iPad Pro M4: Serious problems with iPadOS 18

Users trying to install iPadOS 18, released on Monday, on their iPad Pro M4 may face serious problems: users report that their devices simply won’t start after the update. This results in the “bricking” of the tablet. It’s currently unclear how often this happens – but the incidents are so widespread that Apple has decided to no longer sell iPadOS 18 for these models. The firmware’s IPSW file, which can be used to restore iPadOS 18, is no longer signed by Apple for security reasons.

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Apple confirms the problems

A brief statement from the company to the US media confirmed the problem, but described it as insignificant. “We have temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models as we work to resolve an issue affecting a small number of devices.” Apple said. Apple did not provide any information about what affected people can do – apparently someone has to restore But this is not possible at the moment due to the update being rolled back.

It can be assumed that there will be a collision between iPadOS 17.7 and iPadOS 18, which were released at the same time on Monday. Some affected users installed this update before iPadOS 18. At the moment you can only go to Apple with your bricked iPad and hope that the service there can help – for example through low-level measures. It is not clear whether this will lead to data loss.

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What users experienced

“I updated my iPad Pro M4 to iOS 18. It is not working properly, the iPad won’t turn on, a hard reset won’t work, and it won’t show up on my Mac anymore. I’ve sent it in for repair,” writes an affected user In Apple’s official support forum. Another reported that nothing had happened after 20 minutes. “(The iPad) doesn’t even make any noise when it’s charging anymore.”

Also said that it feels like the battery is completely drained. Buttons and access via USB-C no longer work. Other users report from the Apple Store that they initially had to wait for a replacement device.

(B.Sc.)