iPhone 17 Pro Max - Terrible Cellular Connection Issues!

Question

Level 1

22 points

iPhone 17 Pro Max - Terrible Cellular Connection Issues!

My new iPhone 17 Pro Max has been having crazy cellular/data connection issues for over a month now!

Places I use to be able to obtain service in, like the gym, Walmart, etc, I no longer have any service. It switches to an SOS/Sat icon where the Cellular Bar icons would be. I walked into the DG (Dollar General) the other day, stepped 4 feet past the front doors and I lost all service. I've never had that happen before.

I was in Walmart and couldn't use the Scan&Go (Where you can scan your items as you put them in your cart, then scan a barcode at the register to speed up the check out process) because the Walmart app wouldn't load because I had zero cellular/data connection.

I was at the gas station at the end of town, the one I always go too, and when I went to pay by tapping my iPhone (using the Wallet app) I couldn't get gas because I the microscopic data connection I had wasn't enough to let the Wallet app function. I had 1 bar of 3G service... in a spot I normally have 5G.

If it wasn't for Wifi Calling/Data I wouldn't get any calls now when at home. I use to get 3 bars of 5G at home, now I'm lucky if I get a bar or two of LTE, which is only near a window or close to a permitter wall.

I switched from the iPhone 15 Pro Max.. I had no issues at any of these locations or at home with that phone!

WTH is going on??

iPhone 17 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 20, 2025 11:46 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jeff Donald

Community+ 2026

Level 9

53,546 points

Oct 21, 2025 5:20 AM in response to McBaer

Comparing different model and years devices is only relevant up to a point. Comparing different cases designs and antenna placement is relevant. Many times these differences can indicate that the cellular service is different. The devices have different modems, offering different features and a capabilities. It’s possible your previous phones and your wife’s connect to different cellular antennas. We, meaning you and me, have no way of knowing. I’m happy to troubleshoot the issues. However, the first step is a call or visit to your cellular service provider. All our troubleshooting steps are in vain and pointless if we’re not testing on a service that’s operating properly on your device.

Please contact your provider’s support team and explain the service difficulties. They may reprovision your SIM(s) and perform other diagnostics on your network connections and settings on their end. It may resolve the situation and it may not. But these are the first steps for a successful resolution.

Reply

Answer 2

TheLittles

Level 10

206,899 points

Oct 20, 2025 11:52 PM in response to McBaer

"iPhone 17 Pro Max - Terrible Cellular Connection Issues!"

-------

Get Cellular Reenabled:

Take this up with your Carrier. These are just Apple forums...

Troubleshooting Cellular Service:

A. "No Service":

Is "No Service" shown on the top-left corner of your screen? If so, go here to fix that: If you See No Service or Searching on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

B Contact your Carrier:

Having issues with Cellular, contact your Carrier, asking them to configure this to the correct settings. They configure all of this in the SIM card.

Reply

Answer 3

McBaer Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 21, 2025 7:28 AM in response to TheLittles

The carrier isn't the issue; as a iPhone 15 Pro Max (mine, which the daughter has now), and the wife's iPhone 16 Pro have no problems with cellular connection in these locations.

And as I mentioned; the issue started after switch from my iPhone 15 Pro Max to the 17 Pro Max.

Also I never stated that I never have service; just worse service now.

[Edited by Moderator]

Reply

Answer 4

McBaer Author

Level 1

22 points

Oct 21, 2025 2:10 PM in response to Jeff Donald

Comparing different model and years devices is relevant up to a high point. Especially when the body material and antenna design completely changed in the model/year having the issue. The Antenna placement is based on the device model/year. To separate the two is invalid and not logical thinking. And I don't use a case on my phone. On the rare occasion that I do, it's the Apple official TechWoven case.

It’s possible your previous phones and your wife’s connect to different cellular antennas.

We are standing in the same location; an we only have 2 towers in our area. each on opposite sides of town.

As I stated, the service here is not having any issues.

If 2 phones are fine, but the brand new one is not.. Common sense would point to an issue with that device.

And I contacted my Carrier several weeks ago. This issue has been going on since day 1 of receiving the phone.

So please don't try to suggest things, when you have zero knowledge of the issue.

I can google and search on YouTube for answers also, but I don't copy/paste them to a forum to pretend I know what I'm talking about.

Reply

Answer 5

TheLittles

Level 10

206,899 points

Oct 21, 2025 5:10 AM in response to McBaer

“Obviously you don't read before you paste your snippet response, hoping for a kudos..”

———-

There’s no need to be rude; it’s just the way I author my posts. And I’ll leave it at that.

Reply

iPhone 17 Pro Max - Terrible Cellular Connection Issues!

Similar questions