Apple’s iOS 9 firmware update may bring with it a lot of new features, but it also has the ability to render your iPhone useless if it has ever been fixed by a third party repair provider. Users have been receiving an “Error 53” where the iPhone is disabled without any prior warning or notification and there is no way of bringing it back to life.
The issue appears to affect iPhones that have had its Touch ID-enabled home button repaired by a “non-Apple” personnel. Some customers have mentioned that “Error 53” is also susceptible to those who have damaged their iPhone but are able to continue using it without a repair.
More importantly, the problem only arises when the individual upgrades their iPhone’s firmware to iOS9. Once installed, the user’s iPhone will detect that a non-standard component has been installed in the device. It will proceed to shut down and the iPhone will then be useless. From then on, there is no way to retrieve whatever data is kept in the device, making it a bricked device.
Apple is aware of the issue and the company has since rebutted that “Error 53” is a security measure to protect the customer. That being said, Apple should have warned or notified its customers that the installation of iOS9 could potentially brick their devices. It’s one thing to safeguard the customer’s identity, it’s another to kill their device and the only solution being to buy a new iPhone.
“Error 53” is a serious issue that is killing off a lot of iPhones. You should be fine if you’re using an iPhone 5 and older. But if you’re using an iPhone that has Touch ID and a repair history which isn’t done officially by Apple, you might want to stay away from the iOS9 update.
(Source: The Guardian)
