Australians are being strongly advised to update their iPhone software immediately, as a critical issue could leave them unable to contact emergency services during natural disasters. Apple has released new guidance following incidents where some older mobile phones failed to connect to Triple-0 in weather emergencies.
Technical Failure Impacts Emergency Calls
In December, a technical failure affected iPhone 12 users, preventing them from reaching the emergency service provider. Apple explained on its support page that Australian mobile network operators are working to enhance support for emergency calling on their networks. This action comes after prior incidents, including the failure that blocked some older phones from making emergency calls.
The issue particularly impacted Australians in regional areas who tried to make an emergency call when their primary mobile network was unavailable, even though an alternate network should have connected the call. Mobile operators are implementing measures to reduce future problems, but Apple cautions that in rare cases, some phones might still face the same issue when trying to reach Triple-0 through an available alternate network.
Affected Devices Requiring Updates
Apple has identified a range of iPhones that need urgent software updates to address this vulnerability. The list includes:
- iPhone SE first and second 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, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max
Additionally, Apple Watch users are also urged to update their devices, as these can make calls. Affected models include SE 2, Series 6, Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, Ultra, and Ultra 2. The iOS 26.2.1 update is specifically designed to resolve this technical issue.
Severe Weather Emergency in Victoria
This warning comes at a critical time, as Victoria is grappling with a severe weather emergency. An out-of-control bushfire in the Otways region of southwest Victoria has forced residents to evacuate their homes, exacerbated by record-breaking heatwave temperatures.
At least three homes have been destroyed in the raging fire, though it remains unclear whether these were primary residences or holiday homes. The extreme conditions have also disrupted power supplies, with more than 50,000 homes left without electricity on Tuesday night due to heatwave impacts on the network.
The combination of bushfires and heatwaves underscores the importance of reliable emergency communication. Australians are encouraged to ensure their devices are updated to maintain access to Triple-0 during such crises.
