• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechApple

Apple Apologizes, Releases Update to Fix Broken iPhones

By
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 18, 2016, 1:58 PM ET
Photograph by Getty Images

Facing a class-action lawsuit and backlash from customers, Apple has released new software to fix iPhones suffering from Error 53, as first reported by TechCrunch.

The update, iOS 9.2.1, is the same version number currently available for iPhones, only the operating system has been altered to allow restoration of a bricked device and is available through iTunes on a Mac or PC computer.

Users who aren’t experiencing the issue or update using Apple’s over-the-air service do not need to update.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

There’s one caveat, however. After restoring a repaired device, the Touch ID sensor will remain disabled until repaired by an official Apple repair technician.

Error 53 occurred after an iPhone user had his or her device repaired by an unauthorized party. If the repair included replacing or tampering with the home button—where Apple’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor is found—the user’s device would stop working. Users were unable to restore the device using iTunes on a Mac or PC, with Apple requesting users impacted by the issue to contact support or visit an Apple retail store. Ultimately, the device couldn’t be repaired and had to be replaced.

Stirring controversy around the decision to disable repaired devices is that Apple gave no prior warning before implementing the apparently new policy with the release of iOS 9 in September 2015.

For more on Error 53, watch our video.

That meant users who previously had a device repaired were able to use it—albeit with a disabled Touch ID sensor, as was how Apple handled unauthorized repairs at the time—only to discover after updating to iOS 9, the device was rendered unusable.

Last week, a Seattle-based law firm filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple due to the practice.

Apple provided Fortune with the following statement, detailing the cause and offering possible refunds to those who’ve had to replace a device:

“Some customers’ devices are showing ‘Connect to iTunes’ after attempting an iOS update or a restore from iTunes on a Mac or PC. This reports as an Error 53 in iTunes and appears when a device fails a security test. This test was designed to check whether Touch ID works properly before the device leaves the factory.

Today, Apple released a software update that allows customers who have encountered this error message to successfully restore their device using iTunes on a Mac or PC.

We apologize for any inconvenience, this was designed to be a factory test and was not intended to affect customers. Customers who paid for an out-of-warranty replacement of their device based on this issue should contact AppleCare about a reimbursement.”

For more read Apple Hit With Lawsuit Over iPhone-Breaking Error

The Apple support page specific to this issue has been updated and now walks customers through restoring a device using iTunes and troubleshooting any further issues.

Apple is currently working on a fix for another issue that recently surfaced. The bug involves setting the date on an iOS device to January 1, 1970, which also renders the device unusable. Apple has acknowledged the issue and promised to fix it in an upcoming iOS update.

About the Author
By Jason Cipriani
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
Fortune Secondary Logo
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Tech

Middle EastIran
The U.S. is sending an AI-powered anti-drone system to the Mideast as response to countering Iran’s Shahed has been ‘disappointing’
By Emma Burrows and The Associated PressMarch 7, 2026
10 hours ago
AIMilitary
Top Pentagon official recalls the ‘whoa moment’ when defense leaders realized how indispensable Anthropic is and saw the risk of losing access
By Jason MaMarch 7, 2026
11 hours ago
BankingBanks
Peter Thiel warned AI is coming for ‘math people before word people.’ Banks have already said smaller headcounts are possible
By Jason MaMarch 7, 2026
13 hours ago
AIOpenAI
OpenAI robotics leader resigns over concerns about surveillance and autonomous weapons amid Pentagon contract
By Sharon GoldmanMarch 7, 2026
14 hours ago
Middle Eastarms, weapons, and defense
The U.S. and Gulf states have made repeated requests for Ukraine’s interceptor drones, but Kyiv banned weapons exports after Russia’s invasion
By Samya Kullab, Hanna Arhirova and The Associated PressMarch 7, 2026
16 hours ago
Vinod Khosla sits in front of a microphone.
Startups & VentureFortune 500: Titans and Disruptors of Industry
Billionaire OpenAI investor Vinod Khosla predicts how awesome life could be in 2040—even if AI wipes out colleges and jobs
By Fortune EditorsMarch 7, 2026
16 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
AI
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary says if he were 25 today, he'd chase these two booming opportunities in the world of AI
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMarch 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The Treasury may need to borrow an extra $1.6 trillion to cover the hole left by tariff ruling and pay a further $400 billion in debt interest
By Eleanor PringleMarch 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Gen Z graduates who majored in ‘AI-proof’ careers like pharmacy, biology, and education are making less than $50,000 after graduation
By Emma BurleighMarch 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
Anthropic just mapped out which jobs AI could potentially replace. A 'Great Recession for white-collar workers' is absolutely possible
By Jake AngeloMarch 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
Nobel laureate Joe Stiglitz says not only can AI take your job, it’ll make the ‘tech bro’ class richer while doing so
By Catherina GioinoMarch 6, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Arts & Entertainment
Gen Z is hacking the exorbitant costs of live events by ditching Coachella and opting for something actually affordable. Meet Breakaway
By Sydney LakeMarch 7, 2026
21 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.