace their phones. The issue has already been addressed through software and carrier updates, but customers whose devices have already lost service may need a replacement. What is the iPhone 18 Pro Max problem? According to Apple, a bug is affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max units connected to ATT’s network in the US. The problem can cause the phone to lose its cellular connection. As a result, affected users may not be able to: The phone can still work when connected to Wi-Fi, but without Wi-Fi, many of its important features become unavailable. Apple has not revealed how many iPhone 18 Pro Max users are affected. Apple confirms the ATT network issue Apple told Bloomberg News that it had identified a problem affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on ATT. We have identified an issue affecting a small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on the ATT network that may cause a device to lose service and be unable to make calls. The company has already taken steps to prevent the issue from affecting more devices. Apple releases software updates Apple released iOS 27.0.1 and a carrier settings update to address the problem. ATT users will automatically download the carrier settings update over the next 14 days. However, Apple is advising users to install any available software updates as soon as possible. Users can also check for the carrier update manually by going to: Settings → General → About If an update is available, users will be prompted to install it. Some users will need to replace their phones For people whose iPhone 18 Pro Max has already been affected by the bug, installing the update may not fix the problem. Apple says these users will need to exchange their device for a replacement through Apple or ATT. This means the issue is not simply a matter of waiting for the software update if the phone has already lost cellular service. Why is the issue limited to the iPhone 18 Pro Max? There is a key hardware difference between the US versions of the new iPhone models. The US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a cellular modem made by Qualcomm. Other new models, including the smaller iPhone 18 Pro, use Apple’s own C2 modem. Customer reports so far indicate that the ATT connectivity problem has affected the iPhone 18 Pro Max, rather than the iPhone 18 Pro.