Apple is "aware of" an issue preventing the GarageBand app from opening on iOS 11 for some users, and "investigating solutions," according to a new support document published on its website on Thursday.

garageband app
If the GarageBand app won't open after updating your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to iOS 11, Apple says to turn off iCloud for GarageBand on the device in Settings > Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store > iCloud.

After toggling off the feature, you won't be able to access any GarageBand songs stored in iCloud Drive until this issue is fixed, but they won't be removed from iCloud. New songs will be saved to your device locally.

Several users have reported the app crashing upon being opened on Twitter and the MacRumors discussion forums, but it doesn't affect everyone. MacRumors hasn't been able to reproduce the problem on multiple devices.


GarageBand is free on the App Store [Direct Link] for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Top Rated Comments

Scottsoapbox Avatar
105 months ago
There times I wonder if Apple software engineers actually use Apple products.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gatearray Avatar
105 months ago
If only Apple made the hardware, operating system, and software itself then things like this wouldn't happen! X-)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
105 months ago
This annual IOS upgrade cycle clearly isn't feasible. No matter how many bugs the next OS is riddled with, it's going to ship and be force downloaded to millions of iDevices every October... cockroaches & all. I wish they would stop kidding themselves and just release a new iOS when it's ready.

If that doesn't fit in with their frenetic upgrade cycle, just freaking let us TURN OFF THE DAMN NAG SCREENS TO UPDATE. (pretty please... with a cherry on top)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zedsdead Avatar
105 months ago
What about music memos. Once you record a track and try to save it it freezes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scottsoapbox Avatar
105 months ago
It’s kind of hard for developers to simulate all possible real life scenarios/conditions in advance when it comes to eliminating bugs.
How about the Music app that is incapable of keeping the currently in use playlist on the screen?

The Settings toggles lists that work fine if you have 20 apps but are laughable at 500 apps?

Basic functionality still missing from iCloud Calendar?

Or iTunes? Seriously. Does anyone at Apple ever use iTunes? It is a hot mess.


... and "all possible real scenarios/conditions". :rolleyes:
You mean opening Apple's own software on the handful of devices that can actually run iOS 11? This isn't a crash that only happens on iPhone 3GS running outdated third party software under some rarely used menu. This is opening Apple's own apps on current devices running the current iOS. Is Apple's Quality Assurance some dude that only works for 2 hours every 3rd Tuesday? It's embarrassing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BWhaler Avatar
105 months ago
Pathetic. Tim needs to see what is going on with his company. Stop taking excuses.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
ios 26 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon: New Features for Your iPhone and Release Date

Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Release Date Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
maxresdefault

Apple TV 4K Could Still Launch Before 2025 Ends: All the Rumored Features

Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors. ...
ipad mini 7 feature blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...
iOS 26

Apple Seeds iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 Release Candidates

Tuesday October 28, 2025 1:07 pm PDT by
Apple today provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, tvOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 updates for testing purposes. The RCs betas come a week after Apple released the fourth betas. The new betas can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock 1

Leaker Outlines Potential New Colors for iPhone 18 Pro

Friday October 31, 2025 8:28 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker. The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy. The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...