iPhone users warned of 1970s hoax that breaks handset

With an energy crisis, huge housebuilding programmes underway, Star Wars ruling the cinema, Davie Bowie topping the charts; you might think that there is enough of the 1970s going around today to satisfy the most nostalgic of us.

However, those of you who want that extra fix of the decade that gave us disco music and own an iPhone or iPad would be well advised to be aware of an internet hoax that can leave your device completely useless.

The prank reveals the existence of an ‘Easter egg’ or hidden feature that will give you a 1970’s retro Apple display if you change the date to 1 January 1970 and restart your device.

Unfortunately, doing so will have dire consequences for your handset. Should you set your device to this date, it will become permanently stuck in reboot mode and completely useless once switched off or the battery runs out.

Rather than being able to see the multi-coloured Apple logo first introduced by Steve Jobs in 1977, the phone will be able to display the famous Apple logo on the opening screen an progress no further, effectively ‘bricking’ the device.

The Apple company didn’t actually exist in 1970 and only being created in 1976.

The hoax is spreading rapidly via social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

The glitch is thought to affect any iOS device with a 64 bit processor, including the iPhone 5s, 6, 6 Plus, 6s and 6s Plus, the iPad Air 2, the iPad Mini 3 and 4, and the sixth-generation iPod touch.

Apple have confirmed the problem on its website and are set to release a software update that would resolve the issue.

Unfortunately, the devices can’t be restored via the usual iTunes method and attempts to remove the battery to fix the problem could see the manufacturer’s warranty voided and further damage caused.

Anybody affected by the problem is advised to contact the Apple support team.

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