Apple has introduced a new feature called “inactivity reboot” in iPhones running on the latest iOS 18.1. This update aims to make it more challenging for thieves and law enforcement to access locked devices.
According to reports, if an iPhone remains unlocked for several days, it will automatically reboot itself. This rebooting process makes it significantly tougher to unlock the device using digital forensic tools, as noted by security experts in a report by 404 Media.
Recently, U.S. law enforcement officials shared their experiences in a group chat, revealing that iPhones under their control had been mysteriously rebooting during forensic examinations. A specialist named Christopher Vance, who works for Magnet Forensics, mentioned that they found a code in iOS 18 and higher that triggers this inactivity timer, which leads to the device rebooting after a set period.
The terms “After First Unlock” (AFU) and “Before First Unlock” (BFU) are important in this context. An AFU state signifies that the phone has been unlocked at least once since it rebooted, while the BFU state means it hasn’t been unlocked at all since being powered on. Gaining access during the BFU stage is reportedly much more difficult.
This feature comes in response to the ongoing conflict between law enforcement looking to access data from seized devices and companies like Apple, which emphasize their commitment to user privacy. Earlier this year, Apple declined a request from India’s Enforcement Directorate to unlock the iPhone of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering investigation, stating that a password was needed to retrieve any information, which Kejriwal chose not to provide.
