iPhone owners warned of bug that leaves customers unable to make calls – how to avoid and fix the issue

TECH experts are warning iPhone users that a bug may leave them unable to make phone calls or access the internet.

Many iPhone customers have been experiencing issues with their devices since Apple recently released its iOS 17.2.1 update.

iPhone users took to an Apple Community Forum to report that after installing iOS 17.2.1 on their iPhone, a bug prevented them from connecting to their network provider.

This meant many people couldn’t make calls or access the internet via mobile data, with the majority of complaints coming from iPhone 15 series users.

Thankfully some standard troubleshooting techniques can fix the issue. Simply turning your phone off and on again could help, so experts at gHacks suggest beginning with that.

You should then delete all VPN profiles on your iPhone. This can be done by going into your settings, then general, followed by VPN & device management, then the vpn section.

Click on the “i” button and then select Delete VPN.

If you still can’t access your mobile network and you don’t have a VPN profiles on your iPhone, you can reset the network settings by going to settings, general, transfer or reset iPhone, reset, reset network settings.

A slightly riskier solution is to update your iPhone to iOS 17.3 beta. Because beta versions of the operating system could have other bugs, you could potentially be bringing even more issues onto your phone.

To do this, go to settings, general, software, then beta updates. Simply follow the same steps to switch back to the stable channel when the next update is available.

If none of these procedures work, then backing up your data and undergoing a factory reset could be a last resort.

To do this, go to settings, general, transfer or reset iPhone, erase all content and settings.

Reports of a bug come amid Apple’s current trial of the iOS 17.3 update in beta, which some users are trying out right now.

The update is expected to land in January – or possibly February – and will introduce several handy changes.

One of the big improvements is something called Stolen Device Protection. It’s aimed to limit the damage from “shoulder-surfing” thefts.

That’s when someone spies on you entering your passcode, and then steals your iPhone – giving them access to almost every corner of the handset and your digital life.

If you turn Stolen Device Protection, it will make changes to the security settings on your iPhone.

Apple’s explanation in the beta software explains: “This new feature adds an additional layer of security in the unlikely case that someone has stolen your phone and also obtained your passcode.”

For instance, you’ll need to use Face ID to access your saved passwords.

And the same will be true for turning off the Lost Mode, erasing your device, and applying for a new Apple Card.

The thief won’t be able to simply type in your passcode.

Apple will also add a “security delay” to changing some settings like your Apple ID password as part of the feature.

But this won’t be the case if you’re in a familiar location like your home or workplace.

That’s not the only upgrade coming in iOS 17.3. Apple is also adding a new Collaborative Playlist feature to Apple Music.

This means multiple people can add songs to a shared playlist.

They’ll also be able to remove songs and change the order of the playlist.

And members of the playlist will be able to add emoji reactions to additions in the playlist.

The original playlist owner will be able to kick out members at any time.