iOS 26.2.1 Addresses Emergency Call Problems on Older iPhones in Australia

[MacRumors]

The iOS 26.2.1 update that Apple released today further addresses an issue preventing some older mobile phones from being able to make emergency calls.

In an updated support document, Apple says that iPhone users with an iPhone 12 or earlier should install the latest software updates to ensure that their mobile devices are able to make emergency 000 calls. Apple released iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, and iOS 12.5.8 for older iPhones today.

Back in December, there was a technical failure in Australia that prevented the iPhone 12 models from being able to make emergency calls, which Apple addressed with the iOS 26.2 update. The additional software updates released today should help prevent further issues on other older devices in the future, as well as cellular Apple Watch models. watchOS 26.2.1, also available today, addresses any potential issues with the Apple Watch Series 6 and later.

Apple says that Australian mobile network operators are continuing to improve support for emergency calling on their networks, which led to the iPhone 12 technical failure. While carriers are working to mitigate further issues, there is a possibility that some older mobile phones might still run into problems.

In the rare event that these exceptional circumstances affecting mobile operators' networks were to happen again, some older mobile phones might still encounter the same issue reaching emergency services through an alternate available network.

Software updates are available for the following iPhone and Apple Watch models that might be impacted by this network issue. You are encouraged to update your devices to the latest software version.

Apple says that the following iPhones and Apple Watch models should be updated to the latest software version to prevent issues:

• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• Apple Watch SE 2
• Apple Watch Series 6
• Apple Watch Series 7
• Apple Watch Series 8
• Apple Watch Series 9
• Apple Watch Series 10
• Apple Watch Ultra
• Apple Watch Ultra 2

More information is available in Apple's support document covering emergency calls in Australia.

Article Link: iOS 26.2.1 Addresses Emergency Call Problems on Older iPhones in Australia

 

[froot1988]

Wait there was a bug for emergency calls? Lmao

 

[gigapocket1]

If I had an iPhone 6… I’m not sure I would trust any update, to even something this crucial lol. Probably a brick waiting to happen

 

[dyou]

Anyone know how to install iOS 18.7.4 on an SE2?
The only option so far is ios26 and i dont see a way to request the beta options as the workaround to get v18 updates

 

[Zenman12]

“Emergency”
DID YOU THROW THE PRAWNS ON THE BARBIE?!?!?!

Sure Australia. We know what you’re up to with your so-called “emergencies.” Go ride some dingoes or kangaroos 🦘

 

[klm9210]

“Emergency”
DID YOU THROW THE PRAWNS ON THE BARBIE?!?!?!

Sure Australia. We know what you’re up to with your so-called “emergencies.” Go ride some dingoes or kangaroos 🦘

Considering it’s currently summer down there and temperatures in the Outback are in the triple digits… it makes sense

 

[Nermal]

Considering it’s currently summer down there and temperatures in the Outback are in the triple digits… it makes sense

Temperatures are not in the "triple digits". The highest recorded temperature of all time in Australia is 51 degrees, and that was in 1960 (although it reached that point again in 2022).

 

[AppleTO]

Anyone know how to install iOS 18.7.4 on an SE2?
The only option so far is ios26 and i dont see a way to request the beta options as the workaround to get v18 updates

You can’t. It’s only supported on devices that don’t support iOS 26.

 

[Zenman12]

Temperatures are not in the "triple digits". The highest recorded temperature of all time in Australia is 51 degrees, and that was in 1960 (although it reached that point again in 2022).

He’s using Fahrenheit, not Celcius.
51 is pretty cold in F. It’s baking hot in C.

 

[klm9210]

Temperatures are not in the "triple digits". The highest recorded temperature of all time in Australia is 51 degrees, and that was in 1960 (although it reached that point again in 2022).

Fahrenheit, dear. I’m an American

 

[wikiverse]

Wait there was a bug for emergency calls? Lmao

It's because Australia turned off 2G and 3G networks and now only has 4G and 5G networks.

It has caused a lot of problems and a lot of people have died as a result - particularly because of problems with the Optus network.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Let's go !!!! Big fixes on old devices... You will never see this on android !

 

[svish]

Good to hear a fix for this. Not surprised to see Apple releasing fix for devices running older version of iOS.

 

[shapesinaframe]

I’m assuming to get this on an ios26 capable device you have to upgrade from 18?

 

[Volk.JP]

It’s a shame that even with such a serious problem, Apple hasn’t stopped pushing it’s Liquid Glass, leaving iOS 18 users without the update.

 

[Hedkandi]

Temperatures are not in the "triple digits". The highest recorded temperature of all time in Australia is 51 degrees, and that was in 1960 (although it reached that point again in 2022).

Um it was 45°C (113°F) forecast today in Melbourne, and we have bushfires destroying property.

 

[Zenman12]

Um it was 45°C (113°F) forecast today in Melbourne, and we have bushfires destroying property.View attachment 2599417

Nothing beats some “end of the world due to climate change” coverage.

 

[Hedkandi]

Nothing beats some “end of the world due to climate change” coverage.

I’d prefer a comet ☄️ to be honest.

 

[tywebb13]

In australia it caused more problems than it fixed, particularly for telstra.

it rendered some iphones unable to make any calls

apple has pulled the update for some iphones till they fix it

i bet if they go to apple store they will say buy new iphone

so they put out botched update making your iphone useless, then you have to buy new iphone?

class-action lawsuit coming?

telstra put this article: https://www.telstra.com.au/exchange/iphone-calling-issue--what-you-need-to-know

 

[Diopter]

Here's a news article about it:

Telstra warns older iPhones may be unable to connect to Triple Zero

Customers are advised to delay software updates on affected devices and find alternative ways to communicate if needed.

www.abc.net.au

The paused updates include iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6 and iOS 12.5.8, which apply to a range of older iPhone models.

A federal government spokesperson said the issue was being treated as urgent.

"This is an important issue for affected customers — Telstra and Apple advise they are working to fix this urgently," the spokesperson said.

 

[tywebb13]

iOS 18.7.4, iOS 16.7.13, iOS 15.8.6, iOS 12.5.8

and also iPadOS 18.7.4, iPadOS 16.7.13, iPadOS 15.8.6

are no longer signed

that’s worldwide, not just australia

so 1 telco in 1 country shuts down the updates for the whole world

australian government say problem is urgent

maybe new updates will come soon fixing it, but that will be the whole world having to update again, just because of 1 telco in 1 country.

that seems rather bizarre

 

[Shirasaki]

Um it was 45°C (113°F) forecast today in Melbourne, and we have bushfires destroying property.View attachment 2599417

Man when I thought 40C in Sydney was quite painful. Melbourne hits 50!?!?!