Apple has released iOS 17.5.1 for iPhone. The software update specifically addresses the issue of deleted photos that reportedly returns after updating to iOS 17.5.
A bug that brought hacked images back to life
Apple directly acknowledges in the release the deleted photos issue we reported on last week:
This update provides important bug fixes and resolves a rare issue where photos that have been corrupted in the database can reappear in the photo library even if they have been deleted.
No, Apple does not secretly store deleted photos
While some have wondered if this means Apple keeps our deleted photos, an explanation for what actually happened is suggested in the release notes.
Apple is clearly embarrassed by this mistake, as it fails to meet its own privacy goals. However, the behavior is not by design.
Instead, Apple appears to be describing the fix as an overhaul of the database's handling mechanisms, ensuring the accuracy of photo library deletion logs to prevent previously deleted photos from reappearing.
The way photo deletion is designed is as follows: photos are deleted by the user, moved to the Recently Deleted album, and It was effectively eliminated after 40 days.
Photos can be completely removed manually before 40 days by deleting photos from Recently Deleted album.
The mistake he made was bringing in photos that were still there in 40 days (they would be automatically deleted), but were deleted manually.
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