An exploit in Apple’s Find My network allows hackers to turn any device with Bluetooth, such as a phone or a computer, into an AirTag tracker.

Apple’s crowdsourced network comprises hundreds of millions of Apple devices that use Bluetooth to detect missing devices or compatible Bluetooth trackers in their vicinity. These devices report their approximate location back to Apple’s servers, which then relay the information to the owner.

An exploit called “nRootTag” leverages the underlying Find My network structure to trick the system into believing that a nearby Bluetooth device is actually an AirTag. Nearby devices that can be used for this exploit include smartphones, laptops, headsets and even wireless game controllers and e-bikes!

Find My exploit turns nearby devices into trackers

Researchers notified Apple about the vulnerability in July 2024. The company acknowledged the issue by crediting the George Mason team on its page detailing security patches in iOS 18.2. However, it’s yet to release an official patch or comment on the matter publicly. Apple must patch this vulnerability as soon as possible because attackers are able to run the exploit remotely without any participation from their target or having a victim’s device in physical possession.

AirTag and other Apple devices use a technique called address randomization to change their Bluetooth address frequently based on a cryptographic key, which reduce chances of tracking. The exploit uses hundreds of GPUs (which can be rented inexpensively) to find matching cryptographic keys with an astonishing 90 percent success rate. No administrator privilege is required on a victim’s device to carry out an attack. The exploit can pinpoint a device’s location within minutes.

“While it is scary if your smart lock is hacked, it becomes far more horrifying if the attacker also knows its location,” wrote the researchers. They could pinpoint the location of a stationary computer within 10 feet. In another example, researchers tracked a moving e-bike’s route through a city (reconstructing its exact flight path) and identified the flight number of a gaming console onboard an airplane.

A proper fix may take years to fully roll out

There’s nothing to do at this point until a fix is delivered. It’s recommended that you keep your devices updated to the latest version of the iOS software and be wary of apps requiring Bluetooth permissions for no apparent reason. To revoke Bluetooth access for apps installed on your device, navigate to the Privacy & Security > Bluetooth section in Settings (iPhone, iPad) or System Settings (Mac).

What makes this particularly concerning is that “the vulnerable Find My network will continue to exist” until all owners of Apple devices that are actively in use have installed a future software update from Apple containing a fix.

“We foresee that there will be a noticeable amount of users who postpone or prefer not to update for various reasons and Apple cannot force the update,” they cautioned, adding it “may take years to roll out” a complete fix for the vulnerability.

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/02/27/find-my-exploit-turns-any-bluetooth-device-into-airtag-tracker/

The latest iPhone 16e won’t be the only “e” model because evidence suggests Apple is already working on an iPhone 17e for an early 2026 launch.

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) claims the the newly announced iPhone 16e, which arrives in stores tomorrow, will be on an annual upgrade cycle like other models in the flagship lineup. Also, new evidence has emerged suggesting Apple’s component suppliers are already gearing up for an iPhone 17e.

“It appears that ‘e’ phones may be part of the program going forward,” CIRP explains. “Following the core iPhone 17 model launches in September, we expect Apple to announce an iPhone 17e around this time next year.”

Is the iPhone 16e a one-off or a yearly occurrence?

CIRP thinks Apple will unveil an iPhone 17e in February 2026, similar to how Google introduces “a” models in its Pixel line months after launching its flagship models. An annual refresh cycle for “e” iPhone models would contrast the three generations of the iPhone SE that were released in 2016, 2020 and 2022.

MacRumors reports that the Chinese leaker Fixed Focus Digital has unearthed evidence of a “new project codename” from Apple’s supply chain, saying it most likely relates to an iPhone 17e. The leaker has a proved track record, having correctly predicted the “iPhone 16e” name back in December 2024 when everyone expected Apple’s next smartphone launch would be an iPhone SE-branded model.

When the iPhone 16e arrived as a successor to the iPhone SE, many people wondered whether it was a one-off product or a device that Apple could update every couple of years, similar to the discontinued iPhone SE. Some even speculated that the phone could be updated annually. Apple’s announcement pitched the iPhone 16e as “a powerful new member of the iPhone 16 family” and “the most affordable member of the iPhone 16 family.”

Apple will almost certainly continue iterating the iPhone 16e every year because the handset repackages many iPhone 16 features with trade-offs to achieve its $200 lower starting price ($600) than the base iPhone 16 ($800). The iPhone 16e will be outdated by the time the iPhone 17 lineup arrives next year unless Apple refreshes it, which is logical, or lowers its price, which doesn’t sound likely.

Apple has reshuffled its iPhone offering and now sells only current and previous-generation models (iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus). So when the iPhone 17 family arrives, Apple will probably discontinue the iPhone 16 Pros and offer the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus for $100 less. In that case, the $600 iPhone 16e will no longer be a great buy unless it’s a) updated or b) discounted by $100.

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/02/27/apple-iphone-17e-annual-refresh-cycle-evidence/

Learn how to adjust Camera Control settings on your iPhone 16 if you often launch your favorite camera app or Visual Intelligence by accident.

The iPhone 16 lineup brought Camera Control, a dedicated capture button. Pressing it on the Lock Screen instantly launches the built-in Camera app, but you can bind this button to Magnifier, Code Scanner or a compatible third-party camera app like Halide or Instagram. You can also hold Camera Control to launch Visual Intelligence, an Apple Intelligence feature that provides details about the places and objects around you.

However, its placement below the power button on the right side is inconveniencing some folks. Others rarely use Camera Control to open a camera app (there are other ways to quickly open the iPhone’s camera). If you accidentally trigger Camera Control while using your iPhone (or taking it out of your pocket, which is common), here are five things you can do about it.

Disable single press for Camera Control

By default, it takes a single press of the Camera Control button to open a designated camera app. To stop inadvertently launching the camera, set the button to require a double-press by heading into Settings > Camera > Camera Control and choosing Double Click. Now an accidental press won’t do anything, but you’ll need to remember to double-press Camera Control to open the camera.

Prevent Camera Control from working when the screen is off

With iOS 18.2 or later, your iPhone can be set to register Camera Control clicks only when the display is awake. Head to Settings > Display & Brightness and turn on the switch labeled Require Screen On to stop accidental camera launches when the phone is locked.

Use Camera Control for Visual Intelligence but not camera launches

You can set Camera Control to do nothing when pressed while retaining the ability to launch Visual Intelligence.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Camera > Camera Control.
3. Select None on the list of supported features and apps.

Now clicking or double-clicking Camera Control will do nothing, which will stop accidental camera launches, but you can hold it to open Visual Intelligence.

Disable Camera Control entirely

You can turn off all Camera Control functionality, including camera app or Visual Intelligence launches, to use it in compatible camera apps as a shuttler and for switching tools.

1. Open the Settings app and tap Camera.
2. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
3. Slide the Camera Control button at the top to the OFF position.

You cannot open Visual Intelligence on the iPhone 16 lineup without Camera Control. iPhone 16e owners can bind their Action button to Visual Intelligence or invoke the feature via a dedicated Control Center widget. This functionality will come to other iPhones; Apple has confirmed that an upcoming update will enable iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus owners to trigger Visual Intelligence via the Action button and the Control Center.

Restrict the iPhone’s camera functionality

If you disable all camera functionality on your iPhone or iPad, the Camera Control button (and FaceTime) will become non-functional.

What do you think of the new Camera Control on iPhone 16? Let us know in the comments below!

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2025/02/27/tips-to-prevent-accidental-use-of-camera-control-iphone/