Users affected by the problem seem to be getting an “error 56” message instructing them to plug their iPads into iTunes to resolve the issue. At least for some users, plugging the iPad into iTunes doesn’t seem to resolve the issue.
Of course, it’s important to note that not all users are experiencing the issues, although it does seem as though the issue is pretty widespread — widespread enough to where you may want to wait before installing the update.
Apple’s support documentation says that error 56 is actually a hardware issue rather than a software issue — strange considering the fact that users are experiencing the problems after installing a software update. The documentation also recommends making sure the latest version of iTunes is installed and attempting to restore the device twice. It may also help to check if there are any issues with third-party software.
Considering the fact that multiple people are getting the error, the company will obviously need to release an updated version of the operating system with a patch that resolves the problem. The real question is how long it will take before Apple releases the update.
This isn’t the first time that Apple devices have faced errors that render the device useless. Just recently, “error 53” made headlines for bricking devices that were repaired by non-Apple technicians. The error appeared when an iPhone fails a security test, which was put in place to see whether Touch ID was working or not.
It seems as though these kinds of issues are increasingly cropping up — Apple puts new versions of iOS through hours of testing, but completely bricking devices does not bode well for the company.
