Apple Strengthens Security And Privacy In iOS 16

Apple announced additional security and privacy updates for its newest mobile operating system.

In this Help Net Security video, you’ll learn more about the latest privacy and security features in iOS 16. Safety Check, emergency Reset, Passkeys, Lockdown Mode, Rapid Security Response.

Safety Check

The Settings app houses a new Safety Check feature that is designed to make it easy for people to quickly reset all of the data and location access that they have granted to other people.

According to Apple, Safety Check is aimed at people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations. You can get to Safety Check by opening up the Settings app and tapping into the Privacy and Security section.

From there, scroll down to Safety Check. Safety Check has two options, including an Emergency Reset and a checklist of all your data sharing options. Note that Safety Check has a “Quick Exit” button that takes you right to the iPhone‘s Home Screen in case you’re in danger of getting caught using it.

Emergency Reset

Emergency Reset is a one-tap option that lets you protect your iOS device with just a couple of taps. When you use Emergency Reset, it immediately stops sharing everything with all people and apps. That includes anything you might be sharing with people, such as location information, your home data, photo albums, and more.

Emergency Reset also lets you remove all emergency contacts and reset your Apple ID and password so no one can log into your account.

Rapid Security Response

With ‌iOS 16, Apple can send out security updates without needing to update the entire operating system. In iOS 15, security updates are tied to iOS updates and require a full update, but ‌iOS 16‌ will make it easier for Apple to distribute security updates, and it will make them quicker to download.

When you update to ‌iOS 16‌, Apple will set your device to install security updates automatically, but the feature can be turned off under General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Notably, these improvements can be applied automatically between standard software updates.