Apple recently released an emergency update to address a bug causing deleted photos to reappear on iPhones and iPads. The issue stemmed from database corruption, resulting in some images resurfacing in the Photos library. While the update fixed the problem, security researchers at Synactiv took a closer look at iOS 17.5.1 to provide additional insights.

Using an iPhone 13 for comparison, the analysts discovered that Apple removed a routine responsible for scanning and re-importing photos from the filesystem. This change prevented old files from being reindexed and added back to galleries, ensuring that deleted images stayed deleted.

Despite this fix, the researchers found that Apple did not delete imported photos from the library or permanently remove the so-called deleted images stored on the filesystem. However, it’s important to note that Apple is not saving deleted photos on a remote server without user consent, nor is this issue indicative of a backdoor within the system.

So why were deleted photos still lingering in the filesystem? According to team Synactiv, photos may be saved in both the Files and Photos apps simultaneously. When a photo is deleted from the Photos app only, it may still exist in the Files app, explaining why some users experienced photos reappearing after deletion.

في ملخص:
– Apple’s emergency update addressed a bug causing deleted photos to resurface.
– The removal of a scanning routine prevented old files from being reindexed and added back to galleries.
– Deleted images may still exist in the Files app if only removed from the Photos app.
– This issue does not involve remote server storage or intentional backdoors within iOS.

By understanding how photos are stored across different apps, users can ensure that their deletions are comprehensive and effective. It’s essential to be aware of where your files are saved to prevent unexpected surprises later on.