Pranksters use emoji rainbow to crash iPhones

Emoji prank: Jokers are using emojis to crash iPhones and iPads
PA
Fiona Simpson18 January 2017

Pranksters are using a series of text, flag and rainbow emojis to crash iPhones and iPads.

Tech fiends have discovered how to exploit a bug in Apple’s iOS system by sending a string of icons which will crash devices to differing degrees.

One message includes a waving white flag, a rainbow and a hidden character called a variation selector, which can be copied into an iMessage.

The second consists of a string of characters, embedded in a contacts file, which can be shared as part of an iCloud drive or through an iMessage contact.

The first bug affects all iPhones and iPads but the second only damages devices with iOS 10.1 or lower.

The contact card affects all versions of iOS 10, according to the Guardian.

The bug was originally reported by YouTuber EverythingApplePro, which has a history of reporting on iPhone crash pranks.

Users sent either the emojis via iMessage or the contact card will see their iPhone or iPad crash quickly.

The bug results in the device locking meaning it would require a reboot, or a partial lockup that triggers a quick reboot.

Users must delete their iMessage conversation with whichever prankster sent them the boobytrapped emoji to avoid repeated crashes.

Apple declined to comment, the Guardian reported.

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