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Scott Younker
26 September 2025
Yet another iPhone 17 issue is plaguing Apple’s latest smartphones
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Now that the iPhone 17 series is in people’s hands issues are popping up, including a new one that appears to prevent users from accessing Apple Intelligence features. Fortunately there are ways around it, and allegedly Apple is aware and working on a fix.
Several users reported the bug on the official Apple Intelligence community forum (spotted by MacRumors). It appears the glitch prevents Apple Intelligence from fully downloading or unlocking once downloaded.
This causes AI tools like Writing Tools or Genmoji to be unaccessible. Some users are saying that Apple’s technical support teams are aware and working on a fix. Though it’s not clear if Apple can fix it via an iOS update or server adjustment.
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One person claimed that it appeared to be due to carrier restrictions. They said joining a faster Wi-Fi network and refreshing some settings got Apple Intelligence to actually download and work.
From what we’ve read, it’s a mixed bag. Some users have been able to solve the problem while others claim the suggested troubleshooting steps aren’t working.
We’ve reached out to Apple about this issue to see if the company is aware and has any fixes. We’ll update when Apple responds.
Here are some that we found in various posts that worked for some people.
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Change your iPhone’s default language and then change it back
Change the region and reset network settings
Reset all the settings
Turn off cellular and join a fast Wi-Fi network
Turn airplane mode on and off again
Wipe the phone and reinstall from iCloud
Other iPhone 17 problems
(Image credit: Majin Bu)
It’s not been a smooth launch for the iPhone 17 family. The biggest problem has been “scratchgate” where certain darker variants of the new iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone Air are picking up scuffs quite easily.
Apple is blaming worn-out MagSafe risers transferring material to the phones and claims its easily removed with a cleaning. However, our own John Velasco reports that he’s already seen several marks on his Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro in just over a week of ownership. That said, he puts his phone in a bag with other devices rubbing against it, while others might keep their device by itself in a pocket.
Still it would be wise to invest in one of the best iPhone 17 Pro cases, iPhone 17 Pro Max cases or iPhone Air casesif you’re seriously concerned about scratches.
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A perhaps more annoying problem is the potential for dropped calls. Some users have reported that cellular connectivity is switching randomly or causing calls to stop.
It’s possible that this could be solved by a firmware update, as some people claimed that the issue was resolved when they added the current iOS 26 developer beta.
Lastly, the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro may have a “rare” camera glitch that inserts random black boxes and white squiggles into photos. This is being blamed on an LED light display shining directly on the camera.
Apple has said that it’s identified a fix and will provide it in a forthcoming software update. It’s unclear when that update will release, so avoid laser shows until this is resolved.
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West Coast Reporter
Scott Younker is the West Coast Reporter at Tom’s Guide. He covers all the lastest tech news. He’s been involved in tech since 2011 at various outlets and is on an ongoing hunt to build the easiest to use home media system. When not writing about the latest devices, you are more than welcome to discuss board games or disc golf with him. He also handles all the Connections coverage on Tom’s Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game since it released.
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