Error 53: Message that kills your iPhone

Apple’s iOS 9 update has a little-known feature that disables iPhone 6 and 6 plus handsets that have been repaired by non-Apple technicians.

The latest software update for iPhone 6 handsets is allegedly rendering the devices useless if it detects repairs not carried out by Apple.

A support page on the Apple site that was posted on December 21 advised iPhone owners who had the problem to reach out to Apple Support to resolve it.

The other perplexing issue is that some have reported Error 53 problems without subjecting their iPhones to any kind of third-party repairs whatsoever. Each Touch ID sensor is uniquely tied to the iOS device’s motherboard for additional security.

Apple advise all customers who have fallen victim to the Error 53 message to contact the support team.

The error shows up in case of any device that has already been tampered with. “Outside of the big industrialized nations, Apple stores are few and far between, and damaged phones can only be brought back to life by small third-party repairers”, Olmos said.

Apple users you better don’t get your device repaired from a shop other than Apple Store if you want to keep using your device. When iPhone is serviced by an authorised Apple service provider or Apple retail store for changes that affect the touch ID sensor, the pairing is re-validated. Then, the user attempts to update their phone and it comes up with error 53 during the final validation checks after the update has been applied.

Apple told The Guardian that iOS shuts the phone down as part of a safety concern. The company says that can happen after “an unauthorized or faulty screen replacement”.

If a device is completely broken, Apple has long allowed people to recycle it for free – even if it’s not an Apple phone or computer. Apple has said that the users facing this issue must contact the company immediately.

So, if you’re not able to get your phone fixed by an official Apple work, tough cheese, basically. Error 53 roughly translates to “Your phone has been bricked, TTYL!”

Why such Hue and Cry over Error 53? “Apple believes that this new program will encourage new iPhone upgrades versus a standard iPhone screen fix”, according to the report.