Apple has pulled the latest iOS 17.3 beta 2 update after reports that it is bricking some iPhones and putting them into endless reboot cycles. The now suspended update was seeming to cause major connectivity issues for many iPhone users worldwide.
Background
The iOS 17.3 beta updates are test versions of iOS that Apple releases to developers and public beta testers before the official public release. The updates usually contain new features, security enhancements, and bug fixes that Apple gathers feedback on.
iOS 17.2.1 was recently released to the public to address an issue with iPhone 14 models not activating or connecting to cellular networks. However, some users reported overheating and connectivity problems after installing that update as well.
Just yesterday, Apple seeded the iOS 17.3 beta 2 update to developers and public testers. The update contained improvements like enhanced support for third-party passwords in iCloud Keychain as well as crash detection optimizations.
Bricking and Connectivity Issues
Shortly after its release, reports began flooding in that the iOS 17.3 beta 2 update was bricking some iPhones and putting them into endless reboot cycles requiring a full restore. Other users faced cellular and WiFi connectivity problems after installing the update.
Several tech blogs and forums like MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and AppleInsider reported these critical issues affecting iPhone users worldwide. The problems appear to impact various iPhone models including the latest iPhone 14 lineup.
Some sample reports from affected users:
“Updated my iPhone 13 Pro to the iOS 17.3 beta 2 this morning and now it won’t boot at all. Stuck in an endless loop of the Apple logo flashing on and off screen.”
“Ever since I installed iOS 17.3 developer beta 2 on my iPhone 14 Pro Max I have had no cell service and my phone runs hot. Was working perfectly before.”
“iOS 17.3 beta 2 caused my cellular data and WiFi calling to stop functioning on my iPhone 12. Required a DFU restore to get functional again.”
In light of these serious problems, Apple made the call to pull the iOS 17.3 beta 2 update from developer centers late Wednesday and is investigating the issues causing iPhones to brick and connectivity to fail. They have yet to re-release or address the problems publicly though some workaround fixes are emerging.
| Issue | Models Impacted | Symptoms Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Bricks iPhone | Various models including iPhone 14 lineup | Phone stuck in reboot loop with Apple logo flashing |
| Cellular connectivity failure | Various models including iPhone 12/13/14 | No ability to make calls, send texts over cellular network |
| WiFi connectivity failure | Various models including iPhone 12/13/14 | Unable to connect to WiFi networks |
| Overheating | Various models including iPhone 14 lineup | Phone getting hot, battery draining quickly |
Apple’s Response
With a growing number of impacted iPhone users, Apple responded by pulling the iOS 17.3 beta 2 update from their development portal late Wednesday Pacific time. The company acknowledged they are investigating the issues causing some iPhones to get stuck in reboot loops after installing the faulty update.
Apple provided the following statement:
We are aware of an issue with the latest iOS 17.3 beta 2 causing a small number of devices to be unable to activate cellular. We have pulled back the latest beta update and will release a new version shortly that addresses this issue. Customers who encountered this issue should connect their iPhone to Mac or PC and force restart to exit recovery mode.
While Apple still aims to publicly rollout iOS 17.3 in the coming weeks, it is clear the current beta 2 has critical bugs that need to be resolved first before an updated version is pushed back out to developers and public beta testers for additional feedback.
Some iPhone users and tech blogs speculate Apple may end up fast-tracking an iOS 17.3 beta 3 or iOS 17.3.1 update to address these catastrophic connectivity and bricking problems if they are unable to be fully resolved internally in their labs.
Apple has not provided any timeline though some users found success using the prescribed forced restart to exit iPhone recovery mode as a temporary workaround while Apple prepares the next 17.3 beta release.
What’s Next?
It is clear Apple still has work to do to resolve not only the connectivity issues introduced in iOS 17.2.1 last week but also now the even more severe issues like bricking iPhones and losing all cellular and WiFi functionality introduced in the latest pulled iOS 17.3 beta 2.
While the forced restart workaround and DFU mode restores are helping some affected users get their iPhones temporarily back online, Apple engineering teams are surely all-hands-on-deck trying to determine the root cause and testing resolution.
Some speculate these recurring critical iPhone issues after recent iOS updates may delay Apple’s rollout timeline for pushing iOS 17.3 to the general public. There is precedent of Apple delaying major iOS version updates in the past when critical bugs popped up during the beta cycles.
For now affected users should avoid installing any further iOS 17.3 betas if they somehow still have access and follow Apple’s guidance to force restart the iPhone to exit recovery mode. All iPhone users anxiously await the next communication from Apple on when an updated and functioning iOS 17.3 beta will be made available or if these bugs will setback the public release.
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