iOS 18 is scheduled for release later this year and many people are looking forward to all the app upgrades and redesigns. However, one of the areas that we think will be overshadowed by all the shiny new features is the range of security updates the system will receive.
We’ve seen some improvements, like the Password app that lets people manage accounts and verification codes, among other things. What you may not know is that Apple is going to change the way third-party apps communicate with your iPhone.
At launch, iOS 18 will allow users to choose which contacts they want to share with an app. TechCrunch explains that when an iPhone owner is asked to grant access to their address book, a “new two-step permissions pop-up screen” will appear.
The first window asks if you want to sign in, and the second lets you refine your selection. Currently, iOS 17 only gives you two options: grant full access or deny access.
There are a number of reasons why this is an improvement. Security company Mysk states that this change would limit the amount of data that third-party apps could collect. LinkedIn, for example, was found to be able to access users’ contacts and calendars. The company felt the service was over-authorized, so much so that they called on Apple to add restrictions.
The second effect of the update is that (although not confirmed) it may cause software to repeatedly “request access even after it has (already) been denied.” The idea here is that if you give software limited rights, it should be silenced for good, because the criteria have technically been met.
Lock and hide
In addition to the upcoming contact controls, iOS 18 also introduces the ability to lock and hide apps. Apple says locking software “hides its contents from view,” while hiding it prevents others from seeing the app in its entirety. All hidden apps are in one folder, which you need to authenticate to access.
When you lock or hide an app, your iPhone will ask you to authenticate yourself via biometrics or a password. The feature is intended to give you peace of mind so that you don’t accidentally expose sensitive information to nosy people.
2024 will be a substantial year for the tech giant. If you’re interested in learning more, check out Ny Breaking’s overview of everything announced at WWDC 2024.
