Bricked!

Did Apple just brick your shiny new M4 iPad Pro? If you were one of the unlucky ones who updated to iPadOS 18, you might be in for a not-so-fun surprise.

Apple has hit the brakes on the iPadOS 18 update for its M4 iPad Pro models after multiple users reported that the software update bricked their devices. Yes, you read that right—bricked! As in, your iPad is now about as useful as a very expensive paperweight.

According to reports, users took to Reddit to share their horror stories. One user, tcorey23, described how their iPad turned off during the update and refused to turn back on. Even a visit to the Apple Store couldn’t save the day, as the device was confirmed to be completely bricked. Another user, Lisegot, had to wait several days for a replacement iPad because the store didn’t have any in stock. Talk about a tech nightmare!

Apple has since acknowledged the issue, stating that they’ve temporarily removed the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models while they work on a fix. But, as of now, there’s no clear timeline for when the update will be re-released. If you own one of these iPads, you’re out of luck for the time being.

What Exactly Went Wrong?

So, what’s the deal with iPadOS 18? While Apple hasn’t provided a detailed explanation, it’s clear that something went seriously wrong during the update process. Typically, if a software update goes bad, you can put your iPad into recovery mode and restore it. But in this case, it seems that even that failsafe isn’t working for some users.

It’s rare for a software update to cause such catastrophic issues, especially on a device as premium as the M4 iPad Pro. These are some of the most expensive tablets Apple sells, so you can imagine the frustration of users who shelled out big bucks only to have their devices rendered useless by a simple update.

What Should You Do?

If you haven’t updated your M4 iPad Pro to iPadOS 18 yet, consider yourself lucky. Apple has stopped signing the update, so you won’t be able to download it even if you wanted to. For those who have already bricked their devices, your best bet is to head to an Apple Store or contact Apple Support. Just be prepared for a potential wait if they need to replace your iPad.

And if you’re one of the unfortunate souls who already updated and now has a bricked iPad, hang tight. Apple is working on a fix, but there’s no word yet on when it will be available. In the meantime, you might want to brush up on your patience skills.

When Will Apple Fix This?

As of now, Apple hasn’t provided a specific timeline for when the iPadOS 18 update will be re-released for M4 iPad Pro models. The company is likely working hard behind the scenes to resolve the issue, but until then, it’s a waiting game.

In the meantime, if you’re an M4 iPad Pro owner, it’s probably best to avoid any software updates until Apple gives the all-clear. After all, no one wants to deal with a bricked device, especially one that costs as much as a small car (okay, maybe not that much, but you get the point).

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see how Apple handles this mess. Hopefully, they’ll have a fix soon, and M4 iPad Pro users can go back to enjoying their devices without fear of turning them into expensive paperweights.

For more details, you can check the original report on Engadget.