Apple is "aware of" an issue preventing the GarageBand app from opening on iOS 11 for some users, and "investigating solutions," according to a new support document published on its website on Thursday.

garageband app
If the GarageBand app won't open after updating your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iOS 11, Apple says to turn off iCloud for GarageBand on the device in Settings > Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store > iCloud.

After toggling off the feature, you won't be able to access any GarageBand songs stored in iCloud Drive until this issue is fixed, but they won't be removed from iCloud. New songs will be saved to your device locally.

Several users have reported the app crashing upon being opened on Twitter and the MacRumors discussion forums, but it doesn't affect everyone. MacRumors hasn't been able to reproduce the problem on multiple devices.


GarageBand is free on the App Store [Direct Link] for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Top Rated Comments

Scottsoapbox Avatar
99 months ago
There times I wonder if Apple software engineers actually use Apple products.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gatearray Avatar
99 months ago
If only Apple made the hardware, operating system, and software itself then things like this wouldn't happen! X-)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
99 months ago
This annual IOS upgrade cycle clearly isn't feasible. No matter how many bugs the next OS is riddled with, it's going to ship and be force downloaded to millions of iDevices every October... cockroaches & all. I wish they would stop kidding themselves and just release a new iOS when it's ready.

If that doesn't fit in with their frenetic upgrade cycle, just freaking let us TURN OFF THE DAMN NAG SCREENS TO UPDATE. (pretty please... with a cherry on top)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zedsdead Avatar
99 months ago
What about music memos. Once you record a track and try to save it it freezes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scottsoapbox Avatar
99 months ago
It’s kind of hard for developers to simulate all possible real life scenarios/conditions in advance when it comes to eliminating bugs.
How about the Music app that is incapable of keeping the currently in use playlist on the screen?

The Settings toggles lists that work fine if you have 20 apps but are laughable at 500 apps?

Basic functionality still missing from iCloud Calendar?

Or iTunes? Seriously. Does anyone at Apple ever use iTunes? It is a hot mess.


... and "all possible real scenarios/conditions". :rolleyes:
You mean opening Apple's own software on the handful of devices that can actually run iOS 11? This isn't a crash that only happens on iPhone 3GS running outdated third party software under some rarely used menu. This is opening Apple's own apps on current devices running the current iOS. Is Apple's Quality Assurance some dude that only works for 2 hours every 3rd Tuesday? It's embarrassing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
99 months ago
Pathetic. Tim needs to see what is going on with his company. Stop taking excuses.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
iPhone 12 Made in India

Trump Tells Tim Cook to Stop Building iPhones in India

Thursday May 15, 2025 2:21 am PDT by
President Donald Trump has asked Apple CEO Tim Cook to halt the company's manufacturing expansion in India, in a potential disruption of Apple's plan to shift iPhone production away from China. "I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday," Trump said during his state visit to Qatar, according to Bloomberg. "He is building all over India." "They [India] have offered us a deal where...
apple music

Apple Music Gets New Transfer Tool to Make Switching From Spotify Easier

Wednesday May 14, 2025 5:17 pm PDT by
Apple this week introduced a new feature designed to allow prospective Apple Music users to import their saved music and playlists from third-party music services to Apple Music. The feature is either in an expanded testing phase or it has started rolling out, and it is available in Australia and New Zealand according to an Apple Support document. Signs of the transfer option first surfaced...
maxresdefault

Here's the First Real-World Look at Apple's CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:52 am PDT by
The first videos of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience are now available, providing a never-before-seen look at the long-anticipated iPhone-linked infotainment software. British automaker Aston Martin today shared the first video of Apple's CarPlay Ultra experience in-action, followed by a detailed walk-through of the CarPlay Ultra system on Top Gear's YouTube channel, which provides the...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
fortnite apple logo 2

Epic Resubmits Fortnite to U.S. App Store After Not Hearing From Apple for 120+ Hours

Wednesday May 14, 2025 1:01 pm PDT by
On Friday, Epic Games submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store, and since then, we've been waiting to see if Apple would approve the game and allow it back on the iPhone and the iPad. There's been no word from Apple so far, but Epic Games opted to pull its first App Store review request, and has now resubmitted Fortnite. Fortnite leaker Shiina shared the news, with the information reposted by...