iOS 16 has new features that enhance user security as Apple makes a big effort to protect you.
Every major iOS usually comes with nice quality-of-life upgrades, unexpected bug fixes, and a slew of security updates. After spending some time with iOS 16 over the past few days, we can report that Apple continues to put privacy and security at the forefront of its user experience.
To get the most out of Apple, you should take the time to learn about all the new security features to better protect yourself. We've outlined some of the top new features here so you know where to start.
Apple wants to do away with traditional usernames and passwords and replace them with passkeys. With iOS 16, users can take their first steps into a new password-free world.
See also: iOS 16: 4 iPhone models don't show battery percentage in the status bar
A passkey is a unique digital key stored on your phone that can only log you in to the website it was created for. Log in to websites with your saved passkey by scanning a QR code with your Apple , then verifying your identity using a form of biometric authentication, such as Face ID or Touch ID. Passkeys are created and stored on your device, so you don’t have to worry about website data leaks that could lead to account takeovers. Because each passkey is specific to the website you create it for, it’s a nearly phish-proof solution.
Passkeys are a simple and elegant solution to the problem of online password security in an era of near-constant data breaches. The move to Passkeys is a multi-company effort, making it much more likely that the industry will move toward widespread adoption .
We still recommend trying a password manager , especially if you’re an Android user, but we think passkeys are the future of online login. The password management industry knows it too. LastPass recently released a passwordless vault access option .
With iOS 16, photos that are sensitive or that you want to delete are safe from prying eyes because they are now protected with an extra lock. Two albums in the Photos, Hidden and Recently deleted, can now only be unlocked with Face ID, Touch ID , or a passcode. Another big change to iOS 16 authentication is that iPhone users can now unlock their phones with Face ID in either landscape or portrait orientation.
Expect a few more permission requests to pop up, as Apple finally addresses a security issue that iOS users have been talking about for years. Previously, apps could view, copy, and potentially paste data from the clipboard. Thanks to iOS 16, apps now require user permission before accessing the clipboard to paste content from another app.
There's also a change to how permissions are handled on your devices, as you can now stream video from devices that support non-AirPlay protocols. For example, you can stream video from a shared computer without allowing the shared computer to access your LAN or personal Bluetooth.
See also: iOS 16: All the features Apple brought
A new feature in iOS 16 Settings called Safety Check is designed to help people in domestic violence situations. It lets you quickly restore access you've granted to others and manage sharing settings.
Access Safety Check by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device and go to the Privacy and Security.
- Scroll to Safety Check.
- Choose either Emergency Reset to immediately restore access for all your apps in an emergency, or Manage Sharing and Accessif you have more time to see a detailed breakdown showing you what data you're sharing with whom.
Keep in mind that Safety Check has a Quick Exit that you can press in case you get caught using it. The Emergency Reset option will remove all emergency contacts and reset your Apple credentials so that no one can log into your account without your permission.
There's also an option for iOS called Lockdown Mode, which Apple says is for "users facing serious, targeted threats to their digital security." That could refer to activists, government officials, journalists, or lawyers, all of whom have been targeted by mercenary spyware companies. In other words, most people reading these words right now won't need to use Lockdown mode.
See also: All the new iOS 16 features you'll get later this year
While Lockdown mode is enabled, your device's functionality is limited. Message attachments are blocked, websites load more slowly, incoming FaceTime from unknown numbers are blocked, Apple services are blocked, Shared Albums are blocked, Shared Album invitations are removed, and USB accessories require the device to be unlocked to use. Configuration profiles also cannot be installed in Lockdown Mode, and the device cannot participate in Mobile Device Management (MDM). If your device cannot install configuration profiles or MDM, it cannot run common parental control or stalkerware apps.
For those who may find themselves in a dangerous situation where locking a mobile device is prudent, follow the steps below to enable the feature on an iPhone.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Privacy and Security.
- Tap Lockdown Mode.
- Tap Turn On Lockdown Mode.
- Press Turn On and Restart.
- Enter your device password.
Phone calls and text messages without attachments work normally in Lockdown Mode. Emergency functions are also unaffected by Lockdown Mode. You can also exclude specific apps and websites from Lockdown Mode by tapping Configure Web Browsing in the Lockdown Mode menu.
Source: pcmag.com
