Apple has quietly introduced a new security feature in its latest iOS 18.1 update, designed to protect iPhones from unauthorized access. The update includes an automatic reboot feature that kicks in after a certain period of inactivity. This ‘inactivity reboot’ works similarly to the ‘hibernation mode’ found on Macs, saving the device’s state to disk when it goes to sleep.
The reboot feature is independent of charging or network connectivity, and is solely triggered by the duration of inactivity since the last unlock. This makes it significantly harder for hackers or unauthorized individuals to access the device using brute force methods. It also offers protection for iPhone users from forensic searches by law enforcement or other entities.
Forensic specialist Christopher Vance from Magnet Forensics revealed the discovery of this hidden feature, stating, “We have identified code within iOS 18 and higher that is an inactivity timer. This timer will cause devices in an AFU state to reboot to a BFU state after a set period of time.”
The introduction of this automatic reboot feature comes at a time when Apple is reporting strong performance. During their fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Tim Cook highlighted that the adoption rate of iOS 18.1 had surpassed its predecessor, iOS 17.1, by a factor of two. The company reported record revenue of $94.9 billion, exceeding analyst expectations.
This new security feature is just one of several advancements in iOS 18.1. Apple has also released the beta version of iOS 18.2, which introduces powerful new AI-driven features like “Image Playground” for generating images from text in Messages, Notes, and Freeform, and “Genmoji” for creating custom emojis from prompts or images. Siri now integrates ChatGPT without requiring a separate account, and the iPhone 16’s “Visual Intelligence” identifies objects through the camera in real-time.
While the automatic reboot feature may not be as flashy as these AI advancements, it represents a significant step forward in protecting user data and enhancing the overall security of iPhones. This proactive approach to security highlights Apple’s commitment to prioritizing user privacy and safety.
