Apple yanks iOS 8 update

Update: Apple has released the following statement on the issue:

“We have a workaround for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users who lost cellular service and Touch ID functionality today after updating to iOS 8.0.1. Affected users can reinstall iOS 8 through iTunes, for more information visit http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6487.

“We apologise for the great inconvenience experienced by users, and are working around the clock to prepare iOS 8.0.2 with a fix for the issue, and will release it as soon as it is ready in the next few days.”

Within hours of releasing an iOS 8 update to address assorted bugs in the new iPhone and iPad operating system Apple has been forced to pull the patch, which itself was causing iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users grief.

Reports filled Apple support forums that the iOS 8 update was cutting off users' cell service and making Touch ID inoperable.

Apple is said to be working on a fix for the fix, which had been expected. In the meantime, those who downloaded 8.0.1 are manually reinstalling the earlier iOS 8. Apple-specific blogs have been dishing out advice as well to help those whose devices are now on the fritz.

The 8.0.1 update was designed to address a handful of issues, including accidental deselecting of third-party keyboards, problems with accessing photos from some apps and ringtones getting lost in the cloud. As we reported yesterday, early iOS 8 adopters were also experiencing high crash rates.