Error 53 on your iPhone screens after updating to the latest iOS version is not due to a bug in the new software, but a likely blunder at the users' end. At least that's what Apple is hinting at. Hundreds and thousands of users have complained of bricked iPhones showing Error 53, which is Apple's way of cracking down on unauthorised repairs.
The Error 53 appears on iPhones that have been repaired by a third-party technician not authorised by Apple. The error is triggered only when the device is updated to the most recent software, iOS 9. According to The Guardian, which put out a detailed piece on the matter, Error 53 is affecting devices if their home button, which has a fingerprint scanner, is replaced by a non-Apple technician.
"When an iPhone is serviced by an unauthorised repair provider, faulty screens or other invalid components that affect the touch ID sensor could cause the check to fail if the pairing cannot be validated," an Apple spokeswoman told Guardian Money. "With a subsequent update or restore, additional security checks result in an 'error 53' being displayed ... If a customer encounters an unrecoverable error 53, we recommend contacting Apple support."
Adding to users' problems, any data or photos stored on the device are lost and impossible to retrieve. Users are not warned of the potential damage, which is also the reason for users' aggravation towards Apple.
According to Kyle Wiens of iFixit, the Error 53 on iPhones is a major issue. Apple's official support forum is also filled with users' complaints about the problem. Sadly, there is no immediate resolution for Error 53 popping up on your iPhones other than getting a brand new device.
While it is best to have iPhones fixed by authorised repair technicians, the costs involved in the process makes users opt for cheaper alternatives. For instance, iPhone 6 display replacement in an Apple-authorised repair centre costs as much as Rs 26,000 in India where as third-party repair stores will demand up to Rs 7,000. It is of course easier for iPhones covered under warranty and accidental insurance, but owners of older devices find it hard to make such huge expenses.
