When it was just the string of text sent between the phones, iMessage worked fine, though results may depend on the version of Apple's software the recipient is using. The string of text did not appear to affect an Android phone (running version 7.0) that we sent the message to. On two of the iPhones, both running iOS 10.2 (Apple's latest version), iMessage crashed to the point that we decided to restart both phones. All crashed when the contact card was sent, with iMessage immediately becoming unresponsive. USA TODAY tested the bug on various iPhones and iPads with software ranging from iOS 8.4 to iOS 10.2.
A video by YouTuber EverythingApplePro highlighting the exploit on numerous devices, as well as ways to work around it, received nearly 700,000 views. The issue was first spotted by French iOS developer Vincent Desmurs and seems to affect iPhones running iOS 8- iOS 10.2. USA TODAY wasn't able to match that scenario. Here's how it works: When a white flag emoji, the number zero and a rainbow emoji are sent as a contact, the recipient might find iMessage or the Contacts app is frozen, USA TODAY tests have confirmed.Īccording to one app developer, the three-character combination sent via iMessage as a text can also cause Apple's popular messaging app to freeze up and crash. Yes, there's a new bug that will possibly let another user freeze your phone for a while - but the prankster will have to work hard to do it.