Apple pulls latest watchOS and iOS beta builds following reports of bootloop and other crippling issues

Apple has hit the pause button on its latest beta software updates amid reports of severe issues that have left some devices caught in an endless restart loop — or worse, completely bricked. The tech giant swiftly unsigned watchOS 11.4 beta 1 for the Apple Watch Series 6 and retracted iOS 18.4 beta 1 from select iPhone and iPad models after beta testers reported serious malfunctions.

Beta testers discovered that installing the new watchOS 11.4 beta on Apple Watch Series 6 models (both the 40mm and 44mm variants, including GPS and Cellular versions) led to the devices becoming inoperable. Users took to Reddit and X, sharing tales of their watches refusing to boot up, instead cycling endlessly between a black screen and the Apple logo. It turns out the Series 6 — the oldest model eligible for this update since its September 2020 debut — was particularly susceptible to these glitches.

The troubles didn’t stop at the wrist. Apple’s iOS 18.4 beta 1, freshly released on February 21, has been reported to cause boot loops on certain iPhone 12 models, rendering them useless as they repeatedly restart without ever reaching the home screen. In addition, some iPad models — including the cellular version of the eighth-generation iPad and both Wi-Fi and cellular variants of the fourth-gen iPad Air, as well as the M2-based 11‑inch and 13‑inch cellular versions of the sixth-generation iPad Air — have also been affected.

Within days of the beta launch, and after a flurry of complaints across online forums and social media channels, Apple pulled the problematic updates. The company has not yet confirmed when a fixed version of these betas will be available, but past experiences suggest that a corrected build is likely to be reissued before moving on to further versions.

While beta programs offer a sneak peek at upcoming features, they come with inherent risks. Experienced testers might relish the chance to explore new functionalities, but for the average user, installing beta software on primary devices can be a gamble. Before joining beta programs, always back up your device and, if possible, test the software on a secondary device to avoid potentially crippling issues.

This incident is not isolated; Apple previously pulled iOS 17.3 beta 2 due to similar boot loop issues on iPhone 12 through 15 models, indicating a recurring challenge in beta testing.