All articles tagged with #factory reset
WhatsApp fixed a security vulnerability (CVE-2025-55177) exploited to hack targeted iOS and Mac users, prompting recommendations for affected users to perform factory resets and update their devices to prevent data theft. The attack was linked to a separate iOS and Mac flaw (CVE-2025-43300), with no clear attribution to specific spyware vendors.
A woman on TikTok has been experiencing a bug on her iPhone for the past four to five years where an alarm goes off daily at 9:25 am and cannot be turned off. Despite seeking suggestions from fellow TikTokers and contacting Apple for help, the issue persists. While a factory reset may be the solution, the woman is hesitant to wipe her phone's data.
While a factory reset on an Android phone is generally effective at protecting against data theft, it is not foolproof. Modern Android phones use file-based encryption to protect user data, but this encryption has been broken in the past. Additionally, tools like Cellebrite can bypass encryption and extract information from the phone. To ensure data security, it is recommended to use a secure wipe program to overwrite the phone's storage with gibberish binary data before factory resetting it. Taking precautionary measures is important to protect personal data, even though the average user is unlikely to be targeted.
Some Pixel Fold users are experiencing a bug that changes their ringtone and alarm sounds without their permission. The issue has been reported on various Pixel models, including the Pixel 5, Pixel 6 series, and Pixel 7 series. Users who set up their foldable phone using a backup from a previous Pixel model are more likely to encounter this bug. Google has not yet found a solution, and affected users are advised not to load a previously saved backup when performing a factory reset.