Older iPhones Hit by Post-Update Network & Emergency Call Issues
Cupertino, CA – Recent iOS software updates have led to significant network connectivity and emergency call problems for certain older Apple iPhone models. Devices including the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, specifically those updated to iOS 16.7.13, experienced difficulties connecting to mobile networks and making critical emergency calls.
Telecommunications provider Telstra launched an immediate investigation into these reports, working in collaboration with Apple. In response, Apple temporarily paused several software updates for its older models and subsequently issued a fix for the reported issues.
"Some affected devices experienced delays, ranging from 30 seconds to one minute, when attempting to connect to the 000 emergency service."
Connectivity Problems Emerge Post-Update
Apple had rolled out various iOS updates with the aim of ensuring continued access to essential services like FaceTime and Messages. However, following these updates, users of specific older models began to report widespread connectivity problems.
Owners of the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, especially those running iOS 16.7.13, documented struggles with connecting to mobile networks, including the Telstra network, and significant issues making calls to emergency services (000).
Reports indicated that some affected devices encountered delays, ranging from 30 seconds to one minute, when attempting to connect to the 000 emergency service. In certain instances, successful connection to emergency services reportedly required the device to connect to a competitor's mobile network to complete the call.
Company Responses and Resolution Efforts
Telstra publicly acknowledged the issue, confirming an investigation into the problem preventing some older Apple devices from connecting to its network. The company also confirmed ongoing collaboration with Apple to find a swift resolution.
Updates Paused by AppleOn January 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM AEDT, Apple took the step of pausing software updates for certain older iPhone models pending a full investigation. The updates that were temporarily halted included:
- iOS 18.7.4
- iOS 16.7.13
- iOS 15.8.6
- iOS 12.5.8
During this period, customers using the impacted devices were advised to delay updating their device software until Apple confirmed the issue was resolved.
Software Fix ReleasedApple subsequently prepared and released a software fix designed to address the reported connectivity issues. Telstra confirmed the release of this critical fix on January 29 at 3:30 PM.
Affected Devices and Software Versions
The primary devices specifically identified as experiencing issues were:
- iPhone 8 updated to iOS 16.7.13
- iPhone 8 Plus updated to iOS 16.7.13
- iPhone X updated to iOS 16.7.13
The software updates that were temporarily paused by Apple included:
- iOS 18.7.4
- iOS 16.7.13
- iOS 15.8.6
- iOS 12.5.8