Apple Confirms iPhone 18 Pro Max Connectivity Fault on AT&T; Affected Units Require Replacement

Apple (AAPL) confirmed that a limited number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T's network are experiencing cellular connectivity failures, with devices losing signal and displaying "SOS," preventing calls, texts and mobile data. Apple released iOS 27.0.1 earlier this week alongside a carrier settings update on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, to prevent the issue. The carrier update will download automatically within 14 days, or users can check manually via Settings, General, About. Devices that have already lost service cannot be restored through the updates and must be replaced. Affected users should contact Apple Support or AT&T, or visit an Apple Store or AT&T location to arrange a replacement. Apple emphasized only a small subset of AT&T iPhone 18 Pro Max users are affected. Users still experiencing SOS outages should verify eligibility with Apple or AT&T.