iPhone 18 Pro Max can’t call or text on AT&T? Apple will replace it for free

Apple will replace iPhone 18 Pro Max phones free of charge if they have lost cellular service on AT&T and cannot make calls, send texts, or use mobile data, the company confirmed to ZDNET.

A small number of iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T began reporting lost service a couple of weeks ago. Affected phones switch to SOS mode while Wi-Fi remains functional. AT&T initially directed customers to install iOS 27.0.1 immediately, warning the problem could prevent calls to 911.

Apple released iOS 27.0.1 this week and issued a carrier settings update on the same day. The company stated these updates are "meant to help prevent this issue from occurring." However, because the updates are preventive rather than curative, they will not restore service to devices already affected. Those phones require hardware replacement instead.

Apple has not disclosed the exact number of affected devices or publicly explained the root cause. The company has only observed the issue among iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T. CNET noted that the US version of the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem. A recent iFixit teardown showed the phone also includes a new millimeter-wave antenna compared to earlier models, though neither Apple nor AT&T has linked that antenna to the service failures.

iPhone 18 Pro Max owners on Reddit reported randomly losing AT&T connection. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max use the same modem as the iPhone 18 Pro Max, according to TechInsights teardown analysis.

To prevent the issue, Apple recommends all iPhone 18 Pro Max users on AT&T install iOS 27.0.1 by going to Settings > General > Software Update. A carrier settings update will automatically download over the next 14 days or can be manually triggered through Settings > General > About.

If your iPhone 18 Pro Max has already lost AT&T service, contact Apple support or visit an AT&T store. Explain you have the affected model on AT&T, mention whether you installed the updates, and request a free replacement. AT&T stated it is "working with Apple to make it right."