In a surprising turn of events, Apple has temporarily suspended the rollout of iPadOS 18 for M4 iPad Pro models. This decision comes after reports of devices becoming unresponsive or "bricked" following the update installation.
The tech giant has stopped signing the 18.0 update for M4 iPad Pros, effectively preventing users from downloading and installing it. Apple confirmed that this measure was taken to address an issue affecting a small number of devices.
Users on various online forums, including Reddit and MacRumors, have shared mixed experiences with the update. While some successfully installed iPadOS 18 without problems, others reported their devices becoming completely unresponsive post-update.
The severity of the issue is underscored by Apple's reported offer of hardware replacements for affected users. This suggests that the problem may be more complex than a typical software glitch, as such issues can often be resolved through recovery or DFU mode.
Some users encountering problems noted that they had first installed the iPadOS 17.7 update before attempting to upgrade to 18.0. This particular upgrade path may not have undergone as rigorous testing as the direct 17.6 to 18.0 route.
For M4 iPad Pro owners who have not yet upgraded, the advice is clear: wait. Apple is expected to either release a revised version of iPadOS 18 or determine if the issue stems from a hardware problem.
In the meantime, M4 iPad Pro users are encouraged to install the iPadOS 17.7 update, which remains available and provides the latest security patches. It's worth noting that the iPadOS 18.0 update continues to be available for other iPad models, including the M2 iPad Air.
As Apple works to resolve this unexpected hurdle, the tech community eagerly awaits further updates on the situation and a resolution for affected users.