Apple Keyboard Update Locks Users Out of iPhones

A university student, Connor Byrne, has been locked out of his iPhone 13 after updating from iOS 18 to iOS 26.4, which removed the ability to enter the caron/háček (ˇ) character in his alphanumeric passcode. This character was previously available in iOS 18, but the update replaced it with an acute accent mark on the lock screen keyboard, rendering his passcode inaccessible. Byrne has not backed up his device, which contains valuable sentimental photos. Apple support has suggested restoring the device, which would erase all data. Despite hopes for a fix in the recent iOS update 26.4.1, the issue persists. Other users have reported similar problems, indicating a broader impact. The removal of the háček character from the passcode input may affect more Czech-speaking users who rely on this character. Byrne has resorted to using a cheap Android phone while awaiting a resolution.

Key Points: • Apple's iOS update removed the háček character from the lock screen keyboard. • Users with alphanumeric passcodes containing the háček are locked out of their devices. • The issue affects multiple users, not just the reported case.