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Locked iPhones Can Be Unlocked Without Password

Posted by timothy on from the now-lookie-hyeah dept.

snydeq writes "Private information stored in Apple's iPhone and protected by a lock code can be accessed by anyone with just a few button presses. Pressing the emergency call button at the unlock screen, followed by two taps on the home button, takes you to the iPhone's private 'favorites' page without the need to enter the unlock code, MacRumors user greenmymac has found. If the owner of the phone has favorite entries in their address book containing URLs, e-mail addresses or mobile phone numbers, then those entries can be used to launch the browser, mail application or SMS software, and gain access to private Web favorites, e-mail messages, and text messages stored in the phone, again without entering the unlock code."

5 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. Not quite... by daybot · · Score: 4, Informative

    Pressing the emergency call button at the unlock screen, followed by two taps on the home button, takes you to the iPhone's private 'favorites' page without the need to enter the unlock code

    Not quite - it takes you to Favorites or iPod depending on your double-tap shortcut setting. If it's set to the home screen then you are just prompted for the passcode. See here

    1. Re:Not quite... by Charles+Dodgeson · · Score: 4, Informative

      I do see the behavior described: Emergency call, then double press takes me to my phone "Favorites". From the favorites, I can look up the details of of those address book entries and bring up Safari or Mail.

      From Safari opened this way, I can get to my bookmarks. And I suspect that from Mail (haven't tested it yet), I could get to all of my contacts. All of this with completely by-passing the PIN.

      --
      Prime numbers are exactly what Alan Greenspan says they are -S. Minsky
  2. Just tested... by Elindor · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's a way to prevent this - set the Home Button to go to Home when double clicked - this simply drops it back to the PIN request (Or, if it's in iPod mode, bring up the basic iPod controls)

  3. The easier and more complete way by Brilthor · · Score: 4, Informative

    Actually all you need to do is call the iphone, then when the call ends you are back at the home screen unrestricted. On a slightly unrelated note most security articles seem to point out the obvious flaws instead of the clever ones (clearly the iphone lock function is only a slight deterrent)

    1. Re:The easier and more complete way by shitzu · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually all you need to do is call the iphone, then when the call ends you are back at the home screen unrestricted.

      No it does not. It still asks for the code after the call has ended.