Apple has acknowledged a connectivity issue with iPhone XR units connected to O2, the second-largest carrier in the United Kingdom.
Many users have been unable to make or receive calls or text messages. They have also been stuck without a reliable data connection, which renders most apps unusable without Wi-Fi.
iPhone XR quickly became Apple’s best-selling smartphone following its introduction in 2018. It has since been succeeded by iPhone 11, but Apple and its partners continue to offer the device at a more affordable price tag.
Demand for iPhone XR remains high today, and millions of people around the world are using one. For those on O2, however, the experience has become soured by intermittent connectivity issues.
iPhone XR plagued by issues on O2
Many iPhone XR report they are losing signal several times a day, making their handsets near-redundant without a Wi-Fi connection.
“We’re working closely with our partners to resolve an intermittent issue affecting some of our customers using iPhone XR,” O2 told the BBC. “We thank any customers affected for their patience.”
Apple has also acknowledged the problem and promised it will issue a fix.
“We are aware of an issue causing intermittent network connectivity effecting some O2 customers, and we will have a fix in an upcoming software release,” reads a company statement.
There’s currently no word on when that software update might be available. It’s unclear if the fix will be baked into the iOS 13.3.1 release that Apple started beta testing back in December.
No real workaround
O2 says that turning your iPhone XR off and then back on again may provide a temporary fix. You’re likely to find it won’t last long, however, and there’s nothing more you can do yourself to restore connectivity.
