Tech giant Apple has pulled its flawed new operating system update, iOS 17.3 Beta 2, following reports that the software is freezing some iPhones.
Developers testing the system reported some of their iPhones were trapped in a series of ‘boot loops’ — a code flaw that interferes with a device’s attempts to boot up new software, leaving it in a purgatory of failed reboot attempts.
Apple had only introduced the update on Wednesday, making it available for less than 24 hours before the issue started drawing complaints.
The unlucky testers found they had to revert their smartphones to an earlier version to get the device operational.
The episode is just the latest in a series with tech experts warning 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.
Tech giant Apple has taken down its flawed new operating system update, iOS 17.3 Beta 2, following reports that the software freezes some iPhones
Developers claimed the update trapped the iPhone 15 series (above) and other models in a ‘boot loop’ — a code flaw leaves the phone in the purgatory of failed reboot attempts
Those with issues shared 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 the crashing of ‘backboardd,’ software that runs in the background of iOS and helps it handle a user’s touchscreen movements.
‘Based on the crash log, it’s more likely to happen for those with the ‘Back Tap’ feature enabled,’ Rambo posted to the social site Mastodon.
‘Other accessibility subsystems seem to be affected by the same bug,’ he added, ‘but this crash is the one that causes the boot loop.’
Although user complaints have primarily focused on iPhone issues with update build 21D5036c for iOS 17.3 Beta 2, Apple has pulled only that update and the iPadOS 17.3’s Beta 2 developer beta.
Although user complaints appear to have mostly focused on iPhone issues with update build 21D5036c for iOS 17.3 Beta 2, Apple pulled both only it and iPadOS 17.3’s Beta 2 developer beta
Apple had only introduced iOS 17.3 Beta 2 on Wednesday, making it available for less than 24 hours before the issue started drawing complaints. The episode is just the latest in a series that has tech experts warning 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 back up and running 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 back up and running after getting caught in the Beta 2 death loop.
‘I’ve received ~10 reports of this so far,’ Butch posted to social site X, ‘all were on an iPhone 14 or 15 series.’
‘Avoid installing this update until a fix is issued!’ the tech writer warned.
Other users have reported that restoring their iPhones to a previous version has been possible if they have the appropriate backups saved.
Reversions to a prior iOS, like iOS 17.3 or iOS 17.2.1, can reportedly fix the ‘boot loop’ problem.
Although Apple has taken down Beta 2 for now, iOS 17.3 Beta 1 is still available for download for anyone interested in experimenting with an open beta full of the company’s experimental new apps and features.
But consumer tech experts, including the publication AppleInsider and Apple itself, both strongly advise against even expert Apple customers downloading an open beta on any device they use as their primary phone for emergencies or their important work devices, be it a Macbook laptop, phone or tablet.
Testers, app developers and other software industry pros 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 frequently.
However, the iPhone’s iOS 17.3 Beta 2 is not the only new software update to have raised an outcry from Apple users in recent months.
In December, iOS users started calling out the company’s new AI-powered ‘Journal’ app, accusing the app of inappropriately messing with people’s private 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 and practice gratitude,’ according to the Cupertino company.
However, tech experts have pointed out that the app’s default settings make your phone discoverable by nearby devices, not just when you use it.
On top of that, the app deploys machine learning on each user’s device.
The Journal app exploits users’ photos, workout data, recent music listening history, and even location data to craft so-called journal entries that are mostly complete before the phone’s owner even enters a single word.
These capabilities have sparked privacy concerns and fears over the data that may be shared without people’s knowledge.
