Apple has apologized to iPhone customers whose phones were disabled after third-party repairs, and issued a fix for the problem.

Some customers found that their iPhone stopped working following servicing by a non-Apple technician and saw an “error 53” message in iTunes.

Previously, Apple had said the error was a “security measure” taken to prevent fraudulent transactions.

Now, Apple has released a software update to fix the error.

In a statement, Apple said that “error 53” occurs when a device fails a standard security test designed to ensure that the Touch ID fingerprint scanner is working correctly.

However, the company added: “We apologize for any inconvenience, this was designed to be a factory test and was not intended to affect customers.

“Customers who paid for an out-of-warranty replacement of their device based on this issue should contact AppleCare about a reimbursement.”

A software update has now been released so that iPhone customers with disabled phones may restore their device via iTunes on a PC or Mac.

Apple had even faced a class action lawsuit led by a Seattle-based company over error 53-disabled phones.