People who recently bought the newest flagship smartphone from Apple are running into a major roadblock. A growing number of AT&T customers report they cannot connect to the cellular network using their brand-new iPhone 18 Pro Max. Buyers are heading to online message boards and support forums to share their connectivity problems. These owners state their new devices simply refuse to make phone calls, send text messages, or load internet data over a cellular connection.
Phones drop to SOS mode while users wait for a fix
The main symptom leaves the device stuck in SOS mode. This means the phone cannot reach the standard cellular network for daily tasks or properly provision an eSIM. Wi-Fi still functions normally for internet browsing, but traditional voice calls fail completely. Carrier store employees seem unaware of the root cause. One user on a public forum described the situation:
“I got my iPhone 18 on Friday. I have coverage through AT&T. I have been noticing that I have been getting SOS on my phone. WiFi works for the internet, but I can’t make calls. Even if it doesn’t say SOS, trying to make a phone call is impossible now. I have tried everything. I went to AT&T, and they know nothing about it. I’m going to the Apple Store today”, Posted a customer.
Hardware differences might play a role in this situation. The US model of this specific iPhone relies on a Qualcomm cellular modem. Other new models in the lineup, along with international versions of the Pro Max, use a different Apple C2 modem design. Right now, it remains unclear if the Qualcomm chip is the actual source of the network drops.
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If the core problem stems from a software glitch rather than hardware, a patch could arrive soon. Developers are currently testing the iOS 27.0.1 update. Affected buyers hope the upcoming software release will restore normal service and let them actually use their phones for calls again.
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