We have 2 x iPhone 8Plus. Earlier today we installed the apple - recommended iOs update to v 16.7.13 to address Triple Zero issues here in Australia.
Now we can not make calls, send SMS and have no 4G connection. I have tried the steps suggested online, namely
Turn off & on again, remove and reinsert SIM, resett network settings
Can I revert to the version prior to that one?
Earlier iPhone models
Per Telstra page, Update is now available:
Update 29 Jan 2026 at 3:30PM (AEDT):
Per Telstra page, Update is now available:
Update 29 Jan 2026 at 3:30PM (AEDT):
this is an 16.7.13 issue. after updating on iphone X no network connection. downgraded to 16.7.12 and connection restored. 16.7.12 is still signed so can be restored with Itunes. download from here https://ipsw.me/download/iPhone10,3/20H364
We just got home from visiting Apple in Canberra ( a 3 hour trip each way to our nearest Apple Store). They had many clients visit today with this issue and confirmed that reverting to iOS16.7.12 could lead older iphones exposed to the inability to contact 000.
A full reinstall was tried just before the Telstra announcement and it didn't work on iPhone 8.
They confirmed that this was now flagged by both Telstra and Apple as a P1 - their top priority- problem to resolve, but exact timeframe unknown.
We were offered the option to get new iPhones and then return them when the issue was resolved, but with the additional travel, decided to tough it out cold turkey.
If the X roll-back works, great - but check that you can call 000 in poor reception areas, or you may be leaving yourself at risk in case of future emergency, which is what the update was meant to address.
Otherwise - stay near wifi and see what happens.
This is an issue with an Apple released urgent iOS 16.7.13 update for older iPhones such as my X, after emergency-call issues in Australia and a 2027 certificate deadline. Calling a US number is no use to us here, we should only call 1300 321 456.
On the Telstra outages webpage:
“We're currently investigating an issue making and receiving calls, including calls to 000, on older Apple devices. We're working on this as a priority with Apple and will share updates as we have them. We recommend customers using these devices delay updating the software on their device until we confirm the issue is resolved.”
I tried the same approach. I was able to downgrade via iTunes to 16.7.12, but when I tried to restore my backup, the iPhone wouldn’t accept it because the backup was created on 16.7.13.
Luckily, I found an older iCloud backup from about a week earlier that was made on 16.7.12, so I could restore from that — but I did lose anything I’d done in the last week.
Then contact Apple and work with them. Telling Apple to "fix this" in a user to user forum is not going to help you.
Contact Apple for support & service.
Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
or call
Canada/United States
1-800-275-2273
For other locations, look here -
Contact Apple Support – Apple Support (AU)
1800CONWAY wrote:
I tried the same approach. I was able to downgrade via iTunes to 16.7.12, but when I tried to restore my backup, the iPhone wouldn’t accept it because the backup was created on 16.7.13.
Luckily, I found an older iCloud backup from about a week earlier that was made on 16.7.12, so I could restore from that — but I did lose anything I’d done in the last week.
Correct, you need a backup from the prior version and not sure why that important detail was left out in the prior post and follow up questions were never answered. Thank you for stepping in. Not everyone is so lucky as to have a backup from a prior version and all their data may have been lost.
Anyway, the issue with the update appears to be solved now.
Just been speaking with Apple. This is an issue with IPhone 8’s and X using Telstra as their carrier. They are urgently looking at this with Telstra and Telstra have put a warning on their home page. Hopefully they will fix it soon.
I was able to get at least get data working on Telstra LTE instead of 4G, by going to Settings, Mobile, Mobile Data Options and toggling on Data Roaming.
Make sure that your device is connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. · Tap Settings > General > About. · Follow the onscreen instructions to ...
Manually update your carrier settings on your iPhone or iPad
Updated my iPhone X to iOS 16.7.13 and the experience hasn’t been great. Personal Hotspot is missing, Wi‑Fi Calling stopped working, the phone won’t make calls, and it only shows LTE if I enable Data Roaming. My data speeds have also dropped significantly, and Speed Test shows Telstra LTE. I genuinely didn’t expect a software update to cause this many network issues.
Friend of mine with the iPhone X did the 16.7.13 update this morning, and not had any cellular functionality since - unable to make/receive phone calls, personal hotspot is missing, unable to make/receive text messages unless connected to WiFi (and probably only iMessage contacts). Phone carrier was unable identify any issues on their side, so now it's over to Apple.
Key Specifications: My model in Settings → About is MQA82X/A, which corresponds to the A1865 hardware variant of the iPhone X.
• Model Name: iPhone X
• Internal Hardware Model: A1865 (Global – CDMA + GSM)
When restoring, you need to select the IPSW that matches your exact hardware model. Each device on the IPSW site has its own download link, so for anyone with an iPhone 8, they should simply choose iPhone 8 from the list and it will show the correct 16.7.12 file if it’s still being signed.
For context, Australia now operates exclusively on GSM networks. However, Apple sold both the GSM‑only (A1901) and the Global/CDMA‑capable (A1865) iPhone X models here. Even though CDMA hasn’t existed in Australia since 2008, the A1865 hardware still requires the Global IPSW, because the firmware must match the modem hardware — not the network used in your country.
It’s definitely confusing at first glance, because you’d assume GSM country = GSM firmware, but in reality it’s all about the internal hardware. Since my device is the A1865 variant, the correct IPSW for me is the Global version.
I followed the link that darkmatta put up but then entered in my phone (iphone 8 +) and chose the 'global' option instead of gsm, but it looks like it uses the same file he listed, so go with that. It takes a while to download 1-2 hrs, and you have to install itunes on your computer, but it worked perfectly. Don't be an idiot like me and forget to make a backup to the cloud before you do it, now I have to download all my apps and remember all those bloody passwords.
No Calls or SMS after iOS16.7.13 earlier today
