Security researchers have reported finding a new bug on iPhones where typing “::” can cause Springboard to crash.
There are reports of a new “bug” or flaw in Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices if the user types letters or characters “”:: This will freeze the device and may reboot itself.
Security researchers have found that writing “”:: In the search bar in the Settings app, in Spotlight Search on the Home screen, and in the search bar in the App Library, this may cause the Springboard (the device's screen that contains the icons for various apps) to crash.
Some users say it doesn't have to be “”:: If you type “”: as the first three characters. Followed by any other fourth character it will cause Springboard to temporarily crash. The device will reload to the lock screen.
In other tests, the glitch caused the screen to turn black for one second.
Testing with multiple iPhones and iOS versions found that typing these characters in the latest iOS 17 causes Springboard to crash and reboot.
Typing these characters in iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 will cause Spotlight Search to stop working briefly, but Springboard will not stop working completely.
The researchers said the flaw is unlikely to be a security issue, according to Ryan Stortz, an iOS security researcher who analyzed the flaw.
Compiled from Techcrunch / 9to5mac
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