Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Never mind, we got it! FBI claims it found a way into iPhone, cancels Apple hearing

After sparring with Apple in recent weeks over the creation of a backdoor into one of the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhones, the United States government has decided to cancel its March 22 hearing with the Cupertino-based company. According to a new court filing presented Monday, lawyers for the Justice Department claim to have found an outside entity capable of unlocking gunman Syed Rizwan Farook’s now infamous iPhone. Because of the newly presented avenue, the government says it no longer needs Apple’s help in the matter.

Despite constant urging from the FBI, Apple staunchly refused to bypass any of the security measures built-in to its flagship smartphone. As the U.S. government continued to pressure Apple into writing software it claimed would only be used on one phone, Tim Cook continued to stand firm in the company’s denial of help. Cook even went so far as to say Apple would “not shrink from this responsibility” during a March 21 product event, mere hours before the Justice Department decided to pull the plug on the hearing.

Recommended Videos

“On Sunday, March 20, 2016, an outside party demonstrated to the FBI a possible method for unlocking Farook’s iPhone,” reads the Justice Department’s official filing. “Testing is required to determine whether it is a viable method that will not compromise data on Farook’s iPhone. If the method is viable, it should eliminate the need for the assistance from Apple Inc. (‘Apple’) set forth in the All Writs Act Order in this case.”

Related Offer: The iPhone SE. A big step for small.

The filing further details a call placed by the United States Attorney to Apple’s counsel, asking for the company’s position on its desire to cancel the hearing. Just a few hours after the call was placed, a judge reportedly granted the motion and officially cancelled the hearing.

Originally, the FBI and Apple were due in court at 1 p.m. PST on March 22, where both parties were scheduled to give arguments regarding the case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym, who originally ordered Apple to create the backdoor, was set to preside over the arguments.

Rick Stella
Former Associate Editor, Outdoor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
We may have been wrong about Apple’s first folding iPhone
Foldable iPhone mockup.

Apple could unveil its first foldable iPhone in 2026. Until now, many believed that this phone would resemble the clamshell design of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip rather than the larger Galaxy Z Fold.

However, Ross Young, an expert in the display industry, suggests that if Apple announces a foldable iPhone in two years, it will likely be more similar to the Galaxy Z Fold instead of the Galaxy Z Flip. On X, Young was asked, “So if Apple finally joins the party in 2026, will it be a Flip, a Fold, or both?” His answer was “Fold.”

Read more
I’ll never travel without Belkin’s excellent iPhone and Apple Watch charger
An iPhone and Apple Watch on the Belkin BoostCharge Pro Travel Pad.

I've been on the road a lot this year, and as much as I love exploring the country and other parts of the world, some travel annoyances are difficult to overcome. One of them is remembering to pack the right charging cables for phones, smartwatches, and other gadgets. Even when you bring all the right charging accessories, you're often left with a messy hotel desk strewn with cables to charge all your devices. It's a frustrating situation all around.

Thankfully, I think I've finally found a solution to this problem — at least when it comes to charging my iPhone and Apple Watch. Belkin recently sent me its BoostCharge Pro Travel Pad, and after using it on a recent three-day trip to New York City, it's earned a permanent spot in my backpack as an accessory I'll never travel without again.
A small, flexible, and fun design
The Travel Pad's MagSafe iPhone charger Joe Maring / Digital Trends

Read more
4 things Apple got wrong with the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro
The pink iPhone 16 display.

Apple has lifted the curtain off the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 10, and it’s quite an exciting array of devices. Not only is this the first line of iPhones built from the ground up to support Apple Intelligence, but Apple also gave us some incredibly fun colors for the regular models.

Even so, Apple still fell short on some aspects of the iPhone 16 line. Let’s dive in.
The iPhone 16 still has a 60Hz display

Read more