Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
iPhone Users Report Unexpected App Installations Following iOS 18.4 Update
Apple’s latest software update, iOS 18.4, intended to bring new emoji and other highly anticipated features to millions of iPhones, is reportedly causing confusion among users due to an unexpected bug. Released on Monday, the update is allegedly triggering the unsolicited installation of various gaming applications on devices, prompting concern and frustration within the Apple community. This issue arises despite the update’s intended enhancements, leaving some users questioning the stability of the new iOS release.
Bizarre Bug: Random Apps Appearing After Update
Following the installation of iOS 18.4, numerous iPhone owners have reported the unapproved appearance of seemingly random gaming apps. These include titles such as Dropbox, GarageBand, Cooking Mama, Squid Game: Unleashed, and Last War: Survival. The perplexing nature of this issue is compounded by the fact that some users claim to have never previously downloaded these applications on their iPhones.
User Reports on Social Media
Affected users have taken to online platforms like Reddit to express their bewilderment and share their experiences. One Reddit user described the situation as making them feel like they are ‘using some cheap Chinese mobile’, highlighting the unexpected and unwelcome nature of the app installations. Another user questioned Apple’s practices, drawing comparisons to other manufacturers and inquiring about the possibility of carrier-led installations.
Battery Drain Issues Surface Alongside App Glitch
Compounding the frustration, some users have also reported experiencing rapid battery drain after updating to iOS 18.4. One user characterized the battery performance as ‘utterly horrendous’, adding to concerns about the update’s overall stability and impact on device performance. These reports suggest a range of issues stemming from the latest iOS release.
Affected Apps and User Experiences
Reports on Apple’s Community support pages echo the concerns raised on social media. One user detailed how the strategic zombie survival game, Last War: Survival, appeared on their iPhone. This was particularly strange as the user noted, ‘This app was previously installed on my iPhone a few months ago but uninstalled after a few hours. Now it appeared back on my Home Screen.’ Further accounts from Reddit users confirm similar experiences, with apps reappearing or installing without user consent following the iOS 18.4 update.
App Store Discrepancy
Adding another layer of confusion, users have noted that the App Store does not reflect these unsolicited installations. For example, one user pointed out that for the app Cooking Mama, the App Store displayed a “Get” option instead of a “redownload” button. This suggests that according to the App Store records, the user has never owned the application, despite it now appearing on their device. This discrepancy further emphasizes the unusual nature of the bug.
Seeking a Solution to the Unwanted Apps
For users experiencing this issue, a temporary workaround may be to simply uninstall the unwanted applications from their iPhones. This can be done while awaiting official guidance and a permanent solution from Apple. To check for unexpected apps, users can navigate to the App Library by swiping left past their home screens and browsing the alphabetical list of applications.
Expert Commentary and Uncertainty
Tech website ZDNet has commented on the issue, stating that the cause remains unclear. However, they suggest it is ‘clearly some sort of mistake on Apple’s end’. ZDNet’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes highlighted the irony, noting, ‘It is clearly rather embarrassing for a company that makes so much noise about security to start installing random apps onto people’s iPhones.’ The tech community awaits an official explanation and fix from Apple.
Update Availability and New Features
Despite the reported issues, iOS 18.4 is still being offered as an update to iPhone users. Those who have not yet updated will likely receive a notification prompting them to do so. Users can manually initiate the update process by going to the Settings app, then selecting ‘General’, followed by ‘Software Update’, and then following the on-screen prompts.
iOS 18.4 Feature Highlights
Beyond the bug, iOS 18.4 does introduce several new functionalities:
- Eight New Emoji: Expanding the range of expressive icons available to users.
- Sketch Style in Image Playground: A new creative option for image editing and manipulation.
- Recipes in Apple News+: Integration of culinary content for Apple News+ subscribers.
- AI-Powered Priority Notifications: Designed to highlight urgent notifications using Apple Intelligence.
- Expanded Apple Intelligence Language Support: Apple’s AI features are now available in more languages including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified), as well as localized English for Singapore and India.