Users of iOS 17.5 were surprised to find previously deleted files and images mysteriously reappearing. Complaints flooded online forums, leading Apple and cybersecurity researchers into an investigation. The issue has been traced back to a malfunction in the operating system’s code that led to the retrieval of eliminated data.
Apple quickly addressed user concerns, assuring them that a software update would be released as soon as possible to rectify the situation. Meanwhile, users were advised to refrain from deleting important files. The investigation is ongoing with Apple working closely with cybersecurity groups to expose any additional vulnerabilities.
Publicly acknowledging the malfunction, Apple revealed that a “database corruption” was responsible, explaining that files which users believed to have deleted were not entirely erased. In an unexpected twist, iCloud syncing was ruled out as the culprit.
iOS 17.5 glitch revives deleted files
Instead, a fault in a database entry on the device’s file system seemed to be the problem, affecting files stored on the device.
Apple provided several potential solutions. These included deleting particular files, resetting system settings, or—in extreme cases—the complete reset of the device. If these measures failed to solve the problem, Apple support was recommended. They assured that even this complex-seeming issue can often be resolved with relatively simple troubleshooting steps.
For concerned users, Apple emphasized that only a small fraction of users were affected, and that the company does not have access to users’ photos or videos. They stressed that third-party applications only have limited data access, guaranteeing the preservation of user privacy.
Apple made a firm stand against a Reddit user’s claim of re-emerging files on a wiped and re-sold device. They asserted that thorough erasure of a device results in permanent data loss, suggesting misunderstanding or attention seeking on the part of the user.
In the follow-up iOS 17.5.1 update, Synactiv security investigators identified a migration routine from the original iOS 17.5 as the root of the problem. This routine scanned and restored photos back to the photo library; it was removed in the new update.
