New Feature in iOS 18: iPhone Auto-Reboot Enhances Security, Law Enforcement Raises Concerns

New Feature in iOS 18: iPhone Auto-Reboot Enhances Security, Law Enforcement Raises ConcernsApple has consistently touted user privacy protection as a major selling point for its hardware and software systems. However, recent reports suggest that Apple may be introducing a new feature in the upcoming iOS 18 system: iPhones will automatically reboot after a prolonged period of inactivity, enhancing device security

New Feature in iOS 18: iPhone Auto-Reboot Enhances Security, Law Enforcement Raises Concerns

Apple has consistently touted user privacy protection as a major selling point for its hardware and software systems. However, recent reports suggest that Apple may be introducing a new feature in the upcoming iOS 18 system: iPhones will automatically reboot after a prolonged period of inactivity, enhancing device security. This move has raised concerns among law enforcement officials, as the automatic reboot could hinder their ability to access information stored on criminals' phones.

404Media reports that law enforcement officials in Michigan encountered iPhones mysteriously rebooting themselves while attempting to retrieve data from suspects' phones. This discovery puzzled them, as the reboot significantly increased the difficulty of unlocking devices through brute force methods.

It's understood that iPhones enter an AFU (AfterFirstUnlock) state after being unlocked for the first time via passcode or Face ID. In this state, law enforcement can utilize iPhone unlocking tools from companies like Cellebrite to relatively easily access data. However, once an iPhone reboots, it reverts to the BFU (BeforeFirstUnlock) state, the state before the initial unlock, making data extraction significantly more challenging.

Following the reports, Dr. Jiska Classen, head of a German security research group, investigated the matter and shared evidence she found within Apple's system code. She tweeted that Apple had indeed added a new feature called "idle reboot" in iOS 18.1.

404Media also obtained research findings from other sources, indicating the existence of an "inactivity timer" code in iOS 18 and later versions. This timer triggers a reboot in devices that are in the AFU state after a certain period, reverting them back to the BFU state. Notably, the reboot timer is not related to the iPhone's network connection or charging status; it solely depends on the device's idle time since the last unlock.

Chris Wade, founder of mobile analysis company Corellium, told 404Media that iPhones reboot automatically after being locked for four days.

As of now, Apple has not issued any official response regarding this matter. However, based on the reports and analysis, the existence of the iPhone auto-reboot code seems highly probable.

For ordinary users, the iPhone "idle reboot" feature will likely have minimal impact, and it's unlikely to be triggered in everyday usage. However, if a phone is stolen or other unusual situations arise, this feature can enhance device security to a degree, preventing potential privacy leaks.

While Apple has consistently emphasized user privacy protection, law enforcement agencies are concerned that this new feature could obstruct their access to crucial evidence, impacting case investigations. This incident once again highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between tech companies and law enforcement regarding data privacy and security. Future developments in this matter remain to be seen.