iPhone XR Users Experiencing Difficulties on UK's O2 Network

The iPhone XR is not properly functioning on the O2 network in the UK, according to the BBC. Based on multiple reports on Twitter, XR users who have O2 as a mobile provider have been experiencing multiple signal outages per day.

Customers have been unable to make and receive calls and send and receive text messages, as well as maintain a reliable LTE connection for using apps.

iphonexrcolors1
An O2 spokesperson told the BBC that it is working closely with partners to resolve "an intermittent issue affecting some of our customers using ‌iPhone‌ XR." O2 did not clarify how many customers are affected, but said that turning the ‌iPhone‌ off and on again can temporarily fix the issue.

According to one customer with an affected device, he was told by an O2 customer service representative that Apple caused the issue with a recent iOS update, though that information has not been confirmed. He was given a free month's line rental as compensation.

A MacRumors reader who is experiencing issues with the ‌iPhone‌ XR was able to receive a free upgrade to the ‌iPhone‌ 11 plus a £20 refund due to the signal issues.

Apple told him there was indeed a problem and that under consumer law in the UK, the handset had to be replaced regardless of warranty. There have been no other reports of free ‌iPhone‌ upgrades, but other ‌iPhone‌ XR owners who are experiencing issues on O2 may want to contact Apple support to see what can be done.

Popular Stories

streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
General Black Friday Deals 25 Red

Apple Black Friday Deals Available Now on AirPods, iPads, Accessories, and More

Friday November 21, 2025 8:48 am PST by
We're only a few days away from Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
General Apps Messages Redux

Singapore Orders Changes to iMessage by December

Tuesday November 25, 2025 6:39 am PST by
Singapore has ordered Apple to block or filter messages on iMessage that impersonate government agencies, requiring the company to implement new anti-spoofing protections by December as part of efforts to curb rising online scams, the Straits Times reports. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it had issued an Implementation Directive to Apple under the Online Criminal Harms...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone 18 Pro Looks Like a Huge Upgrade

Friday November 21, 2025 9:10 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through all of the new features and improvements expected to come to next year's iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos Apple's next-generation iPhones are less than ten months away and we already have a good idea about what to expect based on corroborated leaks, rumors,...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 27 Will Reportedly Have Two Key Upgrades

Sunday November 23, 2025 8:48 am PST by
iOS 27 will reportedly have two major elements: quality improvements and new AI features. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense that Apple is focused on improving "quality and underlying performance" over adding new features. Gurman said there is one exception to this rule, though, as he expects...
apple news banner

Apple News Loses CNN

Monday November 24, 2025 7:56 am PST by
American multinational news company CNN has abruptly pulled its content from Apple News, Semafor reports. CNN quietly removed its stories from Apple News over the weekend and there is no longer a feed from the network to subscribe to in the app. This effectively ends its distribution agreement with Apple while the two sides negotiate new terms. Discussions are apparently ongoing and CNN's...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Crease-Free iPhone Fold on Track for 2026 Launch as Development Advances

Monday November 24, 2025 10:25 am PST by
Apple is making progress on the development of the book-style foldable iPhone expected in 2026, according to a report from Chinese site UDN. The device has reportedly entered the engineering validation stage, and Apple is gearing up for mass production. Citing supply chain sources, UDN says that Apple has solved "the crease problem" that has plagued most foldable smartphones, and the...

Top Rated Comments

coolfactor Avatar
77 months ago

Yep, try to put a positive spin on yet another Apple screwup....
Apple screwup? So, by comparison, you never make any mistakes? You are perfect? Got it.

Apple has an immense task of supporting multiple hardware configurations across multiple generations on a multitude of networks around the world. The fact that we don't hear more reports like this just shows you how _well_ they are doing!

Most consumers today don't appreciate just how complex and advanced their little devices are.


Why is this issue specific to O2? A particular band being used more than others which is junk with the Intel radio or something?
There are standards, but each player in the industry may not be following them exactly. Each provider tries to add their own value, which only makes the job of remaining perfectly compatible harder for handset makers. It's a complex maze to navigate, and my hats off to Apple for doing as well as they have.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robjulo Avatar
77 months ago
I'm sure you are an expert in European consumer law, just as you are with every other facet of Apple products, ie marketing, engineering, HR, IP law, design, consumer sales and app design among others.


A temporary software glitch is not grounds for a hardware replacement under consumer law. It's just Apple going above and beyond to make their loyal customers happy.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
David1964 Avatar
77 months ago
Nice to see a story on here from the UK ?? for once.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
77 months ago
A temporary software glitch is not grounds for a hardware replacement under consumer law. It's just Apple going above and beyond to make their loyal customers happy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macgician Avatar
77 months ago
All 2018 release iPhones must be replaced due to antenna gate.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Expos of 1969 Avatar
77 months ago

A temporary software glitch is not grounds for a hardware replacement under consumer law. It's just Apple going above and beyond to make their loyal customers happy.
Yep, try to put a positive spin on yet another Apple screwup....
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)