Urgent warning to Apple users as iOS 18 update is found to BRICK popular devices – here’s what to do if you’re affected
If you’re an iPad user, you’ve probably been eagerly awaiting the latest features in the iOS 18 software update.
However, Apple customers have now been warned not to install the latest update, as the software appears to be rendering some devices completely unusable.
iPad users have reported that new iPad Pros with Apple’s M4 chip have shut down and failed to restart after beginning the installation of iPadOS 18.
Unfortunately, for those who have experienced this issue, there is no other option than to take the device to the Apple Store, where it can be replaced.
Apple has now confirmed that the update has been pulled for the M4 iPad Pro models as the company struggles to fix the unexpected bug.
iPad users have been issued an urgent warning not to download the iPadOS 18 software update as it will ‘brick’ the devices
On Tuesday, a Reddit user reported experiencing an inexplicable issue after updating his 13-inch iPad Pro.
While updating from iOS 17 to iOS 18, they found that their iPad had turned off and would not restart.
The user wrote: ‘I just took it to the Apple Store and they confirmed it was completely broken. However, they said they had to send it to their technicians first before they could send me a replacement, even though I have Apple Care.’
This does not appear to be an isolated incident, as several users quickly responded with their own experiences of the catastrophic software failure.
iPads can usually be restarted by putting them into recovery mode, even if they have encountered a serious software error.
iPad Pros equipped with the new M4 chip have crashed irreparably after downloading the latest iOS update
On X, formerly Twitter, an iPad user reported having to wait hours at the Apple Store after the iOS update crashed his iPad Pro
The affected users also noticed that their devices could no longer be woken up using the normal restart options, nor could they be put into recovery mode.
One user wrote on Reddit: ‘They told me at the Apple Store that the motherboard was broken. It’s a poorly tested update.’
Elsewhere online, users took to social media en masse to express their frustrations over the disastrous update.
On X, formerly Twitter, one commenter wrote: ‘Well iOS 18 immediately bricked my iPad. It’s stuck.’
“My iPad Pro (M4) crashed during iOS 18 update… it’s been 4 hours since I saw a black screen on my iPad,” one commenter added.
iPad users reported that their iPads immediately shut down or crashed after downloading the update
The fatal error occurs at some point during the update process rather than after the installation is complete
Meanwhile, another person replied: ‘I had the same problem. Now my iPad is completely dead. Please let me know how I can get it fixed.’
If this issue also occurs on your device, unfortunately Apple cannot fix the problem.
On X, an iPad user wrote: ‘PSA: If you have an M4 iPad, do not update to Apple iOS18. It bricks M4 iPads. I’ve been sitting here for an hour while the geniuses figure out what to do.’
Another frustrated commenter wrote: ‘Just a warning: do not update your iPad to iPad OS 18, mine is frozen by it and I can’t turn it on no matter what.
‘Had to go to the Apple Store and they had to replace it.’
The problem appears to be widespread, with dozens of customers reporting their iPads were “completely dead”
There are indications that the bug could be particularly serious, as affected customers are reporting that their iPads cannot be hard reset or put into recovery mode, which is usually possible even in the event of a failed software update.
A number of iPad users are reporting that there is currently no way to repair their damaged iPads and that Apple has moved to replace affected models
Affected customers report that Apple is offering replacement iPads disabled by the issue, but it’s not clear whether you’ll need Apple Care to receive one.
In response, Apple has now confirmed that it is temporarily withdrawing iPad Pros with the M4 chip and the iOS 18 update.
In a statement to MacRumors, Apple said: “We have temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models while we work to resolve an issue impacting a small number of devices.”
Apple has also stopped signing the update for these models. This means that users will not be offered the update when they check for new software. Furthermore, Apple’s servers will not activate the update if it is installed in any other way.
The iOS 18 update should bring the same Home screen customization options (left) to the iPad that are now available on the iPhone, as well as introduce new Smart Script handwriting tools in Notes (right), among other features.
This means iPad users will have to wait a little longer before they can take advantage of the latest iOS features, such as the improved Messages and Calculator apps.
The company has yet to confirm the exact cause of this serious issue or why only certain iPad Pros are affected.
Several affected iPad users reported installing the iPadOS 17.7 security update first, instead of moving directly from iPadOS 17.6 to 18.0.
It is possible that Apple expected most customers to install the update in one go and therefore did not test this installation method as thoroughly.
This isn’t the only problem with Apple’s latest operating system software updates.
iPhone users are reporting that iOS 18 is draining their battery much faster than normal.
The latest iOS update has been slammed by Apple fans as ‘one of the worst designs Apple has ever released’, particularly the ‘clunky and strange’ update to the Photos app which is also available on the iPad
However, since installing an update can take hours or days, it is expected that background processes will consume additional battery power.
A bigger problem is that some customers are labeling the latest update as “one of the worst designs Apple has ever released.”
Users have expressed frustration with the “clunky and weird” new Photos app and the lack of widely advertised Apple Intelligence features.
Apple has now confirmed that the first Apple Intelligence features won’t be available until November in the US, while in the UK they’ll have to wait until December.
Apple has been contacted for comment.