iOS 18.1 brings ‘Inactivity Reboot’ security feature on iPhones: What it is, how it works

Apple’s iOS 18.1 update was rolled out to all the eligible iPhones in October. While the update wasn’t that feature rich, it still brought useful features like Call recording, an updated Control Centre, and a limited set of Apple Intelligence features.

More useful features are expected to arrive in the next iOS 18.2 update, which is said to be a true feature-rich update coming in December. But wait, before we anticipate the features of the iOS 18.2, let’s draw our attention back to iOS 18.1’s major security, which we all will clearly missed.

ALSO READ: iOS 18.1 released: All new features listed

With iOS 18.1, Apple quietly added a new security feature called ‘Inactivity Reboot’. As the name suggests, the feature commands your iPhone to automatically reboot for security reasons. Let’s see what exactly is this new feature and how it raises the security bar on your iPhone.

What is Inactivity Reboot and how it may increase the security on your iPhone

Last week, 404 Media stated that law enforcement officials reported an uncanny behaviour of iPhones stored for forensic explanation, where the devices would reboot automatically. The law enforcement officials thought that the iPhones were secretly communicating with each other to reboot.

But that wasn’t a secret discourse between iPhones, but the new Inactivity Reboot feature in play. The latter is a new security feature that Apple added in iOS 18.1 that commands iPhones to automatically reboot for security reasons.

As to how it works is that, if an iPhone hasn’t been used or if there was an inactivity for a long time, i.e., four days to be precise, then the iPhone will reboot and enter the Before First Unlock or the BFU state.

ALSO READ: iOS 18.2 public beta rolls out; here’s how to install the update

A BFU (Before First Unlock) state is the state the iPhone is in when it has been restarted, but not yet unlocked. This state forces the need for a PIN or password to unlock the iPhone, as FaceID alone won’t work, upping the security.

Notably, even Android phones go in the BFU state after being restarted. With iPhones, however, they will go into the BFU state automatically by restarting.

So, overall, the new Inactivity Reboot feature only raises the security bar on your iPhone, and the best part? You do not need to tweak any setting to enable this feature, as it is turned on by default. That said, if you still haven’t updated to the latest iOS 18.1, this is your cue to get on it right away.