Reconciliation of Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				$ 3,184,034
Net income				17,766
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		$ (17,140)	$ (8,417)	(9,174)	$ (1,080)
Compensation under stock award plans				42,759
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				(4,961)
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(124,943)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				2,257
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			1,566
Balance		3,109,304		3,109,304
Ordinary Shares
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				2,768
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				21
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(67)
Balance		2,722		2,722
Capital in Excess of Par Value
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				3,387,128
Compensation under stock award plans				42,759
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				(4,982)
Balance		3,424,905		3,424,905
Accumulated Deficit
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				(225,881)
Net income				22,154
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(124,876)
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			(1,128)
Balance		(329,731)		(329,731)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				4,552	3,291
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				(9,200)	(1,080)
Balance		(4,648)	$ 2,211	(4,648)	$ 2,211
Total ARRIS International plc stockholders' equity
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				3,168,567
Net income				22,154
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				(9,200)
Compensation under stock award plans				42,759
Issuance of ordinary shares and other				(4,961)
Repurchase of ordinary shares, net				(124,943)
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			(1,128)
Balance		3,093,248		3,093,248
Non-controlling Interest
Shareholders Equity [Line Items]
Balance				15,467
Net income				(4,388)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax				26
Contribution from noncontrolling interest				2,257
Cumulative effect adjustment to opening balance	[1]			2,694
Balance		$ 16,056		$ 16,056

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