If you’ve just bought an iPhone 18 Pro Max and you’re with AT&T, there’s a good chance you’ve been lumbered with a very expensive brick. Apple has confirmed that a small number of Pro Max owners on AT&T are losing service completely – no calls, no data, and no way back with a software fix. If it’s already happened to yours, you’ll need a replacement phone.
That’s a pretty wild problem for a phone that starts at $1,299. Apple’s newest top-end iPhone simply not working on one of the biggest US networks isn’t something we expected to be writing this soon after launch.
What to do
If your phone is working normally, install iOS 27.0.1 from Settings > General > Software Update. Then head to Settings > General > About and wait a few seconds – if a carrier settings update is available, you’ll get a prompt to install it. Apple says the two updates together should stop the problem from occurring later. The carrier update will also arrive automatically within 14 days, but there’s no reason to wait.
If your phone is already affected, the updates won’t help. Signs include dropping to SOS mode despite a strong signal, calls and FaceTime failing, texts arriving slowly, and no cellular data. Apple says these phones need replacing, so contact Apple Support, book an appointment at an Apple Store, or visit an AT&T store for a free swap. Replacement phones come with the fix already installed.
According to MacRumors, Apple says no other models or carriers are affected. That means the iPhone 18 Pro is fine, as are Pro Max owners on Verizon or T-Mobile, and anyone who bought a Pro Max outside the US.
What happened?
Apple hasn’t said what’s causing the problem, but there’s an obvious suspect. Despite its hefty price tag, the Pro Max doesn’t use Apple’s latest modem tech – perhaps due to an existing supply deal with Qualcomm.
Apple hasn’t gone as far as to issue an official recall for the faulty devices, but – as noted by Macworld – this is the first time in the iPhone’s history that its offering replacement devices for a problem like this. Two previous recalls only required repairs, not replacements. Fingers crossed none of you reading this are affected, but at least a solution is in place for the unlucky few.