Apple releases ‘Error 53’ bug fix for iPhone, apologizes

On Thursday, Apple released an updated version of iOS 9.2.1 to restore newer iPhones that were disabled by Error 53. If users tried to replace a broken home button through a third party, the iPhone read this as a potential security threat and shut the phone down with the “error 53” message. When you see the option in iTunes to Restore or Update, click Restore.* 7.

Apple is apologizing after some iPhone and iPad owners saw their devices rendered useless, and is issuing a patch to fix the so-called “error 53“.

The company advises users to get in touch with Apple Support, in case they still encounter error 53 when trying to restore their iPhones.

Customers who believe they have paid for out-of-warranty device replacement as a result of the issue are encouraged to contact Apple Support for reimbursement advice.

Touch ID, which stores fingerprints on the secure enclave co-processor on iPhones, won’t be restored by the update as it would be a security risk, Apple said. Even if the shop used a perfectly legitimate home button from another iPhone, it wouldn’t authenticate with the device’s other components that are critical for Touch ID to function.

Unplug any iOS devices from your computer. Initially, Apple said making an iPhone inaccessible after such a fix was necessary in order to protect customer security. The update cannot be applied directly to the phone via the cloud, but iPhones updated in that way were unaffected. If you have an iPhone that was bricked by “Error 53“, plugging it into iTunes and running the latest iOS 9.2.1 update should restore the phone and get it up and running properly. However, many users questioned the company over the measure saying this should lead to the disabling of the Touch ID features and not the entire smartphone. Apple also issued a statement and apology to TechCrunch.

But now the company has said the problem was a “factory test” and an updated version of iOS will fix bricked phones.

The software update released this week was meant to undo the brick mode and return the phone back to normal operating capabilities.