Customers annoyed after iPhone software update bricks some phones

APPLE has been flooded with complaints after a software update rendered users’ phones useless. Here’s how to avoid it.

Apple customers are angry over ‘bricked’ phones after a software update: Picture: Josh Edelson

APPLE customers are furious after the latest update to the operating software rendered their phones temporarily useless.

The company has been flooded with complaints when their phones were “bricked” after trying to install iOS 10.

The term “bricked” is used when phones cease to function and become as useful as a brick. While the problem is far from permanent, it has nevertheless annoyed customers who are reliant on their phones.

“We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability,” Apple said in a statement.

“The problem was quickly resolved and we apologise to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.”

Despite the seemingly easy fix, many of those affected took to social media to register their discontent and warn others of the issue.

iOS 10 update temporarily bricked my iPhone 6s Plus ... so yeah, I'd hold off on that. pic.twitter.com/qPFU1bpqZs

— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) September 13, 2016

Backup your devices before you update to #iOS10, or better yet use iTunes. This update bricked my iPhone. Grrr 😠@AppleSupport

— Sid Sheth (@rippersid) September 14, 2016

Super day spent watching my bricked iPhone fail to update, restore or return to use in any way. Except as a box to swear at and punch #iOS10

— Jason Isaacs (@jasonsfolly) September 13, 2016

Great! Bricked my iPhone after updating #IOS10 need to plug into iTunes to restore but I'm at work

— Peter Lim (@ThePeterLim) September 13, 2016

So, iOS 10 bricked my iPhone 6s Plus, restoring it now. Avoid upgrading for now.

— Sergey Galyonkin (@galyonkin) September 13, 2016

Do not install iOS 10. It's also bricked my iPad Pro. iPhone 6S Plus will require PSU wipe. No access to calls, email, or calendar today.

— Brianna Wu (@Spacekatgal) September 13, 2016

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PHONE IS BRICKED

If you experienced the bricking problem, or perhaps encounter a similar issue in the future, here’s what you should do:

1. Plug you iPhone into your laptop or desktop and open iTunes

2. Hold down the sleep and home buttons on your iPhone to reboot the handset. This is known as recovery mode

3. You should then see a prompt in iTunes that asks if you want to update or restore your device. Select update to continue the iOS 10 installation.

These three steps should allow you to set up your iPhone. If the update takes longer than 15 minutes, unplug it and start again.

Originally published as Customers annoyed after iPhone software update bricks some phones