Apple's rotten update: Tech giant pulls latest iOS 17 beta after just 2 hours due to iPhone software freezing

Tech giant Apple has withdrawn its flawed new operating system update, iOS 17.3 Beta 2, after reports that the software is freezing some iPhones.

Developers testing the system reported that some of their iPhones were stuck in a series of “boot loops”: a code error that disrupts a device's attempts to boot new software, leaving the device in a purgatory of failed restart attempts.

Apple had only introduced the update on Wednesday, so it was available for less than 24 hours before the problem started causing complaints.

The unfortunate testers found that they had to roll back their smartphones to a previous version to get the device operational.

The episode is just the latest in a series in which tech experts warn consumers about the dangers of downloading “open beta” updates or an overly advanced iOS on “mission-critical” hardware they depend on for life or work.

Developers claim the update has trapped the iPhone 15 series (above) and other models in a 'boot loop' – a code error leaves the phone in the purgatory of failed restart attempts

Those with problems shared that they had the iPhone 12, 13, 14 and 15 series.

One app developer and security researcher, Guilherme Rambo, found evidence that the boot loop issue was caused by 'crashing'backboard'software that runs in the background of iOS and helps process a user's touchscreen gestures.

“Based on the crash log, this is more likely to happen to people with the 'Back Tap' feature enabled,” Rambo wrote on the social site Mastodon.

“Other accessibility subsystems appear to be affected by the same bug,” he added, “but this crash causes the boot loop.”

Although user complaints focused mainly on iPhone issues with update build 21D5036c for iOS 17.3 Beta 2, Apple only pulled that update and the beta 2 developer beta of iPadOS 17.3.

Although user complaints seem to focus mainly on iPhone issues with update build 21D5036c for iOS 17.3 Beta 2, Apple has withdrawn both this version and the beta 2 developer beta of iPadOS 17.3.

Apple had only introduced iOS 17.3 Beta 2 on Wednesday, so it was available for less than 24 hours before the issue started causing complaints. The episode is just the latest in a series where tech experts warn consumers about the dangers of downloading 'open beta' updates

Some Apple watchers, including Apple Den writer Brandon Butch, have reported that some iPhone owners have had to resort to a full 'factory reset' to get their phones working again after the Beta 2 death loop

Some Apple watchers, including Apple Den writer Brandon Butch, have reported that some iPhone owners have had to resort to a full “factory reset” to get their phones working again after getting caught up in the Beta 2 death loop.

“I've received ~10 reports of this so far,” Butch wrote on social site X, “all on an iPhone 14 or 15 series.”

“Avoid installing this update until a fix is ​​released!” the technology writer warned.

Other users have reported that restoring their iPhones to a previous version was possible if they had saved the right backups.

Falling back to an earlier iOS, such as iOS 17.3 or iOS 17.2.1, can reportedly fix the boot loop problem.

Although Apple has removed Beta 2 for the time being, iOS 17.3 Beta 1 is still available to download for anyone who wants to experiment with an open beta full of experimental new apps and features from the company.

But consumer technology experts, including the publication AppleInsider and Apple itself both strongly discourage even experienced Apple customers from downloading an open beta on any device they use as a primary phone for emergencies or on their important work devices, be it a Macbook laptop, phone or tablet.

Testers, app developers and other software industry professionals interested in playing with the company's latest beta, they advise, should only download an open beta on “secondary or non-essential hardware.”

They also advise consumers to back up their critical data early and often.

However, the iPhone's iOS 17.3 Beta 2 isn't the only new software update that has caused outrage among Apple users in recent months.

In December, iOS users began calling out the company's new AI-powered 'Journal' app, accusing it of inappropriately tampering with people's personal thoughts, emotions and experiences.

The iPhone-specific app was released in Apple's new iOS 17.2 update and prompted users to write about their lives to “reflect gratitude,” according to the Cupertino company.

However, tech experts have pointed out that the app's default settings allow your phone to be found by nearby devices, not just when you're using it.

Furthermore, the app implements machine learning on each user's device.

The Journal app uses users' photos, workout data, recent music listening history, and even location data to create so-called diary entries that are largely complete before the phone's owner even enters a single word.

These capabilities have raised privacy concerns and fears about the data that could be shared without people's knowledge.