Apple pulls iOS 8 update after users report losing cell service

Apple pulled its first update to its new operating system, iOS 8, on Wednesday after many users reported that downloading the software disabled their phones.

Customers reported losing cell service and the ability to use Touch ID after downloading the latest update. The newest tweaks to the software were supposed to add fixes to HealthKit — the health and fitness hub that Apple had to delay the night before iOS 8 launched last week — and various changes to address some problems early users had reported. These include a problem with text messaging that leads to "unexpected cellular data usage," as well as problems accessing photos from Photo Library and changes to improve the thumb-friendly "Reachability" feature on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

"We have received reports of an issue with the iOS 8.0.1 update," an Apple spokeswoman said in a statement. "We are actively investigating these reports and will provide information as quickly as we can. In the meantime we have pulled back the iOS 8.0.1 update."

The problems with the software appear to be affecting only Apple's newest devices — the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Users of older phones and iPads have so far not reported any problems. The Apple-dedicated website MacRumors said the problems span phones with all the major carriers — AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint. Resetting the phones did not help.

Apple said earlier this week that the iPhone 6 launch was its biggest ever, with 10 million phones sold around the world in the first weekend. In terms of revenue, the iPhone is the company's most important device.

Despite the blockbuster debut, there have been a few things to mar the debut of the new phone. Just days before Apple chief executive Tim Cook introduced the phone onstage, hackers targeted the iCloud accounts of several celebrities and leaked personal photos of stars including Jennifer Lawrence. Shortly after that, Apple released new privacy measures and Cook said publicly that Apple could do more to let users know about privacy options.

On Wednesday, Apple faced another small problem, as reports circulated around the Web that its new iPhone 6 Plus was becoming warped when people sit with the large phone in their pockets — a problem some have dubbed "Bendgate." Many of the photos circulating online, however, appear to be doctored. It's difficult to independently verify how many people have seen their phones warp because of normal use.

- By Hayley Tsukayama