14 DAY TRIAL // Law firm PCVA has started a class action lawsuit against Apple, after a number of iPhones got bricked when updating to iOS 9 because they were using unauthorized parts from third-party service centers.
Devices that got repaired in non-Apple service centers were hit with Error 53, a message that, according to the Cupertino-based firm, is displayed when the Touch ID sensor suffered unauthorized changes. It’s a feature and not a bug, Apple said, explaining that it’s the device’s security that prevents third-party service centers from making modifications to the iPhone.
But according to the law firm, this is an unfair practice, and not only is Apple forcing buyers to bring their devices in official service centers, where they’re charged more for every little thing, but it also shows absolutely no warning when updating to iOS 9 that such an issue might be experienced.
Same error since iOS 8
PCVA claims the problem was first experienced with iOS 8 but only came to light when more users got hit with the same error when moving to iOS 9.
“The security features and security measures that gave rise to the Error 53 code were included within iOS version 8.0.1 and all subsequent versions of the iOS 8 operating system, as well as the iOS 9 operating system and subsequent versions,” the company says in the official lawsuit documents.
“Despite knowing about the security features, Apple took no steps to warn consumers and owners of the Affected Models that updating software or restoring data would result in an Error 53 code that would render the phone inoperable and cause data loss. As of November 2015, it was estimated that more than 62 million units of the Affected Models were in use in the United States, meaning that Apple’s misleading and unfair practices as alleged in this Complaint have had and will continue to have a widespread impact on consumers throughout the nation.”
Apple hasn’t yet commented on this new lawsuit, and the chances are that it will never do, but it’ll to be an interesting dispute that could bring additional changes to the way iOS treats third-party repairs.
Update, February 18: Apple has released an update to fix iPhones bricked by Error 53.