iOS 18 comes with a number of important changes, but one of them goes unnoticed: iPhones running this version of the operating system will automatically restart if they are not used for 72 hours.
The discovery was made by security researchers, and this functionality it is now also confirmed by specialists.
Why is the new feature
After each restart, an iPhone enters an enhanced security state called “Before First Unlock.”
In this phase, all data is encrypted and unauthorized access becomes much more difficult, whether the phone is in the hands of a thief, law enforcement or other people with dubious intentions.
See the latest iOS inactivity reboot in action!
iOS 18 comes with improved anti-theft measures. Three days w/o unlock, the iPhone will reboot, preventing thieves from getting your data. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/H24Tfo1cSr
— Jiska (@naehrdine) November 13, 2024
Unlike when the phone was previously unlocked with Face ID or Touch ID, in this state data encryption is protected by the Secure Enclave Processor, which makes it impossible to quickly access information.
What does this mean for users?
If you use an iPhone daily, the phone will never reach the three days of inactivity required to initiate the automatic restart. Otherwise, the only inconvenience will be manually entering the passcode after rebooting.
However, for those trying to access a phone without permission, time becomes a crucial factor.
The feature offers a window of only 72 hours for unauthorized access attempts, and after a reboot, the process becomes much more difficult.
Confusion among law enforcement
While Apple hasn’t provided official details about the feature, the iPhone’s spontaneous reboots quickly caught the attention of law enforcement in the States.
In one case in Detroit, officers initially assumed the phones were communicating with each other to trigger these restarts. However, researchers have confirmed that this behavior is programmed directly into iOS 18 and works regardless of network connectivity.
The long-term impact
While there is speculation that the purpose of the new feature could be related to limiting unauthorized access through brute-force methods, its real effect has to do with better data protection.
For ordinary users, automatic restart is a minor detail. For those trying to access phones illegally, it becomes a powerful barrier.
iOS 18 brings more improvements, and features like this highlight the growing focus on privacy and security.
Source: www.go4it.ro
