If you’re an iPad user, you may have been eagerly waiting to enjoy the latest features of the iOS 18 software update.
But now Apple customers have been warned not to install the latest update as the software has been found to completely brick some devices.
iPad users have reported that new iPad Pros with Apple’s M4 chip have shut down and failed to restart after beginning to install iPadOS 18.
Unfortunately for those who have been affected by the issue, there is no other option but to hand in the affected device at the Apple Store and request a replacement.
Apple has now confirmed that the update has been pulled for M4 iPad Pro models as it struggles to fix the unexpected bug.
An urgent warning has been issued to iPad users not to download the iPadOS 18 software update after it was revealed to “brick” devices.
On Tuesday, a Reddit user posted that they had experienced an unexplained issue after updating their 13-inch iPad Pro.
When upgrading from iOS 17 to iOS 18, they found that their iPad had shut down and could not be restarted.
The user wrote: ‘I just took it to the Apple Store and they confirmed it’s completely unusable but told me they had to send it back to their engineers before they could give me a replacement even though I have Apple Care.’
This does not appear to be an isolated incident, as several users were quick to respond with their own experiences of the catastrophic software failure.
iPads can usually be reset by putting them into recovery mode, even if there has been a serious software error.
iPad Pros equipped with the new M4 chip have been permanently bricked after downloading the latest iOS update
On X, formerly Twitter, an iPad user reported that he had to wait hours at the Apple Store after an iOS update bricked his iPad Pro.
Affected users also noted that it was not possible to get their devices working again with any of the normal reset options or putting them into recovery mode.
One user wrote on Reddit: “I was told by the Apple store that I had ruined the motherboard. It’s an untested upgrade.”
Elsewhere on the internet, users flocked to social media to share their frustrations over the disastrous update.
On X, formerly Twitter, one commenter wrote: “Well, iOS 18 bricked my iPad immediately. It’s in a locked state.”
“My iPad Pro (M4) crashed during iOS 18 update… it’s been 4 hours now and my iPad is stuck on black screen,” one commenter added.
iPad users reported that their iPads shut down or froze immediately after downloading the update.
The fatal error occurs sometime during the update process rather than after the installation has completed.
Meanwhile, another replied: “I had the same problem. Now my iPad is completely dead. Please tell me how to fix it.”
Unfortunately, if your device has been affected by the issue, Apple currently appears to be unable to fix it.
On X, one iPad user wrote: ‘Warning: If you have an M4 iPad, do not update to Apple iOS18. It’s bricking M4 iPads. I’ve been sitting here for an hour while the geniuses decide what to do.’
Another frustrated commenter wrote: ‘Just a warning – please do not update your iPad to iPad OS 18 as it bricked mine and it won’t turn back on no matter what.
‘I had to go to the Apple store and they had to replace it.’
The problem appears to be widespread, with dozens of customers reporting that their iPads were “completely dead.”
There are indications that the bug may be particularly severe, as affected customers are reporting that iPads cannot be restarted or put into recovery mode, which is often possible even in the case of a failed software update.
Several iPad users are reporting that there is currently no way to repair their damaged iPads and that Apple has resorted to replacing affected models.
Affected customers report that Apple is offering replacements for iPads damaged by the issue, but it’s unclear whether you’ll need Apple Care to receive one.
In response, Apple has now confirmed that it will temporarily recall iPad Pros updated to iOS 18 with the M4 chip.
In a statement provided to MacRumors, Apple says, “We have temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models while we work to resolve an issue affecting a small number of devices.”
Apple has also stopped signing the update for these models, meaning it won’t be offered to users when they check for new software, and Apple’s servers won’t trigger the update if it’s installed through other means.
The iOS 18 update was supposed to give the iPad the same Home screen customization options (left) now available on the iPhone, as well as introduce new Smart Script handwriting tools to Notes (right), among other features.
That means iPad users will have to wait a little longer to enjoy any of the latest iOS features, such as the improved Messages and Calculator apps.
The company has yet to confirm exactly what is causing this serious issue or why only some iPad Pros are affected.
Several affected iPad users reported installing the iPadOS 17.7 security update first, rather than upgrading directly from iPadOS 17.6 to 18.0.
It’s possible that Apple expected most customers to install the update in one go, so it didn’t test this installation route as thoroughly.
This isn’t the only problem facing Apple’s latest batch of operating software updates.
iPhone users have reported that iOS 18 has been draining their battery much faster than usual.
The latest iOS update has been criticised by Apple fans as “one of the worst designs Apple has ever released” – in particular the “clumsy and awkward” update to the Photos app, which is also available on the iPad.
However, since it can take hours or days for an update to install, it is expected that background processes will consume some battery power.
A bigger problem is that some customers have called the latest update “one of the worst designs Apple has ever released.”
Users have expressed frustration with the new Photos app, which is “clunky and weird,” as well as the lack of widely-hyped Apple Intelligence features.
Apple has now confirmed that the first Apple Intelligence features won’t be arriving in the US until November, while those in the UK will have to wait until December.
Apple has been contacted for comment.