iMessage: Malformed Message Bricks iPhone (bugs.chromium.org)

Article summary

A bug in iMessage could cause an iPhone to become unusable due to a boot loop. The issue has been fixed in iOS 12.3 and macOS 10.14.5, released on May 13th. Turning off iMessage can also prevent the bug. The bug was significant enough to potentially cause data loss if the phone had to be wiped to recover from it.

Main themes

• iMessage bug
• iOS update
• data loss
• messaging apps
• platform compatibility

What commenters say

• The iMessage bug was severe and could cause significant disruption to iPhone users, but it has been fixed in a recent update.
• Turning off iMessage is not a practical solution to the bug, as it is a key feature of the iPhone.
• Some users prefer not to use iMessage due to its limitations, such as only working with other Apple devices, and instead use other messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
• The bug highlights the importance of backing up iPhone data to prevent loss in case of a serious issue.
• iMessage's integration with SMS is not a complete solution for messaging, as it can lead to a reduced feature set when communicating with non-Apple devices.
• The cost of activating iMessage can be a deterrent for some users, particularly in certain regions where it requires sending an international SMS.
• Disabling iMessage can be a temporary workaround for the bug, but it may not be a viable long-term solution for users who rely on the feature.