APPLE has rolled out a new update that fixes an “important” feature protecting iPhone owners from having their photos and texts leaked.
The update is a new version of the already existing iOS 17.6.1, which was released earlier this month.
The iOS 17.6.1 initially patched a separate issue relating to iCloud.
But a new version of the software fixes a problem that can prevent the enabling or disabling of the Advanced Data Protection iCloud feature.
Apple’s Advanced Data Protection can help keep your most personal photos and texts safe.
It makes it much harder for highly advanced hackers to spy on what’s inside your iCloud.
The bug reportedly only impacts a small number of iPhone owners.
However, affected iPhone owners have been met with an error message when trying to turn on Advanced Data Protection.
Other users who tried to turn it off saw the visible button showing it was disabled, although it was still active in iCloud.
Both bugs have been fixed in the latest update.
The new software version has a build number of 21G101, instead of the original 21G93.
iPhone owners should check their Settings for a new software update with the build number 21G101, and update there devices with it.
Apple routinely puts out smaller iOS updates when flaws are uncovered to protect users before hackers catch onto them.
Advanced Data Protection
“Advanced Data Protection for iCloud offers our highest level of cloud data security and protects the majority of your iCloud data using end-to-end encryption,” according to Apple.
It is an optional setting that lets customers encrypt their iCloud data.
Once it’s turned on, Apple is unable to access 23 different categories of data.
While hackers are certainly locked out, the feature also stops governments and police bodies from being able to request your iPhone data.
Here’s the full list of fully end-to-end encrypted data types under Advanced Data Protection:
- Cloud Backup (including device and Messages backup)
- iCloud Drive
- Photos
- Notes
- Reminders
- Safari
- Siri Shortcuts
- Voice Memos
- Wallet passes
- Passwords and Keychain
- Health data
- Home data
- Messages in iCloud
- Payment information
- Apple Card transactions
- Maps
- QuickType Keyboard learned vocabulary
- Safari
- Screen Time
- Siri information
- Wi-Fi passwords
- W1 and H1 Bluetooth keys
- Memoji
Here’s how to enable and disable Advanced Data Protection on iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap your name, then tap iCloud.
- Scroll down, tap Advanced Data Protection, then tap Turn on Advanced Data Protection.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to review your recovery methods and enable Advanced Data Protection.
APPLE ID COMPROMISED? THE OFFICIAL SIGNS
Here's Apple's official list of clues that your Apple ID has been compromised...
- Apple notified you (notification or email) about accounty activity that you don’t recognize (for example, if your Apple ID was used to sign in to a device that you don’t recognize or your password was changed but you didn’t change it).
- You notice unusual activity like messages that you didn’t send, deleted items that you didn’t delete, or purchase activity that you don’t recognize.
- Your password no longer works, you don’t recognize some or all of your account details, or your device was locked or placed in Lost Mode by someone other than you.