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Apple pushed out a minor update for its iOS software this week - but there are already reports of it causing problems. 

Users have been posting on the official Apple Support forum, as well as other technology blogs, complaining that the iOS 7.1.1 update has 'bricked' their phone - a term used to describe a phone that won't switch on. 

Many have had to resort to a complete restore and have consequently lost all their pictures, apps and other personal data.

Apple pushed out its iOS 7.1.1 software this week - but there are already reports of it causing problems. Users have been posting on the official Apple Support forum complaining that the update has 'bricked' their phone - a term used to describe a phone that won't switch on

According to the reports, the majority of the problems have occurred when trying to update the devices using Wi-Fi, also known as Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

When updating an iOS device there are two options – over the air, or via iTunes. When using OTA, the phone has to be plugged into a charger. 

It appears the update works correctly when using iTunes.

The problems also appear to have affected a range of models, including the iPhone 4S, iPhone, iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S, when using the wireless option.

Apple forum user Brandtley said: 'I was installing the update and now I am stuck in recovery mode.  Have to restore device.'

Alexrest added: 'I'm also stuck in recovery mode after updating my iPhone 4s to 7.1.1' followed by E.C.H who wrote: 'First time it bricked my phone going from 7.1 to 7.1.1 on my iPhone 5.'

However, the reports seem to be coming from a minority, as other users replied saying the update worked fine on their device. 

The 7.1.1 update is a relatively minor release compared to the previous 7.1 roll-out. It was issued to improve battery life, fix bugs and update the software's security.

It appears the update works fine when using iTunes, stock image pictured, but according to the reports, the majority of the problems have occurred when trying to update the phone using Wi-Fi, also known as Over-The-Air (OTA)

The 7.1.1 update is a relatively minor update compared to the previous 7.1 release. It was issued to improve battery life, fix bugs and update the software's security as well as resolve a 'fade' problem with the TouchID fingerprint recognition on the iPhone 5S. This problem caused scans to intermittently fail

Elsewhere, the TouchID fingerprint recognition on the iPhone 5S has been patched as part of 7.1.1 to fix a 'fade' issue that caused scans to fail intermittently.  

It was also designed to sort out a bug that interfered with the responsiveness of the keyboard across older devices.  

Apple iOS 7.1.1 is compatible with all devices running iOS 7.1, including the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, 5C and 5S, the iPad Air, iPad 2, 3, 4, iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display and the latest iPod Touch.

The total update is around 26MB. 

Before any update, Apple advises users backup their devices to iCloud or iTunes and make sure they have enough storage space to accommodate the update. 

The latter has been known to cause problems in the past, and will prevent the update completing. 

MailOnline has approached Apple for comment. 

Has your phone or tablet been affected by the update? Please get in touch at victoria.woollaston@mailonline.co.uk