Beware The Apple Prank That Is Ruining iPhones

Have you seen instructions for a nifty little iPhone hack on your Facebook feed this week?

According to the post, changing the date on your iPhone to January 1, 1970 gives your device a classic Macintosh theme. Well...

Do not attempt this date change! Abort! Abort! This is not a drill.

Following the instructions in the very authentic-looking but undeniably fake image above basically bricks your precious iPhone, locking you out of the device and freezing the screen on the Apple logo.

According to 9 News, the prank is believed to have originated from the place where all terrible Internet things arise: 4chan.

Now, if you’ve already fallen for the (admittedly, very convincing) hoax, not all is entirely lost.

If you let the battery of the phone run flat, it will “forget” the date setting and be available for use once again.

Apple says they are aware of the issue and will soon release an update to fix the glitch. Foiled again, 4chan!

Photo: 4chan.