If you’re an iPhone user, here’s something you should be aware of: a newly discovered bug could cause your device to crash just by typing a specific set of characters. Yes, it’s as simple as entering four characters, and your iPhone could briefly stop working.
A security researcher recently revealed that typing the characters `“”::` (that’s two double quotes followed by two colons) into certain parts of your iPhone can cause the user interface to crash. This interface, known as Springboard, is responsible for managing the iPhone’s home screen. When the bug is triggered, Springboard crashes, and your device quickly returns to the lock screen.
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TechCrunch tested the bug and confirmed its effects. They found that typing the characters into the Search bar within the Settings app or the App Library search bar can cause your device to crash. In some cases, the screen briefly flashes black before returning to normal.
Interestingly, others have noted that you don’t need the exact characters `“”::` to trigger the bug. Typing `“”:` followed by any other character seems to cause the same crash. It’s a simple but annoying issue that could catch iPhone users off guard.
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While the bug might sound concerning, experts say it’s not something to worry too much about. According to Ryan Stortz, an iOS security researcher, and Patrick Wardle, another expert in iOS security, the bug doesn’t pose any security risks. So, it seems like it’s more of a glitch in the system rather than a vulnerability that hackers could exploit.
Unlike a 2020 bug that allowed certain characters in a tweet to crash the Twitter app for anyone who viewed it, this bug only affects those who manually type the characters into their device. So, unless you’re intentionally testing it out, you’re unlikely to encounter the issue.
Apple has not yet commented on the bug, but iPhone users might want to avoid typing those characters until a fix is released.
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