Apple fixes iOS bug that prevented apps from launching

The bug pertains to an issue with Apple's Family Sharing system.

Over the weekend, many iPhone and iOS users saw dozens of pending updates on their Apple devices. (REUTERS)

Apple has fixed a bug that prevented iPhone and iPad apps from launching. The bug pertained to an issue with Apple's Family Sharing system wherein an app would show an error message stating -- “This app is no longer shared with you” and then direct them to buy an app from Apple's App Store.

Over the weekend, many iPhone and iOS users saw dozens of pending updates on their Apple devices. Several reports noted that the Apple device users reported seeing as many as 100 updates to install on their Apple devices. In some cases, these updates dated back to a month ago.

These updates, however, were not new updates. Instead, these were the reissued updates which the company had rolled out to fix a bug in its Family Sharing system. As per a report by MacRumours, Apple reissued the updates in order to fix the bug by effectively uninstalling and reinstalling the parts of the app that were causing certificate signing issues.

Now, Apple in a statement to TechCrunch has confirmed that the issue has been resolved for all Apple device owners who were affected by the bug. The company, however, did not offer an explanation as to why this problem arised. That said, you saw a sudden spike in app updates over the weekend, don't panic, it's just Apple fixing an old bug.