Latest Essential Phone software update can render some SIM cards inactive
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 10:12AM 
Essential Phones are famous for being one of the first devices to offer the latest Android updates and features. This has made it possible for Essential customers to get the Android Pie update just as quickly as Google's own Pixel devices.
It seems that the latest Android update to Android Pie with the September security patch is rolling out to most Essential Phone users. Many users who have installed the update have encountered a serious bug that renders their SIM cards inactive. This effectively makes their Essential Phones unable to make calls or access cellular data, thus rendering them inoperable.
Just updated my essential phone and now its saying my sim card is invalid? pic.twitter.com/bRABpHYLzm
Some users on Twitter speculate the update corrupts the devices baseband, which is a huge issue most users will be unable to solve on their own. This means it is a good idea to hold off on this update until Essential and carrier partners have tested it.
The update hasn't shown up on our Essential Phone running on TELUS in Canada, even if it did. We'd likely not download and install it until we get an official word from Essential and TELUS that the update is safe. Stay tuned for developments. Have you encountered a Software Update issue with your Essential Phone?
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