WARNING: This text message will CRASH and reboot YOUR iPhone
HUNDREDS of people are using the glitch to annoy their friends – while Apple desperately works on a permanent fix.
The glitch can CRASH messages and cause iPhones to reboot – with one simple text message
A software bug has been discovered in Apple's mobile operating system which can crash and reboot any iPhone.
The glitch, which reportedly also works on iPad, Apple Watch and Mac computers, can prevent people from launching their Messages app.
The text message can play havoc with an iPhone
The havoc is triggered by a simple text message.
When the specific string of characters are received in the Messages app – the Apple device will crash.
The glitch-triggering code, which was discovered earlier this week, also contains the words "Power" and "Effective".
The very specific string of characters that can cause the iPhone to crash and reboot
If the text is received while an iPhone screen is locked, it will cause the smartphone to reboot without warning.
Since the string of characters is so specific – and contains Arabic, Chinese and Marathi – most users are unlikely to stumble across the bug.
However, plenty of iPhone owners have been taking advantage of the glitch to frustrate and play havoc with fellow iOS users.
Apple is believed to be working on a permanent fix for the problem but in the meantime the Cupertino firm has released a workaround for the problem.
Whoever found out that stupid code that makes someone's iPhone turn off when you send it to them is EVIL
— Courtney King (@courtneyannexox) May 27, 2015
i did the turn off iphone txt trick to my mom... now shes screaming at me
— caylub suh (@calebsuh_) May 27, 2015
Apparently there's a bug with RTL text handling on iPhone that'll crash them with this. effective. Power?????????????????? ? ?h ? ??
— David T.H. Loring (@atonal440) May 27, 2015
In a new post on its Support Pages website, it confirmed: "Apple is aware of an iMessage issue caused by a specific series of unicode characters and we will make a fix available in a software update.
"Until the update is available, you can use these steps to re-open the Messages app."
- Ask Siri to "read unread messages."
- Use Siri to reply to the malicious message. After you reply, you'll be able to open Messages again.
- In Messages, swipe left to delete the entire thread. Or tap and hold the malicious message, tap More, and delete the message from the thread.
If the official workaround does not work, there are a few other methods being recommended online –
If Messages app was open to the conversation with the person who sent the glitch-loaded text message, it is possible to relaunch the app.
Simply replying in the same conversation string should stop the bug crashing the system.
However, if the Messages app was opened to the list view – it will crash every time you try and reload it.
Pulling down the Notifications shade after you have received the problematic text can also cause it to reboot.
Luckily, this can be fixed by asking someone to send you another text or iMessage.
You can also send yourself a message to fix the bug using voice-assistant Siri and asking to "send a message to myself".