On Thursday 404 Media reported that police were freaking out about mysteriously rebooting iPhones. Now multiple experts have found that Apple introduced code that reboots locked phones after a period of time.

Apple quietly introduced code into iOS 18.1 which reboots the device if it has not been unlocked for a period of time, reverting it to a state which improves the security of iPhones overall and is making it harder for police to break into the devices, according to multiple iPhone security experts.

On Thursday, 404 Media reported that law enforcement officials were freaking out that iPhones which had been stored for examination were mysteriously rebooting themselves. At the time the cause was unclear, with the officials only able to speculate why they were being locked out of the devices. Now a day later, the potential reason why is coming into view.

“Apple indeed added a feature called ‘inactivity reboot’ in iOS 18.1.,” Dr.-Ing. Jiska Classen, a research group leader at the Hasso Plattner Institute, tweeted after 404 Media published on Thursday along with screenshots that they presented as the relevant pieces of code.

  • WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    12·
    3 days ago

    speaking of that.

    this can wipe your phone on a trigger, or lock it with a different code, or send a broadcast message that other apps can act on: Wasted (Lock a device and wipe its data on emergency) https://f-droid.org/packages/me.lucky.wasted/

    this reads the screen to see if you have used a special unlock code: Duress (Duress password trigger) https://f-droid.org/packages/me.lucky.duress/

    read the app description of both, there’s important information

    • Cheradenine@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      It also let’s you install a fake icon for some normal looking app like Threema. When you tap the app it factory resets the phone.

      • WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        3·
        3 days ago

        yeah they are pretty good apps! basically a must-have for protests, if you bring a smartphone. maybe for traveling too, in case it’s stolen

        • CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          5·
          3 days ago

          Do not under any circumstances bring your cell phone, dumb or not, to a protest.

          Memorize important numbers, writing them in your arm if necessary.

          Answer all questions with “I assert my fifth amendment right and will not answer any further questions without my attorney.”

        • Dizzy Devil Ducky@lemm.eeEnglish
          5·
          3 days ago

          I can see these apps being good for traveling, in case of a stolen phone, but for protests I’ve almost always heard that you should bring a burner phone.