Technology

If you are using iOS 17 on your iPhone, it is important to double-check your privacy settings as they may have changed without your permission.

This cautionary information comes from Mysk, a duo of iOS developers and cybersecurity researchers, who shared their findings on X (formerly known as Twitter). They suggest that upgrading to iOS 17 might reactivate Significant Locations and iPhone Analytics on your mobile device, even if you had previously disabled these features before downloading the update.

Significant Locations is a software tool that tracks the places you have recently visited, along with the frequency and timing of your visits. This data is utilized to provide app recommendations and Memories in the Photos app, among other things, according to 9To5Mac. It is worth noting that this feature is end-to-end encrypted, meaning that Apple does not have access to the information. However, Mysk warns that this data can still be misused since it records detailed information about the locations you frequently visit.

Did your privacy settings unexpectedly change with the update to iOS 17? You're not alone, and Apple is reportedly investigating what happened.

As 9to5Mac reports, iOS developers known as Mysk tweeted over the weekend that "if you have disabled significant locations as well as adding your location information to your iPhone analytics before upgrading to iOS 17, iOS 17 will turn the options on."

In contrast, iPhone Analytics provides Apple with direct information about your device. It offers data on performance statistics, your usage patterns on the iPhone, and specific apps, aiming to assist Apple in improving and developing their products. Nevertheless, Mysk highlights that security experts recommend disabling this feature.

A seemingly small update with iOS 17 that turns out to be very useful is the ability to have your iPhone clean up 2FA text messages on its own. Here’s how to auto delete iPhone verification codes with iOS 17.

There are certainly many flashier new features with iOS 17 like the StandBy smart display feature, stickers in Messages, Contact Posters, and more.

But iOS 17 being able to auto delete iPhone verification codes after they’ve been used is a handy feature that you’ll probably benefit from regularly if not every day.

Of course, whenever possible, it’s safest to set up any and all accounts you can with non-SMS-based verification codes, but for those services that don’t offer 2FA via a dedicated authentication code-generating app, this will be a useful feature.

The cause of this issue is currently under investigation, though there is some positive news. According to 9To5Mac, the majority of users are unaffected, experiencing no unusual activity. Apple has confirmed that they are actively investigating the situation.

Until a solution is provided, Mysk strongly advises iOS 17 users to disable both Significant Locations and iPhone Analytics. To achieve this, navigate to the Privacy & Security section in the iPhone Settings mode, proceed to Location Service, and finally tap System Services. You will find both options there. It is worth noting that this is believed to be a one-time occurrence, and these features should not reactivate themselves.

While it is concerning that some of your privacy protections may be turned off due to a development mishap, this problem can be easily resolved. Although iPhones are highly secure 99 percent of the time, the frustration lies in the one percent chance that your information may be collected when you assume it is not.

To further enhance your safety, we recommend consulting TechRadar's list of the best iPhone VPNs for 2023. This resource will provide valuable insights on how to improve your online security.

How to auto delete iPhone verification codes with iOS 17

• The first time you get an SMS verification code on your iPhone running iOS 17, you should see a prompt asking if you’d like to “Automatically Delete Verification Codes After Use?”
• Alternatively, you can set up the feature right away or whenever you’d like by heading to Settings > Passwords > Password Options > tap the toggle next to Clean Up Automatically
• That’s it, you’re all set up! 😁
• If you need to see a verification code after you’ve used it and it’s been auto-deleted, tap Edit in the top left corner of the Messages app > Show Recently Deleted

As a refresher, iPhone and iPad got automatic 2FA verification code autofill back with iOS 15 (works on Mac too since macOS Monterey).

That means you don’t have to open another app to grab your verification code, they’re auto applied just like any passwords stored with iCloud Keychain.

Here’s how to use the native iPhone 2FA code generator and autofill

And with iOS 17 this year, Apple is bringing shared iCloud Keychain Passwords which makes managing credentials easier than ever.