How Apple Improved iPhone Data Protection With a Simple Reboot

Apple has integrated a feature that is as discreet as it is effective in iOS 18.1. iPhones can now automatically restart after a long period of inactivity. For what ? You will understand.

Make your iPhone more secure

The principle is simple: after a prolonged period without use, your iPhone will automatically restart, and thus move from an “after first unlock” (AFU) state to a “before first unlock” (BFU) state. For ordinary people, this means that your phone will spontaneously strengthen its defenses when you are not using it.

This feature, called “restart on inactivity”, was first spotted by law enforcement, surprised to see the suspects’ smartphones mysteriously restarting while in police custody. An effect that is not random: it is protection against data extraction attempts.

The mechanism relies on iOS’s built-in encryption system. Imagine an ultra-sophisticated digital lock: even if someone manages to force the door (the lock screen), they will find themselves facing a safe whose code changes automatically after a certain time.

To go further
How to secure your smartphone, tablet or PC? The ultimate guide!

Technical and practical implications

Concretely, how does it work? When you unlock your iPhone with your PIN or Face ID, the system loads encryption keys into memory. These keys are like master keys that allow access to your data. Auto-reboot erases them completely, making your information inaccessible until the next unlock.

This function is not trivial: it significantly complicates the work of digital investigation tools used by law enforcement, but also – and this is the goal – that of cybercriminals. Even if an attacker manages to exploit a flaw to bypass the lock screen, they will not be able to access the data if the phone has restarted.

The technical implementation relies on two key components: the “keybagd” and the core extension “AppleSEPKeyStore”, as revealed by researcher Jiska Classen from the Hasso-Plattner Institute. This system operates regardless of network or communications status, focusing only on device unlocking activity.

Interestingly, Apple hasn’t advertised this feature, preferring to roll it out quietly. This approach raises questions about the delicate balance between protecting user privacy and law enforcement’s legitimate digital investigative needs.

Although some may see this feature as an obstacle to legitimate investigations, it represents a significant step forward in protecting personal data. In a world where cyber threats are increasing, this innovation could well become an industry standard.

For iPhone users, this new protection works completely transparently, without requiring any configuration. This is perhaps its greatest strength: offering enhanced security without compromising on the user experience.