Apple pulls iPadOS 18 update after bricking M4 iPad Pro
What's the story
Apple has temporarily withdrawn its recently launched iPadOS 18 update for specific models, following reports of the software bricking M4 iPad Pro devices. The tech giant is currently developing a solution to this issue. An internal memo from Apple, obtained by MacRumors, confirms that a "small number" of users have experienced their iPads becoming unresponsive after updating to iPadOS 18.
Temporary fix
Interim solution and user experiences
In response to the iPadOS 18 bug, Apple has advised its technicians to try a force reset on affected iPads before considering device replacement. However, the company has not yet disclosed when a permanent fix will be available. Users who have not updated their M4 iPads are recommended to continue using iPadOS 17 for now.
User experiences
User reports and potential cause
Several users have reported their iPads becoming inoperative post the iPadOS 18 update. One user shared that their device switched off during the update process and has since been unresponsive. Another user stated, "I just took it to the Apple Store who confirmed it's completely bricked." Speculations on Reddit suggest this issue might be linked to those who initially downloaded an iPadOS 17 update before installing the new version.
Company statement
Apple's response and future plans
Apple has confirmed to MacRumors that it has indeed withdrawn the update "to resolve an issue that is impacting a small number of devices." The company reassures affected users that their iPads should be repaired under warranty. While Apple has not yet provided a detailed explanation for the bricking issue, it is evident that the problem is specific to M4 chip models. Other iPad models capable of running iPadOS 18 remain unaffected and continue to receive updates as usual.