iPhone owners warned over passcode ‘mistake’ that lets others unlock phone even if you’ve changed it – there’s easy fix
YOUR iPhone has a flaw that can be exploited by threat actors if they get their hands on your device.
In September, Apple rolled out its brand new iOS version: iOS 17.
Alongside the update came new tools and features that aim to make your device easier to use.
One tool, called Temporary Passcode Reset, lets you reset your current passcode and unlock your device.
It’s meant to help a user who might forget their new passcode after changing it.
However, it can also be utilized by threat actors to hack your device should they get ahold of it.
HOW DOES THE TOOL WORK?
When you change your passcode in iOS 17 and later, Passcode Reset gives you 72 hours to use your old passcode to access your device.
“When you access your iPhone or iPad this way, you must immediately change your passcode once more,” Apple noted on its webpage.
This allows a threat actor ample time to access your device and even lock you out with a new passcode.
As such, experts from Tom’s Guide have recommended that users expire old passcodes on their iPhones.
HOW TO EXPIRE OLD PASSCODES
Before you can expire old passcodes, you will need to make sure your device is running on iOS 17 or later.
You can update your device by going to Settings and tapping on General.
From there, click on Software Update and then tap on Automatic Updates.
Turn on Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.
once you have done this, you can expire your old passcodes.
Simply go to Settings > tap on Face/Touch ID & Passcode.
When asked, enter your current passcode and scroll down to the Temporary Passcode Reset section.
Once there, tap Expire Previous Passcode Now and then tap on Expire Now to confirm.