Apple is working on a fix for a bug in iOS 26 that has caused some iPhone users to be permanently locked out of their devices. The issue arises from the removal of the caron (?) character from the iOS Czech keyboard in iOS 26, which was released in September 2025.
Users who had set a custom alphanumeric passcode containing that character lost access to their devices after the update.
How iOS Keyboard Bug 26 Blocked Users
Instead of using a standard four-digit PIN, Byrne set a custom alphanumeric passcode that included the caron character available on the iPhone’s Czech keyboard. When iOS 26 removed that character from the keyboard, it was no longer possible to enter it on the lock screen.
This made it impossible to type the passcode and the device impossible to unlock without a full reset. Performing a factory reset would erase all data on the device, including Byrne’s personal files and photos, with no other backup available.
Current status of Apple’s solution
Byrne told The Register he had mixed feelings about the solution. “On the one hand, it’s impressive that they’re working on a fix within nine days of the issue being reported. On the other, it’s hard to believe that the breaking change was ever approved,” he said, noting that the removal caused two identical characters to appear side by side on the lock screen keyboard, which he says should have been caught during the review. Byrne also mentioned that he plans to switch to Android regardless of whether the fix is implemented, citing camera quality as its main reason.
Apple has not yet responded to press questions about the error. The fix has not been assigned to a specific version of iOS 26. Users who set up alphanumeric passcodes using characters from non-English keyboards and have not updated to iOS 26 should verify that their passcodes can still be entered correctly before installing the update.
