Apple Halts iPadOS 18 Update for M4 iPad Pro Amid Reports of Bricked Devices

Apple has temporarily halted the rollout of the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models following multiple reports of devices becoming non-functional, a situation commonly referred to as "bricking."

Issues with iPadOS 18 Installation

The problems began shortly after the iPadOS 18 update was released, with several M4 iPad Pro users reporting that their devices were rendered unusable after attempting to install the new software. According to reports on Reddit, interruptions during the update process resulted in iPads that refused to power on, leaving affected users with no choice but to seek device replacements.

The bricking issue appears to be linked to the installation sequence of iPadOS 17.7 before upgrading to iPadOS 18. While this has not been confirmed, it's a potential factor in the installation problems. Apple has acknowledged the situation, stating, "We have temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models as we work to resolve an issue that is impacting a small number of devices."

Apple's Update Rollout Strategy

Apple's approach to software updates generally involves rolling them out to all compatible devices simultaneously, a strategy that is less staged compared to practices by other companies. Although Apple typically avoids widespread issues with its updates, when problems do arise, they can be significant, as evidenced by this incident.

The company is working to identify the root cause of the problem and will make the update available again once the issue has been resolved.

Next Steps for Affected Users

For those who have encountered problems with their M4 iPad Pro devices, Apple is currently not providing repair services for bricked units. Affected users are being advised to seek device replacements through Apple's support channels.

Via