Apple Pulls iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 Beta Updates Due to Device Brick Issues
Apple pulls iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 beta updates for older devices due to reports of rendering them inoperable.
By Blip Tech
2 min read
Affected Devices and Updates Apple has withdrawn the iOS 18.4 beta 1 (iOS/iPadOS 18.4b1) for iPhone 12 and select iPad models, as well as the watchOS 11.4 beta 1 for Apple Watch Series 6 due to reported issues rendering devices inoperable.
Beta Release and Issues
- Release Date: The first developer betas for iOS 18.4 and other OS updates were released on February 21, 2025.
- Issues Reported:
- Apple Watch Series 6: Reports indicate that the watchOS 11.4 beta 1 caused devices to become inoperable.
- iPhone 12 and iPads: The iOS 18.4 beta 1 led to boot looping issues for some users.
Affected Models
- Apple Watch Series 6: All four models (GPS 40mm, GPS 44mm, GPS + Cellular 40mm, GPS + Cellular 44mm).
- iPhone 12 and select iPad models:
- Cellular version of the eighth-generation iPad.
- Both Wi-Fi and cellular models of the fourth-gen iPad Air.
- M2-based 11-inch and 13-inch cellular versions of the sixth-generation iPad Air.
Recommendations
- Caution for Beta Testers: Beta testing should always be approached with caution, and backups should be made before installation.
- Device Age: All affected products, except the 2024 sixth-generation iPad Air models, were originally released in 2020.
Next Steps
Apple has yet to provide a timeline for fixing these issues or releasing updated beta versions. If following their usual procedures, they may re-release the corrected beta before moving forward.
