iOS 10 Over-the-Air Update Bricking Some iPhones and iPads [Update: Fixed]

The new iOS 10 update, released today, appears to be causing problems for some iPad and iPhone owners who are installing it over-the-air. On the MacRumors forums, we're seeing multiple reports from users who have attempted to install iOS 10 and have had their devices put into recovery mode, requiring a restore.

ios10
It does not seem to be limited to a single device, but most reports from iPad owners are coming from those who have the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which has had trouble with new software releases in the past. Multiple iPhone models also appear to be affected, including the iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, and iPhone SE. From MacRumors forum member bit_bucket:

What the actual heck. iPhone just bricked itself as well. That makes 2 devices screwed up by the OTA update and I have to try and restore to the older version now. I do not jailbreak and I did not preinstall the update. Just installed for the first time now. Come on apple. Appears since I hit update right after it hit the servers, I somehow got a corrupt install.

Anyone else having these issues?

Users who have their iOS 10 devices bricked by the update may need to do an iTunes restore if the update fails, which will erase all data. Some users have had their iPhones updated successfully through iTunes after the over-the-air update has failed and haven't needed to restore, but it has not been successful for other users. Here's the message users are receiving:

There is a problem with the iPhone "iPhone" that requires it to be updated or restored.

The problem may be fixed by updating your iPhone, which preserves your settings and content. However, if updating doesn't work, it may be necessary to click Restore, which erases all settings and content. If you backed up this iPhone to this computer or iCloud, you'll be prompted to restore the backup onto the iPhone.

In light of the installation issues some users are facing, those who are concerned about their devices being sent into recovery mode and bricked should hold off on downloading the iOS 10 update over the air for the time being until more information can be uncovered.

It appears iOS 10 installs through iTunes are not affected, so that remains a viable method for obtaining the iOS 10 update today. Ahead of installing iOS 10, either over the air or through iTunes, a backup should be made.

Update: Apple has given a statement on the issue that caused the iOS 10 update to fail over the air, and says it has now been fixed.

"We experienced a brief issue with the software update process, affecting a small number of users during the first hour of availability. The problem was quickly resolved and we apologize to those customers. Anyone who was affected should connect to iTunes to complete the update or contact AppleCare for help.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Early Prime Day Deals on Apple Products

Saturday July 5, 2025 7:22 am PDT by
Amazon is soon to be back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront, and there are already many deals you can get on sale ahead of the event. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a ...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...

Top Rated Comments

Böhme417 Avatar
115 months ago
If it can be restored, it's obviously not "bricked."
Score: 75 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
115 months ago
Time to sue.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Radon87000 Avatar
115 months ago
My 6s got bricked by upgrading to iOS 10 as well. Well done Apple, great job with your QA as always lately! I guess all your work on new emojis keeping you busy. Remember the times when updates worked without any issues? I almost don't.
At least it doesnt make your phone explode lol
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Denny23 Avatar
115 months ago
C ('https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-releases-ios-10-with-redesigned-lock-screen-new-messages-features-third-party-siri-and-more.1995184/threads/apple-releases-ios-10-with-redesigned-lock-screen-new-messages-features-third-party-siri-and-more.1995184/page-13#post-23415457')opied this from another user in the other thread:

NOTES
What's happening?
The OTA update version might be corrupted. The update will download completely, verify prior to install, go into the Apple update screen, then crash into the "Plug into iTunes" screen. The update bar went as far as about 75% - 80%.

Who is affected?
So far, only iPad Pros, iPhone 6S / S+ and iPhone SEs have complained of corrupt installs. All of those who have complained used OTA updates, so it may affect more.

What do I do?
1.) DO NOT USE OTA UPDATES - it's the most common culprit in the bunch. Avoid it like the plague.
2.) IF YOU ARE UPDATING, USE USB + iTUNES. Those who have been successful have used the iTunes download. Slower, but working.
3.) IF YOU ARE BRICKED - Plug into iTunes and use "Update" to clear out your problem. You don't need to do a full restore, thankfully. I've done a simple update and everything worked swimmingly.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomnavratil Avatar
115 months ago
My 6s got temporarily bricked by upgrading to iOS 10 as well. Well done Apple, great job with your QA as always lately! I guess all your work on new emojis keeping you busy. Remember the times when updates worked without any issues? I almost don't.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sza Avatar
115 months ago
You need courage to update your phone.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)