Shareholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				$ 3,184,034
Net income				63,574
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		$ (4,005)	$ 6,613	(13,207)	$ 5,547
Compensation under stock award plans				63,087
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				(10,711)
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(337,105)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				2,257
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			1,566
Balance		2,953,510		2,953,510
Ordinary Shares
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				2,768
Net income				0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				0
Compensation under stock award plans				0
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				28
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(175)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				0
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			0
Balance		2,621		2,621
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				3,387,128
Net income				0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				0
Compensation under stock award plans				63,087
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				(10,739)
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				0
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			0
Balance		3,439,476		3,439,476
Accumulated Deficit
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				(225,881)
Net income				69,233
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				0
Compensation under stock award plans				0
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				0
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(336,930)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				0
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			(1,128)
Balance		(494,706)		(494,706)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				4,552	3,291
Net income				0
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				(13,207)	5,547
Compensation under stock award plans				0
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				0
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				0
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			0
Balance		(8,655)	$ 8,838	(8,655)	$ 8,838
Total ARRIS International plc stockholders' equity
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				3,168,567
Net income				69,233
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				(13,207)
Compensation under stock award plans				63,087
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				(10,711)
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(337,105)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				0
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			(1,128)
Balance		2,938,736		2,938,736
Non-controlling Interest
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				15,467
Net income				(5,659)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				15
Compensation under stock award plans				0
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				0
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				0
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				2,257
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			2,694
Balance		$ 14,774		$ 14,774

[1] Cumulative adjustment related to the adoption of accounting standards.