WASHINGTON – Many iPhone and iPad users who upgraded their operating systems to iOS 7 are reporting a pesky bug that’s making it difficult to use iMessage and accomplish others tasks.
Apple is aware of the problem, and is promising an update.
“So far the bug only shows itself on built-in apps in iOS 7.0, iOS 7.0.1 and iOS 7.0.2,” says Jeff Lauterette of MidAtlantic Consulting, a Virginia-based computer consulting company that works often with Apple products.
In a statement, Apple says, “We are aware of an issue that affects a fraction of a percent of our iMessage users, and we will have a fix available in an upcoming software update.”
“According to Apple the bug only exists in a small percentage of iOS users, but we have seen it on iPhones on just about every person we know,” says Lauterette.
Users report not being able to send messages through the iMessage platform, and are having to resort to sending traditional SMS texts.
Lauterette says users being unable to tweet photos from their Camera Roll is likely related to the bug.
Siri, Apple’s voice-activated “personal assistant” function, also is balking with iOS 7.
“Siri may say, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do what you’re asking,'” says Lauterette.
The bug may also affect the way other programs operate.
“I have seen Facebook and Twitter connection issues,” says Lauterette.
“Apple promises the fix will be out soon. We expect it to come out as early as (this) week,” says Lauterette.
The quick fix, now
If rebooting the device, or logging out and back in doesn’t work to fix the problem, Lauterette offers a simple work-around:
To reset the Network Settings, go to Settings→General→Reset→Reset Network Settings.
“This will wipe all saved WiFi passwords but everything else will remain intact,” says Lauterette.
“Basically what is happening is the phone grabs onto a false network node for a lot of built-in services. Sometimes turning off and on the service fixes it. But ‘Reset Network Settings’ does, at least for a while,” says Lauterette.
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