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):
Just to clarify my observations to assist anyone else which may have a similar issue.
Issue 1:
iPadPro 12.9 1st gen
When this device conducted its scheduled upgrade the ipad locked up with a verifying release message. The only way to exit this state was to force a power down and then reboot.
Issue 2:
Advice on the apple support page which I viewed was this could be caused by a corrupted file. In my searching I did not see any indication this could be caused by the release being unsigned, so I assume it was corrupted. IN retrospect being unsigned must cause this as well. The solution provided was to manually delete the update (12.7.13) file from the ipad and try again. I did this and the result was the same. The advice then suggested I upgrade using itune.
itune:
When i connected the ipad to my PC and started itune, itune informed there was a new release to install. I selected download with no install. When this completed I checked if the software was on the ipad and it was not, so it did not physically download.
I then backed up the ipad and selected the download and install option in itune. The result was the ipad became locked in the upgrade screen. I was unable to exit this state. (I tried a lot of different things in order to do so). I concluded attempting to install 12.7.13 using itune corrupted my ipad.
Advice:
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO UPGRADE TO 12.7.13 USING iTUNE’s. (Even if itune is saying 12.7.13 software is available to install, don't do it)
Solution:
I downloaded a 12.7.12 IPSW file and then used the shift upgrade key option on itune, which allowed me to select the 12.7.12 IPSW file. This allowed my to reinstall 12.7.12, but I then had to fully restore my ipad.
Conclusion:
Apple neglected to stop the download/upgrade option on itune and 12.7.13 corrupts a iPadPro 12.8 1st gen. This is an old ipad so the consequences of installing 12.7.13 may not be as severe on latter hardware.
Ramification:
As a result of this apple software upgrade issue I am no longer seriously considering purchasing the new Apple knitted and tastelessly coloured iSock for $150.
Yep! Same issue here. iPhone 8 Plus, Model A1864. iOS 16.7.10
Unable to update carrier settings because it's not offered. Still stuck on 54.0.1 and unable to connect to the network at all. This is my daughters phone (high school student) - so it's causing a huge issue.
Yes, this was resolved on 29 Jan, as posted on the Telstra Website and reposted here.
If you look at the top of the thread, I was the one who started this on 27 Jan AEDT.
We'd indeed applied the update that day before it was withdrawn.
And yes, I spent many hours with carrier and Apple before they'd worked out what went wrong - internet typed chat is painfully slow, but at least it was a way of checking and eliminating a LOT of other possibilities.
Then followed the 3 hour drive to the nearest Apple Store, where the breadth of the problem was beginning to dawn.
I, too think the resolution was pushed out pretty quickly.
I'm just annoyed no warning aout the possibility of it being a flop was offered beforehand.
It's an eight-year-old handset, so it's hard to get too angry about a software glitch.
I've not seen any news reports about anybody having a health catastrophe during the period, so we all got lucky there.
DreamensioN wrote:
I've just finished installing iOS v16.7.14 - unfortunately it's not any better. Service Provider now shows 54.1.1.
The phone seems to be constantly hunting for the 4G network. The phone also drops from full 5 bars (I have excellent Telstra coverage where I am) to zero bars, and back again. Like it's constantly dropping on/off the network.
When I try to call my phone with it, it worked twice but only after a very long time to connect. But since then it doesn't appear to be working. I can't call the iPhone 8 (like it can't be found on the network), and when I try to call out from it, it seems to try for a very long time, then just time out with "Call Failed".
Then you have a different problem, contact your cell provider.
My friend's iPhone X got the carrier update the other day (54.1) and all was well. Now that 16.7.14 is out, his phone is broken again. The carrier version still says 54.1, but he can't make calls or handle SMS. There is no further carrier update being prompted for.
Update to 16.7.14 at your own risk!
KimSBok wrote:
My friend's iPhone X got the carrier update the other day (54.1) and all was well. Now that 16.7.14 is out, his phone is broken again. The carrier version still says 54.1, but he can't make calls or handle SMS. There is no further carrier update being prompted for.
Your friend should contact Apple Support here, I assume they are in Australia:
Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
KimSBok wrote:
Yes, in Australia. I don't know how effective calling Telstra would be given that when I called them about 16.7.13 when it broke both iPhone X that friends have, Apple claimed to know nothing about it. Admittedly that was Apple Care, which is as far into the organisation that I managed to penetrate.
It is how you make Telstra/Apple aware of a problem and how the previous problem with iOS 16.7.13 was identified. If no one would have called, there would not have been a Carrier Update 2 days later and the update to iOS 16.7.14 to resolve the problem for those affected. I am sure you have seen others in the region who it did help and also reported here, the question is why it did not help your friend's iPhone and that may be a unique situation where remote diagnostics is needed, and not something we can do here.
Called ALDI Mobile. They explained they are simply a client of Telstra Wholesale and had no involvement or discussions with either Telstra or Apple regarding the 16.7.13 issue or any subsequent issues. They were aware of the carrier update (Telstra 54.1) but they have no visibility into Telstra's problem management system. Interestingly, the guy I spoke with wasn't aware of any other customer having an issue, so it might be an old iPhone issue, an iPhone X issue, or a this particular phone issue.
I suspected that this would be the case, but to cover all bases I had to call.
I guess now we wait...
I have spoken with Apple. The guy was quite helpful, and walked me through settings etc to make sure that everything looks to be otherwise ok. We did screen sharing to my iPhone 14 Pro so they could see the iPhone X via my phone camera and verify that I was doing everything that they asked me to do. Unfortunately, no solution as yet.
All that appears to be left to do is for me to back up the iPhone X on iTunes, then wipe it and perform Recovery. I'll need to speak with my friend about how far he wishes to go. Maybe there's another carrier update in the wings. Maybe there's another iOS update too. He may choose to wait. Anyway, I have a contact in Apple who is happy for me to re-establish the conversation to see what Recovery might accomplish.
It does all seem very co-incidental however to have occurred with the new iOS. Apple don't see it as a hardware issue.
Keep your finger, toes, and eyes crossed for me. :-)
I can assure you that the Telstra 54.1.1 carrier settings update exists because that’s what my 8 Plus went to after installing iOS 16.7.14 so yeah.
It’s quite possible that not everyone will get it though. I say this because the 8 Plus was manufactured with different brand modems (Qualcomm vs Intel) so yeah.
Cellular Update Failed or Apple Pay Not Available alert. If you see either "Cellular Update Failed" or "Apple Pay requires an Update on this ...
Come on Apple fix this quickly.!
This is a user to user forum, Apple isnt here, nor is this an Apple issue. Contact your carrier for help with their service.
yes, me too. this is definitely the ios update with all the above issues purely due to update. my sim card also works well in the other phones without the update. mine is iphone X.
im just calling them now - looks like a back up and downgrade if you want the phone back for now
FYI - i just tried 000 and it actually does not work either :)
You can go to a Telstra PayPhone as calls are free.
No Calls or SMS after iOS16.7.13 earlier today
