Here's What Apple Retail's New Machine to Update iPhones in the Box Looks Like

[dreamerstree]

Why can’t I just buy the phone, take it home and update it myself

You can. You'll have that option. This is for individuals that need to restore from a backup in store, and their backup is on the current iOS, and the new phone they just purchased isn't.

 

[I7guy]

Well it seems many people on here are against that… all my comments about not really liking this from a security aspect have been savagely downvoted 🤔

At the end of the day its up to us what we buy or don't buy. I feel like this is an additional process thats just the last of our priorities.

I admit I am no expert on this topic, but how is this not a potential security issue?

In other words, how can Apple guarantee that someone (e.g. the NSA) won't build/steal/buy a similar machine to update phones to a new, custom OS (that NSA created) that is less secure?

Before you say "only Apple can sign the software", the whole argument about why you can't create backdoors for government agencies hinges on the idea that no keys can be guaranteed to stay secure by anyone.

Ya’al are over complicating this. Just compromise the phones at the factory and eliminate the middleman.

 

[Shasterball]

Really slick. Though waiting 15-30 minutes for the update, when the goal is to get people in and out, seems a little counter-intuitive.

 

[tuckerjj]

Quick, someone call the regulators, yet more anticompetitive behaviour, only Apple can do this, why do they refuse to support Android 🤪

 

[killawat]

very cool. we joke about things being magical but to me, this is magic.

 

[killawat]

Really slick. Though waiting 15-30 minutes for the update, when the goal is to get people in and out, seems a little counter-intuitive.

true, but I wouldn't be shocked if iPhones were preemptively updated especially when there is a major update like 17.0.1 with a major bug. Just start cranking them through as soon as they're off the truck.

 

[jarman92]

Apparently?

They do have a user… root. Before you ever touch it.

Yes, apparently. As in, the things you're saying here show you don't understand how any of this works.

 

[rviets]

A device like this for iPads would be really nice for school districts to keep shelf stock updated. New student started today? Cool, here's an up to date iPad.

 

[ifxf]

Apple’s next step is to keep its software up to date without the user’s permission.

 

[Fender2112]

10 bucks says I still have to update it when I get it home.

 

[hans1972]

So iPhones can accept updates without user knowledge… you could in theory take someones iPhone… and “update” it.

Unlikely, but a possibility. Governments could see this as an amazing capability 😂

Apple has probably made code which only allows updating this way when the iPhone hasn't been configured with any users.

Worst case, someone ends up with an iPhone with the latest operating system on it.

 

[farmboy]

Well it seems many people on here are against that… all my comments about not really liking this from a security aspect have been savagely downvoted 🤔

At the end of the day its up to us what we buy or don't buy. I feel like this is an additional process thats just the last of our priorities.

I'm not buying most of your posts on this topic, and I haven't seen all these alleged "many people on here are against that" posts. But "savagely" downvoted?

Relax and enjoy your day. If nefarious people wanted to target your phone, there are already easier ways to get that done.

 

[whoknows2597]

If an agency or government is asking them to do something… we basically don't know.

As it is if you buy an iPhone in a store its really unlikely anyone would have an iphone modified and ready.

Using this, all they would have to do is alert Apple in real time, the people in store are told to put it on the rack….

Okay, you’re one of THOSE people. Did you have the same concern about Face ID when it was first introduced. “What if someone grabs your phone, points it at your face and runs off?”

That rack is only available in Apple stores for employee use only.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I'm not buying most of your posts on this topic, and I haven't seen all these alleged "many people on here are against that" posts. But "savagely" downvoted?

Relax and enjoy your day. If nefarious people wanted to target your phone, there are already easier ways to get that done.

I am relaxing… its great seeing people get angry over a post that poses valid questions regarding security. No sustem is completely safe… for Apple its about being just good enough for consumer use. None of their phones are designed for extreme security. If you wanted that, you'd not be buying off the segelf consumer devices. Indeed, there are easier ways. 😀

 

[FloatingBones]

I wonder if this will be made available to collectors so that they can keep their sealed iPhones in original packaging up to date.

The answer is no, and this is not something that you actually wonder.

 

[smogriver]

This just wouldn't be needed at all if they focussed on software and shipped devices with a solid build.

This reminds me of games companies that release games that are just not ready… and relying on updates later down the line.

Of course updates are necessary… and i have no problem with updating a device the day i buy it… but this and their current software quality control issues just stink a bit.

As someone who works in tech, thanks for the laugh!

 

[smogriver]

Apple when they read about security compromise concerns on macrumors threads.

 

[dannys1]

I admit I am no expert on this topic, but how is this not a potential security issue?

In other words, how can Apple guarantee that someone (e.g. the NSA) won't build/steal/buy a similar machine to update phones to a new, custom OS (that NSA created) that is less secure?

Before you say "only Apple can sign the software", the whole argument about why you can't create backdoors for government agencies hinges on the idea that no keys can be guaranteed to stay secure by anyone.

The same reason they can't do that now, with a phone in hand.

 

[FlyingTexan]

There's no point to this. Just give me the phone and I'll do it over my own wifi.

 

[svish]

Good to see a photo. Will be wonderful to see a video showing its working.

 

[uwdude]

My thing with this- if it's connecting to a wifi network at all, that opens up vulnerabilities. Would you want your phone connecting to a wifi network before you even receive it, along with many other phones, in a group in a specific location that malicious actors would know? Just seems like an event waiting to happen.

 

[bababooie]

and this is why you can't take phones into secure areas, even when they are "turned off"

 

[fl010]

How is the safety guaranteed? How is it triggered?

Yes, lets spend millions on developing a device which probably allows to boot and download a new OS and install it. Totally safe and needed. Can't wait to have the new fix for "Weather Lock Screen widget may not correctly display snow" after I buy my iphone.

Everyone can wait some minutes until the latest update is installed. Later on, you also have to update e.g. during the night.

 

[zilchfox]

Dear God, this comment section.

 

[pvd2ath]

What security mitigations are in place? If you can tamper with a device that still has tamper proof seal in place

Anyone could do anything to it. What if government uses it as a way to change settings to an iPhone going to a certain politician, or business person, or anyone?

SPOT on, Fuzz!