IOS 18 Update Complicates Forensic Investigations

Recent updates to Apple's iOS 18 include a security feature causing iPhones to reboot after several days of inactivity, complicating forensic efforts by law enforcement. This 'inactivity reboot' pushes devices into a more secure 'Before First Unlock' (BFU) state, making data extraction difficult. Reports indicate that iPhones rebooted even when isolated in Faraday cages or in Airplane mode, leading to speculation about a feature that prompts nearby iPhones to reboot under certain conditions. Experts confirm these iPhones become more challenging to unlock post-reboot, posing a significant hurdle to law enforcement. While some security researchers praise the feature for enhancing user privacy, Apple has not yet commented on the matter. The issue has sparked debate about the balance between device security and law enforcement access.