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.

  • @[email protected]English
    3•24 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.

    • @[email protected]English
      3•24 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

      • Dizzy Devil DuckyEnglish
        5•23 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.

      • @[email protected]English
        5•23 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.”