Apple Pulls iOS 17.3 Beta 2 Due to Boot Loop Issue

Three hours after releasing the second betas of iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, Apple has pulled the updates from the Developer Center and over the air, meaning they are no longer available to download and install.

iOS 17
Apple has removed the iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 betas after a number of people reported that the software is bricking devices. According to reports on the MacRumors forums, Twitter, and Mastodon, some iPhone owners who updated found their devices stuck in a boot loop.

The only fix to the issue appears to be restoring a stuck device, which is why Apple has pulled the update. Once the bug is addressed, Apple will re-release the beta.

There are reports that suggest the iOS 17.3 boot loop bug could be related to the Back Tap setting. A log shared by developer Guilherme Rambo indicates that a Back Tap setting caused his device to crash, and there have been several other affected users who have Back Tap enabled in some capacity.

Some others who had Back Tap enabled were able to install the update, and others who did not have the feature on had the booting issue, so it is not entirely clear how Back Tap is involved.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

CarAnalogy Avatar
22 months ago

New Apple Boot Loops® Cereal...
Would someone very talented design the box?
No but ChatGPT can



Attachment Image
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikejd1 Avatar
22 months ago

This company is a shell of its former self. Nothing but garbage coming out of them the past couple years.
It’s a beta lolz
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
22 months ago

Actually, it's more like an alpha. Beta releases should already be tested well enough that they don't brick significant numbers of devices. Unless you are 2024 Apple and growing sloppier.
It's a developer beta, not even a public beta (which also is a risk to run anyway). It is not intended for production devices for a reason. Just because some members of the public don't understand what a beta is, doesn't mean Apple is labeling it wrong.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abatabia Avatar
22 months ago
So glad I follow Macrumors. Caught the update before it could install and cancelled it. Thank you for reporting this!!
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
22 months ago

This company is a shell of its former self. Nothing but garbage coming out of them the past couple years.
You mean a shell of the company who released Mac OS X snow leopard with a bug that would erase an entire user’s home folder without warning?
Or how about a shell of the company that pulled a golden master of iOS 4.2 for totally disabling the Wi-Fi capabilities of the iPhone 4?
Or how about a shell of the company that released a version of iOS 8 that disabled cellular data and Touch ID?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
slb Avatar
22 months ago

Actually, it's more like an alpha. Beta releases should already be tested well enough that they don't brick significant numbers of devices. Unless you are 2024 Apple and growing sloppier.
This isn't a public beta. It's meant for developers running test devices, not the public.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)