iPhone 18 pro max cellular issues

I activated my 18 Pro Max on 9/19 and started having the same issue as the OP on 9/22.

After multiple calls with AT&T and five different eSIM activations, the issue persisted. AT&T tech support created two separate backend tickets, but closed them the next day with this message: "AT&T Free Msg: The network ticket we filed for you is closed. Everything looks good on our end. For indoor specific issues connect to Wi-Fi."

Today, 9/25, I took the phone to the Apple Store. Staff ran an RF diagnostic test, which failed to complete. The Apple team ordered a replacement device, which should arrive for pickup in three to five days.

I began having these issues 2 days ago after having my phone since release day. I purchased my phone through Apple so after getting nowhere with AT&T, I went to the Apple store yesterday and they just gave me a new phone. Took it to an AT&T store to get it activated on my account and fingers crossed it has been fine since. Looks like exchanging the phone is the way to go.

update: I took my phone to the Apple Store and they ran some test and it failed the system network test so they replaced my phone! The issue is resolved for me on the new phone

Contact your carrier as they may have a Carrier Update for you or need to reprovision your SIM.

I talked to AT&T tonight. They said this is a known issue where the software from Apple and the software from AT&T are conflicting with each other. According to them, it has been happening since September 19th (Saturday) and they are expecting a fix within 24-48 hours. No status page. No official acknowledgement.

I have a new phone for my wife. I asked if it would be a problem for her too. They said to absolutely not switch over to the new phone. All iPhone 18's are having issues according to them.

We're on day 6 with no resolution. I was working with AT&T early this morning and, long story short, they told me to switch back to my 17 Pro Max (which I had not sent back yet) until they resolve this. They did affirm that it was an AT&T issue with being overloaded with eSIM switches. I switched back but in the process lost connection to the agent so I had to reconnect and got a different agent. Told them what had happened and that switching back was a success but then asked what to do when this all gets resolved. They suggested at that point to try switching back to the 18 to see if it would toggle a successful activation of the eSIM. We did and well, it didn't. So we went BACK to the 17 again. So, still no progress. They suggested I go into an AT&T store to get it replaced since we're still in the 14 day window for returns and make sure to activate it there and not leave the store until it is activated and working. Not sure why they suggested that if they confirmed it's an AT&T issue with being behind on eSIM transitions, but... I'm going to do that today even though my hopes aren't really that high. I'm just glad I didn't send in my 17 Pro Max yet. I love the Cosmic Orange still and am contemplating keeping it and returning the 18 Pro Max altogether. Torn!

I’m having this problem. I talked to AT&T twice yesterday. The first call, the reprovisioned my eSIM which didn’t solve the problem. The second call they repeated some of the diagnostic steps from the first call, but then the agent told me they’re aware of an AT&T (she made it clear, it wasn’t a device problem) issue and that the back office was asking for 5 to 7 days to resolve the issue.

Update to my own situation. After troubleshooting with the network and talking with apple support, I dealt with the issue a couple days. I reached out to Apple to see if this was a major issue and if it was software or hardware and the tech almost immediately said to return/exchange the phone. Not sure if that is an indicator, but sounds more like there is no pending software fix and may be a hardware issue for those encountering it. Many are out of stock, so I just returned for now. May give it another chance later if the upgrade deals are still active.

MidwestMan wrote:

I went into an AT&T store and they said there was nothing they could do and that it had nothing to do with them or AT&T or my eSIM. They said dozens of people have come in since the phones were released with the same issues as me.. Also said I’d have to wait for for Apple to release a software update and hope that solves my issues.. I guess it’s just a waiting game for that unless you have any other suggestions?

Carriers are famous for the blame game. We got the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max yesterday, and both are on AT&T and neither has any issue making or receiving calls. I would NOT wait for an update to come from Apple. This is most assuredly something AT&T needs to resolve for you. At the store level, you're not getting senior level technical support. You need to contact AT&T technical support and ask for a senior engineer.

I have been dealing with this for a week and have the 17 Pro Max with iOS 27 and dual numbers on my phone. Have done everything with AT&T to attempt resolution. Received 6 updated eSIM, reset network, refreshed cellular- all of it. Referred to apple. Went there they ran all the things, reset my phone to factory and oh guess what said there’s nothing wrong with my phone and advised me apple and att are aware and I just need to wait for an update to drop. Left with no service in SOS mode. Now. I can’t even log into most accounts via Wi-Fi because they reset my phone and I cannot receive the security codes because my phone has no service. %$&@!!!!!!!!

Try switching to LTE.

iPhone > Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data > LTE restart device.

Some users have reported switching Airport mode on for a minute or so resolved their issue.

Have you tried resetting your network settings? Fo you use a VPN?

Have the same problem since day 1. 18 Pro Max on AT&T. AT&T Support issued me a new eSIM this morning and confirmed the phone still had no data signal. It also will not receive calls or texts. After an hour of troubleshooting I downgraded back to my 17 Pro Max. They said no ETA on fix so I am probably going to return the 18 Pro Max while I’m still in the window.

Received my new phone today from Apple. So far so good. Hopefully it stays this way. It seems that getting a new phone is the only way to get around it. Good luck everyone

Before visiting the Apple Store yesterday, I ran the Mobile Resource Inspector and everything passed. When the Apple Store ran the RF diagnostic in their back room, the test could not finish. The phone needs to sit inside an isolation box to block store interference during testing. Even if the Mobile Resource Inspector shows all green checks, the device can still fail an in-store RF diagnostic.

This happened to me yesterday after having a fully functioning 18 Pro Max for a few days. Went to the store and on my way home I noticed it was in SOS mode. Tried airplane mode to fix, but it stayed. Waited an hour for it to resolve itself thinking maybe there was a at&t tower issue on my area. Finally called at&t and they walked me through everything they could do on their end. They even reissued me new eSIMs and that didn’t work. Then started a ticket and told me that someone would be in touch in 24/48 hours, but not sure how they were gonna call my phone when I’m at work because I don’t have wifi outside.

Today I drove to an actual at&t store to see what they could do, and no offense, but the people working there could’ve been flipping burgers a week ago and their sole job is to sell phones, not fix them. They too were stumped. I had to add another line and purchase a phone because I need a phone for work so waiting until who knows when for a fix was out of the question. Decided on an older 17 Pro Max for now while my 1800 brick does nothing.

after at&t I drove to an Apple Store and there they told me that there were plenty of others experiencing this issue and their first try at fixing it after running diagnostics was to reboot the phone fresh and start over. It worked for about 2 minutes letting me make calls and then BAM! Right back to SOS mode again. The guy at Apple ordered me a new phone and told me it’ll be in in about 3-5 days. No charge. This absolutely sucks. Wondering if it’s time to take my 6 lines and move to Verizon or T-Mobile.