Apple has found a bug which can cause iPhones to crash when a message containing a specific symbols and charachers is received.

The bug, was first reported by Apple news blog MacRumors on Tuesday night. The string of characters that cause the device reboots includes symbols and Arabic letters. Sending a reply message or having someone send you a message can solve the problem, MacRumors added.

When an iPhone isn't being used, it typically shows a shortened version of the message on the phone's lock screen. That shortened combination of characters apparently triggers the crash.

Apple confirmed the bug in the iMessage and plans to make a fix available in a software update.

However, information about the glitch has been circulating on social media and some users have already using it in order to crash other peoples' phones.

IPhone pwners can prevent the problem by using phone settings to turn off message "previews".