15.7.3 iOS update made iPhone SE (1st gen) useless

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Level 1

6 points

15.7.3 iOS update made iPhone SE (1st gen) useless

The 15.7.3 iOS update which autoinstalled essentially soft bricked my child's iPhone SE.

You can log in, but the UI freezes frequently for 30 seconds or more and normal actions like FaceTime and sending messages do not work or cause crashes.

Backing up the phone to a computer does not work, phone shows up erratically in Finder.

Restarting helps momentarily, but freezing issues appear immediately e.g. if opening messages.

Is there any fix for this? Apparently the update cannot be rolled back. Tried setting up their account on another old iPhone SE, but that also forced install of 15.7.3 – remains to be seen if that phone becomes soft bricked as well.

iPhone SE

Posted on Mar 4, 2023 10:02 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 4, 2023 11:16 AM in response to jhilden

You have not entered the PIN code for your SIM card, this may be the reason why your iPhone cannot be activated.

Try restarting your iPhone again - and enter your PIN code when asked. If you are not asked for the PIN code, remove the SIM card from your iPhone while it is switched on, and insert it again.

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Answer 2

jhilden Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 4, 2023 11:45 AM in response to elcpu

It says ”Activation required:

dismiss”. Below ”press home button to open”. The phone has returned at least three times like this to the ”Welcome to iOS 15.7.3 screen” after updating. Works as badly as before too.

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Answer 3

elcpu

Level 7

31,580 points

Mar 4, 2023 10:09 AM in response to jhilden

I have an iPhone SE 1st Gen on 15.7.3 which I use just as an iPod for music on Wi-Fi, not on cellular. I am not having any issues. Have you tried a Forced Restart:

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support

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Answer 4

kupfers

Level 1

9 points

Mar 4, 2023 11:16 AM in response to jhilden

I have similar issues with an IPhone SE 1st Gen 64GB. I can’t recreate what exactly makes it freeze but it has also often been while trying to use Messages or third party apps. I thought it might be because the iMessage threads are too large/long or the phone is too full but even if I free up storage space it doesn’t solve it. I have to restart the phone almost every day, or every second day. After that, it works okay for a while until it “builds up” another freeze.

(I also still use an SE with 32GB that runs 14.4.2 which does not have any problem.)

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Answer 5

Alancito

Level 7

29,561 points

Mar 4, 2023 11:10 AM in response to jhilden

jhilden ~ The long process of applying an iOS update to an older model iPhone with a weak, original battery can be the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back." So...

Does that iPhone SE (1st gen) still have its original battery?

And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health

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Answer 6

jhilden Author

Level 1

6 points

Mar 4, 2023 02:24 PM in response to jhilden

Update: setting up the account on the other IPhone SE was successful, including the forced software update to 15.7.3. Have not tried the SIM card in it yet but it works as expected at least for now. This phone also has a worn battery that has been replaced once, max battery capacity 90%.

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