A newly uncovered glitch in iOS has been causing iPhones and iPads to crash when a specific sequence of characters is entered into search fields. The bug, discovered by a security researcher on Mastodon, involves typing the characters “”:: into either Spotlight Search or the App Library search bar. This simple action triggers a temporary crash of the device’s interface.
How the Bug Affects Devices
When the characters “”:: are typed into the Spotlight Search (accessed by swiping down on the Home Screen) or the App Library search bar, the iPhone’s interface, known as Springboard, crashes briefly. This crash is not permanent; the device typically restarts Springboard, returning users to the lock screen or briefly flashing a black screen before resuming normal operation. TechCrunch confirmed this issue through tests on various iOS devices, noting that it also affects the Search bar within the Settings app.
Previous Issues with Text String Bugs
This isn’t the first time iPhones have been troubled by text string bugs. A notable example is the “Effective Power” bug from 2015, which could crash the Messages app and reboot devices when a specific text message was received. Unlike that issue, which could be exploited remotely, the current bug can only be triggered by the device owner manually entering the problematic characters.
Differences Across iOS Versions
The bug’s impact varies depending on the iOS version. On iOS 17, typing the characters results in a “soft” reboot of Springboard, restarting the Home Screen interface. However, for devices with iOS 18 and iOS 18.1, the issue is less severe. These versions only cause a temporary freeze in Spotlight Search without crashing Springboard completely, indicating that Apple may be addressing the problem in the latest updates.
Expert Opinions on the Bug
Security experts, including Ryan Stortz and Patrick Wardle, have reviewed the bug and confirmed that it is not a significant security threat. They pointed out that, unlike other bugs which have allowed remote exploitation, this issue requires manual input of the characters by the device owner. Thus, it cannot be used to crash someone else’s device remotely, unlike the 2020 bug that affected Twitter users viewing certain tweets.
Apple’s Response and User Advice
Apple has yet to officially comment on the bug, but the company is known for addressing such issues quickly. Typically, Apple releases software updates to fix problems like these, and a resolution is expected in a future update. Until then, users are advised to avoid typing the specific character sequence into their search fields to prevent crashes.
While the bug may not pose a severe security risk, it highlights the occasional quirks in even the most reliable software. Apple is likely to address the issue soon with a software update. In the meantime, users should avoid the problematic characters to minimize disruptions.
