Skip to main content

Apple admits iPhone 11s are sharing user location data — but not collecting it

Apple finally explained why the iPhone 11 keeps sharing location data even when the feature is individually deactivated for all apps and services.

Concern over the matter was recently raised by security reporter Brian Krebs, who previously contacted Apple about what he believed was a possible privacy bug. Krebs uploaded a video showing that even after all apps and system services were set to “never” request location data on an iPhone 11 Pro, the arrow icon that indicates that location services are working still kept appearing. The only way to prevent the smartphone from sharing its location was to deactivate the main Location Data service under Settings.

It was unclear what the iPhone was doing, as there was no available information explaining what was happening. “We do not see any actual security implications,” an Apple engineer wrote to Krebs, adding that Location Services will keep working “for system services that do not have a switch in Settings.”

It took a couple of days, but Apple finally gave a clearer explanation for this issue with newer iPhones.

According to Apple, the newer iPhones, including the iPhone 11 Pro Max, keep sharing location data because they include ultra wideband technology. The technology “provides spatial awareness” to the devices, allowing them to determine where other devices with the same technology are located.

“So users can do things like share a file with someone using AirDrop simply by pointing at another user’s iPhone,” Apple said.

Apple added that the location services arrow will keep appearing for the newer iPhones because they will periodically check if the device finds itself in a country where ultra wideband technology has not yet received approval. (The list of countries where the feature is not yet allowed is small, and includes Argentina, Indonesia, and Paraguay.)

“The management of ultrawide band compliance and its use of location data is done entirely on the device, and Apple is not collecting user location data,” the company said.

Following Krebs’ report, Apple said that in a future iOS update, it will add a toggle in System Services that will allow owners of the newer iPhones to disable ultra wideband technology activity. When exactly that option will roll out was not specified.

Aaron Mamiit
Aaron received an NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was four years old, and he has been fascinated…
Next year’s iPhone could get a surprise new button
iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium.

This might sound funny, but it seems the biggest hardware updates for iPhones are reserved for the buttons. After adding an Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro, and then adding a Camera Control shutter across the iPhone 16 series, it seems the iPhone 17 Pro will introduce yet another take on a button.

As reliable leaker Majin Bu reports, Apple is reportedly testing “a new button that will replace the volume buttons and the Action Button that have been removed” on its next flagship.

Read more
Here’s how much the iPhone camera has changed in 10 years
A close-up of the iPhone 16 Pro camera.

The iPhone has always had a pretty decent camera. While Google prides itself on the photo capabilities of the Pixel, the iPhone has steadily improved with each iteration. Today, a user on Threads posted a side-by-side comparison showing just how far the iPhone camera has come in the last 10 years. We have to admit: it's pretty darn impressive, but perhaps even more impressive is how clear the iPhone camera's pictures were even 10 years ago.

Threads user @yantastic shared two pictures of the same location. One was taken with an iPhone 6 camera, while the other was taken with the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Read more
Which iPhone 16 has the best battery life? This test found out
iPhone 16 Pro Max in Desert Titanium.

The iPhone 16 series has been on the market for about 10 days. Third parties have been conducting tests, including benchmarks, on the phones during this time. Recently, Tom’s Guide published its list of the best smartphones in terms of battery life, and it’s no surprise that two of the new iPhone models made the list.

According to the report, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro tops the list and offers a fantastic 18 hours and 48 minutes of battery life between charges. This was followed by the OnePlus 12R, which had 18 hours and 42 minutes. The iPhone 16 Pro Max took the third position, with 18 hours and six minutes between charges.

Read more