Apple's Do Not Disturb glitch to persist until next week

Apple has told iPhone users afflicted by a glitch in its Do Not Disturb (DND) feature that the service will not be working normally until next week.

The DND tool allows users to set times when their iPhone won't ring, except for calls from pre-set lists of certain contacts, to ensure owners are not disturbed.

However, while the feature is meant to automatically switch itself off at a set time, many complained that as the New Year broke, so too did the DND feature. Scores of users have complained that DND remains on, stopping calls arriving at all times unless turned off manually.

Apple has promised the feature will begin working correctly from next Monday, although gave no explanation for cause of the issue or how it will be fixed.

Until then users have to manually turn it off to ensure they receive calls.

"Do Not Disturb scheduling feature will resume normal functionality after 7 January, 2013. Before this date, you should manually turn the Do Not Disturb feature on or off," Apple said on a status page.

The issue represents yet another issue with the firm's newest iOS 6 software update after the high-profile Maps debacle that saw users outraged with the shoddy service that put many locations in the wrong place.

Apple apologised and many have since flocked to Google newly released Maps app for the iPhone.