Apple looks to outsmart thieves (and cops) with new, secret iPhone code

Apple has quietly slipped into iPhones a new “inactivity reboot” feature that would make it harder for thieves as well as law enforcement officials to password-crack the smartphone.

iPhones with iOS 18.1 that stay unlocked for a certain number of days appear to reboot on their own. Once it powers up again, the device becomes harder to unlock using digital forensic tools, according to a report by 404 Media that cites multiple security experts.