Apple Pulls iOS 18.4 and watchOS 11.4 Beta Updates Due to Device Brick Issues

Affected Devices and Updates Apple has withdrawn the iOS 18.4 beta 1 (iOS/iPadOS 18.4b1) for iPhone 12 and select iPad models, as well as the watchOS 11.4 beta 1 for Apple Watch Series 6 due to reported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.