iPhone users claim Apple's latest iOS update is making devices 'unusable'... but here is how YOU can fix it at home

Apple's lasted iOS update is making some iPhones 'unusable,' forcing users to seek help from professionals at the tech giant's stores.

Many of these frustrated users have sought help on social media platforms, claiming their apps have crashed and smartphones are freezing. 

One of these unlucky iPhones owners told DailyMail.com that her smartphone updated Wednesday morning, but the screen was unresponsive when she attempted to unlock it with a swipe.

Only once she brought it to an Apple store and had them 'revive' the device did it begin working properly - but there is away to fix crashed iPhones at home using a laptop.

'I woke up this morning and noticed that my phone had updated at some point overnight,' the unlucky iPhone told DailyMail.com.

But strangely, her phone was showing the startup screen that says 'hello' in different languages, like the display when you turn on a new iPhone for the very first time.

'It said on the bottom to swipe up to continue, but the screen was completely nonresponsive,' she said. 'I tried restarting the phone multiple times, but it did not improve.'

'The Apple store employee said that the update probably got stuck and made the phone think that it was still installing, which is why it was unresponsive,' she continued. 

'Another person was in the store across from me with the same issue,' she added. I think they did the same thing for him.' 

Apple's latest operating system for iPhones, labeled iOS 17.4.1, was released 'over the air' (OTA) starting on March 21, 2024.

But to upgrade to the last software, an iPhone must have a certain amount of battery and be on WiFi - otherwise the system will update automatically.

And it appears those who have waited to download are being hit with bugs.

'My Uber app literally doesn't open, it stays stuck on the app starting page,' reported one iPhone owner on Reddit. 

'Even after I reinstall it, restart my phone, do the hard reset thing, it still doesn't work.' 

They added that their phone is 'almost unusable.' 

One commenter noted that their phone's audio was stopping randomly, their AirPods were not switching between devices, and even the keyboard was buggy.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Apple with questions about why users are experiencing these issues.

To fix the issue, staff at the Apple Store are plugging iPhones into a laptop and fully reinstalled the iOS. 

This fix will work even if you have already downloaded iOS 17.4.1, according to reports on social media from users who have done it. 

According to Reddit users, this can be done at home.

One user reported that a revised version of iOS 17.4.1 was available through iTunes, and that Apple had quietly released it.

This revised version can be downloaded by plugging the phone into a computer and downloading the iOS update in iTunes.

When OTA updates like this one are sent out by Apple, they are uploaded to devices over the internet, and they do not require you to plug your phone into a computer. 

An OTA update may not happen immediately for all users, though. 

With an OTA update, even if your iPhone is set to automatically stay up-to-date, the device usually needs to be plugged in and connected to WiFi - not mobile data - and it needs to have enough free storage space.

If any of these conditions is not met, the update will be delayed. This is why, even though iOS 17.4.1 came out more than two weeks ago, some people are just now encountering issues. 

Usually what happens with an OTA update is you will receive a push notification during the day that warns you the update will begin at night. Then you wake up the next morning to a notification that the update has happened.

But in this case, if your iPhone is behaving worse after the update, you may need to perform the update again with the revised version of iOS 17.4.1.

According to Reddit users who tried it themselves, performing the update with a computer did clear up the problem. 

Are you having issues with your iPhone? Share your story with us by emailing peter.hess@mailonline.com.