Error 53: The iPhone 6 Anti-Hack That Bricks Your Phone

Improvements to security in the iOS 9 update means that repaired phones display the “Error 53” message – even if they have been working for weeks or months after the fix. The error message bricks the unofficially repaired devices, because of which users permanently lose all their saved data – including messages, photos, and videos.

The issue appears to be limited to Apple’s most recent major software update, iOS 9. The issue, it said, is connected to the home button on the phone which “contains a Touch ID thumbprint reader that can be used to unlock the device rather than inputting a four-digit security code”.

“We take customer security very seriously and Error 53 is the result of security checks created to protect our customers”, the company said. When iOS detects that the pairing fails, touch ID, including Apple Pay, is disabled so the device remains secure. This way, they will be able to protect the iPhone and prevent the user from using a fake Touch ID sensor.

The company also advised that if a customer sees error 53, they should contact Apple Support at the earliest. It is, apparently, people who have gone out and gotten their devices repaired by non-certified Apple technicians or have DIY’ed their device repairs at home. This seems to harsh, since Apple calls victims of error 53 to its service center, and even gives them the option of purchasing a brand new device.

iPhones getting bricked are reported specifically when repairs are done to the home button, which has the touch ID fingerprint scanner integrated. Once a phone is met with the error, there is nothing to do but send it back to the Apple headquarters.

A support page on the Apple site that was posted on December 21 advised iPhone owners who had the problem to reach out to Apple Support to resolve it.

If a device is completely non-functional or has no value, you can recycle your iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, PC or smartphone through Apple for free. “But, if the sensor can’t be trusted, clearly the whole phone should not be bricked – it should simply disable Touch ID and Apple Pay”. With subsequent restores and updates, additional security checks usually result in error 53’s being displayed on the screen.