Law enforcement officials are warning colleagues and forensic experts about a puzzling issue affecting iPhones that are stored for forensic analysis: devices appear to be rebooting themselves while securely stored, making them more challenging to access. A law enforcement document obtained by 404 Media describes instances where securely stored iPhones suddenly reboot, which could potentially return them to a more locked-down state.
iOS against the police
The cause of these unexpected reboots is unclear, but Detroit-based officials suggest a possible new security feature in iOS 18. They hypothesize that Apple may have developed a function that triggers a reboot on devices disconnected from a cellular network after a period of time, thereby enhancing device security against unauthorized access attempts.
The report reads, “The purpose of this notice is to spread awareness of a situation involving iPhones, which is causing iPhone devices to reboot in a short amount of time when removed from a cellular network.” Rebooting reportedly activates more stringent security measures on the device, complicating efforts to crack passwords or retrieve data.
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Apple has not yet confirmed whether this feature is part of iOS 18. However, if deliberate, it would underscore the continuous security advancements by tech giants like Apple and Google, who are often at odds with law enforcement agencies seeking to access data on secured devices.
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