When Apple says "Update immediately," don't.

[usonian]

Last edited Sun Apr 12, 2026, 07:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Apple update looks like Czech mate for locked-out iPhone user

https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/12/ios_passcode_bug/


Connor Jones
Sun 12 Apr 2026 // 08:01 UTC

Lock-screen keyboard no longer accepts háček in student's alphanumeric passcode

A university student in the US is in data limbo after Apple removed a character from its Czech keyboard, preventing him from entering his iPhone passcode.(1)

Connor Byrne, 21, adopts the uncommon but security-minded approach to iPhone passcodes, using an alphanumeric string instead of the standard four-number passcode.

He updated his iPhone 13 from iOS 18 to iOS 26.4 on April 5, but in doing so lost the ability to enter his passcode. He has been locked out of the device ever since.

Three things:
1. Back up.
2. Back up.
3. Back up.

And 4
No good deed goes unpunished.

On edit
5. If there's an urgent security patch, apply it.
Apple recently sent out "backported" security patches for older operating systems, knowing that there are still a lot of them out there, as users resist unwanted features and bugs.
user we can do it
(1) You can choose a long alpha string instead of a short pin code to unlock your device.

[we can do it]

1. I'll keep doing security updates as soon as they are offered.

[usonian]

2. They have been "backporting" security updates to older versions.

I did that for a couple of gizmo's here.

Agree that some of the zero-days that have been showing up are frightening.

I'll edit the OP to recommend the security patches.