Apple pushed out a wave of iOS updates this week, including iOS 26.2.1, iOS 18.7.4, and several legacy patches for older iPhones.
But now, Apple has quietly hit pause on some of those releases after reports of a serious network connectivity problem affecting users in Australia.
What’s going on?
According to a newly published support notice (via 9to5Mac) from Australian telecom provider Telstra, some older iPhone models are experiencing issues connecting to the carrier’s network after installing specific updates.
More concerning, the issue may also interfere with emergency calling.
Telstra says it is:
- Investigating an issue preventing some older Apple devices from connecting
- Working with Apple as a priority
- Advising customers to delay updating for now
And yes, this includes calls to 000, Australia’s equivalent of 911.
Devices reportedly impacted
Telstra listed the following models as potentially affected:
- iPhone 8 running iOS 16.7.13
- iPhone 8 Plus running iOS 16.7.13
- iPhone X running iOS 16.7.13
So far, the issue appears limited to older devices on legacy software branches.
Apple has paused multiple updates
In response, Apple has reportedly stopped rolling out several updates for older iPhones, including:
- iOS 18.7.4
- iOS 16.7.13
- iOS 15.8.6
- iOS 12.5.8
This is a rare but not unheard-of move. Apple occasionally pulls updates when carrier-level bugs or critical connectivity issues emerge.
Good news: iOS 26.2.1 is unaffected
If you’re on a newer iPhone, there’s no need to panic. iOS 26.2.1 remains widely available and does not appear connected to the Telstra issue.
The problem seems isolated to older hardware running legacy updates.
What should you do?
If you or someone you know is using an iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or iPhone X in Australia, it may be best to:
- Hold off on installing iOS 16.7.13 for now
- Wait for confirmation from Apple or Telstra
- Check Software Update availability, since Apple has paused the rollout
This is especially important given the potential impact on emergency calling.
