iPhone users claim Apple’s latest iOS update makes devices ‘unusable’… but here’s how YOU can fix it at home
Apple’s latest iOS update makes some iPhones ‘unusable’, forcing users to seek help from professionals at the tech giant’s stores.
Many of these frustrated users have sought help on social media platforms, claiming that their apps have crashed and smartphones are freezing.
One of these unfortunate iPhone owners told DailyMail.com that her smartphone was updated on Wednesday morning, but the screen was unresponsive when she tried to unlock it with a swipe gesture.
It wasn’t until she took it to an Apple Store and had the device ‘revived’ that it started working properly again – but there is an option to fix crashed iPhones at home using a laptop.
The latest version of iOS 17.4 has made some iPhone owners’ devices ‘nearly unusable’, but there’s a workaround
“I woke up this morning to find that my phone had received an update at some point overnight,” the unfortunate iPhone told DailyMail.com.
But strangely, her phone showed the splash screen that said “hello” in different languages, like the screen when you turn on a new iPhone for the very first time.
“It said at the bottom to swipe up to continue, but the screen was completely unresponsive,” she said. “I tried restarting the phone several times but it didn’t improve.”
“The Apple Store representative said the update was probably stuck and tricked the phone into thinking it was still installing, causing it to become unresponsive,” she continued.
“There was someone else in the store across from me with the same problem,” she added. I think they did the same for him.”
Apple’s latest operating system for iPhones, called iOS 17.4.1, was released over the air (OTA) on March 21, 2024.
But to upgrade to the latest software, an iPhone must have a certain amount of battery and be on WiFi – otherwise the system will update automatically.
And it seems like those who waited to download are being hit with bugs.
“My Uber app literally won’t open, it’s stuck on the app home page” reported one iPhone owner on Reddit.
“Even after I reinstalled it, restarted my phone and did a hard reset, it still doesn’t work.”
They added that their phone is “almost unusable.”
One commenter noted that their phone’s sound stopped randomly, their AirPods wouldn’t switch between devices, and even the keyboard was buggy.
DailyMail.com has contacted Apple with questions about why users are experiencing these issues.
To fix the problem, Apple Store staff connect iPhones to a laptop and completely reinstall iOS.
This fix works even if you’ve already downloaded iOS 17.4.1, according to reports on social media from users who have done so.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates are sent by Apple and uploaded to devices over the internet. You don’t need to connect your phone to a computer
According to Reddit users, this can be done at home.
One user reported that a revised version of iOS 17.4.1 was available through iTunes, and that Apple had quietly released it.
This revised version can be downloaded by connecting the phone to a computer and downloading the iOS update from iTunes.
When OTA updates like these are sent by Apple, they are uploaded to devices over the internet and you don’t need to connect your phone to a computer.
However, an OTA update may not happen immediately for all users.
For an OTA update to take place, the device usually needs to be plugged in and connected to WiFi – not mobile data. There must also be enough free storage space
With an OTA update, even if the device is set to stay up to date automatically, it usually needs to be plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi (no mobile data) and have enough free storage space.
If any of these conditions are not met, the update will be postponed. This is why, even though iOS 17.4.1 came out more than two weeks ago, some people are only now encountering problems.
What usually happens with an OTA update is that you will receive a push notification during the day alerting you that the update will begin at night. You will then wake up the next morning with a notification that the update has taken place.
But in this case, if your iPhone behaves worse after the update, you may need to update again with the revised version of iOS 17.4.1.
According to Reddit users who tried it themselves, running the update with a computer fixed the problem.
Are you having problems with your iPhone? Share your story with us by sending an email to peter.hess@mailonline.com.