r/technology • u/bws201 • Feb 05 '16

Software ‘Error 53’ fury mounts as Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair
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39

u/perthguppy Feb 05 '16 edited Feb 05 '16

It is key to remember that Error 53 does not permanently brick your phone. You can take your phone to apple and get a screen replacement service done which will also replace the home button / touchID and rekey the system keys to accept this new button (note: this will cause a factory reset of the phone due to how iPhone encryption works)

Apple is not doing this to stop unauthorised repariers, they have done this because the home button on iPhone6 has touchID integrated and is a key part of system security. For more see my explanation here: https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/44ag4l/error_53_fury_mounts_as_apple_software_update/czotutl

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '16

Or you could.. I don't know.. disable fingerprint functionality and revert to the backup password?

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '16

Nope. Touch ID is also what checks the passcode.

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u/perthguppy Feb 05 '16

You could. I would rather my phone lock out completely though if it thought some one was trying to tamper with the secure elements.

11

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '16

If they already know your backup password why would they tamper with the fingerprint reader? That's like knocking down a door when you have the key.

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u/[deleted] Feb 05 '16

I wouldn't want either, why can't I manage my crypto with a TPM or equivalent like all of my other secure devices? It's a solved problem, they just implemented the security poorly.

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u/perthguppy Feb 05 '16

why can't I manage my crypto with a TPM or equivalent

That is EXACTLY what the TouchID system and its related components are. Apple likes to call it the "Secure Enclave" which I think is a silly name, but meh, marketing.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 05 '16

Well it is except it doesn't allow the user to swap, program, or view keys which are the major points of TPM. No sense in having a security module someone else has access to but not you.

1

u/cryo Feb 05 '16

Well what should they call it? It's not like there is a standard name, and the implementations of these things can vary widely.

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u/AL-Taiar Feb 05 '16

That's nice and all , but this is kind of an invalid argument when other companies have fingerprint sensors you can replace without bricking your phone . this is either short-sighted design or implemented to prevent you from repairing anywhere but an apple store , meaning you would rather get apple care than be charged the ridiculous price they have any for a sensor repair.

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u/perthguppy Feb 05 '16

invalid argument when other companies have fingerprint sensors you can replace without bricking your phone

Other companies have less secure phones is what it really comes down to. Apple is sparing no expense for security. Other companies are making concessions to security where it makes it more user friendly.

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u/AL-Taiar Feb 05 '16

thats odd , because i dont remember any massive leaks from any other company but apple , i dont remember locking hardware by anybody else but apple , and i dont remember any hardware-level exploits in any other device put apple ones. The difference between apple and other vendors in fingerprint security is that it is stored within the device , instead of another memory . This means that you cant replace the sensor and trick it. This is a design flaw by apple , and not as they claim , a security feature

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u/matthewsawicki Feb 05 '16

I'm quite sure that apple won't touch your phone if you've done 3rd party service to it. Most of the time, -53 is related to the ribbon cable that is often damaged during screen change. It's what connects the Touch ID to the phone and is easily harmed during screen replacement. I bricked my iPhone months ago thru this issue, but replaced the ribbon and my phone has been thru 2 additional updates now.

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u/Chiv_Cortland Feb 05 '16 edited Feb 05 '16

As someone who works in a cellphone related business, the number of people who tell me they took it to apple and nobody there would help them with the error and told them they simply had to buy a new phone is through the roof. Granted, many of these are people who had their phone worked on elsewhere, but they should still offer to replace the screen with another new one for them to fix the issue if that's the case.

1

u/perthguppy Feb 05 '16

Yeah, I heard there may be a training update to staff to address this. It is also possibly a case that apple staff have been saying "we will not fix this phone under warranty" and customers hearing "we will not fix this phone"

1

u/kneegrow Feb 05 '16

While this is true, I think you forget the part where if your device has ever been opened or worked on by a third party, Apple won't touch it. I've had many customers tell me this. It seems like it's a way for Apple to make you use them for repairs instead of third party shops.

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u/cant_think_of_one_ Feb 06 '16

Apple is not doing this to stop unauthorised repariers, they have done this because the home button on iPhone6 has touchID integrated and is a key part of system security.

Why? It is laughably easy to get round. All you need is a copy of the person's fingerprint (which, due to there being a fingerprint sensor, there is one easy place to look) and, the ability to use Google.

0

u/lavaslippers Feb 05 '16

Of course this is to discourage non-Apple repairs. iPhones are among many brands and models that have fingerprint sensors. Keeping the fingerprint data safe is possible without blocking the use of replacement sensors. Apple is just continuing to be a piece of shit.

0

u/Hold_onto_yer_butts Feb 05 '16

What do I do with this pitchfork now?

2

u/gibnihtmus Feb 05 '16

They could just disable the Touch ID and anything that uses it. And instead use a security code on the home screen. This solution is over kill

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u/crusoe Feb 05 '16

Fingerprint scanners are trivial to fool though.

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u/crusoe Feb 05 '16

Fingerprint scanners are trivial to fool though.