Updated on September 17 at 1:26 p.m. PT: Apple has officially halted the rollout of the iPadOS 18 update due to ongoing issues affecting certain devices. The company stated, "We have temporarily paused the iPadOS 18 update for M4 iPad Pro models as we address an issue that is impacting a small number of devices."
Background Information:
Just a day post-launch, iPadOS 18 is reportedly causing significant problems for some iPad users. Numerous complaints have emerged on platforms like Reddit and the Apple Discussions forum, specifically from users who found their devices unresponsive after attempting to install the update, which became available on September 16.
The issues seem predominantly linked to the M4 iPad Pro models released this year, affecting both the 11-inch and 13-inch variants.
Visual accounts from users depict devices that became nonfunctional after the update, leaving many in distress. While it’s still unclear if the bricking problem impacts users transitioning from the beta version to the stable release, it appears that even recovery mode attempts have yielded no success.
One user expressed frustrations, stating, "Nothing works, not even recovery through my Mac. My device is completely bricked. This reflects poorly on Apple’s quality control. I’ve set up an appointment at my local Apple center and will share updates on my situation."
Many other users reported that their devices remained sufficiently charged throughout the update process, with some even being connected to a power source at the time.
Reports from Apple support suggest that some affected users have been promised replacement devices, whereas others have been informed that their iPads are beyond software recovery and await confirmation about replacements.
Previous test builds had similarly troubled owners of iPads powered by M1 and M2 chips just months prior. Digital Trends has reached out to Apple for further comments and will provide updates accordingly.
For M4 iPad Pro owners, it may be wise to postpone the update for a few days. Significant software updates can occasionally introduce unforeseen complications, and having a newly acquired device bricked is an extreme outcome.
If your iPad Pro has encountered bricking issues, it’s prudent to contact Apple Support for assistance rather than attempting DIY repairs, as this could affect warranty coverage.