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Apple Acknowledges iOS 6.1 Passcode Bug, Fix Coming in Future Software Update

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passcode_lock_keypadFollowing today's significant publicity surrounding a bug in iOS 6.1 that allows users to bypass the iPhone's passcode lock to access the device's phone functions and contacts, Apple has issued a brief statement to AllThingsD acknowledging the issue and promising a fix for it.

Reached for comment, Apple said it is hard at work on a fix. “Apple takes user security very seriously” spokeswoman Trudy Muller told AllThingsD. “We are aware of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update.”

The company did not provide a timeframe for the fix.

Apple issued a first developer beta of iOS 6.1.1 last week, but then delivered a public iOS 6.1.1 release only for the iPhone 4S earlier this week. We suspect that Apple rushed out the iPhone 4S bug fix update and that the original iOS 6.1.1 in developer testing will become iOS 6.1.2 as it proceeds through the development and testing process.

It seems reasonable to assume that Apple will have enough time to fold a fix for the passcode issue into this next release, but it is unknown when that update will be made available to the public.

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Top Rated Comments

haruhiko Avatar
haruhiko
170 months ago
And the faithful still insists "it just works." This is how you know when you're a fanboy. When you have patience/understanding and put up with issues after issue (Battery Drain, Exchange Sync, Bypass Security Code, etc...) all the while bad mouthing another OS if it had the same issues. And running back to iOS claiming it just works, and never has issues.
Face it, iOS is just like any other OS. It's not perfect.

It just works =/= it is perfect. :D
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TMar Avatar
TMar
170 months ago
Which bugs are you referring to? I haven't had any problems with 6.1.

This is a security flaw. A minor one at that since thieves are rarely stealing smartphones for the contact lists.

"I'm not having any issues so nobody is having issues".

3g issues, wifi issues, exchange issues, lockscreen bypass issue and several others that elude me at the moment.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SpyderBite Avatar
SpyderBite
170 months ago
why so many bugs with the 6.1, not good apple.

Which bugs are you referring to? I haven't had any problems with 6.1.

This is a security flaw. A minor one at that since thieves are rarely stealing smartphones for the contact lists.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tankmaze Avatar
Tankmaze
170 months ago
why so many bugs with the 6.1, not good apple.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nepalisherpa Avatar
nepalisherpa
170 months ago
6.1 happened after so many months of beta and it is already plagued with so many bugs: 4S' bug, exchange bug, and this loophole. Don't know if they rushed or goofed up!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BC2009 Avatar
BC2009
170 months ago
The way you have to jump through so many hoops to activate this security hole makes it look more like an "easter egg" or "backdoor" than a bug.

How on earth did anybody figure this out? The steps involved are astounding and they are hardly anything that you would stumble upon.

This totally seems like a backdoor coded into the phone by some disgruntled developer at Apple.

Oddly, the only thing this thing will let you access is the phone app -- not the rest of the phone. While that is bad, it is not nearly as bad as letting somebody launch eBay or Amazon with your saved password (assuming you save your password in those apps) and then start buying things.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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